BULLDURM is an original watercolor and mixed media painting by local artist, Stephanie Robinson. Stephanie has been living and working in Durham for the past 30 years. She is best known for the print, “Seasons of the Soul” and the numbered series of mixed media works titled, “Open Hearts “.
BRUCE AND THE BRICKS
“Like most all of my art, there is a story behind every creation. While working on a series of watercolor paintings of historic buildings and homes in Durham, I became interested in the history. I was curious about the old bricks. I read about how two major fires that happened in downtown Durham in the early 1900s. The fires happened within a few months of each other and since many of the buildings were made of wood, the damage was heavy. Since brick buildings are more fire resistant, a law was passed.
I read about the history of brick making in the area… how the early bricks evident in some of the oldest buildings were extruded clay which was cut and stacked and then loaded into large beehive shaped kilns to be fired. Some of the bricks still have the impressions of fingerprints of the men who made them more than a hundred years ago.
At some point I got the idea that I wanted to create a painting with bricks and a bull. I wasn’t sure how I wanted the bull to look but I had an idea of the feel I wanted, something a bit scary but lovable, sort of like the lovable but frightening monster in Maurice Sendak’s Where the Wild Things Are. After looking at hundreds of photos of bulls, I began to sketch. The result was the character I would later name Bruce.
BULLDURM
Durham is a very unique and special place because of its rich history and the diverse rainbow of individuals who call it home. Durham not only embodies but celebrates diversity, creativity, individuality, and the entrepreneurial spirit. BULLDURM is my tribute to Durham and its people, its history, and what we make it.”
BULLDURM is now available as fine art prints in 3 different sizes:
8 x 10 inch image……….…$20
11 x 14 inch image …………$30
16 x 20 inch image………….$45
The prints are fade resistant archival inks on acid free paper. They are packaged in clear photo bags with foam core backing board. A copy of the origin story is included on the back.
Use the Contact selection on the menu of this site for online purchase inquiries. Shipping is available at additional cost.
BULLDURM prints are also available at Art Craft Framing, 726 Ninth Street, Durham NC.
Gallery wrapped canvas prints in larger sizes can be ordered in addition to banners and wallpaper murals of BULLDURM. Inquiries are welcome.