Local artist creates painting for Aldean
Jason Aldean couldn’t help laughing when seeing the purple and gold.
See, Aldean is a Georgia native, so his allegiance lies with another Southeastern Conference school.
But facts are facts, and the fact here was that Aldean wasn’t performing at the University of Georgia on May 27 but at the Bayou County Superfest in LSU’s Tiger Stadium.
This is why Jacob Zumo added the LSU logo in purple and gold at the bottom of the painting.
“He was performing here, so I had to commemorate it in some way,” Zumo said.
Zumo is a live painter, meaning he often creates his paintings in live performance situations.
Most times, it’s during musical performances with his paintings reflecting the music being played.
He recently graduated Southeastern Louisiana University in Hammond with a bachelor’s degree in public relations and marketing.
His live painting career began while in college, and it seems to be skyrocketing.
Because Zumo also has created paintings for such music stars as Snoop Dog, Drake and Juvenile.
He is being mentored in the live painting field by Baton Rouge artist Christopher Turner, who has created live paintings throughout the city, including last fall’s LSU-Florida football game. He also gained national attention when he created a live painting at the Bayou Classic last November.
Now it’s Zumo’s turn.
Zumo’s friend was part of Aldean’s crew at the Superfest and suggested that Zumo make a painting for the country superstar.
“He said it could be arranged for me to present it to him,” Zumo said.
So, Zumo’s Aldean painting wasn’t exactly live, but close. Zumo created it the morning preceding Aldean’s performance, then gave it to him the next day.
Zumo’s painting style would be classified as pop, reflecting that of such artists as Andy Warhol. Aldean is depicted in his cowboy hat and a full moon glowing in the background.
And, of course, there’s the LSU logo at the bottom.
“Jason made jokes about the LSU logo being located in the painting,” Zumo said.
“And A&E’s Duck Dynasty star Willie Robertson was also there. He’s from Louisiana, and he said, ‘I’m taking this home with me. Jason, you’re not an LSU man.’”
But Aldean didn’t let that happen. He laid claim to Zumo’s painting.
LSU logo and all.