Meet “Star Birth…when gases coalesce to give birth to a star”
This painting is acrylic and ink on 20″w by 16″h wood. The topic gave way to form a new technique in my painting practice. That is, applying the ink first and then the acrylic paint on the wood. The soft gel applied to various areas on the surface of the painting act as a hard varnish. The painting is absolutely mesmerizing to look at !!!
Star Birth painting
US in space again !
In May, America returned to space with a manned launch since 2011. The original date was scheduled at Cape Canaveral, Florida, but was rescheduled due to weather. The wait was worth it…
Astronauts launch into space for the first time since 2011
COVID Times
I recently worked on some quilts to express my thoughts and feelings during these times of pandemic and social unrest. It was cathartic for me to express my feelings about this year so far. The collection is called In the Midst of Chaos.
I am a “seasonal” artist. What does that mean? It simply means that my studio work shifts with the seasons. This “studio schedule” has evolved over the years and so far has worked for me.
In the spring and summer months, I tend to —
hand-dye fabrics
paint
knit scarves
weave
When the fall and winter comes around, I get back to —
quilt (*although I have been making small pieces this summer!)
archive and inventory work
Sharing what I’ve learned…
BENEVOLENCE
Webster’s dictionary defines benevolence as “the quality of being well meaning; kindness.” Although I welcome commissions and sell art, I aim to create art to help societal causes that promote the well being of mankind.
making aesthetically beautiful work made a valuable contribution
to society and culture
Artist Bio
Norman Lewis (1909 – 1979) was technically the first African-American abstract expressionist painter and teacher.
He lived in Harlem all of his life and was born to Bermudian parents. Lewis maintained studio space at the Harlem Art Center and participated (along with Jackson Pollock) in art projects for the Works Progress Administration or WPA. The WPA was a massive effort in the 1930’s under FDR’s New Deal agency to put unemployed people back to work.
Artist Statement
Norman started painting mostly figurative art about the plight of Blacks in America with subjects like the bread lines of the poor and police brutality. Then, in the ’50’s, he switched to a more abstract style that celebrated the aesthetics of art. He often felt pressured to make works that reflected the plight of the Blacks in America. He felt that his goal of making aesthetically beautiful work made a valuable contribution to society and culture.
Most Famous Works
His most famous work is Migrating Birds which received the Carnegie International Award from the Carnegie Museum. Norman Lewis was the first African-American to receive such an award. A New York Herald-Tribune writer stated that the artwork was the most significant event in the field art for that year.
Below left is The Yellow Hat (1936); Below right is Migrating Birds (1953)
The Yellow Hat (1936)
Migrating Birds (1953)
Famous Quote
“…the goal of the artist must be aesthetic development, and in a universal sense, to make in his own way some contribution to culture.” (Norman Lewis)
Norman Lewis Retrospective
I’m so pleased to be able to attend the first comprehensive museum exhibit on Norman Lewis’ work by the Philadelphia Academy of Fine Art at the end of March. The exhibit goes on until April 3rd so I plan to just make it. Afterwards, it will travel to Amon Carter Museum in Fort Worth, Texas and then onto Chicago, Illinois.
UPDATE
Last week I received the exhibition catalog from the PAFA (Philadelphia Academy of Fine Arts) show of Norman Lewis. It is a wonderfully detailed, well-written book that is a whopping 288 pages. The art pieces are in full color and many cover a full page!
In reading and researching the wonderful tidbits, I’ve learned that Norman Lewis actually had an estimated 2,500 works. In addition to paintings, sculpture and drawings, he also completed some quilts! Impressive. He was a true artistic spirit…willing to experiment with many different mediums.
What Inspires Me About Norman Lewis
I completely connect with his sentiment in making beautiful art in that I,
too, make "beautiful" work. Even though I strive to make soulful abstracts;
over the years, I've often felt that I needed to make work that spoke to
the problems in our society. I see many other quilters and painters doing
that and have often felt guilty for not saying something "more
substantial". Deep down, I feel that every artist makes a contribution.
That is the beauty of art. Everyone has something to contribute. So, the
beautiful scenes of Water Lillies by Monet are just as important as the
Last Supper by Leonardo da Vinci. - Angela
I started with INSTAGRAM a while ago but am starting a regular practice again. It will be an easy way for me to get work from the studio out. I have been photographing completed quilts and paintings at first light on the weekends.
So, I will be able to just load them to my Instagram account right from my cellphone. Just trying to catch up.
Getting my ducks in a row…
I’ve been busy these past months getting my ducks in a row. Re-organizing my office and studio space; ordering supplies and starting my painting sessions were among the first things to get done.
Sharing what I’ve learned…
Some people lead, others follow. Still others march by the beat of their own drum. When I realized this is me, I felt like I belonged.
![[INSPIRATION] PEOPLE – Abstract Expressionism – Norman Lewis (1909 – 1979)](https://angelaheathart.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/image_norman-lewis.jpg?w=292&h=454&crop=1)
![[NEWS] May 2020 – Uploading new work to INSTAGRAM](https://angelaheathart.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/4087614bcffe125145fad4fc4eb0f788.png?w=751&h=510&crop=1)
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