Self Portrait (Painting)

Sooooooo, as you've seen last month, I attempted a self portrait drawing, this time I rocked out with acrylic paint and I didn't use a photograph for reference, I sat in the mirror.  Whatcha think?

Materials: 11x14 canvas and acrylic paint

Blossom!

I had so much fun painting the cherry blossom in "Let Them Watch!" that I wanted to do more of them and create a character to go with them. Behold, "Blossom!" This may not be the last you see of her either ;)

Materials: 8x10 canvas board and acrylic paint.

By yours truly :)

http://afro.com/sections/arts_entertainment/story.htm?storyid=3286

P!nk - Glitter In The Air (GRAMMYs on CBS)

I swear I HAVE to do a painting inspired by this!

Josephine Baker

Title:  Josephine Baker
Story:  I couldn't do Valaida Snow without paying homage to one of her good friends!
Materials:  11 x 14 canvas, acylic paint and glitter

The Safest Place

Title:  The Safest Place
Story:  The Safest Place was inspired by the blessing that babies bring.  With all of the joy and excitement little ones bring to the lives they enter, they could have come from nowhere but heaven.  Having said that, one can confirm that they angels keep them safe in our cruel world.
Materials:  14 x 18 canvas board and acrylic paint.

Precious Sunrise (Black Mermaid Series #9)

Title:  Precious Sunrise (Black Mermaid Series #9)
Story:  Mom and her little mer-girl (LMAO) coming up from their world to watch the sun.
Materials:  11 x 14 canvas and acrylic paint.

Gordon Parks

Title:  Gordon Parks
Story:  None needed, I just wanted to pay homage to THE MAN!
Materials:  11 x 14 pastel paper, graphite pencil and white color pencil

Rolling Sunday!

Good Evening Everyone!
Last week I was on a painting hiatus and Sunday made up for it all!  I woke up around 7 yesterday morning and started painting.  There was an idea that I went over with friends often but never put it on canvas...yesterday I did just that.  This is by far the largest painting I've done.  It is called The Real Queen of the Jungle.  The queen sits on her throne with her king close beside her, resting her feet upon the head of her lion friend and her land is welcome to all creatures.  This took me a while to finish but it was well worth it and I'm glad to have gotten it out of my system.  Behold, The Real Queen of the Jungle!

Materials:  24x36 canvas board and acrylic paint

Valaida Snow

I watched a documentary on this remarkable woman a few years ago and her story stuck with me, so much so that I wanted to pay homage to her in my own way.  I present to you the beautiful and talented Mrs. Valaida Snow!

The photo that inspired this picture didn't have a trumpet in it (which was her signature instrument of choice) so I decided to add it in and put it where I think Mrs. Snow thought it ought to be... on a pedestal!
Valaida Snow photo

VALAIDA SNOW JAZZ TRUMPET STAR

Flowers in a Bottle

I usually don't use oil pastels as you can see in most of my latest works but I really wanted to strengthen my relationship with with this medium.  As I've stated many times before, I like to challenge myself.  I really like it now that I've gotten used to the texture of them on certain types of paper.  I wanted to do something simple and after a youtube video I saw, I decided to go with flowers in a bottle.  I think this might be my medium of the week/month! Heavens knows I'm tired of cleaning up paint every night! LOL

Materials: 11 x 14 pastel paper and color oil pastels.

John Farrar

I felt deeply moved by this article not only as an artist but as a native Washingtonian.  Please read;
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/11/04/AR2010110407943.html?sid=ST2010110504125

Keep Your Head Up!

When doing portraits and creating images of men, especially men of color, I try to make sure that I portray them in the most positive light possible.  In my community and in my life, there are positive black men who not only do things for the community that are beneficial but have made many many sacrifices for the betterment of their people.  Don't believe the hype, they do exist!  This one's for you guys!  <3

Materials:  11x14 pastel paper and dry colored pastels

Let Them Watch!

Title:  Let Them Watch!

Story:  As you all know by now, I like to challenge myself.  I have always wanted to do something with ordinary people doing ordinary things in the strangest places.  Ms. Shot-Caller decided that she'd like a better view of nature while taking a relaxing bath...so she had the bath tub moved outside!

Materials:  11x14 canvas and acrylic paint.

Believe

Title:  Believe
Story:  The little girl in me loves doing fantasy paintings and drawings :) this time I tried something new and put a glittery finish on this piece.

Materials: 11x14 canvas, acrylic paint and glitter glue.

Violet Mansion

Title:  Violet Mansion
Story:  Something new :-)
Materials:  11x14 canvas and acrylic paint.

*Available for purchase on http://www.etsy.com/shop/poeticd

MASKerade

Some artist moved out of a friend's unit and left behind some interesting materials in some interesting colors- specifically four strange-looking bottles of some stuff called Krink.  I looked it up and the story behind it is pretty cool.  Check it out here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IrkwjNfIqas  Anyway, I wanted to get some ideas on how to use it... aside from street graffiti art and I couldn't find anything but I was inspired by some of the graffiti I saw nonetheless.  Here's what I came up with;

Materials: 9x12 canvas and Krink

*Available for purchase on http://www.etsy.com/shop/poeticd

My Online Store!

If you're interested in the purchase of any of my work, please visit my online store:

http://www.etsy.com/shop/poeticd

Soul Glow

So, last night as I sat there staring at the canvas and back at my thumbnail sketches, I decided that I wanted to go with an afro mama and incorporate a mixture of colors that I never use like reds, grays and purples.  Here she is.  What do ya think?

Materials:  14x18 canvas board and acryilic paint.

Little Darlings

Many of my friends have asked me if I have any paintings suitable for children's rooms, so with them in mind as well as the opportunity to create something different and more affordable than my other pieces, I came up with Little Darlings and they are just too cute!  If I do say so myself. :)

Materials: 4x6 canvas and tempera paint.

Reflections

Title:  Reflections
Story:  An older woman staring out at the world and looking back on her life in retrospect.
Materials:  9x12 canvas and tempera paint 

The GoldFish Whisperer (Black Mermaid Series #8)

Title:  The GoldFish Whisperer
Story:  Each of the mermaids have special characteristics.  This one has a way with fish.
Materials:  18x24 cotton duck canvas and acrylic paint.