About: Cincinnati, Ohio native and Oakland based Fine Artist, Educator, Entrepreneur and Philanthropist. His work is thought provoking and capable of arousing strong emotions that cut across ethnic, national and generational barriers. The artistic renderings convey a deep sense of emotion, spirituality, dignity, history, strength and grace.
Bell’s works are inspired by his personal journey through life, music, nature and spiritual beliefs that transcend race and creed. Bell’s mission is to impact the world with his creative expressions. It is through this creative energy and passion that he seeks to evoke emotions and motivate the viewer.
The work is vibrant, colorful, and impactful. Bell’s use of shape, color, rhythmic patterns, gossamer line, and brilliant storytelling is striking. Realism, Cubism, Abstract Expressionism and Afrocentric iconography is all at play. With the use of geometry, harmonious color compositions and design motifs, he stylistically forges a unique and distinctive statement that has found tremendous resonance with his audience.
Bell says of the work- “The process begins with preparing the paper or canvas with a ground and then applying paint and even metallic leaf to the surface. I begin to transform the surface with sheer layers of glazed color. Numerous layers are later applied to the surface in an additive and subtractive process, either with a brush, rag or scraper. The forms are created in the moment resulting in an expressive alchemy process. This layering process also adds another dimension of depth to the paintings.”
Materially, the work has been a continued exploration of media ranging from drawing, painting, and sculpture to create a sense of abstraction and splendor, which gives Bell a vehicle to explore the history of Black identity both in the United States and in Western art.
About: Art for me has always been a vehicle to escape through imagination and creates excitement for me in the process. I was born in Texas, and raised in Gardena Ca, Although I started out as a poet/writer, mentored by the Legendary Watts prophets of Los Angeles, visual art became another way to transcend my written metaphoric thoughts and ideas later in life. After attending Otis College of Art And Design as a sculpture new genres major I began to focused more on visual arts using recycled materials.
The Mixed Media Monotype series, began two years ago when I relocated to Northern ca., unable to bring my artwork from storage in LA here, I gave myself a challenge of creating 100 monotypes. I paint with photo developer, and expired darkroom photo paper. It is an experience of little sight from working in the dark that becomes what is imagined in my mind. The after effects often intrigue me as how the paper reacts on it’s on. After I rinse away the developer with water I am left with a design created this process. This is where I think of a concept relating to what I see, or it’s the catalyst of the next look with applied layers. Often my work begins with a poem I have written, made abstract visually, illusionistic, or surrealistic ideas. Each is unique in design. I use monotype technique for it is important that the design is more of a print, than a painting, for I see more as a photographer. I have recently started using airbrush to add to these designs. I like the flatness it creates, but also it’s ability to create three dimension in form. The interpretations through layers, and what’s visualized by the viewer in the final work is interesting to me.
https://www.mekedadesign.com https://www.artwanted.com/Mekeda https://www.facebook.com/peacebots The price for the original monotype prints is $650.00 ea. 16″ x20″ or contact me for other print sizes and prices Image 1 Entitled: The Dawning Image 2 Entitled: Love Like Nature Image 3 Entitled: Rebirth Current Exhibit: ReImagining Our Footprint Abrams Calghorn Gallery Albany Ca. 1/20/21-2/28/21
About: Places are important to Jason Powell-Smith who regularly expresses pride in being a Bay Area native, explaining “I like the Bay Area because it’s where I grew up.” Bus lines and regional transit stations remind him of specific films and television shows which reappear throughout Jason’s art works.
Printmaking is also of import. Powell-Smith credits the Art Center’s Printmaking Department as a significant influence on his creative process.
1. “Golden State” (D8531) acrylic on paper 12 x 18” $30 2. Untitled (D9977) acrylic on paper 11 x 17” $30 3. Untitled (D9966) acrylic on paper 13 x 19” $30
About: I am an African American artist who works primarily in printmaking, painting, fiber and ceramics. I love to do African inspired art and sculpture. I like the fashion from Africa and the graphic designs. I want to make quilts inspired by African cultures. I think it’s good to make stuff from the old days. Because people don’t make those things anymore. I think it’s good to bring back old styles of art and craft. Art is about remembering for me. It comes to my mind that we should remember our ancestors. It’s about the things you have that you can be thankful for. I remember Dr King and Rosa Parks and the old ways and the way they showed us. There is power in learning history. Celebrating Black hair is important to me and exploring it in my clay sculptures of Black people. Black cultural icons are important to my practice also, especially Aretha Franklin. Aretha inspired a lot of people and showed herself in a good way.
I think I am a beautiful artist. I would like to end my statement by thanking all of my facilitators at NIAD for supporting me.
1. “African Mask” (S0113) glazed ceramics 4 x 9 x 3” $80 2. “Rosa Parks” (D8329) serigraph on paper 16 x 13” $40 3. “The Doll” (S0321) embroidery on fabric, polyester stuffing and mixed media 16 x 8 x 1” NFS
About: Born in Oakland, California my creative journey was clear early in life because my Grandmother and Mother believed that all children are born with a unique gift, I was blessed to unwrap my gift when I was about 61/2 years old. Initially utilizing graphite pencil, pen and ink, printmaking and soft pastel, later my work evolved into mix media to bring about multi-dimension; as well as a sense of rhythm and grace in abstract forms. To view my work is to experience the association between beauty and love. To bring three energies together in the moment-physical, spiritual and emotional- is my fundamental artistic expression. I have exhibited in hundreds of juried festivals, exhibits, and galleries throughout the country. Visitors from countries such as South Africa, Japan, Australia, France, the United Kingdom, and China have chosen my work to adorn their homes in their native lands. Collectors include Randy Crawford, Nancy Wilson, Tom Skerit and William Allen Young.
RECENT EXHIBITS INCLUDE: Art of The African Diaspora, 2020-present Red Umbrellas Open Air Fine Art Gallery, 2005-present The Art of Living Black, 1996-2019 Evolve Gallery, 2011- 2012 East Bay Municipal Utility District, Solo show, 2011 San Pablo Arts Gallery, 2011 African American Arts & Culture Complex, 2011 The City of Oakland Craft & Cultural Arts Gallery, Solo show, 2008 Stanford University, Group show, 2006 AWARDS The Art of Living Black (Richmond Art Center), Artist of the Year Award, 2017 Best Display, Pan African Film & Art Festival, 2004 Artist Honoree, County of Los Angeles, 2004 Certificate of Recognition, California Legislature Assembly, 2004
Bio: Arthur Norcome lives in Hercules, Ca, and is originally from Philadelphia, PA. While growing up in Philadelphia he was introduced to Mondrian and Frank Lloyd Wright, two creators who remain some of his greatest influences. After earning his BFA in Illustration from California College of the Arts he spent a few years designing logos and book illustrations. In the last few years, Arthur has rekindled his love of abstract art. His technical use of watercolor places a high emphasis on graphic elements and color saturation to convey thoughts and emotions. Arthur has recurring yearly shows with the Art of the African Diaspora and the Invisible Atelier and other venues.
Artist statement: My abstract paintings are an exploration of control vs chaos. I make use of watercolors’ natural luminosity and pair bold strokes with blocks of color to produce a structure that counterbalances the mediums’ desire to run free.
About: In what seems but the blink of an eye, I find myself in life’s season of winter. Yet, somehow, with a reborn burst of creative energy, I have discovered springtime, the season of renewal. It is a curious, but delightful paradox.
Photography allows me to unleash my imagination and creativity and to harvest my passion for life. Photographers capture light; that is what a camera does. The art of photography is the deliberate manipulation of light to create an image for the viewer to interpret. Photography has given me “new eyes” with which to see our world and opened my heart to perceive the beauty that surrounds us. From photorealistic to the abstract, from nature to the creations of mankind, there are endless images to be captured and limitless opportunities for unleashing the imagination, to trigger thought and to nourish the soul.
Ancestral Shadows Artist’s Statement Ancestral Shadows I, II and III are part of a series I created as an homage to the collections of the now-closed Dapper Museum in Paris where figurative art carvings of the Dogon people from Burkina Faso and Mali in West Africa were exhibited. The Dapper was a special place in Paris for us.
When we learned of the impending closure of the museum, we visited one last time in the summer of 2017. Creating memories of the Dapper and its exhibitions by directly photographing the artwork felt uninspired and inappropriate. I decided to capture the essence of the work by photographing shadows they cast upon the walls and floors of the space. Using shadows as the main subjects, I created unique images that interpret the essence of Musée Dapper and the Dogon collection.
Biography Gene Dominique lives in the San Francisco Bay Area. Gene’s explorations in photography include a deep dive into a variety of genres including documentary, abstract, still-life and portraiture. He has exhibited around the Bay Area and internationally. His current work includes the long-term documentary series called Still Here – African American Farmers in the 21st Century, which is a study of the contemporary life of Black farmers.
Volunteerism is an important part of Gene’s art practice. In 2016 he founded CameraAngels, a donation program that solicits used cameras and related gear for young people in the Bay Area. Gene serves on the board of directors of San Francisco Camerawork.
Gene says he frequently returns to a quote by the photojournalist Gordon Parks for inspiration: “You know, the camera is not meant just to show misery.”
More info: Gene Dominique is a photographer and master printer. All of his original works are created in editions of five. For more information, commissions and purchases contact Mr. Dominique at GeneDominiquePhotography@gmail.com.
