To see him, you would not suspect that a serious artist lurks within. but Jimi Fardan has a complex passion for the visual arts.
Although he uses paints, acryllics and oils and pastels, his preferred medium is pencil.
He says a lot of his work is personal; he like things that are pretty and considers art the gift within him to do that. He also states that he doesn't know if most people are like that, but for him it's all about the natural gift of expression.
As a Baltimore native, Fardan has always been drawn to the visual arts. He reminisces that as a child, he liked the hand-eye coordination associated with drawing. He said in his neighborhood art was not popular, he operated in survival mode, but he drew to relax and express himself.
Fardan attended Samuel Coleridge Taylor, Booker T Washington and Douglass High School. He became a dropout, however, and got a GED after joining the army.
When asked who inspires him, Fardan has no one artist that he upholds as an icon because the field is so great. He does, however, like Van Gogh's use of light and dark and also Rembrandt.
Fardan realizes various barriers in making a living from the artwork. He cites a hardship being recognized by the wide public, unless you go the traditional route such as schools or galleries,
His work has been featured at the following venues:
Art Exposure, the Stand Down House in FL (veterans' organization), and various festivals in the Baltimore area,
Art Exposure, the Stand Down House in FL (veterans' organization), and various festivals in the Baltimore area,
He also won first prize in the Veterans Regional Competition for his artwork.
Fardan would like to have a co-op of artists such as a marketplace where the works of the unrecognized artist can be displayed.
His passion for the visual arts has been passed to another generation in that his daughter, Nura, is also involved in the arts.
Fardan can be reached through his website fjimi@pencilmania.net or by calling 443-416-2815.
Comments