Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Daniel Buckingham. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Daniel, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today It’s always helpful to hear about times when someone’s had to take a risk – how did they think through the decision, why did they take the risk, and what ended up happening. We’d love to hear about a risk you’ve taken.

Risk is the vulnerable core of a Creative-Path. My childhood was framed by a desire to explore beyond the local. I always nurtured my interest to be curious about the natural world, objects that were unique, including bands. While studying at Tulane University, the Studio classes and Art History provided a tangible map, one could ride though history beyond the well edited photograph and constructed text. My fantasy to travel to the “Center of the Earth” was fixed on Visual Culture and the Human-Condition. I graduated with a BFA from Alfred University in May of 1979. Organized a small company to build additions to homes with hot-tubs, spas and saunas. I built a vibrant small company with a unique following. In the fall of 1981 I packed everything up and headed to Europe: my bike, camera, sketchbook and a thirst for wonder. I fell in love with history, learning, cultural, exploring more than 65 countries during 8 amazing years on the road. I carry and share this wonder as an Artist and educator. Risk invites awareness.

Daniel, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

We all stand on the 2 million years of human-expression, history that traces our ideas in the form of Visual-Culture. History is constantly re-defining itself, as vital truths are revealed. In the previous section, I mentioned some important steps I took to pursue my professional foundation. Risk, also known as Improvisation, often understood as the center of the American-Sonic-Tradition: Jazz, that has roots in the Call-Response of Gospel music, is important. My early teens were informed by Psychedelic-Bands from the west coast. reading the album jackets and authors of songs, I became aware of Blues players, then Jazz. My first 2 years in New Orleans at Tulane University exposed me to a vast local music scene that cycled Blues and Jazz musicians in neighborhood bars, clubs. In the fall of 1975, I was able to see and meet many of my Blues heroes: Lightni’n Hopkins, Albert, King, Big Mama Thorton, Buddy Guy, Professor Longhair, Koko Taylor, Fats Domino and many more. Saw the Neville Brothers as The Meters with their release of “Fire on the Bayou”! I was introduced to Zydeco music and met Clifton Chenier! This immersive, living history was transformative as I stood 5 feet from a raised platform to witness Art being created in the moment, with passion. The next level was my exposure to Jazz music. On Friday nights I would often catch the first set with The Preservation Hall Jazz Band in the French Quarter. I would sit by “Sweet Emma” Barrett, the piano player. She had a stroke the year before, her left hand was partially paralyzed and she used two rubber-bands to hold her fingers in a controlled gesture for rhythm. Her cadence and support to the Dixie-Conversation was emblematic. I learned a lot about composition and call-response. By the end of 1975, I had discovered the Sun-Ra Arkestra and the Art Ensemble of Chicago, I was transported to another realm. The next 6 years I would see and meet these unique band members dozens of times. I was invited to the 5626 Morton Street house, where the Sun-Ra Arkestra lived and practiced, now on the Philadelphia Register of Historic Places. The 3 hours I spent with Sun Ra and band was authentic, mysterious and true. When I began my world adventure, I always kept an invitation to “What are the Creation Myths/ Narratives, that define a Culture or Identity?”, including always asking “How is this Culture/ Place/ People informed by Light?” I became more aware of how Objects/ Things, speak Visually, in a Call/ Response.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

All Cultures on Earth are Sun Cultures. Light is analogous, an amplification of deep awareness, compassion, enabling us to communicate complex ideas that are the root of our survival and sense of place/ time. All Cultures in history have placed Objects, Artifacts, Ruins, Markers made of natural materials for us to see our progress, we are slow learners. Shamans traditionally guided a collective, now we must accumulate the knowledge of Shamans and fold it into STEAM Culture/ Community. To Share and Inform.

Are there any books, videos or other content that you feel have meaningfully impacted your thinking?

As a Professor, I have dedicated my professional career to education in the context of the Studio/ Classroom. I have developed a multifaceted environment to nurture the broad aspects of learning with a self-resourceful emphasis.

Artist Research: Select an Artist form a list, immerse yourself in their work, select an image. Ask: how are design elements employed?, what is the context?, what is the content?, gather quotes.

Vocabulary: Use the Thesaurus to define Design Elements and Visual Concepts, find the Root words, understand how a word has passed from one culture to another to secure meaning, Poetry.

Project work: Define the characteristics, limitations of select materials. Using Order/ Chaos, Construct Forms, Structures that have a clear sense of Craft.

Discuss Research, Root words, Project work. Learn how to Observe Design Elements and see Potential/ Limits. Critique.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.stepmothernature.com/artists/daniel-buckingham
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/daniel.buckingham.77

Image Credits
Buckingham-Memoryscape-full view Buckingham-Mirage Series- Meditate 2022 Buckingham-Mirage Series- Prayer Beads 2017 Buckingham-Mirage Series-Brimstone 2020 Buckingham-Viewer 2006 Buckingham with horse 2022