Art for Sale Page 2

Brilliant reds and golds glow in any light, bringing a burst of color to any room. Add your favorite blooms to this striking glass vase for a breathtakingly beautiful focus piece! Decorative purposes only.

Renee’Holloway/Scarbo, a singer/songwriter for over 35yrs. Was once the only female lead vocolist of the group called “THE FLOATERS” who made their biggest hit back in the day called “FLOAT ON” when it was just the guys, and another with “THE FLOATERS & SHUGA with an album entitled “FOR YOUR LOVE”. Now I sing for Churches all over whenever needed, and for weddings occasionally or if you just need a song of prayer at home of for your loved ones in their time of need: just call me I’ll be there, or go to my website www.theacappellasinger.com and leave me your information. I also love selling my wonderful products here at my web store at: www.ladidrs.com. Enjoy the scroll through LADIDRS.COM. THANKS IN ADVANCE!

Calvin Johnson

Calvin’s lifelong love of art was first nurtured in a home filled with creativity flowing from his grandparents, parents and siblings. It grew immensely with his introduction of arts and crafts projects in the Philadelphia Public School system. As a first grade student, Calvin was assigned to design his very first mural; a colorful chalk-rendered zoo motif on the old-school blackboard partitions in the back of the classroom. The process continued with several inspiring art teachers whom Calvin encountered throughout his primary school years, Saturday morning art classes and summer art camps.

His passion was refined at Millersville State College, where he received his Bachelor of Arts Degree in 1981. It was at M.S.C. that Calvin was exposed to many mediums, but it was oil and acrylic painting that captured his heart. “I became enamored with the wonderful array of colors, the fun of exploring the different techniques of their application to the canvas and developing an inner peace within myself that painting, for me, is truly a joyous discipline.”

After ten years of meaningful yet low paying freelance projects, Calvin was faced with self-doubt, slowly coming to the realization that he may never become successful with his talents.

In 1990, those negative forces were expelled when an opportunity to become the summer camp art instructor at the historic Wissahickon Boys and Girls Club in his Germantown, Pennsylvania neighborhood. Through this new position, Calvin was renewed and it became apparent to him that it was time to give back to those young artists in need of his instructional and creative energy. He instilled self-esteem in many, as well as empowering a sense of self-worth in the youths that encouraged them to utilize their gifts and make statements of who they were and what they wanted to achieve in life through art. “Like the singers, rappers, musicians or dancers that you see every day…brushstroke your feelings, beliefs, joys and pains on the canvas for all to see.”

After 11 years of inspiring and educating youths to pursue their dreams, Calvin left his artistic imprint throughout the facility (painting a new gym floor design in 1995 and an Egyptian wall mural in 2000), and resigned from W.B.G.C. to pursue his dreams in Los Angeles with his wife and best friend, Thea.

Calvin has continued his artistic odyssey in Los Angeles with countless hours at the easel in preparation for exhibitions at the Art in the Park annual shows, The Lankershim Gallery, the NAIMA Awards Show and various other community shows.

The BET Awards were on last night and Joe Jackson attended. Now I understand people mourn and grieve lost ones in their own way, but when asked how was he doing from a reporter, Joe’s response was “I’m doing great!” Well, that’s nice. A huge portion of the world is currently saddened over the death of your illustrious son, could you feign some sadness, too?

I have this theory that everyone’s life work is in response to the relationship they have with their parents. Would Michael have been so great if he wasn’t constantly pushing back against his father and showing him the heights he could reach? Would Michael have bought all that land in California to make Neverland and create the childhood he was robbed of? Our parents have the amazing privilege of seeing our lives from the very start, and in Michael’s case, to the very end. As children, we only see our parents when they’ve settled down. My mom could’ve been a crazy, acid-droppin’ hippie for all I know, but our parents’ watchful eye means they have an incredible amount of influence over who we become and what we do with our lives.

How have your parents influenced you? 

I got my hair cut yesterday and we all know that perming, braiding, weaving, and cutting can take hours, so I was there for awhile. In that time, the television was tuned to all the news channels and their headlining story was, of course, the passing of Michael Jackson. What a day that was, beginning with the death of Farrah Fawcett and then ending with the confirmed death of the King of Pop. 

A few ladies in the salon told stories about taking the train from Philadelphia to the Spectrum to see Michael in the late seventies. “He was a treat to watch,” my hairdresser said, “just an amazing man.” I became a fan of Michael in the nineties when my older brother tried to moonwalk across the living room one day. I asked him where he learned it and that’s when I was introduced to someone incredible. 

When I watch his music videos, see his performances with contemporary pop artists, and just listen to the his songs, I understand why the world is reeling. Yes, there is civil unrest in Iran, and yes, the economy is currently going down the shitter, but it’s important to stop and pause when a musical great has left us. He’s a huge part of US pop culture, and the world embraced and loved him just as much as Americans. 

And wow, the way that man moved. There was fluidity in his limbs that couldn’t be replicated. He commanded the stage and dared you to try to stop watching. But he didn’t just make you stand in awe, he also made you dance, feel passion, feel soul, and to know what it’s like to sense music run up and down your body. Even now as I listen to Billie Jean writing this, I can’t help but groove along in my chair.

Thank you, Michael Jackson. I hope you have finally found peace.

Barack Obama is taking on health care, financial regulation, torture and environmental policy. He’s also revamping the White House art collection.

The Obamas are sending ripples through the art world as they put the call out to museums, galleries and private collectors that they’d like to borrow modern art by African-American, Asian, Hispanic and female artists for the White House. In a sharp departure from the 19th-century still lifes, pastorals and portraits that dominate the White House’s public rooms, they are choosing bold, abstract art works.

The overhaul is an important event for the art market. The Obamas’ art choices could affect the market values of the works and artists they decide to display. Museums and collectors have been moving quickly to offer up works for inclusion in the iconic space.

Their choices also, inevitably, have political implications, and could serve as a savvy tool to drive the ongoing message of a more inclusive administration. The Clintons received political praise after they selected Simmie Knox, an African-American artist from Alabama, to paint their official portraits. The Bush administration garnered approval for acquiring “The Builders,” a painting by African-American artist Jacob Lawrence, but also some criticism for the picture, which depicts black men doing menial labor.

Last week the first family installed seven works on loan from the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden in Washington in the White House’s private residence, including “Sky Light” and “Watusi (Hard Edge),” a pair of blue and yellow abstracts by lesser-known African-American abstract artist Alma Thomas, acclaimed for her post-war paintings of geometric shapes in cheery colors.

Barnes came to painting after a career in professional football, as an offensive lineman with the San Diego Chargers and Denver Broncos. Teammates called him “Big Rembrandt.”

He could take on a defensive lineman, then commit the encounter to canvas. Many people would call Barnes a “black painter.” He preferred the description “neo-Mannerist.” Barnes never painted his subjects with their eyes open.

“We don’t see each other,” he said once in an interview. “We are blind to each other’s humanity.”

Works by more than 30 artists representing different galleries in New York City’s modern-art hub of Chelsea will be on display (read more).

What do you think of current American Cuba policies? Do they need to change?