Shoosty East West 2023 “We have found a way to nature again, it lies through japan. No longer does the living art of our time take its nurture from past styles, no longer does it seek its models in the pattern book of the renaissance or the rococo... The wonderful art of japan offers a rare combination of untarnished natural freshness with the most refined decorative taste and the highest stylistic assurance: let us be grateful to it for showing us the right path to follow and for opening the eyes of those that have eyes to see.” - Aemil Fendler 1897 Shoosty - 2023 Copyright Shooster Publishing Makers of Fine Art Books www.shoosty.com 441 South State Road 7 Margate, Florida 33068 954-537-1200 2 me an electric blanket. That worked great. I also I turn 65 years old this year. For my birthday I had Kerosene heater, but they are problematic. was given a card written in Japanese. I could not They only radiate a few feet; you must keep a read it; Google Translate could. It said You Go window open. Did I mention it was zero de- To Japan! grees? The funny thing is that you get used to the cold once you have thermal underwear and I was floored. Diane would come with me for a heating blanket. two weeks to help get me started, and Jason, my son, and his wife would join us during the Once I figured that out, I had both studios at the first two weeks. Diane could not go, so it was artist residency until midnight, and I used them just Jason, Anna, and I for two weeks. Jason was the whole day. My ten days were like twenty at in charge. He kept us very busy. We must have the rate I was going. walked 20,000 plus steps daily: walking tours, Subways, constant walking. Near the end of two What I learned is that woodblock printing is not weeks, we went to a Chinese foot massage. That for me. I like carving wood, but I wouldn't say fixed everything! I like the printing results or losing control. The whole exercise needs to be faster for my modern The only thing I planned for my trip was an art- techniques. I can create millions of colors on my ist residency in Woodblock Printing. The rest of iPad Pro and print them exquisitely with perfect the trip, I had no plans, no hotels, no planning graduations and more. I even coined a term for or assistance. I was going to figure things out on this: Chromatic Fusionism. The science of art my own. mixed with humanity. It worked out well except for Yamanashi Dis- Because I was in the region, I was also offered trict, Kofu. I choose a hotel on a main road far a trip to Thailand, specifically to Pai. Pai is 762, from the city center. I fixed that the next day, which curves up the mountain from Chaing moving downtown. I chose this place because Mai in the country's northwest corner. Pai is it said I would get access to Mount Fuji. What a terrific place with young Europeans playing I was looking for was to paint the mountain. I music and living large for little. need my perspective. Kofu is still far from Fuji. I had to take a bus. What I didn't expect was how One of the highlights was the Florida-Wakaya- crowded it was. Crazy! ma Cultural Alliance. We met top people in the association, had a fine lunch, and did a ceramic Plus, worse, it turns out the city is depressed. workshop with the vice president. We will be 80% of the stores never open. Japan is overrun forever grateful for that event. At the end of my with people, and this zone is depressed. I made trip, I wanted an art show; instead, I was allowed the best of it. I spent a few days at the Kofu to spend time with a high school class. Takade Shrine. It was perfect for painting, un- crowded with lots of traditional elements. I also loved Tokyo and spending an afternoon with the Urban Sketchers. That group is so ded- The other thing I should have prepared for was icated they are drawing and constantly making the traditional Japanese house at the woodblock friendships. residency in Karuizawa. It was much colder, located about 1 mile from a ski resort. I didn't know that traditional homes have no insulation and no heat! It was just about 0 Celsius or 32 degrees Fahrenheit. It was freezing! I went to bed that night with all my clothing and jackets. It was still tricky. The next day, I planned to get a proper sleeping bag or a hotel. The school gave 3 SHOOSTY - 2023 44 The Red Bridge NAKANOSHIMA MUSEUM OF ART, 47 Tori Gate in the Rain OSAKA, JAPAN SHINGEN MUSEUM 6 Purple Dragon 48 Samurai Uniform 7 Gypsy Jazz Japan 49 Traditional Home 8 Shoosty Bugs, Osaka Museum 50 Yokihiro Isso & Band 8 Dynastinae Sracabaeidae 52 FuJiSan with Stamps OSAKA CASTLE FUJISAN 11 Osaka Castle Wall 53 FujiSan 12 Nakamura’s Bar HAKONE 14 Sushi Dokoro Miyamoto 15 Kaiyodo Figure Museum 54 Hakone Vista 16 Jason with the Band 55 Fu-Ji-San 17 Haiku / Poetry KARUIZAWA, JAPAN WAKAYAMA, JAPAN 56 Karuizawa Mokohanga Woodblock Print- HIROSHIMA, JAPAN ing School PEACE DRAGON 61 Longhorn Beetle Woodblock 62 Longhorn Beetle Woodblock Prints 22 The Mac Bar 65 Terry Mckenna Works 23 Jazz Rokudenashi 66 Woodblock Peace Dragon 67 Woodblock Print Peace Dragon MIYAJIMA, JAPAN 69 Woodblock Print Custom Painting 24 Iconic Tori Gate 69 Orange Bridge Woodblock Print 70 The Mad Scientist Woodblock KYOTO, JAPAN 70 Trees Woodblock 26 Parade of the Ages MOTOSOTO CASTLE AND THE 26 Stephen at the Parade of Ages 27 Parage of the Ages U-KIYO MUSEUM 28 Kowadarski 72 The Black Castle 73 Paper Making, Echizen HOZUGAWA KYOTO WAKAYAMA 30 Rag Live Spot 74 Keifu High School Teaching 31 Rag Live Spot 2 TOKYO NARA, THE OLDEST CAPITAL 76 Hachiko 33 WellSpring V1 TOKYO CITY VIEW NARA DEER PARK SHRINE 80 Stephen and Golow 35 Genshen 81 Golow Kajigaya 36 Nara Lake 81 Stephen by Golow NARA CRAFT MUSEUM NATIONAL HISTORY MUSEUM, 38 Mask Painting TOKYO 82 Dinosaurs Blue/Green OWNER OPERATED STORES 83 Dinosaurs Red JAPANESE MOLA ARTISTS 84 Koko’s Tokyo KOFU, YAMINASHI, JAPAN 85 Abby Road, Wakayama 86 Kabuki Maked Singers with Dragon play- 43 Komainu ing Harmonic 4 87 Komainu Protecting the Band 136 The Cajon Player 89 Satin Doll 137 Pai Sketch 92 Water Dragon 138 Earlier God Studies 93 Mizuchi 138 Frog Troubadour 139 Naga Band CHAING MAI, THAILAND 139 Lazy Sketch 94 Sanggadee Exhibition in Nature 139 Violin, Ganesh, Guitar 94 Pairie Playing Handpan 139 Tree and Violin 96 Pook’s Campfire 140 Mikkel Hermansen 96 Ganesh with the Band 140 Jason Shooster 97 Campfire Before Night 140 Thorbjørn Kaas 97 Campfire at Night 140 Madame Machine 100 Seahorse God with Whale and Band 141 Dark Star Studio 101 Common Grounds BAAN PITTALEW ART GALLERY 102 Jason’s Tattoo 104 Ink Therapy 142 THE FIRE DANCERS 105 Three Girls 144 Chaing Mai 105 Ganesh in an Ink Storm 144 Jason with Mustache Guitar 145 Four Humble Men THE SPIRIT BAR 146 Boy Blues Bar 106 CC as a Thai Queen 146 Blues Beyond Borders 107 CC as a Caphlopod 147 Boy Blues Bar 2 107 Garuda having a Beer as the Dragons 147 Blues Beyond Borders 2 Guard his Godly body 150 Harmonic Player 108 Learning Thai Myths of Thailand 151 Jason 109 Rabbit Riding Seahorse 151 Thorbjørn Kaas 110 10 Rai Sunset 152 Thapae East 110 Pixel Art Portrait of Shoosty 154 Chaing Mai Temple God 111 DJ Waben 155 Muscian Hands Mountain 112 Jazz House 156 Supermoon 112 The Gods Band 157 Khun Kae’s Juice Bar 112 White Jesus THAI MODIFED TEMPLE ART 113 Madame Machine / Jazz House 114 Marc Hastenteufel Photos 158 Thai Procession with Gypsy Guitar 116 The Dancers 158 Violin Temple 117 The Dancers Garuda and Naga 159 French Horn Machine 118 Musician Stencils 159 Praying to the Gypsy Jazz God 120 Grateful Dead Tapestry 160 Flying Elephant and Gypsy Guitar 122 Sunset in Pai 161 Thai Godess Blessing a Gypsy Guitar 122 Katie Dancing 162 The Scribe 123 Two Huts at Night 162 Clarinet Conjuring a Flying Elephant 124 Chang 163 Servant holding Guitar and Fiddle 127 Jazz House Painting 164 Thai Angels Blessing Music 128 Ganesh with Gypsy Guitar BOYTON BEACH, FLORIDA 129 Naga Confronts with a Gypsy Guitarist 131 The Colors of Thailand 165 Dart Board Band 132 Love Fiasco 166 Lovers 133 Supermoon 166 The Bar 134 Sarena and Jason 166 Jake Surrounded 135 Magnifying Glass 167 Dancers 168 Dedicated to You VARIOUS SKETCHES 169 All The Jazz 136 Guitar Figure 5 Nakanoshima Museum of Art, Osaka, Japan Dragon on six fusuma paper panels Nakanoshima Museum of Art, Osaka Nagasawa Rosets 1786 The trick to learning how to make a dragon is to find a good model. This huge sketch in one of the best I found. Purple Dragon 6 , WATERCOLOR ON PAPER, SHOOSTY 2023 Gypsy Jazz Japan Gypsy Jazz Trio, 10-14-2023, Rastro 845, Osaka, Japan Digital Ink, 12” x 12”, Shoosty 2023 7 clockwise, Dynastinae Scarabaeidae, Water Color on Paper, Shoosty, 2023 UnCommon Fly, 50” x 50”, 18 mm silk twill Megascolia of Mariupol, 50” x 50”, 18 mm silk twill Shoosty Bugs, Osaka Museum Dynastinae Sracabaeidae 8 9 Osaka Castle Anna and Jason Shooster Various Views of Osaka Castle Osaka Castle Manhole Cover 10 Osaka Castle Wall Various Views of Osaka Castle 11 Nakamura’s Bar 12 13 Sushi Dokoro Miyamoto Japan, 556-0016 Osaka, Naniwa Ward, Motomachi, 2 Chome−4−15 14 Kaiyodo Figure Museum 15 Gypsy Jazz Meet-Up Osaka 16 Jason with the Band Haiku / Poetry OLD POND FROG JUMPING IN SOUND OF WATER GOOGLE TRANSLATE CAN READ PHOTOS. The Miracle of Google Translate! I can’t speak a word of Japanese. Luckily, I met some people that could speak English. I learned that the Asian people want to learn English, but they have their hands full with three written languages, Hirokami, Katana, and Chinese. The first two have 46 syllables each. The Chinese has 3,000 symbols. Meanwhile Google translate can read images, like menus and monuments, as well as allow me to speak English and share either written or spoken Japanese. I became very reliant on my phone for this reason. I met a fellow that is part of the Haiku society. He taught me my first Haiku, an old and famous one. I used Google translate to understand him. 17 Wakayama, Japan We were invited as guests of the Florida Wakayama Cultural Alliance. We met the president at her expansive fruit stand, our translator Maki, and the vice president, at his ceramics studio where we got to each make a piece of pottery. Afterward we are brought to the #1 ramen restaurant in Japan. ANNA JASON STEVE ANNA JASON STEVE 18 THE #1 RAMEN RESTURANT IN JAPAN 19 Hiroshima, Japan Peace Dragon park where the nuclear bomb detonated during WW2. The dragon holds a nu- 14” x 19” ink on watercolor paper, Shoosty, 2023. Created inside of peace clear bomb in its claws and the wings a full of bombs. The Tori Gate on the top left has a Peace Sign hanging off of it, marrying eastern and western culture. On the bottom right are two people trying to put the genie back in the bottle. 20 The only building that sustained the nuclear bomb and kept standing Horoshima Peace Park, Horoshima, Japan Jason and Stephen at the train Ground zero for the nuclear bomb. it detonated 1,000 feet above this spot. 21 12” x 12”, Ink on Paper, Shoosty 2023 The Mac Bar The Mac Bar in Hiroshima has a wall full of CD’s. It is run by Yuri Suzuki and her partner. 22 Ink on Paper, Shoosty 2023 Jazz Rokudenashi resin Jazz Sculptures JAson adding to the CD collection 23 Miyajima, Japan Iconic Tori Gate 12” x 12” Ink and Watercolor on Paper, Shoosty 2023 24 Temple Detail Tori gate Miyajima Deer Park 25 Kyoto, Japan Parade of the Ages Stephen at the Parade of Ages 26 Parade of the Ages Ink on Paper, 6” x 12”, Shoosty 2023 27 Hozugawa Kowadarski White Water Experience, 12” x 12” Ink on 28 paper, Shoosty 2023 29 Kyoto Rag Live Spot 12” x 12” Ink on Paper, Shoosty 2023 this drawing is designed to be turned 180 degrees. 30 Rag Live Spot 2 12” x 12” Ink on Paper, Shoosty 2023 31 Nara, The Oldest Capital Plein-Air Painting Nara 32 WellSpring V1 Wet-on-Wet Neon Acrylic Paint on canvas, apx 16” x 20”, Shoosty 2023 33 Nara Deer Park Shrine 34 Genshen Genshen means wellspring 35 Nara Lake Acrylic on Canvas, Chromatic Paints, apx 16” x 14”, Shoosty 2023 36 37 Eight of us, everyone wearing their finest out- fits, suits and ties for men, and dresses for women. As a tourist I had few choices of what to wear, but normally a painting class means old clothing. We had a few people monitoring us, and a few providing support. I was told we are to paint two coats of green and one of or- ange for the hair and mouth. I had no idea we were painting a deity. “I said, I am a painter can I paint it however I would like?” The response was no way. You can’t make any changes. As an artist I was upset. As a guest I was polite and followed the program. In the end Kigeiten - The god of Art Mastery I realized this was a class in conformity and perhaps so- lemnity, too because I can’t understand the religion. One of the biggest take-a-ways I learned form my Japanese experience is how nice these people are at every age group. I felt safe always. Nara Craft Museum Mask Painting 38 Kigeiten The guardian deity of mastery of the arts and happiness, because when Shiva, the supreme god of Hinduism, was enjoying music, he appeared from his hairline and gave a splendid performance. In Japan, there is only one Akishinoji Temple, and it is also called the “Muse of the East.” When you look up at its ap- pearance, you can sense its extraor- dinary deep beauty. 39 Owner Operated Stores 40 Japanese Mola Artists 41 Kofu, Yaminashi, Japan The guardian dog of the Tori Gate. 42 Komainu 43 The Red Bridge 44 Takada Shrine, KoFu The Takada Shrine Entrance The Takada Shrine Entrance Stephen standing with Orange bridge 45 Hiroshige - Ohashi Bridge In The Rain Print Poster 46 Tori Gate in the Rain Acrylic on Canvas, Painted during a rainy day, a common theme in Japanese art history. I was really pleased to see the impression of the rain on my painting. 47 Shingen Museum Samurai Uniform Shingen Museum, Kofu, Japan Shoosty 2023 48 Traditional Home Shingen Museum, Kofu, Japan Shoosty 2023 49 Yokihiro Isso & Band 12” x 12” Ink on Paper, Shoosty 2023 Sakuraza, Kofu, Japan Traditional Japanese Flute merged with contemporary beats. Exciting music! As you turn the art the image chang- es. Here are three turns. 1 2 3 50 51 Fujisan Mt. Fuji World Cultural Heritage FuJiSan with Stamps Shoosty 2023 Fujisan Base Camp 4 Fujisan Peace Mon- ument Base Camp 4 Fujisan Shrine Mount Fuji 52 FujiSan, Mount Fuji, Photo by FujiSan Stephen Shooster, 2023 53 Hakone Hakone Vista We took a ferry and a gondola to get to this high point. 54 Monkey Gods tease syllables out clouds. The Buddha is playing a of a lotus flower (from the bottom violin which is my small addition to up) Fu-Ji-San (Fuji Mountain), this iconic image. better known in the West as Mount Fuji. Sitting on top of the world is Fu-Ji-San a Buddha with maidens sitting on 55 Karuizawa, Japan Karuizawa Mokohanga Woodblock Printing School 56 57 Sketch Drawn Transfer Paper Prepare to Cut to Scale Prepare to Cut Cutting Wood Learning Cutting Techniques Printing Station Painting Tools Starch Glue 58 Pushing a Baren against paper / Registering the paper Pressing the Baron test print Cutting the Basswood Cutting in process Cutting Completed Inked Board First Print Shoosty Bug 59 Cutting a Woodblock 60 Long Horn Beetle Woodcut, Basswood, painted with chromat- ic paints with handmade paper stamped with custom Shoosty stamp. 4” x 6” Longhorn Beetle Woodblock 61 Longhorn Beetle Woodblock Prints 62 63 64 Terry Mckenna Works 65 Woodblock Peace Dragon Woodblock cut Peace Dragon 66 Woodblock Print Peace Dragon 67 Cutting a Basswood Woodblock Orange Bridge Woodblock Cut Blue Side Orange Side 68 Hand Painting Woodblock Print Orange Bridge Woodblock Print Woodblock Print Custom Painting 69 The Mad Scientist Woodblock Trees Woodblock 70 Sensai Terry McKenna with Stephen Shooster Karuizawa, Japan, December 2023 71 Motosoto Castle and the U-Kiyo Museum The Black Castle 72 Paper Making, Echizen Stripped Mulberry Pulp Mulberry Mash Washing the Mash Making paper Stripping Pulp Drying Pulp Making Paper 73 Wakayama Keifu High School Teaching Students surrounded by Shoosty Art. Keifu High School florida wakayama cultur- al alliance A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. - Sayoko Tahara, from old saying. Mrs. Sayoko Tahara, President FLWCA florida wakayama alliance 74 75 Tokyo Hachiko Hachiko, 12” x 12” ink on pa- per, Shoosty, 2023 Urban Sketchers is all over the world. Japan has a very active group. I joined them for the af- ternoon. the prompt was draw a 360 degree view of the city. Each of these artists is vert sophisitcaed, from an court art- Hachiko is the loyal dog ist, to archetech and graphic who waited for his master designers, all professionals are year after he had died. part of this group. The sculpture is a good meeting spot. People line up all day to take a photo with him.. 76 JAPAN URBAN SKETCHERS Left to right - Atelier Hai Tran Kumi Matsukawa, Golow Kajigaya, Stephen Shooster, Casey Torimi, Grover Casey Torimi Golow Kajigaya Grover Kumi Matsukawa Atelier Hai Tran 77 Tokyo City View THE ART THAT IS THE CITY ROppongi City Skyview, 52nd floor 78 79 Stephen and Golow Stephen Shooster drawn by Golow Golow drawing by Stephen Shooster On the 52nd floor of the Roppangi Towers a art exhibit was showing featuring the work of Osamu Tezuka. He is considered the father of Manga. His style of story telling is ‘Gekiga.” That means is is realistic often with dark themes. Two of his most famous characters are Jack Black and Astro Boy. Steve with Jack Black 80 Golow Kajigaya I few years ago I joined Urban sketchers of Japan. I am a member of many of these groups around the world and I wanted to see what is happening in Japan. I discovered an artist that was frequently posting some very powerful work. He was using a rich wet ink with bold strokes. We became friends and over the years that has grown as we are both very active artists. Golow Kajigaya Stephen by Golow Stephen Shooster and Golow Kajigaya 81 National History Museum, Tokyo Dinosaurs Blue/Green 82 Dinosaurs Red Steve with Golow (Japan Urban Sketchers) 83 Koko’s Tokyo 84 Abby Road, Wakayama 85 Kabuki Maked Singers with Dragon playing Harmonic 86 Komainu Protecting the Band 87 Kent Dahl (Journalist stationed in Tokyo), Anna and Jason Shooster 88 Satin Doll 89 Independant Business Owners the Stationary Store McDonald's - The Americna Embassy the Ink and Paper Store The French Restuarant Steve and Anna at the Market Area 90 Jason and Anna at the Bamboo Forest Jason and Anna at the Train Station 91 Water Dragon Jindaiji Temple, Japan 92 Mizuchi Jindaiji Temple, Japan 93 Chaing Mai, Thailand Sanggadee Exhibition in Nature Pairie Playing Handpan Chiang Mai, Thailand textile show. An off the charts amazing show including The Bamboo Family Architects (the complex was built in three months), workshops galore, Kambucha workshop, stamping, screen printing, clothing draping, embroidery, crafts, all done by top notch artisans, some of the pieces were world class in my opinion. 94 95 PAI, THAILAND Pook’s Campfire Ganesh with the Band Ganesh Saladda Pook 96 MikKel Hermannson, Thorbjørn Kaas, Jason Shooster, Charly Clarentin Campfire Before Night Campfire at Night 97 Steve on a scotter wearing his UF College of Art 98 Shirt, Pai, Thailand 99 Seahorse God with Whale and Band 100 Common Grounds 101 Jason’s Tattoo 102 Tom Lowe's Tattoos 103 Ink Therapy This enrichment class was being held at our hostel, Common Grounds. I couldn’t help buy join. The whole exercise was to take found materials and use them with black in to print on paper. 104 Ganesh in an Ink Storm Ink on handmade paper Three Girls Ink on handmade paper 105 The Spirit Bar Set back behind the main street, The Spirit Bar opens up into a large open air expanse with various elevations, just like a tree house. CC as a Thai Queen 106 CC as a Caphlopod Garuda having a Beer as the Dragons Guard his Godly body 107 Learning Thai Myths of Thailand Garuda The Cow God The Rooster God Garudah and Naga 108 The Monkey God Rabbit Riding Seahorse 109 10 Rai Sunset Pixel Art Portrait of Shoosty The concept is a video camera, artists are pro- 110 jectors. DJ Waben Tom Lowe at Work 111 Jazz House The Gods Band 112 White Jesus Acrylic on Canvas apx 16” x 12”, The hands of the Madame Machine band in addition to Ganesh the elephant and the frog finger constellation. Shoosty 2023 Madame Machine / Jazz House 113 Marc Hastenteufel Photos Thorbjørn Kass Jason Shooster Charly Clarentin 114 Stephen doing his Thing wearing World Peace Hat, 115 The Dancers 116 The Dancers Garudah and Naga Two Garudah dancin on the left and one seven headed Naga with the seventh head a penis. 117 Musician Stencils 118 119 Grateful Dead Tapestry 120 121 Sunset in Pai 9.5 x 10.75 watercolor on paper. Notice the hair and face painted into the river. Katie Dancing 122 Two Huts at Night Acrylic on Canvas, Apx 14” x 24” 123 Chang 124 We ran into the elephants, also known as Chang, was a loud roar. For me that was like hearing the twice. Once while riding our scooters and anoth- ice cream truck, I ran looking for Chang and found er time while at the hot springs. I heard that they him. The fence was broken and I was able to say elephants are nearby. I asked everyone from the hello and give him a friendly touch. landscaper up. They finally understood when I Steve wearing his insect shorts. said Chang. The director told me to go 500 me- ters away to find them. I said tell me if they come by here. Within ten minutes I herd a trump of the smaller elephant, because then next thing I had 125 126 Jazz House Painting 127 Ganesh with Gypsy Guitar 128 Naga Confronts with a Gypsy Guitarist 129 130 The Colors of Thailand 131 Love Fiasco 132 Supermoon 180 degree turn 133 Sarena and Jason are a couple I met in Pai. I had no idea how talented they were at first. When I learned that Jason has a doctorate in physical therapy I wondered what he was doing here. Pai is known for music and drinking. It turns out he is a rapper extraordinare. After a few minutes I related him to Che Guevara, only because he was traveling and well literate as a doctor and singer/song writer. Often people like this attract an exciting woman. it wasn’t until a few days later when I realized I had it backwards. Sarena is a force to be reckoned with. Her Sarena high voice is stunning. A star in the making. I wish them both success and hope they never stop exploring the word and all its music and art. Sarena and Jason 12” x 12” ink on paper Jason 134 Magnifying Glass Love is a magnifying glass, Because if you look through its lens on the world… You’ll notice details that others will forever overlook… And if you shine your light on it from the right angle... You can ignite fires in the land- scapes of those around you. - Jason Geller Magnifying Glass 135 Various Sketches Guitar Figure The Cajon Player 136 Pai Sketch 137 Frog Troubadour Earlier God Studies 138 Tree and Violin Violin, Ganesh, Guitar Naga Band Lazy Sketch 139 Madame Machine Mikkel Hermansen Jason Shooster Thorbjørn Kaas 140 Dark Star Studio ALSO TITLED: JASON'S EAR 141 Baan Pittalew Art Gallery December 17th, Sunday Exhibition and Live Music THE FIRE DANCERS ACYLIC AND SILVER POSCHA MARKER ON CANVAS, 16" X 20" 142 SHOOSTY BUGS IN SITU Sa-ard Nilkong 143 Chaing Mai Jason with Mustache Guitar 144 Wai = position of hands Four Humble Men Mikkel Hermansen, Thorbjørn Kaas, Stephen Shooster, Jason Shooster 145 Boy Blues Bar Blues Beyond Borders 146 Boy Blues Bar 2 Blues Beyond Borders 2 147 Blues Beyond Borders: When Thai De- stances pregnant with unspoken emotions, and ities Jam to Ink-Stained Rhythms the yak’s gaze, piercing through keeping guard in- vites us to delve deeper into the unseen realms of Forget smoky jazz bars and flapper dresses, a new the picture. This ambiguity is not a weakness; it’s a kind of blues has taken center stage, and its canvas strength, a canvas upon which viewers can project is drenched in the vibrant ink of Thai mythology. their own interpretations, their own experiences, Move over, Aaron Douglas and Archibald Motley co-creating the meaning alongside the artist. Jr., because this ain’t your typical Jazz Age scene. This is an artistic revolution where dragons dance Ink & Blues: A Thaitastic Journey Beyond the with fighters, mythical yaks groove to the blues, Jazz Age Canvas and the boundaries of genre and culture melt away like butter on a hot stove. Step aside, smoky bars and swinging melodies, for a new artistic adventure awaits! Forget the typical Instead of a saxophone, the melody here flows Jazz Age scene; this ink drawing whisks us away from the strokes themselves, each line a pulsating to a vibrant realm where Thai gods and blues mu- note in the symphony of ink. The artist, with a sic collide in a captivating fusion. As an art critic boldness reminiscent of Romare Bearden’s collag- with a penchant for the unexpected, I’m utterly es or Jacob Lawrence’s Harlem Renaissance mu- enthralled by the layers of cultural tapestry and rals, has chosen a medium that mirrors the raw the bold strokes that bring this unique vision to energy of the scene. Ink, unlike the smooth preci- life. sion of pencil, demands immediacy, a rawness that perfectly captures the untamed spirit of the blues, From Charcoal to Ink: A Shift in Tone, a a genre that has always thrived on the fringes, de- Dance of Lines fying convention and pushing boundaries. Using ink for this drawing is a stroke of genius. But, this ain’t just any blues. This is a blues with a Unlike the smooth, controlled lines of pencil, ink Thai twist, where mythical guardians like the yak, possesses a raw, expressive quality. Its lines dance stoic and watchful, stand shoulder to shoulder with immediacy and dynamism, perfectly cap- with mortal fighters, their stances a silent testa- turing the untamed energy of the scene. Here, ment to the stories etched on their faces. This fu- mythical creatures and mortal fighters engage in sion of East and West isn’t some forced pastiche; a pulsating dance fueled by the soulful blues, and it’s a seamless blend, a tapestry woven from per- the ink itself becomes a character, adding a layer sonal influences and a burning desire to break free of texture and grit to the image. from the confines of the expected. Beyond the Expected: Thai Deities and Think of it like Bessie Smith channeling her soul- the Lure of the East ful cries through a Thai khèn, or Muddy Waters trading his slide guitar for a ranat ek. The familiarThe inclusion of a yak, a mythical guardian in Thai blues notes take on a new flavor, a depth and in- folklore, and two Thai fighters instantly transports trigue that invites us to explore beyond the West- us from the smoky clubs of the West to the vibrant ern roots of the genre. It’s a sonic and visual ad- tapestry of Southeast Asia. This infusion of East- venture, a reminder that art, like the blues itself, ern iconography adds depth and intrigue, inviting thrives on the unexpected, on the berani steps into viewers to explore a cultural tapestry beyond the uncharted territory. familiar confines of the Jazz Age. The juxtaposi- tion of the familiar blues with these unfamiliar But the beauty of this artistic alchemy lies not figures creates a captivating tension, prompting us just in the fusion itself, but in the invitation it to question the boundaries of genre and artistic extends. The artist, like a skilled blues musician, expression. leaves room for improvisation. The lines, bold and 148expressive, whisper of untold stories, the fighters’ Dragons, Blues, and the Unbridled Spirit Echoes of the Blues: A Lineage of Artist of the Artist Fusion Speaking of boundaries, this image pulsates This fusion of ink, blues, and myth isn’t en- with a sense of artistic liberation. The blues, tirely unprecedented. We see glimpses of it in traditionally associated with African American the works of Romare Bearden, whose collages communities, finds itself in a vibrant dialogue infused African American narratives with jazz with Thai mythology and imagery. This audacity rhythms and bluesy tones. Similarly, the vibrant resonates with the words of French philosopher street art of Keith Haring pulsates with a raw Henri Bergson: “True works of art are always energy that echoes the improvisational spirit of new, because they express not what the artist the blues. Yet, this ink drawing carves its own saw, but what the artist could not help but ex- unique path, blending these influences with the press.” rich tapestry of Thai mythology to create some- This ink drawing embodies that very spirit. It’s thing fresh and captivating. not merely a depiction of a scene; it’s an out- pouring of the artist’s unique vision, a tapestry In Conclusion: A Journey Beyond Bor- woven from personal influences and bold imag- ders, a Celebration of Artistic Freedom ination. The artist hasn’t simply mimicked the Jazz Age or Thai artistic traditions; he has re- This ink drawing is more than just a visual spec- interpreted them, infused them with their own tacle; it’s a gateway to a world where cultural creative fire, and birthed something entirely boundaries dissolve, and artistic freedom reigns new. supreme. It’s a testament to the power of art to transcend genres, to weave together seemingly Whispers in the Lines: A Glimpse into disparate elements into a cohesive and capti- the Unseen vating whole. So, dear reader, I urge you to lose yourself in the intricate lines, the pulsating blues, While the image offers a captivating glimpse and the mythical whispers of this artwork. Let into this fantastical fusion, it also leaves much it ignite your imagination, and allow yourself to to the imagination. The bluesy notes hint at be swept away by the boundless creativity of the unspoken emotions, the fighters’ stances brim artist who dared to dream beyond the confines with untold stories, and the yak’s gaze pierces of the ordinary. through the picture, inviting us to delve deeper into the unseen realms it creates. This ambiguity Remember, art is a conversation, not a dictation. is another stroke of brilliance, by allowing view- This image offers a starting point, but the mean- ers to project their own interpretations, their ing, the interpretation, ultimately lies with you, own experiences onto the image, co-creating the beholder. So, let the music wash over you, the meaning alongside the artist. let the myths whisper their secrets, and let your own imagination take flight. Written with the aid of AI. Artwork by Stephen Shooster, aka Shoosty. All Rights Reserved www.shoosty.com 149 Harmonic Player THE MOAT HOUSE 150 Jason Thorbjørn Kaas 151 Thapae East Steve, Izzy, Mikkel, Thorbjørn, Jason 152 153 The dragon god exists the mount of the lizard god. Chaing Mai Temple God 154 Muscian Hands Mountain 9.5" x 10.75" ink on paper the hands of the band Madame Machine creating a mountain topped by Thai Gods, Naga, Ganesh, and Garuda 155 Charlie, Jason, Thorbjørn, Mikkel, and Garuda Supermoon Pai Thailand 12" x 12" Ink on paper 156 Khun Kae’s Juice Bar Chaing Mai Thailand 9.5" x 10.75" Watercolor on Paper 157 Thai Modifed Temple Art Thai Procession with Gypsy Guitar 158 Violin Temple French Horn Machine Praying to the Gypsy Jazz God 159 Flying Elephant and Gypsy Guitar 160 Thai Godess Blessing a Gypsy Guitar 161 The Scribe 162 Clarinet Conjuring a Flying Elephant Servant holding Guitar and Fiddle 163 Thai Angels Blessing Music Hand-made Scalable Vector Graphic 164 Boyton Beach, Florida Dart Board Band 165 Lovers Jake Surrounded 166 The Bar Dancers 167 Premiere showing of "Dedicated to You" at All That Jazz in Sunrise Florida Oil and Enamel on Canvas, 48" x 48" Jorge Garcia says his music is inspired by Je- sus. In my painting Jesus inspires with blood. Jorges skull is ripped open, Jesus is splash- ing volumes of blood into it which is very messy. Blood is getting everywhere. On the right a flower pot is growing out of the head of the keyboard player. He is a fundamentalist on automatic. the drummer is violent so he is a crusader. The guy holding a blue guitar is a troubadour, singins songs of religion. Dedicated to You 168 Ink on Paper Jorge Garcia and Mike All The Jazz December 29th, 2023 169 Shoosty - 2023 Copyright Shooster Publishing Handmade Makers of Fine Art Books 2233 NW 8th Ave. Gainesville, Florida 32603 954-537-1200 170
