Mother of Judah
Support Beam Residency/Grant Comes to an End
Mother of Judah painted with acrylic gouache and acrylic on 22x30in cold press watercolor paper.
Reflecting back on my experience is a sigh of relief and gratitude. Upon finishing my piece, I accomplished what I set out to do with this residency and grant experience provided by the Regional Arts & Cultural Council, Support Beam Program. My aims were to, 1) create a piece I was proud of, 2) that I personally felt rivaled one of my greatest works yet (Zanele), and 3) stretched my current capacity and style.
Artists that I have greatly been inspired by recently are artists Kezia Harrell (IG: @sugarygarbage) and Travion Payne (IG: @travipayne), who have both inspired the work that resulted. Their ability to manipulate paint of skin tone and the gradients of it are amazing. I just wanted to share some space for my gratitude towards fellow BIPOC artists that inspire me.
My favorite things about this painting are the slight blue of her shirt and the contrast from her beads. How the rockface came out - I was completely terrified with how it would come out but I settled that fear. The interesting necklace of gold wire and diamond ends. The waterfall spray near the left of the muse’s face.
How the Title Came to Be
One question I have gotten concerns the title. Mother of Judah is the first piece I have had titled by the muse. I wanted to provide this opportunity because how significant is that experience for someone not even expecting to be painted? Asia titled the piece out of her experience of being the mother of her firstborn, named Judah. Simple, personal, and a worthy title.
Pick Up
On Wednesday, 10/09/20, Morgan Ritter from the Regional Arts & Cultural Council met me near McCoy Park in N. Portland. She was excited about the piece. I showed her the piece before placing it in a thin black plastic bag to shield from any possible rain in unpredictable Oregon. And, then it was gone - she was gone. I thought to myself…dang I really miss that piece. Part of me thought about swapping it out with a piece I wasn’t too attached to. Then I thought, these pieces are best in a public setting. These pieces make Oregon a better space culturally, historically…when I provide my best work I set myself apart by not doing the bare minimum…I make our community a better place and space to live with the art I create.
Where I Go From Here
Shortly after completing this piece I signed my first district contract in my artist career, which gives me the ability to paint the historic portrait of Justice Nelson and produce the print and panels for installation in the new Adrienne C. Nelson high school, opening Fall 2021.
I was also notified by the Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art that I was selected among 100 applicants for their Black Lives Matter Artist Grant, which will give me the monies and space to explore a work in regards to Nina Simone’s Strange Fruit song of lynching of Black people in the South and how this looks like to me in the present.
As always, I am grateful for the opportunities that have presented themselves and my courage to go for them, apply, and follow through on my creative practice. In 2021, I’ll be focusing more on the business side of my private practice with a list of goals I am still drafting. With that, I’ll be focusing on strengthening my portfolio, taking no private commissions, and striving towards securing more residencies/grants/and opportunities to get my work out there in the community and world.