Portraits Ain't Easy: The Art of Kenneth J. Franklin @portraitsainteasy - Tumblr Blog

Okay, so we are deep enough into Black History Month that it's pretty clear I'm not doing a big illustration this year. I gotta tell you, I went too hard last year. Tapping into the culture to try to pick the folks I thought were most significant or influential or just ones I liked really, really burned me out. I'm telling you that was the most exhausted I've ever been drawing anything. And because I went so hard last year, I just couldn't come up with anything that felt like a worthy successor to it. Hence the absence. However, I still feel like I have a few things I can at least recommend to you. If you are ever so willing, here is a list of recommended viewing for the remainder of this Black History Month. I've seen all of these except the Kevin Hart one. But it just looks so charming and accessible I felt it still warranted a recommendation. Most of these are currently available on Netflix or another streaming service. I have highlighted the ones I think you should 100% watch, but all are quite worthwhile. They are mostly docuseries or documentaries but I threw in some Hollywood movies as well if that is more your speed. I have a lot more I can recommend if you've already seen these. With that said, some of these, the docuseries or documentaries especially, pull no punches and do not hold your hand. Meaning, they might hit you like a ton of bricks if you aren't ready for it. The same goes for When They See Us. That one will hurt until the debatable happy ending. Please, I hope I can talk at least one of you to watch some of these and I welcome you to DM me or comment and we can talk about it. These stories should not be missed and are well worth your viewing time. Happy #BlackHistoryMonth. I wish you all the best. https://www.instagram.com/p/CZvKMZZMTIg/?utm_medium=tumblr

#blackhistorymonth

So much potential. I've got an idea here. Think Mucha meets Gruau meets, well, me. Here's hoping this works out. A #workinprogress #nopressure #kennethjfranklin #fashion #fashionillustration #illustration #painting #art https://www.instagram.com/portraitsainteasy/p/CYnUhOqssRl/?utm_medium=tumblr

#workinprogress #nopressure #kennethjfranklin #fashion #fashionillustration #illustration #painting #art

Okay, so I took a little break to finish this beast of an illustration. This one was tough, but probably the one I'm most proud of. This took essentially 6 to 7 weeks to complete. I'm exhausted but excited to share it with you. Prints available in bio. Including a new glorious poster size. Again, there a so many people I wish I could have included, but I just drew the ones I wanted to highlight this year. I am a little bummed I didn't get highlight more icons individually, some of which you're not going to immediately recognize like Bass Reeves, Jesse Owens, and Langston Hughes. The rest are spot on so I don't feel the need to name them. Please let me know how you feel about this one. #kennethjfranklin . . . . . . #creativeuprising #goodmorningart #artwork_in_studio #arrtposts #testoftalent #creative_art_world #art_motive #sketch_dailydose #arts_promote #art_overnight #artbynights #arts_moonlight #artsupporters #dopeblackart #blackartistspace https://www.instagram.com/p/CLzjXPQhlD-/?igshid=1pq3tl2tme5f8

#kennethjfranklin #creativeuprising #goodmorningart #artwork_in_studio #arrtposts #testoftalent #creative_art_world #art_motive #sketch_dailydose #arts_promote #art_overnight #artbynights #arts_moonlight #artsupporters #dopeblackart #blackartistspace

"Do not fear mistakes. There are none." - MILES DAVIS "When the power of love overcomes the love of power the world will know peace." - JIMI HENDRIX Here's another double post of all star musicians as today's entry in my #BlackHistoryMonth illustration celebrating cultural icons. First up, is the literal epitome of cool and jazz legend, #MilesDavis followed by a close second in cool with master guitarist #JimiHendrix not gonna lie, the intensity of Miles Davis' stare has stared at me no matter the angle. Its equally terrifying and awesome. #kennethjfranklin https://www.instagram.com/p/CLpKbOPBBjq/?igshid=pblkgb8kj7wp

#blackhistorymonth #milesdavis #jimihendrix #kennethjfranklin

"We all require and want respect, man or woman, black or white. It’s our basic human right." - ARETHA FRANKLIN "Don't terrorize. Organize. Don't burn. Give kids a chance to learn . . . The real answer to race problems in this country is education. Not burning and killing. Be ready. Be qualified. Own something. Be somebody. That's Black Power." - JAMES BROWN So when I told my folks who was on the list for the project I did not have these two originally. There were already so many musicians and they were before my time musically. But after a heated debate I have added #JamesBrown and #ArethaFranklin to this years #BlackHistoryMonth illustration celebrating cultural icons. Let's just say I was nearly disowned if I had not included the "Godfather of Soul" and the "Queen of Soul" in this year's illustration. They were right. #kennethjfranklin https://www.instagram.com/p/CLngeDyhdkb/?igshid=1nndnu84b5uf2

#jamesbrown #arethafranklin #blackhistorymonth #kennethjfranklin

“If you didn’t know, now you now.” – Notorious BIG "I’m not saying I’m gonna change the world, but I guarantee that I will spark the brain that will change the world." - Tupac Okay now we gotta kick it into overdrive. I have about 16 people to get through before the week is up. I know I did hip hop for last years tribute but I still needed it represented in this one as music is such a defining feature of the culture. As such, I have two of its pillars, #BiggieSmalls and #Tupac as today's entry for my #BlackHistoryMonth celebration of cultural icons. #kennethjfranklin #notoriousbig #2pac https://www.instagram.com/p/CLml5ltBaUW/?igshid=1fu2mts04b6w5

#biggiesmalls #tupac #blackhistorymonth #kennethjfranklin #notoriousbig #2pac

“People always say that I didn’t give up my seat because I was tired, but that isn’t true. I was not tired physically … No, the only tired I was, was tired of giving in.” - Rosa Parks Imagine if you will, a 42 year old black seamstress riding a segregated bus to work in Montgomery Alabama. Whites in the front, Blacks in the back. She was not sitting in the front. No, she was in the middle. When asked to move to accommodate for a surge of more white passengers, the three African Americans next to her moved while she did not. She stayed still. #RosaParks took a stand by sitting down. This act of defiance landed her in jail; however it would inevitably set her on a trajectory as one of the most influential civil rights activists in American history, and arguably began the Civil Rights Movement. And it is my honor to have her as today’s entry in my #BlackHistoryMonth illustration celebrating cultural icons. #kennethjfranklin https://www.instagram.com/p/CLkpExHhF2T/?igshid=1vrq5acbjmbsc

#rosaparks #blackhistorymonth #kennethjfranklin

“By any means necessary.” - Malcolm X Today’s entry in my #BlackHistoryMonth celebration of cultural icons in #MalcolmX Fun fact. Did you know that the X-men’s Professor X and Magneto were modeled after Martin Luther the King Jr and Malcolm X. Two mean fighting for freedom and equality but through different means. But what I really want to talk about is this movie “One Night in Miami” on Amazon Prime. If you have Prime, please watch this movie. It's about one night in Miami where Black icons Malcolm X, Muhammad Ali, Sam Cooke, and Jim Brown have a conversation about understanding your power and how to use it for the betterment of the struggle. It’s smart, challenging, and simply magnificent. Do yourself a favor and watch it. #kennethjfranklin https://www.instagram.com/p/CLiHMFyByoA/?igshid=cjs3u36h7gq1

#blackhistorymonth #malcolmx #kennethjfranklin

“I don’t have a feeling of inferiority. Never had. I’m as good as anybody, but no better.” - Katherine Johnson Representation is very important. I mean seriously, how many of you remember back in grade school when teachers would make you do a project during Black History Month on a black historical figure. And everyone would do the same three people. Martin, Malcolm, and Rosa. As if Black folks haven’t done anything else. When our own history is being marginalized to only hitting the highlights, or slavery, we don’t even know how important we’ve been to the world. Until Hidden Figures came out, I legitimately had never heard of today’s entry. I did not know that black women played such a pivotal role in America’s Space race. Our history is America’s History and I really wish more people would accept that. It is with great shame that I did not know, but great pride in now know that mathematician #KatherineJohnson is today’s entry in my #BlackHistoryMonth celebration of cultural icons. #kennethjfranklin https://www.instagram.com/p/CLfm1lRBuwc/?igshid=1158q74lawhhc

#katherinejohnson #blackhistorymonth #kennethjfranklin

"I'm not addicted to cocaine. I just like how it smells." -Richard Pryor I'm happy to say that today's entry in my illustration for #BlackHistoryMonth celebrating cultural icons is your favorite comedian's, favorite comedian. #RichardPryor 's jokes were a therapeutic soundtrack for black America. He'd make jokes about the black experience for diverse audiences, educating many of the white audience in the process. He was also an actor. I drew him in his Brewster's Million attire. Love that movie. And if you didn't laugh at that quote, we just have different senses of humor. #kennethjfranklin https://www.instagram.com/p/CLdD3dghbgq/?igshid=1ics88x6d2rbn

#blackhistorymonth #richardpryor #kennethjfranklin

"If you enter this world knowing you are loved and you leave this world knowing the same, then everything that happens in between can be dealt with." - Michael Jackson Today's post in my illustration celebrating cultural icons for #BlackHistoryMonth is #MichaelJackson the King of Pop. Musically, he was a genius who's work will live on forever. I chose to draw #Thriller Mike, only because I couldn't find the right photo from Smooth Criminal. Which is my favorite song of his. https://www.instagram.com/p/CLX42NMBWcN/?igshid=3yc1vlb517ai

#blackhistorymonth #michaeljackson #thriller

"I dont like to lose - at anything - yet I've grown most not from victories, but setbacks." - Serena Williams #SerenaWilliams is probably the greatest tennis player in history. And she's arguably the most accomplished athlete on the planet right now. And it is that level of excellence that has her as today's entry in my #BlackHistoryMonth illustration celebrating cultural icons. #kennethjfranklin https://www.instagram.com/p/CLVTp2thx6X/?igshid=1mglvrxpkzdv8

#serenawilliams #blackhistorymonth #kennethjfranklin

"If you don't get out there and define yourself, you'll be quickly and inaccurately defined by others." - Michelle Obama What's that they say? Behind every great man is great woman. Well for today's post in my celebration of cultural icons in #BlackHistoryMonth is the former first Lady and general inspiration #MichelleObama Figured the only couple on here would be great for today. So Happy Valentine's Day everyone. #kennethjfranklin #dopeblackart #blackartistspace https://www.instagram.com/p/CLSXepIhatL/?igshid=iw39kih8c13r

#blackhistorymonth #michelleobama #kennethjfranklin #dopeblackart #blackartistspace

"I don’t like to gamble, but if there’s one thing I’m willing to bet on, it’s myself." - Beyonce Again not much to say here that you won't already know. Im sure some of you could guess she be here when I announced the project. Can't have a #BlackHistoryMonth celebration of cultural icons without the singer, songwriter, actress, producer and Queen, #Beyonce #kennethjfranklin #dopeblackart #blackartistspace https://www.instagram.com/p/CLPqM5RBxkv/?igshid=4alfe7gyumfx

#blackhistorymonth #beyonce #kennethjfranklin #dopeblackart #blackartistspace

". . . Do not seek approval from the audience. People don't realize that. You can't do stuff to get applause. You have to live in the truth." - Chadwick Boseman IG has been only showing my stuff to less that 10% of my followers and that sucks coz this is such a personal project. But its not about about the audience as long as I'm living in the truth. I'm trying to share with you fine people some of the cultural icons of my people. And as long as it resonates with me, I'll be happy any of you see it. So besides being the #BlackPanther, I firmly believe, had he not died so young today's entry, #ChadwickBoseman would've lived up to the icon status I'm giving him now. So I felt the need to pay tribute where I could. #kennethjfranklin #BlackHistoryMonth #dopeblackart #blackartistspace https://www.instagram.com/p/CLNjzUbBoGr/?igshid=1f411ps8kwa76

#blackpanther #chadwickboseman #kennethjfranklin #blackhistorymonth #dopeblackart #blackartistspace

Some people want it to happen, some wish it would happen, others make it happen.” - Michael Jordan There's not much I have say about today's entry in my #BlackHistoryMonth illustration celebrating cultural icons. You already know who the greatest basketball player in history is. I've already drawn him once, and likely will again if I do another with Kobe and Lebron. Ladies and gents, I present his Airness, #MichaelJordan #goat #kennethjfranklin #fortheculture https://www.instagram.com/p/CLLB5zYBJWT/?igshid=10qymmqa1m8mc

#blackhistorymonth #michaeljordan #goat #kennethjfranklin #fortheculture

“People don’t understand that when I grew up, I was never the most talented, I was never the biggest, I was never the fastest, I certainly was never the strongest. The only thing I had was my work ethic, and that’s been what has gotten me this far.” - Tiger Woods For today's cultural icon I chose to highlight for my #BlackHistoryMonth tribute illustration is none other than Tiger, #TigerWoods ya'll. Arguably the greatest golfer in history. Yeah, his last few years have been injury prone and a little scandalous but for the a long time, he was hands down the great golfer in history. He was only missing a few more medals to prove it. I mean this cat got black people to play golf! Legend. #kennethjfranklin #dopeblackart #fortheculture https://www.instagram.com/p/CLIc5Nnhjxc/?igshid=4gsllfddr4ix

#blackhistorymonth #tigerwoods #kennethjfranklin #dopeblackart #fortheculture

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Portraits Ain't Easy: The Art of Kenneth J. Franklin