Street art as service in New Orleans

The drive to serve our communities is a common attribute and value for civilians and veterans alike, it just plays out in different ways.

We’re not going to take these blows and let it knock us out. We’re gonna take that pain and turn it into something beautiful.

In New Orleans, we met artist and activist Brandan “Bmike” Odums, who spoke about serving his community through his art and how his father’s service as a Marine inspired him to service.

“In New Orleans, we’ve been through so much in this city,” Bmike tells us.

“We’re not going to take these blows and let it knock us out,” Bmike continues. “We’re gonna take that pain and turn it into something beautiful.”

We wanted to talk to Bmike about the idea of civic participation as a form of service.

I was always surrounded by examples of individuals that showed that your life is best when it’s in the service of other people.

“There’s a larger conversation that the United States has to have about this notion of service and civic participation,” says Veterans Coming Home road team member Michael Premo. “Some folks are called to service whether they can see that service in service of their country, in service of their community, or in service of the struggle.

When did you first become interested in something larger than yourself?” Premo asked Bmike.

“I was always surrounded by examples of individuals that showed that your life is best when it’s in the service of other people,” Bmike says. “When I had to make my decision in terms of where do I align my service, I was trying to take it as close to home as possible. So I looked around my community and said there’s so much that needs to be done here, there’s so much on my block that needs direct intervention with that.”

“I was more attracted to the ideas of Dr. King to the ideas of justice is what love looks like in public.”

Bmike spoke of one of his favorite moments as an artist: “One of the biggest compliment that I feel I’ve got from this show, we did a tour with a bunch of high schoolers and one of the high schoolers said, “What’s your favorite painting?” And he pointed at one of them and he said, “This one.” He said, “Why?” He said, “Because it looks like me.”

That experience, he says, of seeing positive reflections of yourself, is rare and powerful.

Now I’m like, I’m painting a public space in a way that send these strong messages of inspiration and power. I’m just trying to figure out how that very small measure can connect to a whole lot more.

Bmike’s father served in the Marines for 26 years, offering a profound influence on his youth. “I think fundamentally there’s this idea of service and this idea of love that comes from both. Memories of me seeing my father putting his uniform and as well when I see images of Dr. King like what’s behind me.

However, I just had no interest in putting on a uniform know what I mean?”

Vera Warren Williams, owner of the nearby community book center, had this to say about the value of an artist’s service: “Most times, unfortunately art is, like veterans, are not recognized or celebrated until they’re dead. There has to be a renaissance or a movement. You know the old saying, ‘Give me my flowers while I can smell them.’”

“It’s interesting,” Bmike says, I use paint cans, paint brushes. I’m not in the streets marching, I’m not like banging on doors, not as much as I used to be.

Now I’m like, I’m painting a public space in a way that send these strong messages of inspiration and power. I’m just trying to figure out how that very small measure can connect to a whole lot more.”