Friday's are workdays

These paintings aren't going to paint themselves on a Friday afternoon. I found the slot today as we say in golf and painted Rodney's t-shirt. I love his posture and you can feel his weight underneath his shirt. 

Progress in the face of nihilism

It may not look like much progress to others but it's progress to me after being away from this piece since November and retiring from the University at the end of January. The time at the easel has been spent painting sweatpants on Shawn. 

I had to prepare statements from each model in the series describing their invisibility and their comments continue to profound me in the depth of their experiences, fears, and hopes. That's the one good thing that connects these men and others is the hope and ambition to achieve in life. Still, nihilism is our greatest threat. 

Chicago will be seeing Black men

Melodye's hands were a blur as she described the nuances and varieties in Black men physical characteristics and my willingness to take on this challenge when depicting the Men. Her mind races faster than her hands as only an artist would with her excitement over hosting (In)Visible Men this month. I'm still amazed at the irony of her discovering my work in October while I was always a fan of her children's books.

This will be the first public exhibition of the work in Chicago and I'm excited that former students and friends living in the city may be able to see my work. The opening reception is February 12 and the show runs to March 4, 2016.

Why do I have to die to be seen?

Don't get it twisted, I have no suicidal inclinations! I'm an artist and I live to create life. But don't wait until I'm dead to see me.  And read this article in the NY Times. I remember having to seek out Black art history while I negotiated a white dominant discipline. 

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/11/29/arts/design/black-artists-and-the-march-into-the-museum.html?_r=0

I Still Paint....As Black Men Die

There's no explanation for why this paintings is still in progress. No deadlines are looming and retirement is less than 35 working days away. I was down with the flu last week and thought the time home would motivate me but it didn't. Too much negative news in the media involving Black men and the Laquan McDonald shooting in Chicago is discouraging. Today I painted because I needed to paint. Under painting is relaxing too. I hope the month of December will be productive and no one dies. 

CMN 340 Visual Politics

This is the final two weeks of (In)Visible Men at the YMCA. I received this wonderful note from an instructor in a communications class at the U of I who attended the show with a class. I appreciate the feedback.

Mindless Monochromatic Meandering

Spent the evening with the men. Progress is slow since my deadlines are my own. It was very relaxing to sit at the easel this evening. I had lower braces placed Tuesday so the distraction from mouth issues were welcomed. Sucking on pretzels is the only way to eat them. Almonds are out of the question.