New Commissioned Piece: Journey to You

 My most recent commissioned piece is based on an original poem written by the client who ordered it. A sweet love poem, "Journey to You" is about two people coming together and sharing their lives. I tried to capture the feeling of the poem in the textures I selected for the painting. The colors I chose complement the decor in the area where the piece will be displayed. And although I didn't have time to take a photograph of it, the painting has been mounted in an espresso colored floating frame.

Journey to You 
acrylic and ink on foam packing material, paper, and cardboard
16" x 12"
2013
commissioned piece for private collector

AFRICOBRA at the DuSable Museum

Here is the final installment of the AFRICOBRA show, which is being displayed at the DuSable Museum of African American History from July until September 29th. As I wrote in my previous post, AFRICOBRA is a movement started by a revolutionary group of Black artists in the 1960s. Their work is visually engaging, using bold patterns and colors.

As in the show at the Logan Center, the DuSable preparators also covered their walls in colors taken from the artworks on display.
















They even took it a step further by painting tribal inspired patterns in the doorways. As an interior designer always looking for new ideas, I had to take pictures of this and share them.





Here's a closer look. I think this would be great in the right room. It's such an unexpected detail.



They even took elements of some of the other paintings and stenciled them on the walls, like these men with big Afros.

This is definitely an art show worth visiting if you like contemporary art that explores important social issues, or if you are interested in seeing the work of some of the unsung heroes of the Chicago art scene.  See it before it's gone! For more information, here's the link to the museum again:
DuSable Museum of African American History

New commissioned painting: Violet Unfolding

I had an opportunity to create a new commissioned piece for the president of my old high school, the Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy. Proving that the school's graduates have pursued other fields besides the two in the school's name, the new president has decided to put a collection of alumni art in her office. I am so honored to have my work hanging on the walls there! What an unexpected opportunity! Here's a photo of the piece.

Violet Unfolding
acrylic, ink, vinyl, and latex on cardboard and wood panel
30" x 20"
2013

My only regret is that I didn't have time to take better pictures of my painting. I feel like these just don't do them justice. But I was in a hurry, so what could I do? Hopefully I will have another chance to take some better pictures one day. Anyway, I am starting on a new commissioned piece, so you can expect an update soon.