A lot of people ask Bama Schultze where she got her name Bama, and art name Bama Art. They ask “are you from Alabama?” She explains her name Bama comes from a role Partricia Arquette played in the Quentin Tarantino movie “True Romance,” Alabama Worly. She also has a striking resemblance to the actress so “the nickname stuck” she says.

Bama Schultze’s overall style is reminiscent of contemporary abstract expressionism, with a focus on brush line work with india black ink and color through spray paint and acrylics to convey a sense of nature and movement. What sets her art apart from others is what she calls “Ink in Nature.” Think of the way ink bleeds and reacts when it’s allowed to move across paper and canvas. It’s similar to the flow patterns in the ocean and sands helping reinforce an organic, fluid, dynamic energy. The combination of ink’s rich spontaneous flow and abstract forms can convey a lot of emotion and rhythm.

“It always amazes me to try to see what people see in my abstract art. Like a Rorschach test, people can see different things created from their mind,” said said.

Bama doesn’t always sign her artwork on a corner, giving the new owner a chance to turn the art to see four different variations of the same piece. She also adds that she remembers each unique person who has purchased a piece from her. She loves the feeling of being connected.

Bama moved to Pacific Beach in 2001, but didn’t start her art career until after she left San Diego and returned in 2013. She met some local artists at the beach who helped her get involved with some gallery shows, and curators who put on group art shows at local businesses and venues.

Bama has lived and worked as an artist in Pacific Beach for over 10 years, selling over 60 pieces and presently displaying her art at Distinction Gallery, in their Divergence Art Collective, and ArtHatch Studios.

“I’m humbled to be among such an amazing group of people and artists,” she said. “I’m also very proud to be able to display art at my studio inside the PB Water Store.”

Bama stressed that the art scene in San Diego is a tough one. “As an artist you constantly need to be out there! Setting up a display after finding parking, mingling with potential art buyers, getting to know other artists, and at the same time being creative and producing art that you truly want to do.”

Of course, most galleries will do a standard 50/50 commission, 60/40 is better, and 70/30 is rare. Online sales are an option but with so much competition, artists still struggle.

That’s why Bama is so excited to be involved with the new PB Art District, created through Beautiful PB. The group’s goal is to highlight Pacific Beach artists across genres and create opportunities for local artists and residents to get involved in activities like local art shows, doodle/sketch nights, poetry slams, etc.

The group is looking for businesses that will offer space for artist talks and small gallery shows. Bama has shown with artist Krystal Dyer of The Collective Bar, which curates shows every two weeks so there is always fresh art to experience. Bama just finished a solo showing at The Single Fin with manager Tony Law, who also curates shows for artists a few months out of every year.
PB Art District’s new Instagram @pbartdistrict is also a great place for artists to find help. “I will happily help artists find ways to get out there and do what they love in PB,” Bama said. She planned and executed last week’s first social event, a doodle/sketch night at Bar Ella on Garnet Avenue, which brought out community artists and art lovers in a fun, relaxed setting.

Bama’s personal Instagram is @bamainkart and her business Instagram is @thepbartcollective. Check out the PB Arts District’s Instagram @pbartdistrict.