Who to Watch For in The World of Black Art

Black people have been shaping this world with our own artistic flavor in too many ways to count. These artists have also contributed to this nation’s cultural landscape throughout its history and are not afraid to speak their creative expressions that not only speak to them but speak to our culture as well. Art has always been a form of release, story telling, and even inspiration.

Every artist has their reason for why they create what they create. My favorite pieces are the ones that tell stories when artists genuinely paint from the soul because they are either sad or happy at that moment. These 10 artists caught my eye and I truly believe they will catch yours as well!

Meet Aislinn Finnegan

A young Northern-Irish/Zambian illustrator who discovered her passion for drawing and portraiture after earning a degree in textiles. In her work, Black female representation and celebration is key.

“Also hope one day I have the confidence to speak my mind and proudly articulate my work the way I want to w/o being riddled by anxiety.”

This was a quote she said regarding a throwback picture of the last time she exhibited her work on Woman’s day in March 2020 at the “Women of Shoreditch” event with Marmalade Collective and People of Shoreditch.

The piece to the left caught my eye and stood out as one of my favorite pieces from Finnegan. She specifically drew this during a tough time and mentioned that she was “drawing her way through her feelings.” I could see the definition, the emotion, and the time she really took to create this Queen. The gold and black and white stand out almost making me a good kind of dizzy.

Finnegan is based in the United Kingdom and you can find her artwork on bettershared.com along with other amazing artist.

Artist Alvin Epps

I am a big fan of animation and I especially love Black comics and cartoons. Alvin Epps is an Illustrator and media artist from New Orleans, Louisiana. He also does powerful canvas art as well. One of my favorites is the “Scars and Stripes”(below).

“Artwork inspired by “Candyman” just in time for Halloween. I really enjoyed working on this!” Alvin Epps. (Left Picture)

Epps artwork is intricate and I especially love when he uses reds and different tones of blues in his designs. His work has character and you can tell, like many artists, he really cares about what his artwork reflects.

,Hip Hop Illustrator Gordon Rowe

Rowe’s artwork literally gives me goosebumps! He’s a Hip-Hop influenced Illustrator from Toronto, Canada and designer with an eye for capturing poetry in art. I love the way he uses soft tones, making his artwork easy on the eyes.

I am curious to know how many music artists know about his work and if they have seen some of the masterpieces themselves.

One of my favorites is the “After the Function” piece with Rap artist J-Cole, Nas, Andre 3000, Black Thought and Jay-Z. (see below)

The smiles in this artwork says it all. Beautiful Black men having a good time, sharing liquor, laughs and probably some great ideas!

Fai Fai Marya- Faith with an E

If you love the Black woman, if you love sisterhood, you will fall in love with her artwork! Period. I’m in love with the different shades of colors she uses for our melanin skin, and with her use of flowers over the eyes of the woman which to me signifies that all we see is beauty! However, it may mean something totally different to her and other audiences.

Faith with an E is from Long Island, New York, and refers to herself as a digital painter. Her paintings represent all things beautiful (haha I got it right!) and is used to inspire all women.

“I am a Black woman and I am raising two Black girls and I want them to see beautiful images of Black women and to see themselves. I want to look at the images and see myself.”

Black women have it tough in this world, probably tougher than any other race of women, nonetheless, we are resilient creatures and it shows in every move we make. I respect this artist for bringing that out in her artwork!

,Meet NoelleRX

She’s a digital artist that creates warm and rich art with powerful messages about racial equality, family and love. She is based in the District-Maryland-Virginia urban area between Baltimore and Washington, DC. NoelleRx is inspired by African American culture and uses the pain she feels in being a Black woman as the inspiration behind her art.

“I’m a life long creative but it took me many years to call myself an Artist.”- Noelle

One of my favorite pieces from Noelle is her Black Love collection which I will be personally investing in myself! I am a huge advocate for Black love and her images are enticing and I have always been a sucker for Black women that are holding a Black man in her arms. More so, in her other artwork, I admire the way she paints our curly hair and long braids. I can also appreciate her use of browns only!

Technodrome Takun Williams

From Brooklyn, New York, Takun Williams’ art stood out to me because it has a messy and yet beautifully gritty undertone. I can’t help but wonder what is going through his head when he is painting some of his work. I have noticed he paints a lot of music artists, celebrities, and athletes. A couple favorites of mine are “Momma (a pregnant woman)” and the Black Captain America aka “representation.” His personality definitely reflects in his work and I wouldn’t mind meeting the person behind the art!

THOMAS BLACKSHEAR II

Boy, can this man paint!

Thomas Blackshear has been in the game a long time from working for Hallmark Card Company to becoming a freelance illustrator in 1982 and that’s what he’s been doing since. He has clients ranging from Disney Pictures to Universal Studios.

He has also won awards like the Best of Show in 1989, and two Gold Awards in the 1990 Illustrators West Shows; those aren’t even half of what he has won, though.

Blackshear is famous for his Western paintings, but he also does sculpting and religious paintings. One of my favorite paintings of his is “Bronco Break.” It was featured in Trailside Galleries artwork, which just happens to be the art collector’s first choice for “the finest in representational and American works of art.” You can’t tell in this art below, but the cigarette is actually burning and the smoke is animated! The real stand out in this picture is the authentic look it gives and that’s one of my favorite things about Blackshear; the realness!

Meet Tiffany Glenn

This Queen has a background in animation, which makes sense why her art has a cartoon type of vibe. She uses oil and acrylic for her paintings and one of my favorite paintings from her, “As I Am” was her first time using pastels. (see below).

“My work is an examination of women and children of color from a stylized, distinctive perspective.”- Tiffany Glenn

What I adore about Glenn’s painting is her focus on African American women. I mean any artist embracing the Black woman gets a thumbs up from me. But, I can’t stop being in awe over the colors she uses with the acrylic paint. The attitude and sass coming off the art, and not in a bad way! Her work reminds me of something you would see in a beauty shop when you were a little girl and just couldn’t stop staring at.

,Cbabi Bayoc (pronounced Kuh-bob-bi)

Cbabi Bayoc is located in the Shaw neighborhood of St. Louis City and he stands out to me because his painting focuses on visual arts with a variety of subjects. He creates anything from family, music, children, music, and other random topics! As random as his artwork is, there is nothing boring about it!

Bayoc is incredibly creative and authentic. He even adopted his name CBABI (Creative-Black-Artist-Battling-Ignorance) and Bayoc (Blesed-African-Youth-Of-Creativity! I love that he pushes his art for his kids future. Something I think should be important for all parents to understand is that you are leaving a legacy behind and should leave something they can learn from. One of my favorite creations from him is “Guarded Curiosity.” A beautiful black and white painting and I fell in love with the kids eyes.

,Geneva B

Last but certainly not least, I have always admired Geneva B’s art. Her work is literally all over Pinterest. I am a huge fan of make believe, fantasy, bright colored artwork. Art that can let me escape from the day. She’s also another toon/anime character artist and I love it!

Geneva is based in Western North Carolina and is a self-taught illustrator. I am a big fan of her color use especially the blue, purple, and orange colors. She also does really cool scenic artwork with her characters. Her artwork is fun and inviting and not one piece tells the same story to me!

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