RAY LEWIS BY JOhN lAWSON (deTAil)
PhOTO: JONAThAN
press to food stamps holders, from the Sundance film festival to curious head shops? Not knowing where the next invitation will appear from, keeps me on my toes, after all, perhaps the journey i have embarked on might offer me some wisdom and a shot at humility. My job is to deepen the mystery and spread the word, anything can be achieved if you’re dumb enough to start and smart enough to listen to nothing else except your heart. That said, the next upcoming exhibitions are at the Metro Gallery, Baltimore, November 2013 followed by the Outsider Art fair 2014 in NYC.
I want to also note that you are a published author. Your novel ‘Hurricane Hotel’ — published in 2007 – has Katrina as its central event. The book is a true family affair in that the cover was done by your son Sebastian and your cousin (?), author Andre Dubus III, provided a foreword to the novel. Dubus writes about your book’s homage to the spirit of Jellyroll Morton. How has jazz, and in particular, New Orleans jazz, affected your work? John: Music and especially Jazz tends to accompany me everywhere i go in much the same way as a mad dog chases its tail. even now, as i press fingers on keypad, in this railroad Street studio, jazz can be heard flowing from the doors of Tune Street and believe it or not, in the dead of night, when i am in my solitary craft, below my windows a lone ukulele player has appeared performing sweet songs for the shadows and soft tears for lady day. When i find myself getting down, i try to visualize those early bird Basin Street Musicians hopping
hANKiN JOhN iN hiS STudiO
PhOTO BY: JANe feldMAN
around barrooms and dance halls like bushels of lighted firecrackers loaded with a Charlie Chaplin sparkle in their eyes. There is no doubt in my mind their energy continually inspires me to listen a little deeper. Any thoughts about where your art is headed in the future? John: These are exciting and challenging times, any thoughts i might share as to where my work might be headed have to come from the wellspring of gratitude. John Lawson’s artwork can be seen by appointment at his Railroad street studio in Great Barrington, or at the Dorian Grey Gallery in NYC. For more information he can be reached at 917 664 6234 or on the internet at www.lawsonworks.com H
JOhN lAWSON, N.O MAN’S lANd SAlVAGed drAWiNGS ANd POeMS
frOM fOrMer STudiO iN
NeW OlreANS, 2013 36” x 36” PhOTO: JONAThAN hANKiN
The ArTful MiNd NOVeMBer 2013 • 15