Thanks for doing this, Joe. We discovered your work when I was at Cru Cafe in Newport and you kindly gave me one of your books, RoseBlood, which we have reprinted at the end. Tell us about RoseBlood please.
RoseBlood is the first book I’ve written for a new venture that I call: the ArtHelps project. I’ve been feeling a little overwhelmed by the state of the world and was taking inventory of my skills to see if there was any way I could help. Words and pictures are my passion so I decided to use them by creating small books, distributing them for free, and asking the reader if they are so moved to donate to nonprofit organizations that are in the trenches doing the work to make the world a better place. The writing in RoseBlood is about how hard life and love can be sometimes and how you have to step back to see the beauty and the privilege of feeling so deeply.
The book has one of your works on the cover. What is it and how did you create it?
The image on the cover of RoseBlood is one of my photographs. When I was working in the garden this past summer, I tangoed with a rosebush and when I went to clean up the wound, I noticed that it had formed in a heart shape. So naturally before cleaning, I had to photograph it. The words came later inspired by the photograph.
And the book asks people to consider donating to three worthy organizations: Newport Pride, Conexión Latina and the McKinney Shelter. What motivates you to be so community-minded?
The skills I have with words and pictures I want to use to help if I can. You know the expression about one tiny candle. This is my one tiny candle. The climate in this country as of late is not as caring and compassionate as it should be and these three groups need help and support.
Another of your books Frost Free Refrigerators. It’s about the inevitable negative consequences of climate change. Can you give us an overview?
Frost Free Refrigerators is the second book for the ArtHelps project. On this one I decided to do the illustrations to match words I had written a few years back about being chased to Florida by glaciers. It takes a “fun” look at climate change. Again I wanted to make the subject a little lighter and humorous and if people respond they can make small changes like walking instead of driving and consuming less. If more people do that it might help. Again I turn to nonprofits that are in the trenches and if I can raise funds for them they can continue their research and education.
With this one, you also suggest donating to worthy causes: Environmental Defense Fund, Climate Works Foundation, Alliance for Climate Education and the Newport Tree Conservancy. Please talk about how individuals can help make a change, on a large or small scale.
It doesn’t have to be all doom and gloom. We have power to affect change and I hope my little book helps in some way.
You have a new book soon to be released about Ukraine. You have cowritten it. Please tell us about it and your cowriter.
The next book for the ArtHelps project is in the works and tentatively called Save the Sunflowers and the Beets: A Practical Guide to Helping Ukraine. It came about as my friend and cowriter Anna and I were talking about the Ukraine supporters who mobilized and stood by the Pell bridge ramps with signs in support of the Ukrainians. Anna said she wanted to do something so I suggested we do a book. Although Anna was born in this country her parents emigrated to the U.S .in the 1990’s from Georgia so she has a deep connection to that part of the world. I hate to admit that although I support the Ukrainian people, I couldn’t necessarily find it on the map or know much about it and that got us thinking that is probably true of many Americans so we did a deep dive and tried to give people information so that they can relate and once you can relate it’s easier to care. What I found amazing was that Ukraine is almost as big as Texas and it’s the second largest country in Europe. Yes, it’s in Europe a ten-hour flight from New York. So the sunflower reference in the title is related to the fact that Ukraine is the world’s largest producer of sunflowers and sunflower seeds. Beets are important as they are used in the making of Borscht, the national dish. We’re putting the finishing touches on it as well as researching the nonprofits that are making the greatest impact in this troubled area. So look for that soon.
OK, now your other work. What media do you create in?
My other work that I do is photography — but with a twist. I have over 6,000 photos that I have taken over the years. I take my original photos as a jumping-off point and use digital tools to make them more “real” than “real.” I use my sense of color and composition to create a new work from the original source. I tweak the exposure and tint and other photographic settings to create something totally unique. Sometimes abstract, sometimes hyper-realistic. Like all my work, it depends on trusting my inner vision.
When did your interest in art begin?
My life has been a long visual journey from drawing with crayons on the wall at the top of the stairs in my childhood home to construction paper pencils and paint to a new set of digital tools that represent a new path filled with excitement and possibilities, with nobody to yell at me for drawing on the wallpaper.
Did you study it or are you self-taught?
In my life I’ve taken art classes and studied art history and then furniture making so I’ve always been working with my hands and exploring the world around me. This new chapter is drawing from these past experiences to create written and visual art that tries to help and challenge at the same time.
Please tell us about The ARTHELPS project.
The ArtHelps project is something I started recently and I’m very passionate about. It’s my tiny candle. It starts with an idea and who can be helped by this idea. I write and layout the books and then get it printed and then assemble it myself. I then have a small display that I put the book out in around the community. Thus far you can get a copy at Cru Cafe in Newport, the House of Waves gallery on Broadway also in Newport and at Existential threads on Knight St in Providence. I’m also going to be expanding my locations in the near future. I’m currently working on getting the first two books in ebook format and posted to the web and that’ll be nice to be able to reach a larger audience. At this time I also post the books on my Instagram page, along with my current work. My email is jjdugganArt@gmail.com and can be reached there for anyone who has questions or wants to help.
I do as much as I can on my own and fund the production myself. My wife and daughters are really supportive and I appreciate their input. My friend Nick from the UPS store is my go to for layout and printing and is a tremendous help. Anna and my friends at Cru Cafe are a great support team and I see more partnerships in the near future.
I see the ArtHelps project eventually as a freestanding entity and hope to see it grow and spread and really help make change happen.
What advice do you have for young, emerging or other new artists?
Advice I would give anyone is to trust your instincts and your vision. Have fun and realize it’s about the process not always about the end product. There’s a story from Japan about a gentleman who commissioned an ink drawing of a cat from an artist and after some time had passed he went to check on it and the artist kept sending him away saying it wasn’t ready. Finally after many visits the artist pulled out paper, ink and a brush and did the most amazing drawing of a cat. The patron asked why he hadn’t done that sooner and the artist opened the large cabinet and hundreds of cat drawings fell out. He needed the practice and he stuck with it until he was ready. That really resonates with me. One of my books will have many drafts until it’s done. There’s a lot that goes into the work and you need to keep at it until you get it right. You will get it right with patience and perseverance.
What can we expect next from you?
I’m looking to save the world one book at a time so that’s something. I’ve also just sold seven of my prints to be hung at the new Cru Cafe Providence location and that’s a major accomplishment for me. Some of my prints are on display at Cru Cafe in Newport. It’s gratifying to see your inner vision out in the world. As a community minded person and a photographer it’s all about exposure.
Roseblood
Sometimes intending life and love
there are thorns and sometimes
you get pricked.
It’s at these times of pain and bleeding
that you must step back and see
the beauty and the privilege
of feeling so deeply
without that pain
life would be lifeless
keep tending, no matter what.
Frost Free Refrigerators
When the glaciers return
And they will
Ice cube trays will be obsolete
Scientist will work hard to develop a glass
Big enough to hold them
But they will fail
And we will be chased to Florida
by these monsters
Traveling 7 miles an hour
day and night
