Alma Woodsey Thomas was an American artist and educator whose distinctive color field paintings recall the techniques of Pointillism and Abstract Expressionism while representing an altogether independent artistic vision and body of work. The Georgia native spent most of her life in Washington D.C., where she taught art at Shaw Junior High School for 35 years. Thomas was actively involved in the local arts community, and become associated with the Washington Color School. Thomas powerfully refused to accept discriminatory labels and restrictions on her work and herself. Although she chose to let her art carry its own message, Thomas was nonetheless a groundbreaking and influential figure, and at the age of 80, she became the first African-American woman featured in a solo show at the Whitney Museum of American Art in 1972.
I have decided to start something I hope I can keep up and that is Art on Mondays. I will post a photo of my art and a link explaining the what it means to me. I will talk about the creation of the art, what I was thinking, feeling, or listening to keeping it under 5 minutes! I won’t post every Monday but, I hope to post at least twice a month.
Here is the link to this piece of work. Just click and the link will pop up! Enjoy!
I’d bought one huge canvas and was intimidated by it. I was at the art supply store and I wanted another one, but why? I hadn’t painted the other one. As I stood there debating a young curly haired girl appeared on the aisle and she started tossing canvases into her cart because it was a sale. My cart was filled. We chatted about the sale. Then she said turned to me after she got the huge canvas. “Do you want me to help you get one?” I said “Oh, no. I don’t know. I have one and I haven’t painted it because it’s so huge and I am a bit intimidated by it.” She said, “Oh no! You must get it then. You must. If you afraid of it you must do it! Come on let’s get this thing in the basket.” We got down, but not in the basket and I dragged it to the front with my daughter pushing the cart (She is an artist, too.) And the young lady smiled at me and as we all walked out she waved. God bless that art angel. I did it! Abstract art is my niche and well, here you have part of the Luxury Collection is City of Dreams.
City of Dreams
Reflective Luxury.
My cousin commissioned this one. It was my first commissioned piece and my first sale of this year. Sunset on the Mountain.
Sunset on the Mountain. This one reminds me that even though the journey is rough there are beautiful sunsets along the way.
What an amazing event I attended Saturday! It was a FREE event for authors or aspiring authors where three self published/published authors shared their journey, successes, failures, and wisdom for about 2 hours. They graciously poured into us and we were overflowing when we left. The authors Angela K. Austin, Laura T. Johnson, and Jae Henderson all have very different methods and I think this is what was so interesting and made for a buffet of information. They also from different backgrounds. All three of these phenomenal authors can be found on Facebook and other links to social media outlets can be found on their page.
The event was held at the Memphis Black Arts Alliance. It was my first time in the building (which is an old firehouse and still has the features of one. it was built in 1910), and I was floored with all of the beautiful art created by local artists. We were welcomed in with smiles. I have my eye on several pieces! And one I must have! I also learned they have classes there. Please, if you are from Memphis or in the Memphis, TN area this is would be a place off the grid to visit. It should be listed in things to do and would make a great trip for students.
One wonderful thing about authors and writers when they get together it’s a sharing of information and it is a meeting place. I met two published authors, Phoenix Rayne and Indiana Tuggle. I also met the head of one of Memphis’ well known book club, RARE- Reading and Rapping Experience. You can find all of them on Facebook and also connect via other social media outlets.
Nikki Jade, Phoenix Rayne and Indiana Tuggle bottom photo. Three rising authors.
Me in all my turquoise and jade. That is the natural color of my hair. It will be become a darker red by the end of December. The sun lightens it for me in the Spring and summer! Of course I will post this under Fashion Confetti later with details.
I could not have asked for a better way to end my weekend.
Nikki's Confetti Life 