Rocketships, change and adaptation in the West

Jimmy Descant is a visual artist living in Salida. His work has been collected by Matt Groening, among others coast to coast and across the pond. His meteoric rise in the visual art scene is due in large part to his national shows and installations. Most recently, he has installed works in New York, D.C. and New Orleans. I caught up with him at his home where we were surrounded by an extensive art collection, his lovely wife, and a bike that looks like a fringed horse from outer space.

BD: In the last couple years you’ve told me some hilarious stories about your life on the road. Give a little summary, would ya?

Well, I worked for cover bands in New Orleans starting in the early ’80′s then in ’87 I got a job with a recording act opening for REM, so that set me on the path to world travel. I was a guitar tech for Indigo Girls for eight years and tour managed all kinds of crazy small bands in vans in between the big gigs. I did this for 10 years straight with no pets or plants and bags always packed to hit the road. Then I started dating someone, who later became my wife. At the same time I found an old vacuum cleaner at a flea market. Then the singer for the band The Connells from North Carolina, who I was working with at the time, got sick, so I quit the road life and went back to New Orleans to build rocketships as a sculptural form.

BD: How did you come to live in Salida?

I’ve told this story so many times, but it’s important. I lived in New Orleans all my life, but after losing all in the federal flood following Katrina, my wife Penelope and I headed west. We had two years earlier committed to relocating somewhere in the Four Corners states due to our travels and the beauty of the West. We weren’t planning on that relocation being without possessions though. A friend whose parents retired from Baton Rouge to Coaldale had recommended Salida and we first arrived during ArtWalk 2006. We found an artist here who was selling her house and jumped on the opportunity. Our first day here we had a drink at the Vic, lunch at Dakota’s, and restocked our wardrobes at Slim’s Pickin’s.

Dakota and Slim are gone now but there is no end to good food, company, events, and shopping in this little town. That’s what we were looking for, a community filled with activities and life. As a rocketship sculptor, I was looking for a burgeoning art scene also, and found it here and in representation by CultureClash Gallery. So now it’s been two years and we’re finding out even more about the town and the people, who all seem to have their own unique traveling experiences in life, and are more than willing to share and welcome.

BD: When I met you, you were going through the same transition many folks make as they move from a city to a small rural community. What has been the best and worst part about living here so far?

Well, I wouldn’t say there is a worst part. But, being 1300 miles from New Orleans, you can’t just take a day trip to get a po-boy. The best part would be that in our hearts we know this is a magical place and after sifting through so many other small towns, we know this is the right place to live for us. We definitely don’t want to turn it into another New Orleans. The beauty of the outdoors and the warmth of the indoors here is special.

BD: Clearly you have a penchant for western wear. Did your friends see your new home as inevitable?

No not really. We have a group of friends in New Orleans that always are in western wear. It just feels right. I thought there would be plenty of cowboys out here, but it looks like I’m about the only drugstore model. If anyone goes to New Orleans please visit Sputnik Ranch on Magazine Street.

BD: How does your move reflect the migration of other artists such as Earnst or Blumenschien to the Southwest? How has this landscape shaped you?

It’s gotten into my soul for sure. I make trips down to Los Alamos for old parts and love the desert. But my work is nonviolent and forward-thinking rocketships. The mountains, clean air, and clear water are a treat and good for the soul and inspiration.

BD: Those familiar with the “low brow” movement will see a connection with your style. At the Collective we are fans of Shag and others that came out of the La Luz inspired scene. Do you see yourself on this wave in any way?

I’m still the outsider of the outsiders being 3-D assemblage, but I get a lot of comments about another genre, Steampunk, which utilizes a lot of metal and cast-off materials to create functioning, modern-day tools and electronics.

BD: Your show in Boulder was very cathartic as far as casting off some demons from Katrina. Do you feel much of that is behind you? Do you mind telling everyone about that show, and how you feel about future inspirations?

Well that show, ‘Katrina to Colorado – Saints Preserve Us’, was a great follow up to a show in April 2006 in New Orleans called ‘PRO-WARning’ in which I commented on everything involved in life and limb and country over the past eight horrific years. I have been balancing my Yin and Yang through my art so it doesn’t come out in traffic anymore.

BD: Tell me about Indians.

I have a crossed arrow tattoo about friendships and intersections and directions. I am descended from the Tunica-Biloxi tribe on my father’s side. The first time I went to Moab back in the 1980′s I felt that desert and knew I would live out west.

BD: Tell me about cowboys.

I have a pair of crossed horseshoes tattoo about the connections in me and my world and that I’ve been wearing snakeskin boots for 25 years (not the same pair). When I was a kid I never liked to get dirty, but after a long resume of many jobs linked to my hands, I identify with scars and hard work.

BD: What do you see happening in the future for the arts this part of the country?

Well, we didn’t know about the Christo project when we got here, but are thrilled at the possibilities. Some artists and town folks are skeptical, but we see it as a huge step up in the world. Not for the sake of developmental progress, but for the sake of mind and spirit and creativity such an event would bring, and linger. I would love to see an art school here in town, instead of more jails or prisons. I will be doing more here also, like my large sculptures in my front yard. I have plans to build a large piece for the Steamplant Sculpture Garden for ArtWalk this year, and more gallery showings.

BD: What is this your most recent project about, and where?

Well, this is the latest in a series of political art shows. It is called ‘Art as Microscope on America, Past and Future’ and coincides with Obama’s inauguration.

It is a self-produced show, with the compliments of CultureClash, in an effort to bolster the hopes and dreams of this country and this world, and to bolster what is usually a dead time art wise in the mountains. It’ll be much fun and much intensity about the past, how we got there, and how we get out and at least back to zero quickly so that we can soar into the future. The special guest artist is my friend Susan Mayfield.

BD: Hold on, that’s too simple. A couple nights ago you had  a lot more to say about it. Granted we were sitting under the stars, but can you elaborate?

You’ll have to see when you come to the show. It’ll be spectacular as the last real positive event before it’s really all work and positive cause and effects will be calculated in a broader way. The opening night, Saturday, January 17 will be long and the focus will be on art. Then the Inaugural Ball will be a blast with big gowns and funky folks and all smiles. I just heard that Hattie’s is reopening that night, January 20th, for this occasion also. That was before they even talked to me about mine.

BD: What else would you like to share?

I would like to reiterate that life is a one way trip. You may go back and forth to home, but as we’ve learned from loss and compassion, it’s all forward from here, so let’s build on that, but not forget.

I’m glad to call Jimmy and Penelope my friends. If you get a chance to meet him, he’s a great addition to our valley, and a representation of what people mean when they say this is an “art community.” This interview took place in some hot springs while sipping a couple of cold PBR’s.

Jimmy’s show “Art as Microscope on America, Past and Future” will be held January 17-20 at 222 F St., above Verdigris in the Sandusky Building, and features special guest Susan Mayfield. Read the complete announcement at Jimmy’s website, Deluxe Rocketships.