I feel this is on the threshold of breaking through to consciousness. After a long dark hideously lonely winter, I have had the first complete showing, went on radio for first time, have started writing grant applications, have a venue reserved for mid summer, and am meeting more artists.
Let me introduce you to Rosalie Pierce. Also self taught, she channels her inner Harlem Renaissance to create deceptively simpler, but equally heart rending portraits, of which her first pair appear here today.
Her portrait of Brandon Finney received near 200 likes on the HOOD TO HOOD R.I.P. Facebook page. We two amateurs are reaching through to people who aren't part of the art scene either. There is a screaming need we have just begun to address. Starting with Brandon Finney.
Brandon Finney, a first time father, worked as a surgical assistant at University of Maryland Shock trauma. He had been saving up to purchase a car because he felt concerned about having to wait long periods for a bus in the late nighttime. Three nights before the first down payment on that car would have been made, Brandon was waiting at the bus stop when two rival members of some subgroup of some offshoot of some blanket gang started a shooting war. One grabbed Brandon and used him as a human shield to shoot the other, Christopher Camphor, 20, dead. Brandon was rushed back to the surgical unit where he has just left work where he died a short time later.
Jamal Godsey attended Morgan State where he studied electrical engineering. What brought him out at 4:00 AM on that morning nobody knows. Who the unknown person he encountered nobody knows. Why the unknown person he encountered fatally shot him and disappeared, nobody but the unknown shooter knows to this day.
Dominic Nathaniel King is the beloved brother of Princess Williams, in whose memory the HOOD TO HOOD R.I.P page was founded. I am grateful for this because otherwise so many of the faces behind these portraits would still be invisible. Princess Williams and I are to appear on the blog radio show the Artist Exchange, hosted by Nate Vashtiblue Couser, on April 4, from 12-2 in the afternoon. Go to www.BeExposed.com to find out more. Be Exposed is also on Facebook, as well as the Artist Exchange.
As to why this 21-year old first time father was shot multiple times in an alley, only the shooter can tell us as soon as we get a clue who it is!
The tale of Matthew Thomas was one that ALMOST brought that nervous breakdown I have to risk with each possible subject. Full of curiousity about how the universe worked, this budding Carl Sagan heir has already amassed a shelf full of awards and trophies for his accomplishments in science. His EX father drove him off on New Years Day, and never brought him home. They were found in a bordering county parking lot inside an SUV, both dead by gunshot. The EX father blew Mathew's beautiful brains out first, then blew out his own. Face it, there are occasional parents out there that feel threatened by a brilliant child.. Of course that means I have to paint this EX father too. Just not now. There's going to be some space between him and the child whose thrill mind he robbed us all from.
Leroy Agnew and Loretta Little enjoyed building a quietly loving second marriage, first time to each other. This brought a beloved little son, just starting kindergarden. A burglar broke in and executed both of them before robbing the place. The now orphan boy managed somehow not to get hurt. I should find out if anyone has been apprehended. I'm getting too many Unknowns!
Jaleesa Brooks was also the victim of a home invasion. Thief figured that her jewels and her sneakers had more value than the life of a young woman just blooming into mature beauty. I believe she is somewhere dancing free and ecstatic somewhere in this vast universe. At least a suspect is in custody and awaits trial!
Courtney Meeks is from Detroit. Why would I paint I
one fro another city beside Baltimore? Because if there is any other city that flounders in more agony, it's Detroit. Courtney Meeks worked as a security guard at a local CVS. In February 2014, two dudes carjacked an auto from a young mother who started screaming because her child was still in the car. So, Courtney, who dreamed of joining the FBI one day, rushed to the rescue, and was shot fatally as he tried to stop the car thieves. Since they got away on foot, at least this chivalrous young man stopped a kidnapping as his last act on Earth.
I now hope to send this gallant knight as a messenger, through the art channels I now have, to invite the artists of Detroit to see if they could join in this undertaking.
It was the start of holiday season in Charm City when brothers Karl and Kurt Berrain Stopped to talk to a lovely young lady. I'll never know what it was about because her minder...I mean boyfriend rushed up in a jealous fury and gunned them both down. Show them not to talk to my...woman.
Michael Taylor, known as "Boffy" to his mates was easy going, liked to make jokes, liked to make everyone smile. Why would someone shoot him six times on the street? Until I find out who did it all I can say is I don't know...I don't know...I just don't know...
Darien Aguilar is only the third suicide I have come across so far. Here in Maryland he is known as the Columbia Mall shooter. Rosalie is portraying his victims Brianna Yolo and Tyler Johnson for the next squad. Why do I keep painting killers who turn the gun on themselves? Because it has to be done. because I think I understand where Darien Aguilar came from...to a point.
These are whole other topics. Please join me on blog radio Saturday where Princess Williams and I will delve deeper about what we're trying to do. Until then, stay safe bros ans sissies.