In 1999, I created a series of collage art pieces and through the years utilized collage technique to create personal vision boards. The latest series for my mixed media pieces use up-cycled scrap wood, paper mache technique, old newspapers, and collage technique. The series is unnamed for now but it first stage which was paper mache took couple months to dry. Now that the pieces are dry I started to apply clips to develop the collage series of 5.
I have chosen some of my favorite Artist and Community Leaders to add to the mixed media pieces and look forward to the full development of ideas for each unique piece to this collection.
Yesterday, I spent some more time on this piece. Once again the evolution of the piece has left me in awe. Being a visionary and creative …blank spaces speak and little by little an amazing story is coming forward.
If you follow me, you know that I always take pictures of my work process. My newest painting is amazing to look at in its raw state. What I’ve seen in observation of the piece a Black woman adorned with noble attire with both hands holding an object. I look forward to the final manifestation of the full thought.
Today after work, I briefly stopped at my Art studio to prep my newest idea. It felt amazing. Considering the current stressors in my life the gift of being a Creative is a godsend. No matter what comes, I am determined to pass safely through to the other side with my joy and peace intact.
This piece speaks volumes…….in this raw state. I am looking forward to the development of thought.
It has been an amazing journey to manifest The View. In my reflections today, I came to the aha moment to the final added components of the piece.
The View: Final Paint
When this piece was first primed, l looked at the canvas and saw birds…very distinctly. However, I decided not to focus on the birds and kept painting without acknowledging the birds. The message of my Ancestor who took her final look at her homeland before being catapulted into the atrocities of the Atlantic Slave trade speaks volumes.
The bird totem speaks to the freedom and strength of mind of my oppressed Ancestors. The song that came to mind was the old Negro Spiritual “ I’ll Fly Away” which speaks to ascending away from the pain of body and soul to a Heavenly home where there would be no sorrow or separation from those you loved so dearly.
The final unique component of this piece is the tribal mark on her neck which denotes this woman, this ancestor of mines, she was from a noble people.
Today was a productive day at the Legacy Building Urban Residency. I unearthed my sketches for my new logo and enjoyed working on it. It’s not done but great progress was made.
Enlarge my original sketch. The infinity symbol resinates with me as well as the square or rectangular shape. I took these components and added my design label to create a new logo which will be utilized for various marketing needs. I am my own brand. 🙏😊This is not the finished product but close.
When it comes to graphic design, I prefer to design by hand and build up my designs without the use of digital media. Once I am done then my product can be digitized.
In 2009, I was afforded the opportunity to study abroad in Ghana West Africa. It was my senior year at the Evergreen State College Tacoma. I was invited by a Director of a private children’s home in Ghana. She asked me to create curriculum for her students. The subjects she wanted them to learn were Art, Music, and Leadership Development. Being a student at TESCT allowed me to create my own course with faculty sponsor. The name of my course was Cultural Studies and Curriculum Development.
Being an Artist, Musician, and Leader within my community made the task to create curriculum on Art, Music, and Leadership a breeze. My students, k-8, were amazing and it was a joy teaching all of them. During my off time is when I would explore the local area, market, and learn about the foods.
I would frequent a small Internet cafe in the nearby village. It was owned and operated by a young Ghanaian orphan. He gifted me my first lesson book to learn the local language of Twi. Anytime I stopped by the cafe to check my emails he would quiz me on my skills.
These memories were stirred up recently during my studio time. I started to paint with the color black, added white, and used a lot of water this time around. The process gave the piece a water color feel and look. The development of the piece has been very contemplative over several weeks. I have named the piece “The View”.
Part of my artistic expression is to take photos of my process and the various stages of my work. Later I observe and make creative decision on next steps. “The View” was created horizontally and one day I just decided to turn the piece vertically. What manifest was a beautiful woman deeply in gaze at the distant shore. Immediately my mind remembered my Ancestors, the stolen ones, from the shores of West Africa. I thought about the castles during my cultural studies tours and the tears that poured down my face while a strong wind from the Atlantic kissed my cheeks.
SABREEHNA S. ESSIEN 