The Journal Project/Pieces of the Week.

Greetings All,
The Journal Project was inspired by this lovely journal (left/below) that was created by fiber artist Lauren Austin whom I met at the Underground Freedom Center at the opening "And Still We Rise".  I love Lauren's work so much I decided to create a series of my own.  Thank you Lauren for inspiring me to do so. 

Behold my Black Bird Journal series and my pieces of the week..

Sapphire & Crystals @ Gallery Romain

Greetings All,
Sapphire & Crystals came to town for the Citywide Celebration of Women Artist at Gallery Romain here in Peoria, IL.  The exhibit run October 15th - November 15,2013.  This exhibit includes works by Rose Blouin, Juarez Hawkins, Malika Jackson, Renee Williams Jefferson, Joyce Owens, Felicia Grant Preston, Pearlie Taylor, Patricia A. Stewart, Shahar Caren Weaver, Dorian Sylvain and Trish Williams.  The gallery address is 1919 N. Sheridan Road, Peoria, IL 61604, so if you are in the area stop by and say hello.  Tuesday thru Friday 10am unit 6pm and Saturday 9 to 5.  Enjoy the slide show.

Citywide Celebration of Women Artists/Prairie Fiber Arts Guild.

Greetings All,

Here is a gentle reminder of the Citywide Celebration of Women Artists 

events.

 

Below I have three pieces that will be in this style show.  Left-Gateway, center-Cream Dreams, and right-Mud Slide.

Gallery Romain/Citywide Celebration of Women Artists - Felica Grant Preston

Greetings all,

In conjunction with the Citywide Celebration of Women Artists  this week's featured Sapphire & Crystals member is Felicia Grant Preston.

Felicia Grant Preston received a BA in art from Southern Illinois University, an MS ED from Northern Illinois University, and an MA from Chicago State University. In addition, she has studied at the University of Illinois, The School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Governor State University and The Savannah College of Art and Design. Her work has been exhibited at the Museum of Science and Industry’s Black Creativity exhibition, A.R.C. Gallery, Woman Made Gallery, Artemisia Gallery, Hyde Park Art Center, South Side Community Art Center, Susan Woodson Gallery, Nicole Gallery, The South Shore Cultural Center, Neleh Artistic Expressions and Gallery Guichard to name a few. She has also exhibited at Fort Wayne Museum of Art Alliance, in Fort Wayne Indiana, Vaughn Cultural Center in St. Louis Missouri, The Art Exchange Gallery in Detroit Michigan, The Savannah College of Art and Design in Savannah Georgia, Florida Community College in Jacksonville Florida, Art Jaz Gallery in Philadelphia Pennsylvania, and in numerous private collections.

Gallery Romain/Citywide Celebration of Women Artists

Greetings All,

Here's the postcard for the exhibit hosted at Gallery Romain in Peoria, IL for the citywide celebration.  I would like the thank Jonathon Romain for allowing us to exhibit during this venue and thank Kendal Anderson for his graphic skills.

Art work was created by (from top to bottom) Rose Blouin, Malika Jackson, and Pearlie Taylor.

Galley Romain/Citywide Celeabration of Women Artists - Malika Jackson

Greetings all,

In conjunction with the Citywide Celebration of Women Artists  this week's featured Sapphire & Crystals member is Malika Jackson.

My focus has mainly been the female figure.   Through the use of various elements of paint, clay and wood I interpret a mood, feeling or emotion, with the use of color, shape, line and form.   I can tell a story of serenity, faith, hope, friendships and more.  Building upon layers of color or the use of flat warm and cool colors helps to draw my audience into a realistic, interpretative and /or cubistic female art form. 

Through the use of clay, I create form and movement-a cerebral and aesthetic link to the earth.  When I can bring a character to life, or tell a story by transforming a simple lump of clay to a third dimension, I get great joy and satisfaction through the use of this expressive medium.

I want my work to be my voice, to impact and move my audience to bring a smile, tears, joy and even for some-change; not only for now, but for perpetuity.   

           _ Be the change you want to see in the world - Gandhi_

 

 

 

And Still We Rise

Greetings All,

 Finally, the exhibition I've been working on for the past three years is opening. And Still We Rise: Race, Culture and Visual Conversations opens at the National Underground Railroad Museum in Cincinnati, Ohio on October 11, 2013. The opening reception is at 6:30PM. There is a $35 charge for museum members and $45 for no-members. The exhibition will be up until the end of March.

And Still We Rise: Race, Culture and Visual Conversations, explores the path of black history with a timeline of 79 original narrative quilts. The exhibit traces the course of black history in America from 1619 to present day. The catalogue will be published by Schiffer Press.