#black arist

[fyblackwomenart]

Lanise Howard

[germcorearchive]

i drew black ouma on a whim last night, actually loved it-!! now just another alternative ouma i can draw now i have 2 hcs of ig ouma whoop 💜 - shane

[fyblackwomenart]

Artist: @shofcoker A week ago, "Liyana" premiered to a sold out show at the #LAfilmfestival, and what a memorable and happy day it was! So much love and support for our little film. Later in the week we won the best documentary award! I was honored to accept the award on behalf of the team.

[featherstoneclassroom]

Rahima Gambo, Rukkaya and Hadiza during break time at school, 2016

Gambo represents young people in her work enjoying their youth and focuses on the experiences of women in education which is one of the reasons why I gravitated towards her. The other reason is that she combines her photography with other media, such as collage and illustration. Through my education in photography I have never had a teacher encourage me to use mixed media in my photography, and I really wish I had. This is just another reason why only showing your students work by traditional artists is not fully educating them. If educators do more research into a wide range of artists they will discover more ways to utilize different media and be able to inspire their students. I had not even thought of using collage in my photography or creating illustrations to pair with photographs. I think this would elevate my artwork and also allow me to revisit some old photographs! I will be using all of these artists as examples for my students in the future and I am so happy I discovered this show! I really recommend checking it out!

[fyblackwomenart]

“Introduction {A Sweet Tribute To Saartjie} Princess Camerian Oil & Acrylic on Canvas 20"x24” 2007 ✨🦋✨

[dorcascreates-blog]

Weekly Thought Emissions

One of the toughest things about creating full-time other the lack of consistent income has definitely been trying to balance social media promotion and trying to stay true to myself and my core values. 

I love and hate social media. I love the instant access to feedback to my work which has been invaluable. I’ve made some great connections and friendships through Tumblr, Instagram and Twitter that I would not have been able to make otherwise. I’m awkward and somewhat distant in person. It takes me a while to warm up to people sometimes, and in most interactions that first impression counts. How do you say to someone when you first meet them that you’re not shy or cold or deliberately distant but you’re just an insular person who takes a while to let people in? Its a bit of a mouthful.

I’m able to present a more confident coherent version of myself online and allow my work to shine on its own. At the same time, there’s a huge pressure to achieve instant success. I only started drawing again at the beginning of this year. Before that I hadn't sketched or painted anything in about 7 years. The longing to create never went away I just never had the time or never made the time. I made the decision to leave my job and try and pursue this full-time in July. It’s the scariest thing I've ever done. Deep in my bones I know I made the fight decision but I’d be lying if I said that every day wasn't a struggle. 

I've never been more creative or had more ideas than I have right now. My financial situation; is honestly dire but that will change in time. I'm trying to enjoy this journey and take it a day at a time. Every morning that I wake up with positivity and hope and a desire to create is a small victory for me. I’m prone to random bouts of depression and self loathing that I’m working through overcoming. Those small doubts will always be there no matter how successful I get. 

I guess what I’m trying to say through this whole mind vomit is to not despise the small beginnings. Not everyone has a dream. It’s a privilege to have the drive, desire and passion to work towards something. My journey may not look as picturesque or straight forward as some others, but that’s okay. I have so many plans for how my artwork will benefit and reach out to other women of colour and in some ways its exciting to know that  I know that right now I’m laying the foundations for a greater path.