Don't let the uniform fool you. By day, Jimmie Banks works as an electrician at Duke, but by night he's a prolific artist who creates paintings, pencil sketches, photographs and collages.
The artist's work can be seen in a variety of locations on campus, including on the walls of the John Hope Franklin Center and inside the football tunnel. In 2003 he had a show at The Mary Lou Williams Center for Black Culture.
Sitting in McDonald's in the Bryan Center, surrounded by prints of his work, Banks exudes excitement and pride. His eyes shine through black-framed glasses and his smile never fades as he explains the details of each piece, placing special emphasis on a portrait of his late mother.
"My mother really inspired me when I was young," he said. "She always told me, 'While most kids were outside playing, you were indoors painting.' The last time I was at her house [before she passed away] she was saying the same thing."
The artist credits his wife and two sons, who appear frequently in his collection, for being his support network. He said he draws his technical inspiration from Van Gogh, Norman Rockwell and famous portrait artist Simmie Knox, the first black artist to have his art displayed in the White House.
Banks' interest in art began with grade-school art classes, and by sixth grade he completed his first oil painting, a portrait of the last supper.
Though he does some landscapes and still-lifes, the majority of Banks' paintings are portraits of personal and public figures.
"I just love to capture the expressions," Banks said. "You look within the person and you grasp more than just a portrait. It's the expression within."
Many of these are famous expressions, with Banks capturing the likes of Vanessa Williams, Evander Holyfield and Condoleezza Rice. Banks, who said he enjoys "being able to give," often gives celebrities the portraits he paints of them.
"I sent Oprah two portraits and I got two thank you letters," he said. "I gave a black and white portrait to [former Duke President] Nan [Keohane] before she left and I gave Jason Williams a portrait."
Banks also enjoys painting portraits for family and friends and often gives his pieces as gifts. Co-workers at Duke and the retirement home where he works part-time often request portraits to give as gifts.
"A co-worker at the retirement home lost her mom around the time my mom passed," Banks said. "She saw the portrait I'd done of my mom and she liked it so much she asked for one of her mom."
Despite his busy schedule, Banks always finds time for art.
"It's really relaxing," he said. "Sometimes I stay up half a night painting."
The sleepless nights seem to be paying off. Banks said the positive reactions to his art have been overwhelming.
"I love making people happy with my art," he said. "It's the gift that keeps giving."
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