This piece was inspired by a musical genius. Prince Rogers Nelson (June 7, 1958 – April 21, 2016) was an American singer, songwriter, musician, and record producer. The recipient of numerous awards and nominations, he is widely regarded as one of the greatest musicians of his generation. He was known for his flamboyant, androgynous persona; his wide vocal range, which included a far-reaching falsetto and high-pitched screams; and his skill as a multi-instrumentalist, often preferring to play all or most of the instruments on his recordings. His music incorporated a wide variety of styles, including funk, R&B, rock, new wave, soul, synth-pop, pop, jazz, blues and hip hop. Prince produced his albums himself, pioneering the Minneapolis sound.

Prince wearing a black sheer bandanna. I used a purple gradient to honor the late musical Icon. 

Acrylic on canvas measuring  36"x 48" inches.

Envision a striking side profile of an Afro Latina woman, a powerful embodiment of her connection to her African heritage. Her head is adorned with a beautifully wrapped headwrap, yet a few of her textured dreadlocks escape, framing her face and hinting at the natural beauty beneath.

Her garment is a warm embrace of earth tones – rich browns, shimmering golds, and vibrant oranges that flow together like a sunset. Layered over this clothing is a subtle yet evocative safari setting overlay. Imagine faint outlines of acacia trees, perhaps a distant silhouette of a giraffe, creating a dreamlike fusion of her ancestral roots and the spirit of the African landscape.

The background is a captivating blend of deep teal and ocean blue, creating a sense of depth and tranquility. A bold strip of gold runs horizontally across this background, adding a touch of regal elegance and perhaps symbolizing the richness of her heritage or a radiant inner strength. The overall effect is a serene yet powerful image, celebrating the beauty and depth of her Afro Latina identity and her profound connection to her African roots.

Acrylic on canvas the measures  36" x 48"

This painting captures a poignant moment of pain and sadness, using a striking visual contrast to amplify the emotion. Imagine a young woman depicted with a portion of her face veiled by an abstract African print cloth. This covering immediately creates a sense of mystery and perhaps confinement, obscuring part of her identity and drawing focus to the exposed side of her face.

On that visible cheek, a single tear traces a path downwards, a clear and universal symbol of sorrow. What makes this image particularly powerful is your choice of bright and bold colors – reds, oranges, and yellows – dominating the composition. These are hues typically associated with warmth, energy, and even joy. However, in this context, they become turbulent and intense, reflecting the raw and overwhelming nature of her pain. The vibrancy of the colors doesn't diminish the sadness; instead, it suggests a fierce, almost burning quality to her emotion, as if the pain is so intense it radiates outwards in a spectrum of fiery hues. The abstract pattern of the African print cloth might further hint at cultural or personal complexities contributing to her sorrow. The overall effect is a compelling and emotionally charged piece, where the unexpected use of vibrant colors intensifies the feeling of deep, personal anguish.

Acrylic on canvas measuring  36" x  48" inches.

Imagine a painting that captures the essence of an African goddess. The central figure is a woman, her gaze directed downwards, a posture that paradoxically invokes both her profound beauty and her commanding power. This downward gaze isn't one of submission, but rather a reflection of inner strength and quiet authority.

Her skin is a rich tapestry of deep browns, artfully highlighted with shades of caramel to accentuate her natural, physical features. These warm tones create a sense of earthy elegance and timeless grace. She is draped in a dress that echoes the vibrancy of her spirit, with tones of reds and oranges that flow like molten lava, suggesting passion and vitality.

The background is a bright, warm green, a color that symbolizes life, growth, and harmony. This verdant backdrop serves as a unifying element, tying together the various aspects of the painting and creating a sense of balance and wholeness.

Adding a final touch of cultural richness and symbolism, her ears are adorned with beautiful gold hoops, each featuring the African symbol Gye Nyame. This symbol, representing the supremacy of God, adds a layer of spiritual depth to the portrait, reinforcing the woman's goddess-like presence and her connection to a higher power. The overall impression is one of awe-inspiring beauty, strength, and a deep-rooted connection to both the earth and the divine.

Acrylic on canvas measuring 48" x  60" x  1.5"

Imagine a canvas exploding with the raw energy and vibrant spirit of Basquiat. The central figure is Basquiat himself, rendered with an arresting gaze that meets the viewer head-on. His left hand gently caresses the side of his face, a gesture that adds a touch of introspection to his otherwise bold presence. In contrast, his right hand holds a lit cigarette, raised near the right side of his face, a signature element that speaks to his rebellious and unconventional nature.

He's adorned in an African-inspired jacket, a riot of bright, vivid colors that echo Basquiat's signature palette. These colors clash and harmonize, creating a visual feast that is both chaotic and captivating. His face is a study in warm and deep tones – browns and reddish hues that seamlessly transition into yellows and oranges, capturing the depth and complexity of his character. His hair is a textured crown of dreadlocks, a nod to his heritage and his unique personal style.

The background is a dynamic collage – a vibrant tapestry of miniature versions of Basquiat's own iconic artwork. These smaller pieces serve as a foundation for the portrait, creating a layered effect that adds depth and context to the painting. It's as if Basquiat is both the subject and the source, surrounded by the very art that defines him. The overall effect is a powerful and evocative portrait, a fitting tribute to the legendary artist.

Jean-Michel Basquiat was a Brooklyn-born artist who became a leading figure in the 1980s New York art scene. His raw, expressive paintings combined street art, graffiti, and neo-expressionism to convey powerful messages about race, politics, and society. Basquiat's work was characterized by vibrant colors, fragmented figures, and enigmatic symbols that merged text and image. 

Acrylic on canvas measuring 48" x  60" x 1.5"

https://basquiat.com/

This description paints a powerful image of a woman whose inherent beauty, symbolized by the vibrant flora and fauna, is present and palpable, even while her physical form is hidden. The title "Blind Beauty" resonates even more strongly with this vivid and symbolic backdrop. It suggests that while society might impose a certain "vision" of beauty, the most profound and authentic beauty often lies beneath the surface, a vibrant and thriving inner world waiting to be acknowledged.

The white cloth still conceals the woman's features, emphasizing the idea of hidden, inner beauty. However, this central figure is now enveloped by an explosion of life and color. The wild orchids, with their intricate and unique forms, could symbolize the untamed and diverse nature of true beauty, flourishing despite being unseen. The butterflies, flitting around, might represent the fleeting and perhaps often overlooked aspects of this inherent beauty.

The light blue background evokes a sense of serenity and openness, while the cream-colored circle centering the head draws the viewer's focus to the covered figure, almost like a halo or a spotlight on the mystery. This circular frame could further emphasize the idea that the true beauty lies within this central point, obscured from immediate view.

The bright and vivid colors throughout the piece stand in stark contrast to the blankness of the white cloth. This juxtaposition could highlight the vibrancy of the inner world and the richness that societal constraints might blind us to. It's as if the true beauty is bursting forth, even though the outward appearance is concealed.

A profile of a person's head adorned with a variety of colorful flowers and several butterflies is set against a blue background featuring circular motifs. The person's face is partially obscured, leaving only the lips visible, and the head is wrapped in a white fabric that blends into the background.

Acrylic on canvas  48" x  60" x  1.5"

Sade: "Kiss of Life" is a deeply personal homage to an artist who profoundly shaped my life. In this painting, Sade is depicted with a radiant gold leaf halo, symbolizing her iconic status and personal significance. Lush African leaves in varying shades of green intertwine with structured geometric square shapes in the background, creating a dynamic contrast between organic beauty and underlying order. Her garment, inspired by rich mud cloth, drapes elegantly, while her face glows with a warm gradient of browns, yellows, and cream. Her dark hair and distinctively rendered black-gloved hands, set apart from other dark tones, anchor her serene presence. A delicate butterfly rests in the right corner, perhaps hinting at transformation or the enduring beauty of her influence. This piece, with its harmonious palette of cream, gold, and green, is a testament to the powerful "Kiss of Life" her music offered me.

Acrylic On Canvas  48' x 60" x 1.5

Helen Folasade Adu, widely known as Sade, is a British-Nigerian singer and songwriter. She is the lead vocalist of the band Sade, which formed in 1982.

Sade is celebrated for her distinctive and smooth blend of soul, funk, jazz, and Afro-Cuban rhythms. Her music often defies easy categorization. She gained significant popularity in the 1980s and early '90s with hit songs like "Smooth Operator" and "The Sweetest Taboo."

The band Sade has released several multi-platinum albums, including "Diamond Life" (1984), "Promise" (1985), "Stronger Than Pride" (1988), "Love Deluxe" (1992), "Lovers Rock" (2000), and "Soldier of Love" (2010). Sade has also been recognized with multiple Grammy Awards.

https://www.sade.com/