Going Hard in the Paint

No long post tonight, kiddies.  I'm working on an art project for a friend's birthday.  Painting is something I got into earlier this year (something I do from time to time: picking up exciting yet short-term hobbies) after shopping for some artwork for my former office space.  After walking around Hobby Lobby for almost an hour, I became exhausted with the cliched (though very nice for those who like it, HL) artworks and exclaimed,"Hey, I can do this myself!" And so instead of spending the money on paintings, I instead purchased painting supplies.

My first inspiration came after re-evaluating the "Rosie the Riveter" poster and wondering why there wasn't a black "Rosie?" It was a nagging question that later led me to the Library of Congress in search of a photograph of an African-American "Rosie." There she was, as big as day: My strong, fashionable, and seemingly hardworking Rosie-baby!  I had to capture it in a painting (with blue jumpsuit and red bandana, priceless!)



After that came a short series of paintings inspired by the Alvin Ailey Dancers.  I have always thought of them as agile and fearless with a sense of grace and pride that has to be poured into them by God (a lil dramatic, I know, but I promise it's the truth!) This collection became known as The Alvin Ailey "Be Ambitious" Series ("Paint the Sky", "Bend Horizons", "Expand Your Boundaries", and "Cradle the Sun"). 




Ok, so I kinda lied when I said it wasn't gonna be a long post...I tried.  Goodnight!