Community Folk Arts Central... Art Moves!

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Early Drawings

In my Early days, even though I had formal Art training, my methods were simple. I started using #2 Pencils and various other professional tools like a kneaded Eraser and in place of a sump for shading, I used a Pig Hair Brush. I was developing a broad imagination. The Genre of Surrealism ( Dali ) interested and influenced me in a purely Visionary sense. I could never make clear sense of Dali's imagery because it was new to me. I was attracted to his Visionary / Dream sense I felt a strong Eroticism about his paintings. I understand that Surrealism was a Social Movement Genre. As a latter day Art Student, I loved the mystery of Surrealism which is about the Dream State and the Metaphysical Realm.

I come from a Narrative Afro Centric Art Tradition...so the Modern Art Notion of

"ART ABOUT NOTHING" WHICH FOCUSES PURELY ON TECHNIQUE AND MEDIA AND NOT NARRATIVE CONTENT

did not sit at the top of my consciousness. I came to ART as a hobbyist, but I always reflected on African American life and thought.

I saw an avenue of expression in Surrealism's mysterious imagery combined with African American imagery early on. These works reflect the times ( 1970's ) and my personal explorations or interests. My early work was not thoughtfully political...

...it was true to life, heart felt and sometimes a reactionary purging...