My president is black, my lambo is…invisible. One thing that is NOT invisible is the creative renaissance (and pride) that erupted when the former senator began his campaign to convince America that it was time for a change. This post is dedicated to the man who inspired America to dream, hope, believe, and CREATE (again).

Happy election anniversary to President Barack Obama!!! Say what you want about our President, but he has been the source of a creative movement that I haven’t seen in…8 years (WOMP).

Although he has been met with what seems to be an increasing uproar in opposition since his election, he has captured a moment in history that can never be ignored. Regardless of how you feel about his policies, his performance, or his position, I encourage you to think about where you were, what you did, and how you felt this time last year when America elected the man, the senator, the brand that is OBAMA.

::compliments of:: hiphopmusic.com

::compliments of:: brick portraits.com

::compliments of:: gawker.com

::compliments of:: design for obama

::compliments of:: chicago tribune

::compliments of:: chicago tribune

::compliments of:: design for obama

::compliments of:: design for obama

::compliments of:: matthobbs.com

::compliments of:: nikkorray

::compliments of:: design for obama

::compliments of:: neoformix

Word.

How did you feel when you first saw this video?

or heard the announcement?

::Song by:: Frou Frou—Let Go

I felt like I was either going to witness a riot or a massive celebration in the streets of D.C. I’m so happy I got to experience the latter!

(BAHAHA couldn’t resist! Sorry Pooks)

I’m not sure what was going on in your city, but here’s a glimpse of what was happening in the nation’s capital.

In the spirit of President Obama and his fabulous family, MAKE TODAY A GREAT ONE!

One of my paintings was featured on the homepage of www.artofobama.com yesterday [Tuesday 13th October 2009].

According to the site, they don’t normally post art that doesn’t explicitly represent the likeness of Barack Obama, however they appear to have made an exception in this case …stating; “That would have been a shame… Jump inside to learn why this image is so powerful”.

More: http://www.artofobama.com/2009/10/13/golliwogs/

“Only very rarely has a person to the same extent as Obama captured the world’s attention and given its people hope for a better future. His diplomacy is founded in the concept that those who are to lead the world must do so on the basis of values and attitudes that are shared by the majority of the world’s population,” the Nobel committee said in a news release.

“I think it is extraordinary,” said Wangari Muta Maathai, the Kenyan who won the 2004 Peace Prize, “It will be even greater inspiration for the world. He has shown how we can probably come together, work together in a cooperative way.”

With such a meaningful Successories is proud to present the first in our new and exclusive line of inspirational figures exactingly reproduced from original oil paintings commissioned by Successories from the celebrated American portraitist, Theodore Bauer. Cutting-edge Giclee printing techniques provide museum grade color accuracy and incredible detail. The collection is framed in beveled mahogany burl and natural linen matboard creating a world-class look for any wall or desk in either home or office. Two sizes of the these dramatic portraits are available: Wall size, 18” x 24” and desk size 9” x12” Arriving elegantly packaged in our exclusive gift box these works of art are perfect as a special gift or personal acquisition.

In celebration of our nation’s history of leadership, we salute leaders of today and yesteryear who continue to inspire… Check out the full Inspirer’s Collection.

Successories on Twitter and Facebook

(AP Photo/National Gallery of Art, Courtesy of Ed Ruscha)

What you hang on your walls says something about you, your character. Think about your own home. Look around. What do you see?

There’s a new taste for modern art in The White House, via Art Bistro:

You can’t see it, but there’s a quiet cultural revolution under way at the White House.

The Obamas are decorating their private spaces with more modern and abstract artwork than has ever hung on the White House walls. New pieces by contemporary African-American and Native American artists are on display. Bold colors, odd shapes, squiggly lines have arrived. So, too, have some obscure artifacts, such as patent models for a gear cutter and a steamboat paddlewheel, that now sit in the Oval Office.

Check out the slideshow on HuffPo.

Says the New York Times.

My President Is Black

Black President

Artist: Jonas Perkins

Displayed in the The Samuel Akainyah Gallery

This past week Barack and Michelle Obama have been making news in the arts scene, especially here in New York.  Mrs. Obama attended the American Ballet Theater’s Spring Gala at Lincoln Center, as she and President Obama were the Honorary Chairs.

To read an article about their busy art week, click here.

Well folks I’m FINALLY finished with the piece I’ve been working on for months now, my latest work to date, ”Obama For The People”. I’m extremely proud of it and I’m grateful for all the feedback so far even before publishing it to my website.  The concept started back during Obama’s campaign when we we’re all still thinking “what if?”. Now I can’t speak for every visual artist out there but I can say most of us feed off inspiration and find it in events such as this one. I was profoundly inspired to create this piece directly after election day as well as after reading a magazine biography about President Obama’s journey from poverty to the white house. I was intrigued reading about the work he did in Chicago and how he learned that in order to serve “the people” you must first LISTEN to “the people”. I’ve been to Chicago and can say it isn’t the most perfect city in the world but there’s a sense of common interest that inspires and engages you. During Obama’s time as a community organizer he saw the worst of the worst and took on challenges most public servants shy away from. He dug in and found the best in people charging them to help build their environment up for the sake of generations to come. I chose to convey Obama with his head bowed in humility, eyes closed in concentration as he is ”hearing” the voices of the crowd as opposed to most politicians who do nothing but TALK. The color scheme I chose for the housing project was intended to illustrate the hellish conditions many are experiencing not just in Chicago but all over America. The inclusive crowd face Obama in a time of recession and uncertainty needing to be heard, men, women, and children. As I mentioned in the “March Update” blog post I didn’t want to make Obama appear as a messiah of some sort but rather a face of hope as well as change and a symbol of one of the most ground breaking historical chapters in American history, electing our first African American president. I hope this piece gets to you as it’s meant to. It will be available for purchase as framed art prints, on t-shirts and other apparel, gift cards, etc. so everyone can own this representation of a landmark in American history.

That’s me!!

Booo-ya! heheh

Painting Title:  Obama

Size:  68 x 38 inches

Medium:  Oil on Canvas

Year Painted:  2009

Price:  Original SOLD

100 signed and numbered Limited Edition Giclee Prints on canvas available 

*To view more of Carrie’s paintings click on the categories list

In case you missed it, the L.A. Times highlighted the Obama-Arts connection, and is optimistic on the first family’s ability to create a boon for the artistic community.

Influencing behavior not through policy, but simply by being enthusiastic patrons of the arts.

“They could indeed lead by example,” agrees Mariana Nork, senior vice president of the Corcoran Gallery of Art, across the street from the White House. “We’re going to have new trends set.”

In a related story, check out the Obama Art Report. Could the paintbrush be mightier than the policy?

Nancy Arcayna of the Honolulu Star Bulletin wrote a great story about the Obama dolls. Read it here.

These beautiful posters were made with Artist Trading Cards created by the children at New City  School in Long Beach, CA. The New City School is a small public charter school, serving children in downtown Long Beach and its surrounding areas. It is a Spanish-English Dual Immersion program that focuses on social justice and community activism. The money raised from the sale of these posters will help build a much needed playground for our children. We are raising $7,500 in matching money in order to qualify for a generous grant. Your purchase not only marks a historic occasion, but also helps children surrounded by concrete have a beautiful place to play. Please consider buying these as gifts.

This Inaugural poster was designed from Artist Trading Cards, small pieces of art traded between people, encouraging creativity and an appreciation of artistic expression. After watching President Obama’s Inaugural speech on T.V. , the students of New City School  (aged 5 to 10) were asked to create Artist Trading Cards to show their feelings and thoughts about what they had witnessed. This poster celebrates not only a moment in our country’s history, but it also illustrates the limitless power of optimism and imagination. A copy of the poster was sent to President Obama,  along with some of the trading cards. The students are hoping that Saha and Malia will send them some in return!

The Peace and Human Right Night Poster was also designed from Artist Trading Cards. Each year in December, The New City School commemorates the United Nation’s Declaration of Human Rights. This year we asked our middle school students to create Artist Trading Cards on the ideas if Peace and Human Rights. They were displayed during the evening’s  celebration.  The adults in the room were so moved by their sincere messages of hope and compassion. We could only fit 50 of the cards in this poster, but we hope you will be moved as well.

These posters are on display and for sale at Once Upon a Story….

On Election Day 2008, planetjan was featured as one of WordPress’ 100 “Growing Blogs.” This was in large part because of my “Obama Cholo” post featuring the artwork of artist David Cordova.  It was the first time I’d dipped my toe in the political waters. Numerous sites linked to my post and my stats went through the roof.  So both Obama and I had a good day.

Since then, my friend Nora Dunn (who makes cameos in some of my blog posts, as she’s a frequent visitor to our outpost of insanity) has introduced us to Scott Siedman’s art.  Nora owns several of Scott’s paintings and when I first saw them, I was bowled over by Scott’s bold style.

When we finally met Scott, he brought and we bought a copy of “The Man from Illinois” poster, which is a reproduction of his original painting.  There’s a strong stylistic nod to quintessential American artists Norman Rockwell and Thomas Hart Benton. When I asked Scott what book Obama is reading, he said he left that open to interpretation.  Scott noted though that Abraham Lincoln, also an attorney (and the original Man from Illinois), was often seen reading the English Book of Common Law. 

Not to sound like a late-night infommercial, (but wait, there’s more!), but at $32 to $34 a pop, the poster is a bargain (though I’m hoping to soon snatch up Citicorp at the 99 cent store nearest me).   For details and to view a larger image of the print, click on manfromillinois.com.  Thanks Nora and Sheila!

VERSUS

]]> http://tedmikulski.wordpress.com/2009/02/08/shepard-fairlyandy-warhol-is-it-relevant/ Sun, 08 Feb 2009 23:02:03 +0000 tedmikulski http://tedmikulski.wordpress.com/2009/02/08/shepard-fairlyandy-warhol-is-it-relevant/

Shepard Fairly, painter of the iconic Obama imagery that was used throughout the campaign has been getting quite alot of press recently.  Mostly because he was recently arrested.  This matters not of course considering he has already been arrested many times before.  He also should not only be known for his Obama poster but rather for the wide array of politically inspired work that spans his career.  

He is an incredible creative and he is very well known for being a street artist.  Much like Banksy and Adam Neate in London.  Also, hence why he got arrested.  That begs the question, should a prominent fine artists graffiti really be  considered public-defacement?  Though that is an entirely different topic…

Is Shepard Fairly the new Andy Warhol?  All signs point to yes at the moment.  Fairly is right where he needs to be.  Controversial, in the public, and affecting popular culture.  This my friends, is quite possibly the new artist celebrity that I have been hounding for all this time.  What will seperate the two is Fairlys continued success as a mainstream artist.  Only time can tell here, but I am very excited at the prospect.  

Needless to say, Fairly will be getting a section in my book.