 Interview with L.James Lucas (bampster): Fractal Artist
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It was really quite a surprise when I
opened your e-mail. After so many years I never thought my work
would be highlighted. I thank you very much for this honor, it is
greatly appreciated.
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Currently I live in Millbury
Massachusetts, a small town that is nestled in the Blackstobne
Valley, very New England. I am married and have three daughters. My
wife and I occuoy the second level of a 200 year old hotel/tavern
that goes back to 1812.
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 My work with computer art began in
1997 when the instructors at the school I taught art in, received
PC's. First time ever and I was a little intimidated.Then, one day,
I encountered fractals, and from that moment I was hooked.
Eventually I bought my own computer and the rest is
history.
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As for my favorite pictures I'll start with the one you liked, "Whispers". It was done with Apophysis Flame generator. I started with a random flame design and began tweaking and twisting until  I got an helixical form. Eventually more complex shapes emerged giving it an overall appearance of intricacy and substance. This is pretty much the way I generally work, even with my pen and ink drawings.
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As to how I work with the
fractals it is basically the same way with my drawings. I start
with a raw fractal that has been randomly produced by Apophysis. I
then manipulate the flame image until an interesting form develops.
Then the work begins with many hours of twists turns and
manipluations until it  appears as I had  initially envisioned
it. But then it is lighting, and of course the maddening array of
gradients. With MB3D it is almost the same way, but the options, I
think, are greater. Then too it is 3D. Currently I am working on
two projects, one is large pen and ink  drawings using essentially
the same technique as with the fractals. I use OG rhythms which
were popular during the Art Devo period. These are free hand
circular shapes which I then explore with fantasy images and
symbolsm I am especially interested in Alchemical Imagery. Also I
am exploring the Mandle Bulb itself, zoomed in agreater depths and
subjected to a variety of formulas.Â
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I graduated from the
Massachusetts College of Art and Design in 1959 and then did my
graduate work at Cranbrook Academy of Art from 1961 to 1963,
studying painting  under the guidance of Zoltan
Sepeshy.
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My primary field of work has
been pen and ink drawing in a fantasy genre. Since my retirement
from teaching art I have devoted my time to fantasy art, fractals
and sacred geometry. It all began in 1957 when I first encountered
Hieronymus Bosch, never been the same since.Â
(Editor's Note: Be sure to visit
bampsters
gallery and see some of the wonderful work he is
doing.Â
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