Black History Month Tribute: Olokun

As we come to a close on Black History Month as well as this year being a leap year I wanted to share a painting I did last year in honor of Juneteenth and specifically for a Juneteenth Celebration of which I was one of three exhibiting artists for the event.

Juneteenth is one of the oldest commemoration of the ending of slavery here in the United States.  This celebration not only is meant to commemorate freedom of African Americans but also to highlight education and achievement.  So I felt only befitting the close of 2012 Black History Month to share some history about  my painting.

One of the things I really enjoy when painting is the research and incorporating lost stories, cultures, symbolisms, and ideologies into my work.  When I was contacted about doing a piece for this event, I had to research this Holiday all together.

Since Yoruba religion stems from many of the original religious beliefs of the Yoruba people and the roots of many other religions such as Voodoo and Sanataria originated, I started the research there. 


I was drawn to the orisha named Olokun.  Olokun is an androgynous orisha and is associated with the sea.  Olokun is considered the patron orisha of the African diaspora that were carried away during the Trans – Atlantic Slave Trade. Olokun is also a protector of the living, dead, and the unborn.  Thus becoming a befitting tittle for the piece and my tribute to this month. 


This painting titled: 'Olokun' symbolized the present slaves looking forward to the future of the baby (future generations) being born free, shackles broken. While the essence of Olokun watching the past, present, and future.


Below is some nice drum music I remember my mom playing as a kid. 

Babatunde Olatunji

  

Some sites to check out:

History of Juneteenth
Olokun

Disclaimer: I am not a practitioner nor scholar on the religion of Yoruba, but open to all philosophies and cultures.  This is meant to be an interpretation of my research and art.

Olokun 5"x7" limited edition print.

Love Thy Neighbor

Last weekend was great!  This month is jam packed with things to do and prepare for.  I'm currently a resident artists in a very unique and small art community with our own three level gallery.  This month is our first resident only group show in over two year.  Since 2008 members have been taking on month to curate, collaborate, and produce shows.  Every third Saturday of the month we have a new show opening up.  The beauty and the pain of it is that each artist who chooses (from the prior year via a voting system) a month must come up with the concept for the event, what type of event, opening nights, workshops, as well as build promotional materials and printed marketing materials for that show as well.  It has given me the great opportunity to collaborate with not only other resident artists, but as well as other local artists.  For a listing of some of my exhibits as well as curated shows, click here.  This is also the centennial of my historic neighborhood of which I'm a bored member so there are events being planned there as well.

Our community has a few groups of volunteers for events, artists reviews, etc.  Its all resident artists run so  we work and learn through trial and error how to work together or not, and just build.  Thus far, its been an interesting ride, but I wouldn't trade it for the world.  Last year we have had over 45 events, workshops, art exhibits, screenings, and life drawings classes as well as food drives and fundraisers for both local and international non-profit groups.

For more info click here

Love Thy Neighbor is the group show that consists of 28 of the Sailboat Bend Artists Lofts resident visual and performing artists.  Three major chances to see the exhibit with an opening night, afternoon opening, and a closing.  There is also a food drived to collect canned and boxed goods to be donated to LifeNet4Families with a raffle for small works of art donated by a few of the resident artist.

Love Thy Neighbor in local Arts blog Arterpillar

Opening night went great, it was such great energy!   We had about three separate raffles opening night for visitors bringing three items or more.  Music by hubby DJ Onestar.

A LifeNet4Life volunteer at the drop of table.

Then Thursday Feb 23, three neighboring associations had a District 4 City Commissioner Candidate's Debate and had the reception at our gallery afterwards.  So it was a great opportunity for some of the locals areas to view the art as well as a light social with neighbors and some really good carrot cake.  

District 4 City Commissioner Candidates Romney Rogers and Jacquelyn at 1310 Gallery
 with Sailboat Bend, Riverside Park, Tarpon River presidents, artwork: Claudia Polzer

Sounds On the Bend

If you are local there are only two more chances to see the eclectic collection of art and installation.  Sunday Feb 26 1pm-4pm during the Sounds on the Bend free music concert, which is happening along with a SBCA Walking Tour.

So lots lots going on.  Join us!  

If you would like to keep up with events, exhibits, as well as updates about my art and design- please join my mailing list by clicking here.

Things to come

Son Marley who sometimes has to paint while Mommy is painting

I have a focused commitment to this blog and really have a lot of great ideas to share with whom ever may read this and get a value, share an interest, or explore - to expand more here.  Develop more posts, explore, and share a little bit here.  Maybe put in a few loony stories of my life as a Mom, Artist, and freelance Designer working from home.  Or life as a part of an artists community.

Feedback is crucial and I love hearing from you.  So if you have any ideas, questions, feel free to shoot me a line.

Right now, I am doing a few things:

• Taking care of my terrible two's, extra talkative sweetheart of a son Marley
• Co-planner of our first resident artists group show in over two years (excited!) 
• Painting like a Mad Hatter small new works exclusively for new Etsy shop
• Framing my artwork for our group show "Love Thy Neighbor" opening this Saturday.
• Reading and learning how to set up my Etsy the right way
• A couple of design projects
• Slowly refocusing and optimizing some of my personal sites
• Planning and developing some ideas and direction for this blog
• Cooking a few times a week a nice meal for me and my family
• Figuring out how to fit in some met time

Its always seems to be not enough hours in the day.

Things to come:

• Features- by fellow local artists, people who's work I admire, interesting stories, entreprenuers, and work from home Moms.
• New artwork
• History - some stories or inspirations behind some of my work
• Past and current events
• Art
• Photography 
• Design
• Some note worthy client work and some horror stories (names omitted of course ;-)

In general just continuing to share.  This is a personal blog so keep that in mind if I tend to be a bit all over the place :-).  but I also want to hear from you.

So stay tuned and connect!

New Painting: "Phone Home" - alien art on Etsy

Don Cornelius - wishing you peace

Photo taken from jackandjillpolitics.com

The irony of life.  Just as we are entering February a month dedicated to the various celebrations around the US in honor of Black History month, we lose a legend.  Don Cornelius who is attributed to spreading the music and culture of Black America to the masses.  Helping to make some people like Michael Jackson, Aretha Franklin, and Marvin Gaye a household name, not to mention having one of the longest running syndicated shows in history- has taken his own life.  It fills me with so many mixed feelings like what was going on at 75 years old that he felt that was the answer and you really can't judge a smile and assume that means everything is okay.

I remember some of the episodes of Soul Train.  Everyone loved it and looked forward to that show.  Of course I was too young to identify it with history in the making and Black History in the making no less, but I would be hard pressed to find someone who didn't have a fond memory of that show.  The Soooooooooooooooooooooooooouuuuuuuuuuuuuuuul Train!

I hope he is at peace now.  Rest in peace.  His contribution to music history, a lifestyle, and culture is legendary.  

Since I have been on this 'painting war path' with my new series of small works of art, I felt it only natural to paint my own small tribute to the Man of Soul.

Soul: My tribute to Don Cornelius on Etsy

My heart goes out to his family.  This Black History Month is starting off bitter/sweet.  Cornelius touched the world!

Black History tidbit:

“Don Cornelius was a pioneer, an innovator, and a trailblazer. He was the first African-American to create, produce, host and more importantly OWN his own television show.  (Taken from vibe.com)

Looking back:

Update - what a tribute!:

February 5 2012, new York

"Soul Train" flash mob tribute to Don Cornelius - New York

So many flyers: One artists solution to the paper trail

Various flyers.  Images curtesy nicholelopezdesign.com

As an exhibiting artist, art patron, or just simple everyday promotions, club events; there is one thing that is constant and consistent.  Flyers.  If you are doing an event, you print flyers, when you are out on the town, we are consistently bombarded by flyers.  In some aspects they are a great way to affordably get your information out.  Some people collect them like business cards, either to check on an event, or as a designer you look to see what the competition is doing (or not).  When you are curating or producing an event, along with your online marketing, flyer printing is a given.

Often times talking with other artists who produce shows, printing just enough flyers or too many flyers is an issue.  After an event, or if you change your marketing you are left with all these flyers.  Once money is spent, you almost hate to just through them away.

This year, some of my goals include smaller works of art and prints for those interested in my artwork but looking for a smaller investment or just getting started collecting art, as well as just my own personal exploration of concepts and styles.  Sometimes while working, I get on this tunnel vision war path of 'creativity gone wild' and just get into production mode.

'Pulse' and "Eye of Horus" acrylic painted pin by Niki Lopez

I started out with some small archival prints of a few paintings, then small canvas that I have included in my Etsy Shop.  Then I just went on a painting frenzy.  I gessoed and painted some art pins.  Taking a break to clean up my studio, I came across a stack of some older promotional flyers.  Since I do a few different things, that one flyer had my art and photography on side, and my graphic design and hosting service on the other.  While shopping for the best price point, I ended up with 5k flyers, and still have so many of them left.  I was just about to throw away another batch when it hit me:  'what if i used these flyers to create small original works of art'?  I was already looking into getting some smaller canvases to go with my frames.  So I primed a few of my flyers with gesso, waited for it to dry, then painted.

Voilà

The process: priming one side of flyer with gesso, once dried-its painting as usual.

 

Small works of art on the bottom of image is made out of recycled flyer cardstock. Art on easel is painting canvases.  

Then the series was born! Small works of art that is using recycled and repurposed flyer card stock.  Coupled with some hand painted frames, it makes the perfect canvas for my small works of art series that stems from many of my sketch book concepts as well new ideas styles.  I have just fallen in love with the process and it makes me feel good to be able to not only recycle and reuse old material, but also  saving money that would have been spent on canvases.  The great part about this series is that I am using my flyers, so on the back still has my information.

 

Old marketing flyers that are being recycled into new works of art.

I have been sharing this with a few fellow artists friends who think this is a wonderful idea, and hopefully its a solution many artists, artisans and crafters can explore as a way to reuse, recycle, and save money on supplies. 

With these recycled small works of art, I'm including a hand painted wooden frame that really showcases the work so well.

Some of the artwork created thus far can be viewed below:

  

For these and others in this new series, please check out Etsy Shop

The Ellen Art Show at The Terrell Moore Gallery LA

Three more days left until The Ellen Art Show that is happening at The Terrell Moore Gallery in Los Angelas California.  Poet and creator of WeMerge Talent Magazine Renda Writter his second birthday party in honor of Ellen DeGeneres with proceeds going to The Trevor Project - a non profit that Ellen Degeneres heavily supports and raises awareness about the anti-bullying cause. The Trevor Project is the leading national organization providing crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning (LGBTQ) youth.  Find out more about them on their site here.

Possibility, Opportunity, & Dreams for All by Niki Lopez

I am so excited to be contributing to this event for a second time around.  There are over 54 artists from LA, NYC, Miami, Las Vegas, Philadelphia, Ohio, and South Carolina.  Last year's original portrait of Ellen Degeneres ended up going on a plane with Renda and given along with other artwork, an photo album of the last birthday event done in her honor- to her office.  Read more about last years painting here.

"The 2nd Annual Ellen Art Show," is a charity fund raiser event for The Trevor Project, a national group art show, and a birthday party for Ellen Degeneres and will feature music by DJ MASEO of DE LA SOUL.  Free gift bags will be given to the first 75 attendees.

To find out more about these events and Renda Writters quest to get on the Ellen Degeneres show to perform his poem "Half Hearted"  Check out some of the links below.  If you are in LA- stop by this is going to be an amazing event!

The Terrell Moore Gallery
1221 South Hope Street
Los Angeles, CA 90015 
(213) 744-1999

RSVP Facebook event
Facebook Page
EllenArtShow.org

Good bye 2011-2012 ready or not...

Last year has been an interesting year for me with lots going on. The year started off with a bang, I was invited to participate in 3 shows- then it turned into 6 shows as well as being juried into a group show at the Fort Lauderdale Museum of Art!. ..... It was an honor and pleasure as well as a lot of work getting new work together, prints, prep and attendance. Here is a list of some of the shows from 2011:

2011 shows:

January 22 – “The Ellen Art Show” Gab Studio Wynwood Miami FL
January 29 – “Art Night Pompano”, Pompano, FL
March 10 – “Pieces of Jamaica” the LAC Gallery, Lauderdhill FL
March 26 – “Spoken Soul Festival” The Stage, Wynwood Miami FL
March 31 – “Sister 2 Sister” Old Dillard Museum, Fort Lauderdale FL
June 18 – “The Lynching Eye” Broward Historical Commission, Fort Lauderdale FL
July 16 – Curated show- Into The Rabbit Hole -1310 Gallery, Fort Lauderdale
October 1 - Be Inspired - Fort Lauderdale Museum of Art
October 13 - Hospitality Trade Show - Broward Convention Center
October 14 - Pretty in Pink - Delray Beach
December 17 - The Natural World, 1310 Gallery, Fort Lauderdale

Donated Art to charitable orginazations:

April 2011 - Donated original artwork for fundraiser event for OVERTOWN RHYTHM & ARTS FESTIVAL
October 2011 - Attended a workshop and painted custom Converse to be auctioned off for Sole +
November 19 - Donated two Fine Art Prints for fundraiser for Love Thy Neighbor

Along with new work I also focused on some work I have started a while back and reworked them as well as worked on some new ideas that I have been itching to try as well. For example in "Alice O Alice"

This is combing both photography and digital art. I have worked on similar projects in the past, however creating photomontage has until then been more of an aspiration and just thoughts i my mind of sketchbook then actual execution.

Finally took the steps to set up my Etsy shop. I signed up so long ago. I am still learning the ins and outs and finding out about teams, etc. If anyone has tips and tricks to share- I would LOVE them. If you have an Etsy shop, please list it below or send me a message and I will check it out and add you to my circle :-). For now my shop is located at: http://www.etsy.com/shop/nikiartstudio. Since I became on the roll with the shop set up, I also set up here: Shop Niki Art Studio. Hopefully I will have good news to report, for now- still building.

I also signed up and participated in a 10 week all volunteer program with a local non profit "Drag It Out'. I am always talking about how I hate boundaries, boxes, and labels and just love exploring, researching and creating. These classes was taught by professional Drag Kings and Queen all donating their time and talent. During the class you develop a charter and a number and at the end there is a Draguation and fundraiser for three charities this non profit supports. Please check out their link and see what they are all about. Fort Lauderdale New Times named them best non profit for 2011! It was lots of fun and hard work and made some new friends on the way. May another blog I will share some of my performance and custom- which I will at least say it was one of the most different ones out of the show and of course- out of this world and cosmic (my character was an alien of course).

As for family life, I had one of my sisters and nephew spend the summer with me, that was fun for me and little Marley - my two and a half year old son. Who also picked up conversation with a vengeance. He went from saying 'Mama' and 'Papa' to "Mommy whats so funny" and racing but ending it with "tag your it!". Its fun at times watching him grow, hitting all these milestones with lighting speed, at the same time it can be a bit overwhelming. I say I'm a Visual Artist and Graphic Designer, but truth is I'm a juggler. Juggling not only doing my art, but building my work, exploring, and learning, mixed with learning marketing the hard way, stay at home mom of a terrible two's, homemaker, girlfriend, under cover chef, social media, art shows and exhibits, art community, and family life while helping some of my fellow colleges .... SHEESH! the list goes on and on- it never seems enough hours in the day. But at the end of the day, I am happy, building and looking forward to 2012 and what it has in store. Tweaking things that didn't work, really pushing things that did, organizing, and have so many ideas. Making sure it doesn't collect too much dust in my sketchbook before making it happen. Painting, sketching, researching, cooking, cleaning, and spending time with my son. I'm ready!

Hello 2012!