The Last Supper

24" x 36" Acrylics on canvas

The Last Supper

I mentioned some time ago on this blog that I enjoyed certain challenges. What in the world was I thinking when I decided to do a remake of the last supper. Presently on display at Mount Hermon Baptist Church Fellowship Hall.

The size was a challenge because I don't think I have a work this large of my life. It was amusing watching my niece’s reaction. She would watch me as I would place together the sketches. Deciding on the placement of each of the characters was challenge because I was afraid to make mistakes. I decided to push fear out by the way! You can't hold on to fear. That's not what Art is about! 
The research was another task to overcome. I love Leonardo DA Vinci's Version of the Last Supper, but I simply wanted to tackle it and use a more humble/rustic scene. I remember asking The late Bishop Jackson for guidance, even with art history knowledge, I wanted to do it right. I asked him about how it was back in the time, his answer was always been how is in the Bible. I took the as a cue as read your Bible, girl!……. LOL. I understood his response because everyone has their interpretation of the environment during the Last Supper with Jesus and his disciples. It was important for me to read and study the Bible. It was up to me to do complete research to illustrate my interpretation of the last supper so I thought...... My little helper, my niece, Jocelyn, really came through. This young lady has the combination of Sunday school knowledge since the age of four. Also, she has been in Catholic school since the first grade. She is extraordinary.

One thing that Leonardo DA Vinci had that I didn't was obviously, a commission to create a mural as a church restoration by his Paton, Ludovico Sforza, Duke of Milan Italy. I kid you not, I really study years of art history from high school and throughout college. I am surprised that I remembered anything from the classes. 

The materials and supplies came out of my pocket. This was a passion project and I wanted to see it through. I want to see it completed.

The Bishop Jackson was so amazed about the completed painting, he wanted to discuss with the church for possible purchases……

Woman Praising

Acrylic on canvas 24" x 30"

Woman Praising

The woman praising is an isolated figure in an outdoor setting. Having a private praising moment. I wanted to create an uplifting, confident, and joyful image. It's not about putting a show on for other people. What I mean by that is sometimes praising becomes a production of, look at me world, look at me, I'm loud and I'm praising praising God, look at me!

Don't give me wrong, there's nothing wrong with shouting and screaming and jumping up-and-down the aisles. There are legit loud praises. Some people have really intense testimonies, it is justifiable to praise loudly. The other side of that are the performers, the ones who are attention seekers. But there are moments where you have quiet praises. Yes, I grant you that there are people who are dead in spirit and a powerful sermon may go over their heads. But just because someone is sitting quietly it doesn't mean they're not having their special moment with God. When you think of how God has brought you through so many things, it's OK to have different responses. Sometimes, you need a quiet time, of solitude when praising God.

Holy

Acrylic on canvas board 18" x 24"

Holy

The painting was made with the intention of showing a majestic figure, slightly transparent, levitating while in the praying hands position. The figure is wearing a choir robe in the color red.

The significance of the color red in the bible are blood of Jesus, love of God, and salvation.

The image, in the painting, represents devotion to the service of God. To be kind and helpful to others. To love everyone like God loves everyone. Slow to take offense.

This painting means so much to me because I realize that we are in this together. Everyone has to help one another. I try every day to treat people the way I wanted to be treated. To be helpful, to be kind, show empathy, and slow to take offense. It is not easy to do. I have to remind myself  this lesson just about every day because," some people will try you"!

Meek is not weak, meek is STRONG!!

We praise your Holy Name

Acrylic on canvas 24"x 30"

We praise your Holy Name

This was a special project because I had a vision of people singing and shouting their praises to God. Everyone's hand was up in unison. This is one of the few ideas that thumbnail sketches weren't necessary. The vision was so clear that I immediately sketch it onto the canvas!

It takes place outdoors. The praisers are standing on grass. There is a vast blue sky. The sunshine is shining bright across the sky. 

The painting was reproduced on programs for a Mount Hermon Baptist Church conference workshop called “Back to Basics”.

Praise dancer in yellow

Acrylic on canvas board 18"x 24"

Praise dancer in yellow

Keeping the theme of praise dancing. Praise dancers not only show/express their passion for God, but they also minister to others through dance.

This dancer is expressing the joy that is already in her heart towards God.  She is performing a celebratory dance in a vibrant yellow dress.

Yellow in the Bible represents - Faith and Glory of God, anointing, and Joy.

Stand With Me

Acrylic on canvas board 18"x24"

Formerly called,“ Prayer”

Stand with Me

This painting was inspired based on a women's retreat which my mom and I attended with our church. It was a wonderful and enlightening experience. It was a spiritual retreat where everyone contributed to mini workshops and shared their experiences and their relationship with God. There were a lot of praise and worship during this trip, especially on the bus ride back to church. We got it back just in time for Sunday services. All the women stood up in church and did a praise dance to the song called “ I pray for you, you pray for me”! It was led by a very spiritual church member who started the praise dance ministry at Mount Hermon Baptist Church, Sis. Viola Christian.

The artwork was sold to a church member.

Divas

Acrylic on board 18"x24"

Divas

The word diva is interesting. It's mostly used as a negative term for women. Someone who is full of themselves. Arrogant and conceded female who is bossy. If male, they would say he sure is confident and knowledgeable.

Divas, in my opinion, are women who are self-reliance, confident and competent. These women do not apologize for what they know. They have a strong work ethic and they're not afraid to ask for anything!

The Late Pastor Wenzell P Jackson loved this painting  and when he found out the title he asked me, “Are you a diva? My reply was yup, and I'm working on it!

The creation of this painting was influenced by the Supremes the legendary Motown group.

This painting was sold to a customer in Japan.

The Dance

Acrylic on canvas board 20"x30"

The Dance

Dancing is so much fun. I use to dance all the time. As a matter of fact, people were shocked to find out that I could dance because I am a quiet person. There's nothing like getting lost in the rhythm of the music. It's so liberating and free. Particularly when you're a kindergartener choreographing routines with your imaginary back up dancers for your imaginary audience to the songs, "Lost in music" by Sister Sledge 🎼 and "Dancin' the night away" by Voggue. It's great to see a large amount of people on the Dance floor showing off the latest moves. There is something special about couples who dance. Their energies are connected They bond through constant movement of spin and turns. The communication of dance can express happiness, sorrow, joy, or pain. I wanted to capture the movements of each couple. It's interesting that some people can't see right away that there are people dancing in this painting. 

This painting was sold to a client in Harlem.

🎼 The song, "Lost in music was produced by the extraordinary Nile Rogers of Chic. He was mentioned in blog entry January 2016.

Conversations

Acrylic on paper 18"x25"

 Conversations

This is my first painting that I created in the series. I wanted to present a group of people in casual conversation. When it comes to communication, I naturally work best in one on one conversations as stated earlier.

I find large group conversations really fascinating.

Figurative Abstract Art

Figurative Abstract Art

Abstract painting has always been an interest for me. I started to experiment with this painting style several years ago. I used to doodle on notepads anything that can get my hands on, I started making these little figures. You can view some of the samples of it in the piece from January post “ My journey with David Bowie”. The figures have involved over time. It was time to make a painting. It was a free-form, expression of painting. This is when I actually let go and lose control of the brush strokes. Sometimes I will paint along with  the music. Other times I would paint in silence. Either way, I let the paintbrush in my heart call the shots. When it was time to enter different competitions, they were constantly asking what category. I never knew what to call this form of art. After some research, I decided to label it “Figurative Abstract Art”.

Figurative: art that show figures, (human or animal form), in a painting or sculpture.

Abstract: art that does not attempt to represent external reality, but seeks to achieve its effect using shapes, forms, colors, and textures.