I have a painting in this show that includes a fantastic lineup of local Black artists!
Painting by Bakpak Durden
Dell Pryor: A Common Thread at Detroit Artists Market, June-July 2020 /
I was invited by Dell Pryor to be a part of a fantastic group exhibition at the Detroit Artists Market. The Dell Pryor Gallery was one of the first galleries I showed in when I started exhibiting my work 20 years ago. Dell selected these two recent works on paper for the show: “Crazy Mixed-Up World” and “News Flash”. These works deal with interracial identity and what it’s like to be caught between the crossroads/crosshairs of race relations in America.
Dell was interviewed by Stephen Henderson for American Black Journal below
Painting in Isolation /
I’ve been drawing since I was a kid but didn’t really start painting until 1997. My professor at the time recommended painting outdoors, saying it was the best way to learn about color and light. I spent that summer painting landscapes around town and setting up still lifes to paint outside my home. This experience was instrumental in helping me to not only get a grip on color mixing, but also in developing a process for quickly composing an image. It was an exciting experience that has stuck with me to this day. I would often imagine painting landscapes alongside Van Gogh or Cezanne, thinking about how they would interpret the scenes I was attempting to paint.
We’ve been in quarantine now for over two months. Since I haven’t been going to my studio because of the stay at home orders, I decided to work on something at home to help keep the blues away. At the beginning of May I started this painting in my backyard. I heard someone say recently that painting the outdoors soothes the soul and I wholeheartedly agree.
New Art Examiner /
My work is written about in “Claiming Privilege”, an article in this month’s issue of New Art Examiner, along with the incomparable Sydney James, Mario Moore and Tylonn Sawyer.
Sidewalk Art /
The weather was so nice today that I decided to create something beautiful to inspire passers-by in my neighborhood. It is a copy of Michelangelo’s “The Creation of Adam” that highlights the impact that this novel coronavirus is having on our lives today, three weeks into the quarantine.
Update: There was an article about it the following day!
30 paintings, 30 days /
To kick things off in my new studio, I’m creating thirty paintings this month. A show of the new works is planned afterward… stay tuned for details!
Gilda Snowden Memorial Exhibit at Scarab Club /
I was awarded second place by juror Meighen Jackson for my two entries, “Centaurus Burns” and “Open Heart”
Photo by Cal Navin
New Studio! /
I’m excited to announce that I now have a studio at 333 Midland in Highland Park. I’ve been a big fan of this community of artists for years and look forward to working in the new space!
