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"First Harvest" & "Mrs. Eliza James"  new works in progress.
 


The First Harvest is an oil painting on canvas based on an excerpt taken from a well known post civil war photograph.  I was inspired to paint this trio because they reminded me of one of my favorite impressionist paintings entitled "The Gleaners" by Jean-François Millet. At present I am in the fifth of eight stages in the development of this piece. The workers in this painting were former slaves who followed the union soldiers to a refuge in Kentucky where they were they were able to farm land granted to them. They are seen here harvesting a crop of yams. Click here for information on the "Mrs. Eliza James" project.


The image to the right is the underpainting. Which is the first stage of it's development.


Click on the image to the left to enlarge it's view.



Finally completed:  "The River Baptism"  SOLD



This piece has come a long way since I started it last year. I placed it on display at an art show and sale while it was in the black and white under painting state; Sis. Valerie Andrews decided that she would purchase it as an under painting. But being determined to make it a full color painting, I convinced her to allow me to finish it the way I had envisioned it. She agreed. Then I was saddled with the added pressure of having to prove that it was the right decision. I halted work on the painting for a time in order to complete another oil painting which I was commissioned to paint soon after I had started to work on the river baptism. This was a blessing in disguise because it gave me time to research and formulate some of the visual techniques I would later employ on the river baptism.

I have altered the image quite a bit from the original under painting. I knew this piece would be a challenge because my reference was a beautiful black and white photo by Doris Ulmann; taken in the early 1920's. Therefore I had to design a color scheme which I felt would match the environment, and more importantly the spiritual mood which I had envisioned. This photo of my painting was taken just prior to the final touches, final coat of varnish and my signature. I forced myself to stop working on it because I didn't want Sis. Andrews to think that I was procrastinating, nor did I want to over work the painting. I am content and proud of the outcome. Thank the Lord.


The painting above right is the first in a series of what I call my Black Migration paintings. This one is entitled
"West To Freedom". It is in the third of six phases, but it is coming along well. 
Stay tuned for progress reports.


 
 

*** AFRICAN QUEEN REVISED  ***

BEFORE

AFTER

 After looking at the African Queen, I wanted to make the image more complete. But she
appeared to be too masculine. Her hands were too big, shoulders were too wide, and
her features were too bland. I think my revisions make her more regal and desirable.