Bulsby "Buzz" Duncan

Bulsby “Buzz” Duncan, was born in Kingston, Jamaica and raised in Washington, DC. Buzz is a self-taught artist whose work can be described as abstract, with deep emotion and energy. Buzz traces his artistic influence to the great abstract, expressionists and contemporary artists of the 20th Century. Buzz began painting and drawing as early as he can remember being able to pick up a pencil or a paintbrush. At an early age, he used art to express his ideas and feelings. “For me, art just felt very natural.” Buzz had always been encouraged by family and friends to pursue his passion for painting, but it wasn’t until he met a local artist whose love and appreciation for creating art inspired him to more intentionally step into his purpose and begin his artistic journey. For Buzz, art represents the merging of his thoughts and perspectives on life with his love for bold colors. He uses his art to explore his creativity and articulate the peace and unity he wishes to see throughout the world. “I believe art is life and creativity is a gift that should be shared with the world. I want to show you the world through my eyes and my vision for the future. Once you view my art, you will see the world as I see it and hopefully it will inspire you to unlock your own creative energy.”

Artist Statement:

I am a self-taught artist born in Kingston, Jamaica and raised in Washington, DC. Some of my earliest and fondest memories are of art class. Though I did not pursue a formal education in art, I have consistently expressed my thoughts, feelings and creativity through paintings and drawings. Within the last 4 years I have begun to devote myself to pursuing a professional career. I paint because I love the freedom and endless possibilities that painting on a blank canvas provides. The imagery in my work is developed from an array of events and subject matters. I don't set out to produce art about one subject or another. I usually don’t plan things in advance, the ideas for my work are somewhat spontaneous. I paint to music, use bright colors and various blending techniques to develop unique patterns. I'm never without a sketchbook to hand so I am constantly drawing. Sometimes the drawings are left in the sketchbook and other times they develop into more in-depth ideas and detailed images. I describe my art as abstract expressionism, I use my perception of the world to paint an abstract version of reality. While I use a variety of materials and processes in each project my methodology is consistent. Although there may not always be material similarities between the different projects they are linked by recurring formal concerns and through the subject matter. The subject matter of each body of work determines the materials and the forms of the work. Each project often consists of multiple works, often in a range of different media that are grouped around specific themes and meanings. I love to paint thought provoking pieces that engage people in conversation. My influences are first and foremost everything I see, feel and experience, but I’ve always loved newspaper comic sketches, particularly the work of Charles Schwartz in The Peanuts. The artists I most admire are Jean-Michel Basquiat, Jackson Pollock, and Sam Gilliam among others.