Jazz Artwork, Jazz Paintings, Jazz Art, Jazz Painter-Paintings by Szugye

The Good, The Bad, The Ugly...

The following are comments made about my art from the viewers. They provoke the questions, where have we been and where are we going? Some of these comments are deeply rooted in ignorance and fear...racism, sexism, and prejudice. Others are encouraging in their understanding of humanity and beauty. Together, they express the good, the bad and the ugly that is. ~ Szugye

1. "You dun good!"
2. "You must have a black girlfriend."
3. "They all look like Dennis Rodman to me."
4. "Wow! They are so beautiful."
5. "Your prices are too low."
6. "Your art is a little pricey."
7. "I love your paintings."
8. "Do your painting reflect your sexual preference?" (from two drunk cops in Walnut Creek, Ca).
9. "Of all the booths here at the show, yours is the best."
10. "Why do you paint their lips red?"
11. "Do you just paint black people?"
12. "That's so genius of him, paintings of black people is such the trend now." (conversation I heard as two men passed by my booth).
13. "Black people don't have red lips."
14. "I want her!" (referring to my painting of Lydia)
15. "Are you the artist? REALLY, you're the artist?"
16. "She looks like voodoo lady to me." (once again referring to Lydia)
17. "I love your colors."
18. "A woman's critique of my painting entitled "Bass Player." It's good, but I don't like the color Orange."
19. "WOW"
20. "Fuck Dude...I want that one."
21. "I dont like those." (referring to my paintings).
22. "Your painting, 3.am is a masterpiece in the sense that you capture the lonely side of jazz."
23. "A person would never set their trumpet on the steps like that." (referring to 3.am).
24. "Where did you get your inspiration from...Good Times?"
25. "You're the Al Jolson of painting." (that was supposed to be a compliment...I guess).
26. "I wonder if you're trying to 'mack' somebody else's style?"
27. "You're to young to be this talented."
28. "$875...I think not!"
29. "You must be the artist, they all look like you."
30. "That's so Fuckin cool!"
31. "How will I explain your paintings to the symphony?" (Bonnie, from Phillips Gallery). What the hell was she talking about?
32. "I like the art, but it's too pricey for our gallery." (Dolores Chase Gallery).
33. "Your art might look good in a pool hall." (Art Works Gallery).
34. "I'm glad to see some good local talent."
35. "You've got a good sense of humor."
36. "Where does all your anger come from?"
37. "Someday you will be famous."
38. "You must really hate women."
39. "Are these people Cuban?"
40. "You're the nicest artist at this festival." ( Capitola, CA).
41. "Are these all the same people?"
42. "How come all your women are so skinny?"
43. "From looking at your slides, we thought you were black." (Chicago, IL).
44. "Are you colored?" (Columbus, OH).
45. "There must be some weird things going on in your head; but not as weird as what's in my head."
46. "I'm glad to see some real art. All I see here at this show is scape...landscape, seascape, escape."
47. "You're one of a kind Szugye."
48. "Thank you for being so gifted."
49. "I've never seen anything like these paintings."
50. "Szugye, where does all your pain come from?"
51. "Suge...you can do it."
52. THE VERY GOOD...
Szugye, I heard something on NPR the other day how art is so often misunderstood or misinterpreted or labeled as pricey because people don't think that when a person makes a piece it has part of that person incorporated into it. A part of their soul has gone into every piece, every line, every decision, and every curve. However, when I look at your work, I not only feel the passion and delight you receive, but the shear life you give your people, your little extended family, your silent friends. They have soul and they speak, but only for the "cool kids" that look and look and look, and listen and dream, like I just did. THANK YOU! Each one has is some ways become my friend too. Like when you read a good book. (Trace Goslin).