Ends Tuesday June 25! Get 25% Off all original artwork and prints! Happy Summer Solstice Sale!

June 25th! This Tuesday is the last day to get 25% off all of my original artworks and prints!
At checkout type in code: Summersolstice2013!

  https://www.etsy.com/shop/LeMahogany

Artist Appreciation: Michelle Robinson

Michelle Robinson

My first artist appreciation of the year 2013 goes to an artist that I truly admire.  Michelle Robinson has sparked a fire in my own artwork to not only continue with my art and illustrations but to be part of a creative movement of women artists (not like I can quit and yes I have tried).  I tumbled across one of her artworks on tumblr and was awed by her work.  Her intricate design and detail of these beautiful women she creates are amazing and I became an immediate groupie following her on instagram.  Only to wake up with several likes and comments from Michelle herself on my instagram.  :)  There's nothing like 'artist love' that can really warm the heart and inspire the mind.   Especially among women artists!

Here's a great interview of Michelle and her artwork on her paintings of 'The Goddess Bus' for The Goddess Project a really cool project that features two female filmmakers filming women across the U.S. overcoming their fears and realizing their potential.     

 

Here's a few my favorites from Michelle.  They are all so beautiful!

Strong Hold by Michelle Robinson
 © Michelle Robinson 2012

'Shade' in IDENTIFLY series by Michelle Robinson
© Michelle Robinson 2012

'Kade' part of the IDENTIFLY series By Michelle Robinson
© Michelle Robinson 2012

'Koko' from the IDENTIFLY seriesby Michelle Robinson 

© Michelle Robinson 2012

Amani, IDENTIFLY Series by Michelle Robinson

© Michelle Robinson 2012

AND......It doesn't stop at her amazing artwork. She continues awe me with her one of kind accessories of purses, wallets, shoes, ties and T-shirts!  So cool! 

Check out the rest of her amazing art originals, prints and accessories at 

www.creat-ture.com 

 

Artist Appreciation: Iris Barbee Bonner

Hello Everyone,

My artist appreciation spotlight goes to Ms. Iris Barbee Bonner.  I stumbled across her awhile back trying to find my own inspiration and thought wow! This artist is pretty dope. I love her use of color and has sort of graffiti type vibe to it.  She also makes wearable art (shoes she has on are hers).  Check out some of my personal favs down below. 

Iris Barbee Bonner





http://www.thesepinklips.com/

I also found this Goal Digger Series she did.  In which I loved the play of words from the ever popular phrase"Gold Digger" to "Goal Digger".  Check out this Vimeo video for American Dreaming. (P.S. it's from 2009 so I don't think the raffle is still going on) but for more on this artist make sure you check out her website for all of links at http://www.thesepinklips.com/



Goal Digger from American Dreaming on Vimeo.





New Illustration for a Great Friend

Helo Le Mahogany Fashionista Fellows and Visitors:

Recently a good friend of mine had just gotten married and I was happy to be part of the ceremony as a bridesmaid.  We've known each other through out high school and she is like a lil sister to me.  As her wedding gift she had been asking me for painting for awhile so, I painted a painting of the newlyweds.

O-Shai and Johnathon

Of course this is another painting that I struggled with finishing due to some outside distrations but, its finished and the award is the smile on her face when I gave it to her. 

The wedding was beautiful and I was so happy to be part of it.  So, I raise to glass to love that it may it never grow old between the two and wish them very best.  (Toast)

One Year Anniversary Piece

Bonjour Everyone!  It's been awhile since I had posted a post.  Between, my birthday, being a bridesmaid at one of good friend's wedding, grad parties, going away parties I barely had time to myself.  Summer just sort of snuck up on me and It's SUMMER! Yay!  I never thought the sunshine, the 70-80 degrees would ever come.  But, its here and I am going to enjoy every bit of it.  I have managed to finish my One year Anniversary Piece as promised in my last post.   Here it is!

Runway Watchers 2

Runway Watchers 2

Runway Watcher 2 will be available in my Etsy shop!  So, excited for this piece because it felt like it took forever to complete.  Between a busy, emotional, tough couple of weeks, I managed to finish!  Yay!  On my inspirational blog: Inside the Imagination and Visionary Mind of Robin-my tumblr blog.  I reblogged a quote that was inspiring to me.

Which is so true for this particular piece.  I kept going to the piece and either working on something different or just not feeling like doing it.  But, when I actually let go of my worries, doubts, fears and its just my paints and music that's all I needed to complete this piece.  Leave me a comment and let me know what you think.

:)

Artist Appreciation: Daisy Giles

The Artist-Daisy Giles

As an artist/illustrator, I have to give it up to someone who I stumbled across in one of my favorite fashion on-line magazines Clutch. Magazine.  Her name is Daisy Giles from the Twin cities (Minnesota) and will be receiving her BFA very soon.   As I was reading the article, I was so intrigued on how she described her artworks and her paintings of beautifying and elegant use of black natural hair. I have never seen something like this before.  For most African American women, having natural hair was considered "bad hair".  Within and outside of the culture we were told to straighten by any means necessary.  Being nappy did not equal happy for many of us.  But, for me in 2003, I had decided to do the Big Chop.  The big chop away from the "white crack" (a.k.a  chemical perm), chemically damaged hair and start fresh.  I had no hair but, my little curl of new growth and I absolutely loved it. I remember rubbing my hand over my head and thinking OMG I really like this.  I also remember my boyfriend  correction ex-boyfriend rubbing his hand over my head and probably thinking OMG why did she do this.  He never said anything about it.  Which was a good and bad thing.  Yes,  I had gotten talked about, criticized and looked at funny but, after awhile people started to ask where did I get my hair done and thinking about following suite.  I really did not care what people thought because having natural hair for me was...just being naturally me.  I have been nappily, pressed out and twisted for over 8 years now.  My hair is probably the healthiest that its ever been.

But, to each its own though.  Hair is just hair whether you rock it curly, straight, relaxed, nappy, dreaded, braided.  But, when I saw Daisy's paintings with the use of black natural hair, I was truly inspired and thought they are absolutely gorgeous.

All about Hair Collection, Daisy Giles

Pomis-Roses, Roses Collection.  Daisy Giles

I found Daisy on tumblr and was excited to see she was following mine  !! Here are some of my favorites by her.

Untitled, Oil on Canvas

Mette, Oil on Canvas

(Applause)

I have to say I am new, true fan of hers and I wish her the very best.  And a congratulations in advance on her BFA! I hope to see her works in exhibitions a little closer to where I live.  Check out her website at http://daisygiles.com/home.html

My Creative Cave-My me time.

Happy Labor Day Weekend!

I thought this post would be sort of ironic blog post to put up for Labor Day weekend.  But, I figured why not.  Here pictured down below is where the magic happens:

My Creative Cave

So, this is my escapism.  On most days when I get home from working the day job, I am right here in this corner.  I love it because well I pretty much shut off everything.  TV, phone, Blackberry, laptop, emails and any other distraction coming in my direction and for several hours I work on my illustrations.  (My me time and well....my work time too)  For some people its exercise, yoga, playing sports, drinking.....but for me.  It's this:

Creative Cave part two

Now, don't get me wrong I love yoga and I have hate/love, its complicated relationship with the gym but, this is it for me.  I can spend hours, listening to music and creating.  So, for Labor Day followers I would like you to enjoy your day because I am honestly going to enjoy mine in my Creative Cave and don't worry, I come out to eat and go to the bathroom but, for the majority of time.....I'm here. haha!

Mark your calendars....SEPTEMBER 15th!!!!!!!

September 15th! Having the Grand Opening of my online store!! Le Mahogany Illustrations!!! You may visit but, there's nothing in there...yet.  September 15th! September 15th! What date you say? September 15th! Lets Dance!

Screen shot of my etsy.com store

My Gustav Klimt inspirational moment.

I L-O-V-E Gustav Klimt.  I absolute love his "gold period".  He is one of my favorite artists and honestly my inspiration right now with my Crown Jewels Collection. I would love to share with you some of favorite paintings of his that I would die to have a even a print of.

Here's some of my favorites:

Woman with hat and feather boa

Hygeia

Stoclet Freize

Water Snakes I

Water Snakes II

The Beethoven Frieze

Pallas Athene

New Artist Discovery: Ruud Van Empel

Ruud Van Empel

Love, Love, Love this artist.

Dawn #3

Dawn #1

Dawn #2

World #20

World #23

World #25

Moon #6

Dear Conde Nast-No Vogue Africa?

These gorgeous Vogue Covers will not be published....because Conde Nast.  The corporation that owns Vanity Fair, Glamour, Allure, Vogue, GQ, W, WWD, Style, etc)  lifted up their noses and said no. 

No to African Vogue.  Why? I have no idea.

Ever since I was little I've had a magazine in my hand.  Loved the glossy pages filled with the latest designer clothing and the supermodels behind them.  Vogue was my ultimate fashion bible and if it had even a little bit of fashion spread with a black model...I was all over it.

July 2008-I practically fought a woman (white woman) tooth and nail to grab two copies of the All Black Italian Vogue issue. It was so huge for me!!! Which ended up being the most wanted issue ..Ever. 
They (Conde Nast) ran out of issues so fast that they had print 10,000 more copies due to the demand.

So what's the problem?  Having a monthly Vogue issue that features majority African models is too much?  Or are we just allowed one issue per year to grace your covers?  Oh, and you have to be a celebrity.  Okay, I am off my soapbox but, when I heard about this, I had to share.  Here are some Vogue Africa test covers that photographer Mario Epanya photographed and submitted to Conde Nast. 

Who Killed the King-Fashion Exhibit.

Who killed the King: Eight fashion designers who designed these conceptual sculpted, costume pieces based off of chess pieces.  I love it.  So cool...with chess in mind and of course the title of the exhibit: Who killed the King? It makes me want to learn how to play chess all over again. (Oh, I was good...well okay) lol!