“…I bought some artwork for 1 million, 2 years later, that shit worth 2 million
Few years later, that shit worth 8 million, I can't wait to give this shit to my children…”
                                          
                                                              Jay-Z, Story of OJ

  In his latest album, 4:44, Jay Z references in his second verse the significance and how building wealth is can be accomplished through purchasing of art.  However, this is not the first time the 47 year old rapper has mentioned visual arts in his music.  The second track on Magna Carta, Holy Grail is entitled Picasso, Baby.  Throughout out the song, jay-Z references himself as the “New Jean Michel (Basquiat), surrounded by Warhols.” He mentions well know art affiliated institutions such as MoMA (Museum of Modern Art), Christies (a prestigious auction house in New York), The Lourve, and Art Basel (Miami, FL). Furthermore, the video Picasso, Baby was shot at world renown art gallery were celebrities and patrons were allowed to show off their creativity and become works of art themselves.  He was inspired by performance artist Marina Abramovic who performed for endless hours at the MoMA.  Not only has Mr. Carter become inspired by visual and performing artist, he is becoming quite the collector.  In 2013, he purchased Jean Michel Basquiat’s “Mecca” piece created in 1982.  The painting is a rendition of city done in a limited palette of black, orange and white.  Per a true Basquiat, words and a motif of the crown are often incorporated into his work.  In this piece the word Empire is capitalized and hovers over the city wearing the crown.  Jay Z purchased this piece anonymously for $4.5 million dollars at an auction at Sothebys.
it.

While Jay-Z’s knowledge and collecting of art continues to grow, he is not the only hip hop artist that is building an art collection.  Artists such as Pharrel Williams, Kaassem “Swiss Beats” Dean, Dwayne “Lil Wayne” Carter, Jr., Kanye West are just a few of increasing number of artists building their art collection.  Some of the visual artists included in the collection include but not limited to Jean Michel Basquiat, Joan Miro, Keith Harring, Ernie Barnes, Andy Warhol, Takashi Murakami, Kaws, Hebru Brantley,  Etc.   Producer Swiss Beats not only collects art, but curates shows and exhibitions as well.

Swizz started collecting art in the early 2000s.  In an interview with Vulture Magazine, he discussed how he first started collecting with studies of Chagals and Dalis.  He also mentions in the same interview how gallery owner David Rogath informed him “Swizz, it’s not the quantity, it’s about the quality.  Fast forward to 2013,  he acquired a Basquiat at Sotheby’s sale. Similar to Jay Z, Swizz was attracted to the artistic creativity and genius of Jean-Michel that he related to as well. From then on he was hooked. His every growing collection includes artist such as Ernie Barnes, Keith Haring, Andy Warhol and KAWs.  Along with building his collection, Swizz himself is a painter and can also add curator to his expanding repertoire.  In 2014, at the world renowned Miami Art Basel, Swizz curated a show at Scope Miami from the Dean Collection, several emerging artists that he collects.  A year later, he would partner with Baracadi and put together (Miami Art Basel) the No Commission Art Fair. This three day event brought together music and art.  Not only did it bring out the artist like Wiz Kalifa, Pusha T, P Diddy, wife, Alicia Keys, but it allowed for all artists participating in the exhibition keep 100 % of their sales.  With it being such a huge success, The Dean Collection and Barcardi, No Commission has been on a worldwide tour.  Past exhibitions have been shown in the Bronx, London and Shanghai.  In 2016, swizz even held an Instagram contest for artists to create interpretation or rendition of his daughter.  Once again, he is exposing artists as well as educating fans on the beauty of creativity and self-expression.  This year, he recently announced collaboration with the luxury brand Bally for a fashion collection.  Whether it is fashion, music, or art, Swizz will surely continue to be a collector, curator and cultivator in the world of art.

One of music’s most creative, innovative and eccentric hip hop artist and producers is Pharrell Williams.  The musician, producer, fashion designer, also has a beautiful modern and contemporary art collection. Pharrell is no stranger to Miami Art Basel, Williams is always fascinated by the new artist and some of his favorite pieces.  Like Jay-Z and Swizz Beats, he loves KAWs and Keith Haring, and like Swizz, is curating art as well. 

In 2014, Pharrell album G I R L celebrates his love and appreciation for women.  That same year, Williams curated an exhibition in Paris that celebrates and pays tribute to women, women’s beauty, minds and contributions to the world. The beauty and value of art impacts everyone in every way; it is even reaching younger hip hop artists.  In 2015, we learned that Lil Wayne had a collection of art worth $30 million dollars.  According to TMZ, the artist Miami home was raided after Wayne refused to settle the debt owed to a private jet company.  Upon seizing these assets, the art collection was taken as well as additional values for compensation for outstanding payments for the deal. edit.

In 2017, we are beginning to see more and more artists and moguls of hip hop not only expand the content of the lyricism, but the portfolio of businesses and partnerships that include art.  However, hip hop artists are not the only group that is beginning to become more invested and supportive of the arts. Former NBA star Amare Stoudemire has been collecting art for about 10 years.  His conversations about collecting art have been featured in publications such as Esquire, New York Times, and Complex to name a few.  Stoudemire has even set on Swizz Beat’s panel discussion during the No Commission exhibition.  He is very vocal of not only supporting the arts, but encourages other NBA players and athletes to collect and invest in art and artist as well. In the 2015 Esquire article, Stoudemire states that he does not buy art to resell, but desires to see his art passed down to each generation.

Image: Amare Stoudemire/amarestoudemire,com.

In 2017, we are beginning to see more and more artists and moguls of hip hop not only expand the content of the lyricism, but the portfolio of businesses and partnerships that include art.  However, hip hop artists are not the only group that is beginning to become more invested and supportive of the arts. Former NBA star Amare Stoudemire has been collecting art for about 10 years.  His conversations about collecting art have been featured in publications such as Esquire, New York Times, and Complex to name a few.  Stoudemire has even set on Swizz Beat’s panel discussion during the No Commission exhibition.  He is very vocal of not only supporting the arts, but encourages other NBA players and athletes to collect and invest in art and artist as well. In the 2015 Esquire article, Stoudemire states that he does not buy art to resell, but desires to see his art passed down to each generation.
Since hip hop music crossover in the late 1980s, early 1990s, we have seen a spectrum of narratives told be it black liberation, struggles of the hood, etc.  Interestingly, the majority of the music is a reflection of money, getting rich, and all the glory of capitalism. Whether popping bottles of Cristal, hundreds of men and women dressed in the finest attire, luxury and foreign cars, yachts and mansions, we have watched hip hop acquire the material riches that many of us “desire.”  However, more and more are understanding there is vast difference between being rich and being wealthy.  As hip hop moguls continue to inspire with beats, concepts and lyrics, maybe they will inspire it is not just about inspiring the culture, but collecting and preserving a culture we help create.
 

A common theme in black visual art is the interpretation of Black Love.  This subject matter spans from first kiss and love’s innocence to the very provocative, sensual erotic noire.  Growing up, I always cherished these images; it echoed the sentiment that I have experienced my entire life –my parent’s love.  There is something magical and encouraging about seeing a black man love a black womanand a black woman loving a black man.  When a world has taught you to hate who you are, where you come from and that your ways of life and worship is barbaric, the love we have for one another seems to be the only humane ideal we cling to and can press our cheeks against.  Sexual  intimacy has far been stripped from the existence that coalesces between Black Men and Black Women.  Instead, the idea of oneness, the merging of the Yoni and Phallic has been reduced to archaic rituals and vocabulary of a pseudo-rape culture of power over pleasure.  Consequentially, the performance of sexual intimacy has been reduced to a limited vocabulary: Fucking, Busting Nuts, Busting it wide open, Beating  it Up, Tearing it up and any other aggressive terminology that seems more like a brutish act of war juxtapose that the connection and act itself ultimately yields new life.  It moves beyond the limited notions of words such as freaky, nasty, thot, hoe; these words are often attributed specifically to black women who unapologetically express their sexuality.

Often times, black female bodies are reduced (not as a work of art), but a perverse pleasure to only serve as a  purpose of satisfaction and not respected as the direct descendants of the great mother that birthed humanity. In some spaces, the idea of a female receiving satisfaction is robbed from her experiencing it completely by means of clitoridectomy  and female genital mutilation. Black females’ bodies (along with voices) have been silenced by Government, organized religon, White Supremacy, White Feminism, Black men and unfortunately, willing black female participants.  However, I will not deny nor silence my sexual  sensual desires that I feel and experience as a woman. Those who choose not to see the beauty of erotica and the erotic noire are simply denying their intuitions and desires for the sake of others feeling comfortable and in control.  Thus, Coffee and Cognac: A Succulent Sip, emerged from the longing of loving our bodies, embracing our desires, acknowledging the connection is deeper than the meeting of His Yin and Her Yoni, and of course, how two elixirs, two libations can alleviate pain, smooth things over, quiet spirits, entice taste buds or engage excitement….the same way the performance of intimacy has always captured and release signs (and sounds) of pleasure.

The series above is an ongoing collection of water color and mixed media on paper.   Although I have not determined how many will be in the paper series, there will be limited editions available soon.  I would be remiss not to mention that these works are inspired by the photography of Vincent Christie and his baby (website) Pangeasgarden.com.  Link will be below.  Please check out the website and stay tuned for updates...

Peace

www.pangeasgarden.com

         Most people dread Sundays...well not dread but it is affectionately known as "the day before Monday; or the Week's end.  However, Sundays provide peace, passionate and positive energy.  Many of us refer to this day as the Sabbath, and it does provide me with the opportunity to reflect.  Additionally, it provides me the opportunity to explore and evolve as an artist; it is me reflection in action. Portrait painting allows me to meet new people, learn about them, create narratives and construct a beauty that often times do not meet with these days standards. It provides an opportunity to negotiate with the idea of humanity and the significance of our impact. Then again, I just love people and love to paint the,

The piece Nzingah has been a long time coming.  It started from a photograph I found 6 months ago.  Typical practice, I taped the picture to the canvas and let it be.  Each week I avoided the canvas and its picture mate.  Everyday I would look and say not today, maybe tomorrow.  I found myself bargaining with my creative and my time to paint her.  Months went by before I decide to paint her.  Here are the end results:

If you are an artist, an inspiring artist or just enjoy painting, allow Sunday to be your day of expression and meditation.  Although many of us view this day as the last day of our weekend, I use it as a kick start to the week.  Happy Painting!

Peace and Blessings to all.

I realized it has been nearly a year since I posted a blog and my resolution is to get to posting once a week.   I just wanted to share a few images of what I have been working on.  As of now, I do not have a show in the next month, however it is necessary for me to keep evolving as an artist.

Take a peek below of what has been going on in the studio:

I have been pushing myself outside the boundary and playing with texture.  This is still in progress, however the goal was to create an antique painting of an Egyptian woman.  I distressed the gold leaf and was able to create an antique look.  I look forward to working with this technique more and on a larger scale.

This piece was created at a like event presented by a poetry group here in Chicago called Nommo Poets.  I love do live pieces; the opportunity to speak and engage people about art is something I live for and it is truly a part of my passion.

Entitled "Oshun: The Floodgates" is a tribute/interpretation of Yoruba deity Oshun.  I have always been fascinated with belief systems and how they manifest in humanity and our daily lives.  The Orishas are certainly powerful spirits and figures; their stories are legendary.  Oshun is the Orisha of African Sweet or fresh water.  She is the orisha of beauty, femininity, and fertility.

IN PROGRESS: I love intimacy.  The chemistry, the connection, the bond, the passion, the exchange.  Entitled "Kundalini: Together We Rise," illustrates the fruition of couples that have the knowledge of self and the meeting of selves.  They understand that the feminine and masculine energies as a unit will thrive even in the most tumultuous of times. 

"Aura" was created during my series called Sunday Session.  I literally create a piece from start to finish on a Sunday.  This is my time to connect with God; through art we are able to communicate completely, freely and with abundant love.  I honestly believe that these pieces create during these sessions are some of my best work.

PRINTS!!!!! Finally, I have decided to get my store up and running.  I was hesitant on how to tackle this operation, yet I am ready to sell the prints.  The site goes live on Sunday, April 18, 2015 and I am really looking forward to adding this to my studio.

Remember to follow your passion despite what the world says...God gave you that gift; only you can nourish it.

Peace to all.

Real simple folks. These are pieces that I am currently working on and need to finish (hope I finish).  Check them out below.

My apologies to everyone....I keep forgetting I have a blog portion on here.  So let me give the run down of July.

First and foremost, I turned 30. Yep, the BIG 30, dirty thirty and it has already been amazing.  This summer I have started, finished and I am workng my way through so many pieces and ideas.  I am truly blessed and fortunate to be able to do so.

CONNECTIONS
Sip & Savor
This summer I made two great connections/partnerships with two black owned businesses in Chicago.  The first is an amazing coffee house called Sip & Savor.  The owner is Trez  V. Pugh, III and he has been supporting local artists in his shops.  

Later this summer, he will being opening a third coffee house in the historic Bronzeville area of Chicago.  This will have a music theme to the space and I am creating two pieces for it.  I am truly ecstatc, blessed and humbled by the opportunity.  Not only does Trez provide artists opportuunity to show case their work but to use the space as well for studio time.

Here are pictures of chicago artists, Terrance Martin and Jittuan Priest, and myself having an art party/session at the coffee house.

While there, I was able to get one of the preliminary drawings done for the actual paintings.  This past weekend I finished the second drawing.  I am painting two new pieces of Marvin Gaye and Phyllis Hyman.

INSIT STUDIO
My second connection this summer was with a gentleman name Mikhael Moshe and he is the owner of Insit Studio. It operates as a gallery and commuity space that thrives off creativity, think tanks and the constant evolution of people ideas.  In late August, Insit will be having an exhibition entitled Original Man.  This is a group showing that includes talented artist from all over Chicago as well as lecturers and professors aboout the black man as original man.  Below is the flyer and the pieces that will be exhibiting.

So those are the big things going on in my life.  Please stay tuned for more updates. Be blessed!!!

       One of the greatest skill one will ever learn in being an artist is patience.  Sure many of us have raw, pure talent while others have dedicated their learning practice to skill and technique.  However, the greatest skill is patience.  
         When I first began painting, I would whip out a painting in two hours (Bob Ross was my teacher), and I would be completely satisfied.  Then again, I was only thirteen years old at the time.  Yet 17 years later I realized that my greatest gift was not in photo realistic or expressive portraiture, but it was the fact that I became patient with my work.  The piece below is called Majeed and it has been in the works for about 3 weeks.  Although I could have finished it in about three days, the detail in the fabric is attributed to one part technicality and one part patience.

Johannes Vermeer
The Geographer
Dutch
Oil on Linen
1668-1669

  While prepping for Majeed, I studied a good number of Northern Renaissance painters, specifically Johannes Vermeer.  Vermeer's uses of light and fluidity of oils created that very satin texture (I also believe the Prussian blue richness and opaqueness assisted as well).    The various textures created in the piece from the rough texture of paper to the softness of his robe all through manipulation of medium and patience.  My background is in art history, so I have a proclivity to research and studying techniques of various artist, periods, and/or styles.

     Another example of patience, researching and studying artists is a piece entitled From Dusk till Dawn.  For this piece I referenced was Jean Auguste Dominique Ingres' La Grande Odalisque oil on canvas from 1814.  

Jean August Dominique Ingres
La Grande Odalisque
French
Oil on Canvas
1814

         Ingres inspirations comes from Italian artists in the later 16th century movement called Mannerism.  Mannerisms include classical figures-nude, elongated figures and use of dramatic life.  In La Grande Odalisque, Ingre reference of a Turskish concubine located in her bedroom quarters,  Her look is engaging and seductive; Ingres has also elongated her spine that leads to hear backside suggestively position for their viewer's glance.  The juxtaposition of the paleness of skin and the heavy, blue drapery create a balance and sharp contrast in the work.  inspired by Ingres' dramatic use of light and the sensuality of the subject matter, I was inspired to create a work that evoked a similar mood.  Referencing the photography of fellow artist Vincent Christie, I was able to create a sensual, yet subdue moment of intimacy.  Again, my proclivity to art history as well as patience (time and technique) have allowed me to create From Dusk till Dawn.

Like most young artists, I was constantly eager to produce quantity over quality.  Although I can still produce a substantial work of art is an hours time, I learned that being patient with both the work and with myself can make a painting evolved from mediocre to mesmerizing.  I will walk away from a work for several days; it gives me an opportunity to look at it with fresh eyes.  It also gives me time to reflect on what I have completed and research for new techniques, mixing palettes, etc.  Ultimately, it will be proclivity for you artistic style (art history research for me) and patience that will allow you and your work to evolve throughout your career, and certainly throughout the process.