l  07.15.03

This is Funky Art World and I am the funky art man Eddie Davis.Summer is in full swing and the funky art man is enjoying every sun soaked moment of it. July is kicking out some pretty good weather and it is also the month of yet another Gallery Night (July 25) here in this city of beer, music and brats.

  Kung Fu Spray Can Art

  l  07.01.03

The fun started at the Locust Street festival in June—a story I want to call “The Day Riverwesterners Said No to the Rain God.” But first let me tell you about Summerfest and the art of Juan Flores.

Growing up, I remember watching old Kung Fu movies and having fun checking out the various styles the Kung Fu masters had. There was the monkey style, snake, scorpion, even drunken. If art was like Kung Fu, Juan Flores would be the master of the spray paint can style.
As I watched him do his thing at his booth, I was in total awe. He seems to have taken a medium most associated with large graffiti style pieces—and all the negative stereotypes that go along with it—and turned it into a instrument for fine art, creating these fantasy paintings and landscapes that are out of this world. Literally! If that is not impressive enough, then I’ll mention that he does it in less than twenty minutes!

Juan, who resides on Milwaukee’s South Side, was born in Beracruz, Mexico. He later moved to Mexico City, where he studied fine arts at the Mexico City institute. Having done that, he soon found himself in Cancun, where he learned the craft of spray can art from the city venders. He was able to incorporate his fine arts training with that unique style to create the fantastic art you see today.

I’m going to keep this column short so we can get some good photos in of this man because “seeing is believing.” Juan is known throughout Wisconsin and is looking to break into the local gallery scene, and is available for showings at his studio, 1668 S 11th. To reach him, call 271-0941.

Another artist at summer fest I would like to give a shout out to is Cindy. I don’t think you can go to summer fest without checking out Cindy handle her caricature business. She’s not from these parts but Summerfest is always on her list of must-do shows.

Overall, though, Summerfest just didn’t feel the same. Maybe it was the new set up or lack of midway and other attractions. The funky art man says that if all they have to offer is beer brats and bands, you’re better off catching some of the neighborhood festivals and saving some money.

  l  04.01.03

Above:Snake Girl and Beer. Photo by Eddie Davis

Above: Emma Boyle l Painter. Photo by Eddie Davis

And the day Riverwesterners said “beer” to the god of rain

I didn’t set up my usual caricature stand at Locust Street festival due to some menacing-looking rain clouds that hung over head like vultures waiting to swoop down on a dying man lost in the desert. Well sure as shit, the rain came as if Noah himself ordered it. Wind and water sent all the party seekers scurrying to find some cover. Vending stands got soaked; people abandoned ship. All seemed washed up for the annual Locust fest.

NOT! It must have been the alcohol, which was already coursing thru the blood of the hardy Riverwesterners by 10:00 am. In a total act of defiance to the rain god, the party did not stop! There was no live music due to the fear of putting on an electrifying performance but still the party did not stop.

Boom went the clouds! Here, take another shot of my festival stopping, picnic killing, river flooding, party crashing thunder shower said the rain god. The tents were shaking, the tarot cards got soaked, the buns got wet and the street parted like the red sea as the Riverwesterners ran and wobbled for cover.

Still, just like a trick candle that won’t blow out, the party did not stop. “What’s this said the rain god? Surely these people would prefer the comfort of their homes to getting soaked by my aqua-charged fury. Could the lure of a day of drunken revelry be more powerful then the rain god? I say thee nay!”

I was sure, had this festival been anywhere else in this city, people would have called it a day. It had been raining for two hours, and with a spiteful, sadistic heart, the rain god called forth that dreaded damp, misty, continuously irritating type of rain.

Yet, somehow, this seemingly doomed festival continued. The party did not stop. People walked back and forth, totally oblivious to the fact that they were getting soaked. The stands stayed open. Merchandise was sold. Beer was consumed as people casually conversed in the street.

After three hours of this Chinese torture-like rain, something strange happened. Suddenly the rain vanished and the sun came out. With the screech of a guitar and a microphone check, the party kicked into high gear. Time seemed to slow down, rewarding the Riverwesterners, and all was well at Locust Street fest. I know this because I was there. It seemed the rain god might have realized it wasn’t the bands or the sunny weather that brought Riverwesterners out to Locust fest -- it was the coming together as a neighborhood, seeing old friends after a long winter, meeting new ones and drinking … yeah, mainly drinking.

This is Funky Art World and I am the Funky Art Man saying see you gallery night July 25th I will be showing at Luckystar studio’s XXL show, 207 E. Buffalo Street. Enjoy your summer. Peace.•