My painting: "Decolonize Boriken to Standing Rock" part 1
This time last year, I was Blessed to have been part of a wonderful "happening" of sorts. A combination of an art show, music venue, poetry space, and social gathering all wrapped into one, of which, spanned a little over a month. It was called Tiny Room For Elephants (TRFE).
photo credit: Tiny Room For Elephants, Donte Neal
In the Beginning...
It all started with a phone call in early Fall of 2016 from a fellow artist by the name of Donte Neal (aka MARS), and he had invited me to participate in this project which would incorporate various disciplines of the Arts into a continuous series of happenings over a one month period. Of course, I enthusiastically said 'Yes', I was so excited to participate in such a wonderful concept!
My Concept...
As one of the participating visual artists, I was given the task to paint, in my style, basically anything I wanted on a surface that would scale about about 12 feet by 11 feet. This would be one of the largest solo painting that I had to work on-- and I felt like I was up for the challenge! Most of my work is representational and socio-political, I deal with issues that plague my community and issues of other people who are disenfranchised. So after some meditation on the subject matter I wanted to tackle, I came up with the concept... how colonization continues to affect communities today.
Going to Work...
Detail 1 of the underpainting, acrylic on wood
Upon arrival to the old warehouse which housed the happening, I noticed the relaxed atmosphere with other visual artists, musicians, and poets all working alongside one another. I then reached into my bag and pulled out the materials and started mapping out the painting with a monochrome palette, black & white.
Detail 2 of the underpainting, acrylic on wood
Detail 3 of the underpainting, acrylic on wood
A broader shot, end of day one of painting, acrylic on wood
Thus ends the first part of this article, please stay tuned for My painting: Decolonize Boriken to Standing Rock part 2
All images words and images are my own for the exception of the TRFE flyer, which is credited. For more information from the artist Donte Neal, please visit his website: http://donteneal.com
If you like this post please feel free to visit my other art post and upvote & resteem- Thank you!
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Wow @shadowspub Thank you so much! What fun - I cannot wait until this week's chat!
be looking forward to seeing you @nichi
Really amazing post and I love the painting 😉can't wait to see the final result.
Must be a real challenge to paint that big 😆
Loved it. Cheers
Thank you so much @saffisara ! It was a real challenge but I LOVE Challenges!! lol This experience had made such an impression and actually help shift the focus of my work for the time being :)
You are so welcome sweetie 😊 I can belive that it did. Great challenge and really keeps you on your toes... Lol
Have lots of fun and I will love to se the next post and see how it goes.
Beautiful. Upvoted.
Thank you @yadamaniart! Following you!
Awesome
Thank you @enginewitty :D
Yessum 😃
Fantastic work! I love the painting, and how wonderful to be such an integral part of something so grand promoting the arts!
Thank you so much! Following you! :D
WOW that is really awesome so talented
Thank you so much @tattoodjay --Following you! :D
your welcome :)
Detail 3 of the underpainting - Beautiful!
Thank you very much :D Following!
This is absolutely amazing. I cannot wait for the finishing post of this. You are so creative, just wow.
@topkpop Thank you- that means a lot!
:D