We Are Our Ancestors is the title for the first five paintings (of a series of nine) shown on this Works Page. The series does not embody a specific political or religious doctrine. However, a goal of the series is to visually convey the reality that the vast majority of humans believe in God or in unseen spiritual forces. Therefore, the series is primarily and purposefully told through the non-monolithic black experience, because of the consistent historical reality that Gods and Goddesses are always artistically depicted in the image of the people. Thus, the series is designed to confront the viewer’s prejudices while inviting a leap of faith to encounter a universal source. It has no preferences. It unifies all humans. It reminds us that we’re all connected, and asks us to remember that we are all responsible for each other.
The Universal Fountain
Oil on gesso canvas, 36″ x 48″
The Universal Fountain is the first in the We Are Our Ancestors series. The painting is a play between the scientific and religious beliefs of the origin of The Universe, and The Fountain is the source. There is no gender. It evolves in its biodiversity through the Maternal motion of birth.
The model for the face is of a Polynesian Queen (thinned for artistic purposes). It honors one rich culture, as it represents many stories of creation. The use of white represents light coming out of darkness, and challenges a modern norm to model the Feminine origin as a white woman, and the message is that all humans begin the journey of life through the womb of a mother.
The Ladder
Oil on light gesso canvas, 48″ x 54″
The Ladder (of Knowledge) was created as a diptych with The Universal Fountain as the second painting in the We Are Our Ancestors series.
It links to father and mother descending into human diversity, and it ascends through the acquired knowledge and cooperation on the backs of the generations.
As a diptych, the lowest point where the foot of the Goddess is in the Universal Fountain becomes the highest point in The Ladder. This place represents the place in the cosmos where duality takes hold. It is the room that isn’t locked, and you walk in, seeing and hearing the adults in your life naked, hugging each other while making weird sounds.
Available as a poster, a limited edition reproduction, and in limited edition prints. Contact the artist for more information.
Hero
Oil on gesso canvas, 48″ x 48″
The third painting poetically acknowledges that almost 90% of humans can adopt a religious form from their ancestral stories, and that the hero archetype appears in almost every storyline.
The androgynous wo(man), which symbolizes the beginning of beliefs originating in darkness encompassing the complex labyrinths that each story has created. The hero appears at the darkest hour when there is a need to save the day.
This painting is a reminder that there is a hero living within everyone, and The Hero is a reminder that the seed of Who to Ask for help germinates as self-courage.
Prints are currently not available.
Sawubona:
Oil on gesso canvas, 48″ x 36″
is Zulu and means I see you. I includes ancestors, therefore the meaning is: I (we) see you.
The response is: Yebo Sawubona, I (we) see you, if you and your ancestors see me. In seeing each other, we acknowledge each other in this moment. We acknowledge seeing each other (and our ancestors) in our histories. We acknowledge our responsibility to assist each other in what we need to be free now, in the past and future.
I am a painting, yet I see you and you see me. My story is from people who used the oral tradition, and lived honoring nature. Now that we see each other in our full past and present stories, how do we help each other regain our sovereignty?
Available as a limited edition reproduction, and in limited edition prints. Go to: SHOP for open edition prints. Contact the artist for more information.
“Nine Faces Of The Divine, And Her DoMinions”
Oil on gesso canvas 36×36
If you look at “Nine Faces Of The Divine, And Her DoMinions” through the lens of black people, then it is a story that has been told around the globe. If you look at the painting as a human story, then it has been told by every “people” around the globe throughout time.
“And Her (Do)Minions” or underlings of The Most Powerful is represented by a person with no neck separating the body and mind, who simultaneously faces the same and opposite directions, sees both the same and opposite perspectives with one door closed behind, and another open in front. Here, is where courage is needed to release some of the past, elevate the consciousness and step into the new experience. However, in a place of darkness (black) and war. Contradictions, and judgement affirm beliefs that life is black or white.
“Nine Faces of The Divine” is The Light who sees everything. She morphs to look directly at and through you, she looks down and up as a guide on all paths humans take, because She is The Dominion who speaks to the highest attributes in all people. She is The Nurturer who births, feeds, embraces and invites what can be found by stepping into the light (white). White represents the leap of faith into the spectrum of life’s colors, diversity, mystery and majesty.
Fatima
Oil on special canvas preparation 24x27
The child of a Brazilian playboy and Spanish actress, Fatima was my muse for an assignment during my stay in Majorca, Spain. Mati Klarwein asked me to embrace expanding reality as a surrealist motto.
Fatima was a friend and lover who came like a temptress during a difficult personal time, and to honor the assignment, I played with how the temptress affects all of its surroundings.
Limited edition prints are available.
Self-Portrait - The Artist Journey
Oil on special canvas preparation 24x12
After Spain, I continued training in the new Flemish glazing technique, and, starting on the rooftop overlooking the UCLA campus, I continued to explore the temptress as anything that makes us question self-imposed limitations and boundaries versus those forced on us.
With limited space, I set out, looking in a mirror, beginning a self-portrait of the tragedy that gave the temptress a significant voice. My battle between good and evil is meant to reflect how the worst choice can be very appealing, while the best choice is filled with heartache and pain.
Berimbau (Self-Portrait)
Oil of special canvas preparation 26″ x 23″
This self-portrait began in Malibu, Ca., overlooking the ocean,, and it pays homage to how my tall, thin wirier frame caused me to be given the nickname, Berimbau in Salvador, Bahia, Brazil, and in a Candomble ritual I was reintroduced to mysteries in nature.