Today we’d like to introduce you to Demetris B.A.M.R. Washington.
Hi Demetris B.A.M.R., thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I’ve always found it tough to articulate how I really started in the arts. Ever since I was a kid, drawing had been my greatest passion. It all started in East Oakland with bright and colorful scribbles but once my hand matured a bit as a kid, two of my uncles, Paris and Dale, were some of my main influences who got me to start drawing comic book characters. I remember sitting and watching them draw characters like; The Hulk, Spiderman, Deadpool, Wolverine and many more. Seeing them draw these characters in such great detail urged me to get enough practice so that I could eventually do the same. All the way up until my senior year, drawing existing comic characters as well as inventing a few of my own was my main focus. Then, my senior year in high school (2008), my favorite art teacher Ms. Raygoza got me booked for my very first mural at Stagg High of Stockton, CA. The mural created in the boy’s locker room to boost team morale and was of the school mascot which is a lion, as well as the words “Home of the Delta Kings” above the lockers.
Once the mural was complete, not only did I get paid for my work at 17 years old, but I was also able to see the positive effect that the artwork had on the football team who was using the locker room. They won their next game after seeing it completed! Fast Forward to one month after high school graduation, I signed up for the graphic design program at the Art Institute of Sacramento. About a year into the program, I found that my instructor Heather V. was actually the creative director for the Sacramento Kings basketball team at the time and had several projects she had created specifically for artists like myself to take on for the basketball teams marketing efforts. At 18 years old, I was able to paint my first mural in Sacramento, CA and it just happened to be for the Sacramento Kings! The excitement of working with such a large name so early in my art career was an incredible motivator for me and ever since 08, I have been doing both canvas and murals all throughout California. Its been a beautiful journey thus far and I am looking forward to whatever creative projects come next!
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
The art life definitely comes with a few struggles but I feel that being able to freely express yourself in a way that inspires others outweighs the challenges. Personally, I’ve faced countless struggles with not knowing where I fit into the artworld as well as growing up as a shy kid and having to learn how to articulate my creations in a way that others can understand my intentions behind them. Although I’ve done over 50 murals and hundreds of canvas paintings since 2008, I still struggle with the social aspect. Sometimes I just enjoy being a hermit in my art studio for days at a time while creating and other times, I love to feel sunshine on my skin be a social butterfly. I’m learning how it’s best to keep a balance between the two.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
The foundation for me has always been drawing. It all started with a pencil and paper and to this day, the majority of my works, including large scale murals, all start with a pencil and a paper all the same. My main focus though has always been canvas paintings created with acrylic paint. There is something about how the paint lays to the canvas that creates this relieving feeling or how the canvas can be shaped like a box but the image on it could be totally beyond this realm. It’s almost as if it becomes a portal into the artist’s mind once the artwork begins. The works I am most proud of are some of the large-scale murals that I’ve created throughout Sacramento, CA. Most recently, in June of 2020, I was selected by the City of Sacramento to coordinate a Black Lives Matter street mural right outside of the Capitol building of Downtown Sacramento. The mural stretched across three blocks and was actually created with the help of 300+ volunteers within 5 hours who all responded to a last minute call for help that I had posted on Instagram. The part that I was most proud of was that there were people from all walks of life out there helping to bring that Black Lives Matter to life and the LOVE was felt. Also, we were the second in the nation to do it after the D.C. mural went up and our mural went viral across the globe! One thing that I’ve felt has always set me apart from others is that I take a nontraditional approach to art. Its always been tough for me to conform to certain standards and so I just continue to create how I feel while still developing and learning new techniques and mediums.
What matters most to you? Why?
Thats a tough one. There are so many things and people who matter to me. As far as art goes, I think creative freedom is at the top of the list. being able to truly express yourself is key to an artist’s growth.
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: bamrtheartist.com
- Instagram: @Bamr_theartist
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4J9RZjLudSRx89U-KjUakg
Image Credits:
BLM Mural Photo by Bryan Carter
