Artists | Distinctive African American Art | Gordon Dew

Larry "Poncho" Brown

Tue, 14 Jun 2011 21:04:25 -0600

Son of Kings, Larry Poncho Brown

Betty Biggs

Sat, 11 Jun 2011 18:38:52 -0600

Children of Senegal, Betty Biggs

Judith Long

Sat, 11 Jun 2011 14:33:38 -0600

Wisdom with Age, Judith Long

William Tolliver

Sat, 11 Jun 2011 12:34:44 -0600

Williams Tolliver combines the study of formal structure with an innate sense of human observation. In his native Mississippi, far from the marketplace of the New York City art world, Tolliver arose during the mid-1980’s; a brilliant regional talent, an individual impelled by a desire to capture the landscapes and peoples of his native deep South. Whether dealing with everyday workers or back-alley jazzmen, he conveys a universal message through sconces of the common human experience. “I could draw on a lot of sad and depressing things from my life, but I’d rather emphasize the positive,” he said.

Despite his avid self-study of color and form, Tolliver began to experience a “feeling of emptiness” toward realistic art. At age 13 the discovery of the work of another self-taught artist, Vincent Van Gogh, served as a revelation: “Van Gogh painted purely for the love of it,” Tolliver said in the International Review of Art. “I can relate to that. I also liked his use of color, the way the light was reflected in his paintings, the powerful feeling in his work.” He was also inspired by Van Gogh’s ability to paint his local countryside and its rural folk with a power of deep human insight.

Frank Frazier

Sat, 11 Jun 2011 12:12:52 -0600

Frank Frazier began his work as an artist at the age of seven, creating paintings in his family’s Harlem home. At the age of 15, his family moved to downtown New York City, which precipitated his “getting into a lot of trouble” as a youngster. A move to Queens, New York, brought with it a stint at a boys’ institution in upstate New York, but it also marked the point where Frazier turned his life around. Teachers noticed his talent and later as a Sergeant in the Army during Vietnam, officers gave him the responsibility of painting art and shirts for the platoons.

This sculptor, painter, and collagist cites the Creator as his biggest influence. “The Creator inspires me. He puts whatever I need in me. He also admits that he “loves black women and likes to use them in his art.” Frazier also credits Romare Bearden, Jacob Lawrence, and Elizabeth Cattlett as his biggest artistic inspirations. Speaking on how the Diaspora influences his art, Frank muses, “I go to Senegal, West Africa a lot. Many of my collages are influenced from there.”

John Holyfield

Sat, 11 Jun 2011 10:03:46 -0600

A native of Clarksburg, West Virginia, John Holyfield was orphaned and reared by his grandmothers. With an interest in art through grade school, Holyfield was encouraged by teachers, family and friends to continue his studies at Howard University and the University of D.C. to major in graphic design. In school, John's interests switched from graphic design to fine arts.

John's work has a strong southern folksy feel, capturing the essence of rural life. John paints with the maturity of a much older artist through the use of images that seem from an era past, yet containing timeless messages.

John's main themes are family, spirituality, and culture. For much of the subject matter, he draws from his family members, childhood memories and stories from his grandmothers. The work of artists Ernie Barnes, Norman Rockwell, and Frederic Leighton have inspired Holyfield's painting style.

Blessing II, John Holyfield

Good Times, John Holyfield

Albert Fennell

Sat, 11 Jun 2011 09:58:34 -0600

Born in San Diego, California, Albert Fennell's talent was evident at the age of five when he started drawing in‑depth pictures of cartoon characters. As a young man in the sixth grade at Ocean View Elementary School, his landscape done in tempera paint was selected in a districtwide competition and was exhibited in the San Diego Museum of Art. He studied fine arts at San Diego Mesa College, commercial drawing at San Diego City College, and refined his skills at Alexander's School of Drawing, Printing, and Design.

Fennell's artwork has been seen on the television series, "Generations", and he received commission from Rosa Parks, Anita Baker, Jesse Jackson, and Father Clement. Fennell stated, "Through my work, I try to create a communication level between all people dealing with truth, pride, and compassion. I thank God for the talent He has given me and the opportunity to present it to you."

Embrace, Albert Fennell

Thomas Blackshear

Tue, 24 May 2011 15:35:28 -0600

Thomas Blackshear II, the son of an Air Force captain, was born in Waco, Texas and grew up in Atlanta, Georgia. "Drawing was all I ever liked to do," he says. "While all the other guys were playing baseball or basketball, I was in my house, drawing." He pursued an interest in art throughout high school and secured a scholarship to the renowned Art Institute of Chicago. After a year there, he transferred to the nearby American Academy of Art. While finishing his college education, he was recruited by Hallmark Cards and later became the apprentice of illustrator Mark English, winner of the Hamilton King Award, fulfilling an early goal after impressing English with his creation of an illustration of a rodeo cowboy.

Thomas Blackshear has done over 140 illustrations for Anheuser-Busch, Lucasfilm, billboards for Universal Studios, calendars, postage stamps, a jazz calendar for Smirnoff Vodka, 7-up, Paramount and limited edition prints for The Greenwich workshop. Some of his other clients include Coca-Cola, Milton Bradley, Disney and National Geographic. Thomas gives all the credit for his success to God. "I couldn't do it without him," he says. "So many things that have come my way during my career are blessings from God."

Synthia Saint James

Fri, 13 May 2011 12:50:56 -0600

Synthia Saint James is internationally recognized as both an artist and an author. She was born in 1949 in Los Angeles, and developed her art by watching its effects on the people who viewed it – especially the children. Her work is found on many commercial products and on over fifty book covers, including books by Alice Walker, Terry McMillan, Iyanla Vanzant and Julia Boyd.

Synthia Saint James has seven children's picture books on the market, including two that she wrote in their entirety; The Gifts of Kwanzaa and Sunday. She also has two books of poetry and prose; Girlfriends and Can I Touch You, Love Poems and Affirmations, an audio book. She is always happy to sign copies of her books for her young readers when she visits the gallery.

Synthia has made several visits to the gallery over the years, and was always happy to discuss her work.

Kwanzaa Stamp, Synthia Saint James

Sisters of Courage, Synthia Saint James

Pan African Film & Arts Festival, Synthia Saint James

Daughters, Synthia Saint James

In Unity, Synthia Saint James

Of Many Colors, Synthia Saint James

Olomo Woman, Synthia Saint James

Rhapsody in Blues, Synthia Saint James

Sisters of Faith, Synthia Saint James

Raymond Lark

Fri, 13 May 2011 12:50:38 -0600

American painter, draftsman, watercolorist, and printmaker, Raymond Lark was born to Bertha Lark, a domestic worker in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on June 16, 1939. He rose from a shoe shine boy, farm laborer, junk man, and unskilled factory worker to become a successful artist.

As a young child, Dr. Lark demonstrated talent in the arts. At four years old he began to create works inspired by the experiences around him. Through trips to the Philadelphia Museum of Art, his desires to pursue art were solidified. Dr. Lark sought formal art training to make his dream of becoming an influential artist a reality.

He was educated at Temple University Evening College, Dobbins Vocational Night School and St. John's Night College before receiving his Doctorate from the University of Colorado. He continued his artistic training by studying technical illustration at Los Angeles Trade Technical College as he also prepared to earn a living in the commercial world in order to devote time, eventually, to his passion for drawing and painting.

Charles Bibbs

Fri, 13 May 2011 12:26:51 -0600

Born in San Pedro, California, and raised in Harbor City, Charles Bibbs' work has been featured in the California African American Museum in Los Angeles, the Riverside Metropolitan Museum, The Museum of African American Art, the National Black Arts Festival, Artexpo New York, and the Art Fair Tokyo.

Charles Bibbs' noble compositions and signature technique fuses acrylic paint and ink coupled with African and contemporary African American themes. The art of Charles Bibbs is born through a creative process which comes from a level of spirituality and commitment to empowerment in the African American community.

Bibbs considers himself a “Keeper of our Culture,” and as such, has served on the boards of several museums and art organizations. He has lectured and conducted workshops in major cities, including the Charles Wright African American Museum in Detroit, Urban League of Pittsburg and the Riverside Metropolitan Museum.

In his quest to preserve and develop the visual arts, Bibbs founded Images Magazine, the first national publication dedicated to contemporary African American art. He also founded Art 2000 Visual Arts Association, Art on Tour, and The Inland Empire Music and Arts Foundation, and co-founded Creative Quarantine.