July 30, 2008

Shambhala, Baby! (PART I)

A few weeks ago I was asked to do a mural for the 2008 Shambhala Music Festival, and if you haven’t heard about this 15 000 person, week-long party then you should really check out their site. It’s a Canadian Burning Man. If you don’t know what Burning Man is, there is no help for you.

The awesome staff at Shambhala gave me a blank 8’x 8’ wooden canvas to do with what I would. That’s a lot of space to fill, and a little overwhelming, so I thought “What does Shambhala mean to me?” Having gone to the 2007 festival, I had a fresh recollection of the fiesta; killer DJs from across the country, crazy crowds dancing from dawn ‘til dawn and dawn again, costumes, body paint, nudity, and an overall freeing zest for life. Easy. lol

Without further ado, here’s the progression from rough sketch to finished product. My only hope is that you might feel 1/100th of the excitement Shambhala brings to everyone who walks onto her ranch and through her forests.












Click on the above pics to see the various stages of the piece.


Hours and days later, the beast is finally finished and ready to find its place in the woods amongst the pumpin’ beats, screams, and lights!



Preview for PART II:

After the show, I’ll be sure to post people’s reactions and get some great shots of the mural partyin’ away at the festival. Peace, om, and all that jazz. - j

12 comments:

sam said...

Pretty awesome. It's been over a year since i've done any kind of mural painting.. i'm pretty jealous. I get a bit stir crazy never drawing on anything bigger than animation paper.

Ashlyn said...

This looks great, Jamie!! and it's HUGE! :) it's going to stand out.

Adamdraws said...

I must say, that is pretty damn cool.

Anonymous said...

k james, it has to be said...ur just COOL!! love it;)

Anonymous said...

awe jamie..
very impressed..man, its huge! i'm sure you'll receive positive feedback from alot of ppl :)

Jamie said...

Thanks, guys! Migod, it feels awesome to hear positive feedback after such hard work.

chris makerewich said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Johnny Koester said...

wow, that's really neat.

Ashley said...

i keep forgetting to tell you how awesome this mural is. i saw it earlier on i think, on facebook? maybe, well, anyways, great job! and btw, love the name of your blog! :)

Dan said...

This is dope....love the scale, you dont see this kind of thing very often. Great work. Id like to ask you a few questions about the Sheridan application process if you don't mind. Im applying for Fall 09. If you're up for it please drop me a message:

daniel.sprogis@umit.maine.edu

Thanks and keep up the good work!

Dan

Marcello Souza said...

ow very nice !! GREAT JOB!!!!

Jordan Lamarre-Wan said...

WoW gREaT job Jamie! there's something about real paint that's so appealing!