Showing posts with label paint jamaica. Show all posts
Showing posts with label paint jamaica. Show all posts
Tuesday, May 22, 2007
Painting: Courtney King
Interview with Courtney King
A look at Courtney King's Art
Paintings by Courtney King
Paintings by Courtney King
Paintings by Courtney King
Paintings by Courtney King
Paintings by Courtney King
Paintings by Courtney King
Artist: Courtney King
Medium: Paint
Location: Union Square on University Ave.
Courtney “Black Dragon” King is an artist from the Jamaican city of Montego Bay. He started painting at age 6, saying “I have a love for art from when I was a child” and describing his passion and ability as a “gift from God.”
Mr. King moved from Jamaica because he says the economy is not set-up to support the arts. A lot of people can’t afford the paintings and art is not a 100% interest of the people. Even if they see a piece they like, he explains, they can’t afford it. Mostly paintings that sell in the galleries in Jamaica are to tourists. “To the natives, they can’t afford it because they have their families to support.” Under these conditions Courtney did not feel he get the money or recognition he needs to be a success.
Courtney now resides in New York and stays here to meet different people to whom he can express his art form. However, this is after a long life of travel working a seaman and barwaiter and traveling to places like Europe, Africa, Canada and Mexico.
Not bound to traditional art subjects, Courtney is particularly proud of his telling of the Bruce Lee story through painting and reckons he’s the first black man to do so. “Bruce was my hero from childhood.” Mr. King also shares the same birthday as Bruce Lee’s son, Brandon, and feels a spiritual connection with Brandon who was born the same day but has already passed.
Courtney is inspired to paint by his obligation to use the gifts God gave him and gives God credit for all the work he does with his hands. “[W]e have to go some day when we leave this earth, but we don’t know when God going to call us home. So everyman have a responsibility to fulfill on this planet…the things we posses in this world is of no value when we die…but art itself is more of a spiritual connection.”
While selling on the street now, Courtney’s main goal is to have his own studio. He seeks make a significant contribution to the art world. To that end he seeks a big publishment so he can feel secure and satisfied and to be able to do his best and show the world his best.
Like what you see? Courtney often sells at
Union Square, Coney Island and Battery Park
Really like what you see? Contact Courtney and commission a work
346-615-4041
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