Christmas Craft Memories

Christmas Craft Memories

There have been many special moments during this 

holiday season, but the one that stood out for me was the time that my niece and I did a painting task. This task involved a lot of green paint!

I did this activity in a preschool classroom, the children loved it! Since we didn't have enough space for a large tree I asked my niece if she wouldn't mind making a wallpaper Christmas tree. Despite of the fact that she was older than a preschooler, she didn't mind creating a Christmas tree.

So we got started with a lot of green paint, glitter and fingers. She didn't mind the messy project. She said she had a really good time.  It touched me deeply. This Christmas tree has been part of our family tradition ever since. Never threw the tree out, we use it every year.

The Wedding

18"x 24" Acrylics on board

The Wedding

In our family, we were excited to have one of our cousins get married. He was the least likely cousin to get married, to be honest. We could wait to witness the wedding. This was a special time in our lives because it was a great reason to reunite with family members visiting from the South and have one big party!

Our cousin's bride was of Cuban descent thus it became a fantastic spectacular event. There were bold and bright colors surrounding the bride. The dresses were elegant and flowing. Look graceful and regal. This was the first time we've ever met her. And we were not disappointed. She was so lovely. So were her parents as well they were gracious and kind.

It was so much going on in this large cathedral, majestic style wedding ceremony. I felt like we were at a celebrity wedding. There was a videographer as well as photographer. The reception, was incredible. The music was a mixture of R&B, hip-hop, and Latin. Seemed like we were on the dance floor all night long. This wedding experience was like no other. It  was a grand production. And guess what, we loved it!!

Nelson Avenue Park

10" x 12" Acrylic on paper

Nelson Ave Park

There's a serious game going on at Nelson Avenue Park. A basketball tournament. All the games are serious whether there are two guys playing or two teams. There's never a boring moment in this park. At one time in a while you'll hear a story about gunshots taken place, but most times it's just people just wanting to play and have fun. There's so many things to choose from. Not just is there basketball courts, They're also having a Handball court and play area for the children. This one child particular seems determined to strengthen his dribbling skills. He may be too short to join the game, but when he's big enough, he will be ready!

Harlem U S A

12"x12" Mixed Medium on paper

Harlem U S A

I love walking everywhere. Especially walks from The Bronx to Manhattan. I spent many times traveling to different neighborhoods. I remember one time I was walking across the 155th street bridge from The Bronx to Harlem. On this day, I continued walking until I reached 126th street.

During my journey, southbound, I noted that the buildings were mainly tenant buildings. Some were abandoned, some were not. Under the dinginess of some of the buildings, you can really catch the beauty in the architecture. I read a little bit of architecture in art history classes and I have seen some of the most majestic buildings and cathedrals. But in Harlem, there are some true hidden gems in the structure of the buildings.

As I drew closer to 125th St., the sidewalks appeared smaller, there's more bold and lively colors, street vendors everywhere.

This technique I used it's called Ink wash out technique. Black ink and white paint are applied. Then you will rinse it out under running water. Then continue to paint in acrylics.

During one of my walks in Harlem, I bumped into one of my childhood friends. I hadn't seen him in many years. That's one thing I know about my friend, he was either getting into trouble or always surrounded by trouble. I was so happy and surprised to see him. I asked him what he has been up to lately. He said that he has been in and out of jail. He told me, with enthusiasm, about his new venture, he said that he's a street vendor. He sells white tube socks out of his shopping cart. 

Bless his heart........

Family Reunion

Acrylics on canvas panel 16" x 24"

Family Reunion

 Everyone is enjoying the summer. I have been to a few family gatherings. The majority of the time it takes place in the summer for obvious causes. Children off from school, parents are off from work during the following holidays, Memorial Day, Fourth of July, and Labor Day.

My mom grew up in the south, so she and especially her siblings used any opportunity to visit Grandma. So it was always a good reason to visit down south. 

It is always good to see everyone at the family reunion. Talking and eating, eating and talking. You can't go wrong when you have a fish fry, good food, good music, good conversation, and fold up chairs!

Now I can't get that song out of my head, Family Reunion by the O'Jays. Mmmm,mmm!

The Virginia Family Gathering

The Virginia Family Gathering 

12"x16" Acrylics on board

Some of my aunts and uncles, would make frequent trips to The South where they grew up. Sometimes the road trips would happen three or four times a year. When my sister and I found out they were taking a sporadic trip to Virginia, just because, we seize the opportunity and asked to join them. My uncle had a van so their reaction was sure no problem, the more, the merrier. Out of all the cousins, my sis and I were the ones that had the least opportunity to visit relatives in the south.

We had less than two hours to pack for this weekend trip!

The weekend road trip to Virginia was spontaneous and fun! All my life I've been a planner. My plans had plans. I've always had a checklist for everything…… but not this time, NO!

It was amazing to watch my little cousins, who were toddlers at my last visit, suddenly preschool size, as well as cousins who were preschool age were suddenly preteens. Time goes by so quickly.

I was completely relaxed and comfortable during my visit. I caught up with relatives. I had a lot of fun and took pictures.

This sunset was gorgeous!

I applied a painterly technique to the sky. My relatives, in the painting, I kept it highly detailed to emphasize the various conversations between the different groups. Most of the time you could see the uncles a.k.a. "The men folk" gathered in a little cluster standing. My aunts a.k.a. "The women folk", would assemble in small clusters, as well, mainly seating. There's a beautiful moment where one of my cousins is holding his youngest child and his arms after a long day of playing. Another cousin is interacting with her toddler niece while sitting.

Social Scenes

Social Scenes

Social group:

A collection of humans or animals that share certain characteristics, interact with one another, accept expectations and obligations as members of the group, and share a common identity.

Social interaction:

A social exchange between two or more individuals.

Looking through my paintings the other day, and I notice I have several paintings of different social situations.

I am just an observer of life. This is easy for me as I am an introvert. I'm fascinated how people interact with one another.

Sometimes you see people clustered into large, small groups, or pairs. Different conversations can go on at the same time. 

I grew up painfully shy. Even as an adult, I interact best one on one in conversation. Large groups, makes me want to run for the hills! I know, I know, I'm working on it.

Anyway…………

I titled these pieces, social scenes!

Blind Contour Drawing Exercises

Assorted bottles & Lemons

I gathered up as many bottles as I could and I set them up in different positions. Blind contour drawing is a wicked way to draw.

It is crazy, to rely on your eyes only. This really sharpens my observation skills. It's a whole new level of drawing. I was entirely lost in the drawing process. I was in the zone and I've loved it!

Also I gathered lemons and placed them on a metal rack as a still life to sketch from.

I must promise myself to add blind contour drawing to my everyday routine!

Contour Drawings Exercises

Pens, Jewelry boxes, Eyeglasses & Bananas

I started off creating still lifes..... Of anything. I decided to use everyday objects. Pens.

At the beginning I felt like I was taking baby steps. Like my hand almost forgot what to do. Silly, isn't it? But that's how I felt.

After the first study I decided to place a bunch of pens in the glass jar. The drawing took me to a place that I haven't been in a long time. The zone, the drawing zone! 

I'm so concentrated on the objects in front of me, in my hand movement, then I forget all my problems for a few moments.

And of course I keep the best for last. What every art student has to go through. I guess our right of passage…….. To draw your hand holding a pen!

As the saying goes, it's exactly like riding a bike again. You get back on and you ride your bike as if you have never forgotten. Unfortunately, I never learned how to ride a bike..... Ha Ha!

Contour Drawings

Contour drawings

Definitions:

Contour drawings - is an artistic technique used in the field of art in which the artist sketches the contour of a subject by drawing lines that result in a drawing that is essentially an outline.

Blind contour drawings - is a drawing exercise, where an artist draws the contour of a subject without looking at the paper.

Sometimes I get into a creative “dry spell”. This dry spell will last between a couple weeks to several years. I've been dealing with chronic pain in my joints specifically in my knees. 

I got a phone call from my college friend. I explained to her my latest troubles. She suggested that I get back to drawing. Just started off with some contour drawings. My schedule is truly tight, in my head, I was coming up with every reason why I couldn't start drawing again. I decided to take her advice to heart. It's been the best thing I've done. I reintroduce myself to my sketch pad and began to do a series of contour and blind contour drawings.

I've been able to squeeze in between 15 minutes to 20 minutes daily. I became comfortable, in the zone, in my own space and it felt great! It was liberating and all the sudden the creative juices came back to me. I haven't done drawings like these in many, many years. I forgot how fun, energizing and challenging it could be.

I still deal with chronic pain, but is something very special about drawing and painting. I'm not so centered on my pain anymore. I'm focused on something bigger!

Thanks Melissa! Thank you for reminding me that once an artist will always be an artist.

Strolling Down St. Marks Place

Acrylics on Paper 14"x17"

I love traveling throughout the city especially downtown  Manhattan. I always enjoyed walking and taking pictures, so I've always carried my camera, Nikon D50. I always took pictures, and when I saw this couple in the distance I couldn't help myself I took a picture of them. They're looking at each other in such a loving and caring way. They seem like a endearing couple strolling down St. Mark's Place.

To be honest, I don't see many couples look at each other in that way.

So many people fall in love for the wrong reasons. There are people who are married and don't love each other. There are people who are only together because of the children. 

 A dear friend of mine always had a boyfriend. At first I thought she loved the idea of being in love, but I was wrong. Every time we will bump into each other, she would always ask me, “Girl when you going to get a boyfriend?” My answer has always been,” Well…..I don't know, there are so many knuckleheads to choose from!”. Then we would just laugh!

One day she asked me again, “Why you don't have a boyfriend yet?” I told her with my busy schedule, I just haven't met the right guy. Also I just didn't want someone to bring me down just so that I can declare, ” I have a boyfriend, hooray!”  He will have to be worthy of my time and vice versa.

She looked at me with a sad look on her face and said I never thought of it that way. My friend from childhood stated that she wanted a boyfriend just so she wouldn't be lonely. She also confessed that she didn't want people to judge her if she didn't have one. She said that she wished that she would've thought the same way, three kids later, troubled boyfriends….. the guys in her life cost her more problems than happiness.

Ideally, at this precise moment in the painting, is representational of love. As a couple, they should enhance each other's lives not bring each other down. All of us deserve that much.

Pride

14" x 14"

• Self acceptance
• Self-respect
• Integrity

The painting was created to celebrate the pride of being a woman of African descent.  Yes, people of African descent skin complexion varies from rosy peach to deep chocolate. The hair textures varies from bone straight to tight coils. All forms are absolutely beautiful. The spotlight for now, is the beauty of dark skin and the Afro. This has been a underrated example of beauty.

The painting was created to be displayed at the Apollo Theater Foundation Exhibition. Several references, later this image was created. I wanted to have a model head up in a profile to show strength and pride in beauty of her hair and physical features. The afrocentric scarf wrapped around her head as a headband to create a contrast next to her smooth complexion.

The painting, “Pride” illustrates a feeling of happiness that comes from achieving self acceptance there is a sense of pride in her face from high self-esteem. She loves and except herself therefore she's able to love others and except others.

This pride represents the boldness of truly being yourself!

Snowy Night

8" x 10" tear sheet

I used to attend monthly meetings at the graphic artist guild, I met a wonderful person named Lance. He was always helpful and supportive.

He suggested that I try for cricket magazine for children. I mailed samples of my work to the art director, and I got the assignment. 

It was an exciting experience to freelance for cricket magazine. Various models were used, including my sister Kishla for the swing pose. We traveled on several photo shoot's to capture this look.

The other elements were used for different references. This image was created to work along with the poem that was provided from the editor of cricket magazine. It's interesting to see someone's written work and someone's artwork combined together to tell a visual story. We never met nor communicated with each other, but I think it came out great. It was it interesting process.

Size 11” x 14”

Medium acrylics on paper