Kish and Pete’s Baby Shower

Photo Invite 5"x 7"

Photo Collage 8"x 8"

Kish and Pete’s Baby Shower

The happy and excited couple were expecting the birth of their baby boy soon…….

It was time for a baby shower!

Since they knew the gender of the baby, it was, it was fun to play around with different shades of blue. The mason jar's with blue tinted with acrylic ice with the light side. The jars with trimmed with rhinestones (My sister, Kishla loves sparkle). The other table decorations included mini cardboard onesies with bow ties. 

Also part of the table decor, where the battery operated tea lights in the shape of bottles.

The party gifts were a smash hit. Since Christmas time was around the corner, but not part of the theme, I came up with the idea of using clear ornament holders filled with blue covered chocolate candies. And I topped it off with deep blue ribbon with white polka dots and cardboard. The party guests spontaneously started to shake the party gifts. It transformed into a music maker. It was fantastic, all the adults had fun. I must post a video someday…… it was amazing.

Hey guys, I'm going to say that again. If anyone is interested in creative table settings or party favors please email me at artbybond@gmail.com.

Please help support the arts.

Celebration Treats

Photo Collage 8"x10" 

Celebration Treats

My niece wanted to celebrate her birthday with two of her childhood friends. She has known them since her age was in the single digits. They met at church. They were part of the young choir called,” Rosebuds”.

Jocelyn and friends celebrated her 14th birthday at New Rock City, filled with food, games and other activities. 

I wanted to create something special for her and her friends. I made goody boxes filled with assorted candies.

Decorative paper was carved into three boxes and the petals were formed individually.

The day after her celebration, I asked if her and her friends enjoyed the goody boxes. 

She replied “Yes! her friends said it was beautiful and they were thankful”.

Her mom said “ Yeah, they left the back sit cover in glittered paper empty candy wraps!”

How can you go wrong with candy?…….. LOL

Study of Hair Texture

Pen and Ink 5"x5"

Study of Hair Texture

I came across of this reference of a model wearing her curly and thick hair texture. This is a fun texture to render in pen and ink. Curls tightly roping around each other creating amazing coils. 

I believe that women, especially of African ancestry, have a reason to celebrate the various hair textures, because it’s unique and beautiful. Now we see different examples of curly hair glamorized in magazines of all women.

Also, there are products catered to textured hair. 

Hurray!

Study of a butterfly

Markers 5"x5"

Study of a butterfly 

I've always wanted to make a quick sketch using markers.

I am drawn to a caterpillar because of their mind blowing physical transformation into butterfly .

Every time I come across a butterfly,

I always feel special, as if God is watching over me. It's a feeling that I can't explain.

Study of Florence Ballard

Markers and Colored Pencils 5"x5"

Study of Florence Ballard

Miss Ballard was one of the original members of the famed Motown group, the Supremes. The singer formed the vocal group in 1961 with childhood friends Mary Wilson and Diana Ross. 

I was watching a special about her life.  She was dealing with several trails and tribulations. Even though she was in a successful group, it seems that after she departed the group to pursue a solo career, her life went further downhill.

It was distressing to see young talent passed away from a heart attack at the age of 32 with struggles of depression alcoholism, and poverty. 

Talent is talent, no matter what. And it is especially sad when a talent so young is gone.

Study of African Women Dancing

Pen and Ink 5"x5"

Study of African Women Dancing 

Here we are again back to the quick drawings also known as gesture drawings. I love to dance. I love all forms of music and dance. The women in the reference, looks so joyful and happy in movement. I wanted to catch the flow, energy, of these vibrant, beautiful women in African traditional dance. I must make a painting soon!

The study of the graffiti style of my nick name

Markers 5"x5"

The study of the graffiti style of my nick name

I was born and raised in the era where The South Bronx looked like a war zone.

Abandoned buildings, empty lots filled with garbage, even crack vials scattered over the sidewalks of my building complex. 

I was fortunate to be in a loving and caring household. My parents worked hard to take care of me and my sister. I never experienced a desire to hang out in the streets because I was a homebody and my home was my safe haven. 

There were some fantastic things about living in The South Bronx. I spent most of my afternoon's playing with the kids in the neighborhood.We played games like Double Dutch, Tag, Red-light, Green-light 1 2 3 and Hot Peas and Butter…… Ouch!!!!

Anyway the sounds of hip-hop filled the air from the boom boxes. It was Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five, LL Cool J, The Sugarhill Gang, Big Daddy Kane, Roxanne Shante, The Treacherous Three, MC Lyte, Run DMC, Salt and Pepa and Spinderella, Kurtis Blow, Boogie Boys, Whoudini, Eric B & Rakim, Queen Latifah, just to name a few….. I could go on and on but I have to go back to the story!

I was named Cee Cee since I was a toddler, I believe. It's been told to me that my Aunt Willie gave me my nickname. 

I also romanticized about being a graffiti artist. Some of the “Tags” around the city were tacky, but others were simply breathtaking, colorful, bold, graphic simply beautiful. 

Italy, has surrounded artworks of including Leonardo DA Vinci and Michelangelo. The South Bronx, on the other hand, was surrounded by the most amazing, art, Graffiti Art .

We had our Ree 2, Mitch 77, Sento, Tracy 168, Futura 2000, Cope 2, Seen, Noc 167, Blade, T-Kid 170, Billy 167, King 2,  just to name a few.

NYC has the most amazing graffiti artist, but I just wanted to give a special "shout out" to my beloved borough...."Da South Bronx!"

Now graffiti art is highly celebrated worldwide.

The study of a model wearing glasses

Pen and Ink 5"x5"

The study of a model wearing glasses

Quick sketching is a really fun challenge. It is also quite liberating.

Here is a reference of a model posing in a head scarf and glasses. She looks regal and intelligent.

Unfortunately, back in the day when I was in the second grade I had to wear prescription eyeglasses. It just wasn't as cool. I suffered an extreme vision so as a result, I have extremely thick Coca-Cola bottle shaped lens which gave me the appearance of one eye was smaller than the other.

Oh, what fun times! 

Anyhow, back to the sketch. It seems like I didn't finish the bottom part of her chin. Reflecting on this, or looking back on it, I probably had to stop quickly to wash dishes or something, who knows, it was always something.

The study of Dorothy Dandridge

Pen and Ink 5"x5"

The study of Dorothy Dandridge

This theater trained actor, was talented and had flawless beauty.

She broke barriers in the entertainment industry with the first African-American actor nomination for best actress  Academy Award for her performance in Carmen Jones.

Actor, singer, and dancer, she was a triple threat in the entertainment world. So I assumed her life equally fore filling. I assumed also while studying her that she had it all beauty brains and a charmed life. But I was wrong just because you're beautiful but doesn't mean life is just great. I wish it was for her because she seem to be a decent human being but she just ran into a lot of unfortunate circumstances. We all do, it's called life.

She was judge based on her beauty. Her flawless beauty grabbed more attention than her talents.

Just because you're flawless beauty it doesn't mean you're flawless of trials and tribulations. Her life tragically ended at the age of 42. Talent is talent, no matter what. And it is especially sad when a talent so young is gone.

The script writing behind her sketch are pieces from the article from Ebony magazine.

The Study of Thelonious Monk

Mixed Medium 5"x5"

The Study of Thelonious Monk

This Jazz musician and composer was recognized for his unconventional, and unorthodox way of playing the piano. His fingers in the speed of lightning across the keyboard.

Ironically, an unorthodox technique was used for his portrait study. I applied a black ink wash and white out ( yes, the material use for correcting mistakes when typing! )

Interestingly, I subconsciously pay tribute to this legendary performer the same way he played and composed music, thinking outside the box!

Study of Chris Kirkpatrick

Pen and Ink 5"x5"

Study of Chris Kirkpatrick

I ran across this reference of Nsync’s band member  Chris Kirkpatrick, and I thought, wow, what an interesting sketch this will be.

What attracted me to the music group, years ago, was their energetic dance moves and their high energy stage presence.

Then to top everything else off, One of them stood out wearing braids or dreads tied with rubber bands on top of his head while his sides and back of his head were bald. (Not shown in this reference) In this reference, he is screaming. I exaggerated his facial features. 

Ironically, he seems to be "screaming" for attention. Interesting, just like his hairstyle was back then. Don't worry Chris…… we see you LOL.

Just kidding..... I love Chris for his individuality!