The Inspiration Behind BLM

The Inspiration Behind BLM

Most of my work mainly involves urban environments, be it paintings, mixed media, or photos. But in 2020, I was compelled to create a different piece on two fronts. First, it is figurative, and second, it has a clearly symbolic meaning.

The piece is called Black Lives Matter (BLM). I want to share how it came to light.

BLM, Mixed Media, 2020.

As mentioned, I create all of my concept work digitally using Photoshop. In 2019 I took a refresher Photoshop class. One of the assignments was to create a magazine cover. While researching for the assignment, I found a photo of the Jamaican musician Gyptian.

I fell in love with a photo of him, which felt so regal. The photo reminded me of the Italian Renaissance portrait of Federico da Montefeltro (1422-1482 A.D), the lord of Urbino. In the photo and the painting, I felt the calm power of each man.

Piero della Francesca, Dyptich of the Dukes of Urbino, Federico da Montefeltro and Battista Sforza, 1465-1472 circa, Oil on panel.
Piero della Francesca, Dyptich of The Dukes of Urbino, Federico da Montefeltro and Battista Sforza, 1465-1472 circa, Oil on panel.

Shortly after I completed the magazine cover assignment, George Floyd was killed. Like many people, I was angry and wanted to see changes. I realized the digital image I completed for the Photoshop class would adapt beautifully to a statement about the Black Lives Matter movement.

It was important to me not to create a portrait of Gyptian but to make a man who could be any man of color. For the face in the portrait I used a variety of reference photos of different men. As to the styling, I wanted to give the portrait a traditional feel with some contemporary flare and paint style.

Symbolically, my king is regal and dignified, but as a man of color, he is still held down by shackles. We as a society must do more to create positive change, releasing the bonds.

BLM is one of my favorite paintings.

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