Douglas Bourgeois

Artist: Douglas Bourgeois

Biodata

Dates of birth: 1951

Place of Birth: Gonzales, LA

Current residence: just southeast of Baton Rouge in the small town of St. Amant, LA

Education: BFA Lousiana State University

Employment: Full time artist

Major Shows/Galleries

Awards: 1992 Louisiana Division of the Arts Fellowship

1987 Southeast 7, SECCA/RJR Individual Artist Fellowship

1981 Awards in the Visual Arts Fellowship

Solo Shows: 2008 A Loss For Words, Arthur Roger Gallery, New Orleans, LA

2006 Arthur Roger Gallery, New Orleans, LA

2002-03 Contemporary Arts Center, New Orleans, LA (traveling exhibition—book)

SELECTED GROUP EXHIBITIONS

2009 Modernism on Paper, Rebekah Jacob Gallery, Charleston, S.C.

2007 Unsung, Nicole Klagsbrun Gallery, New York, NY

2007 Katrina: Catastrophe and Catharsis, Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center, Colorado Springs, CO

2006 New Orleans Rebirth-Significant Artists Return, Opelousas Museum of Art, Opelousas, LA

Made in New Orleans, Space 301, Mobile, AL (traveling exhibition)

2005 Context/Content, Baum Gallery of Art, University of Central Arkansas, Conway, AK

2003- Story of the S

outh: Art and Culture, 1890-2003, Ogden Museum of Southern Art, New Orleans, LA

Media: preferred medium is oil, he makes collage, wood collage, watercolor paintings, and mixed media constructions.

Technique: Douglas Bourgeois, , has spent more than two decades painting odd portraits of pop stars from Elvis Presley to Marvin Gaye to Queen Latifah. He once painted a double portrait of rapper Rakim (of Eric B. and Rakim) with forlorn poet Emily Dickinson.

"He's one of the very best artists in Louisiana, one of the best in the country," said John Bullard, director of the New Orleans Museum of Art. "Since he lives in a little town in Louisiana and paints rather quirky subjects, he hasn't gotten the national attention he deserves. He tells wonderful stories in his paintings, executed in an almost Old Masters style, with a surrealistic tinge."

Contextual information

Influences (historical/personal/political): Sources for inspiration include biographical fantasies, tributes to pop icons, discarded paper media, religious iconography, and the mysterious life of objects. The overpowering character of Southern landscape and culture is a haunting element in his work.

Other:

Anecdotes, Quotes, web links to articles (highlight which articles may be worth making a hard copy for the binder)

“What did you spend your money on then, and what do you spend it on now?

When I was working minimum wage jobs, I spent money on vinyl records, pointy-toed vintage shoes, thrift store clothes, books, magazines, art supplies. Now, my biggest indulgences are art by fellow artists, music downloads, dvds, art books, old toys. For art purposes, I buy old paper media for source material and collage– books, magazines, matchbooks, wallpaper. Also old frames, printed wood, and tin for assemblages.

Did you or do you worry about how your work will be received?

Generally, no. When there are misinterpretations of my intentions in a particular work, I have to accept that it’s beyond my control. There is a certain mystery in the imagery in my work, and once it leaves the studio, I try not to assume how it’s being received. It’s great to get some feedback, but I’m on to the next one by then. And I believe in it just as strongly as I ever did. I work slowly and do only a few paintings each year and can’t force the process. To know that people will see the most recent body of work is satisfying, but the tricky part is not getting too comfortable with that approval. I keep my work interesting and engaging for myself. The occasional appreciation for it is gravy. “ from an interview on Days of Yore at http://www.thedaysofyore.com/douglas_bourgeois/

Articles:

MacCash, Doug. “Artists Jacqueline Bishop and Douglas Bourgeois are as soulful and skilled as ever,” The Times

Picayune, February 11, 2009.

Doug MacCash, “Art Critic Calls 2008 Jazz Fest post ‘the best ever’,” The Times-Picayune, March 1, 2008