New Sterling Brown Art Prints
Sterling Brown has numerous new art prints now available online in our Sterling Brown Art Gallery. We are proud to be able to offer this new collection to the visitors of our site and I believe that all of you will enjoy the detail and craftsmanship that Sterling Brown displays in his latest releases.
Visit our: Sterling Brown Art Gallery
Ernie Barnes Dies at 70
Ernie Barnes, the famous neo-mannerist artist, passed on April 27, 2009 at Cedar-Sinai Hospital at the age of 70. He died from complications from a rare blood disorder.
Ernie Barnes was best known as the official artist for the 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. He also was the “ghost” painter for J.J. on the hit TV sitcom “Good Times”. His painting “Sugar Shack” is probably his most famous and popular print due to it being showcased during the closing credits of “Good Times” and also because it was used on Marvin Gaye’s 1976 album “I Want You”. 
Ernie Barnes was one of the most succesful figurative artists of his time. His paintings featured ordinary people and athletes with elongated forms and closed eyes. They were typically painted in a manner that expressed their physical or spiritual struggles. His style has also been described as that of a neo-mannerist.
He was born in Durham, NC on July 15, 1938 and was a professional football player prior to pursuing his true passion, Art. He has been commissioned by entertainers such as Kanye West, Flip Wilson, Sylvester Stallone, Harry Belafonte and many, many more.
He was a tremendously talented artist and a true icon in the African American art industry. He will be missed.
Additional Resources
Ernie Barnes Video Interview & Biography
Rest In Peace Ernie Barnes!
Title: Instrument of Art
Edition: Original
Medium: Acrylic on Canvas
Artist: Justin Bua
Justin Bua’s lastest creation pays homage to the spray can. The urban artist’s classic tool of choice. Created using Justin Bua’s unique distorted style.
View More Prints By Justin Bua: Justin Bua Art Gallery
Featured Art Print
April 27, 2009
Title: Whisper
Edition: Open Edition Offset
Artist: Laurie Cooper
Size: 34 x 19 inches
Price: $24.00
Featured in our: Laurie Cooper Art Gallery
Artist Spotlight: 03/14/2009
Artist: Fabian aka Occasional Superstar
For our artist spotlight this week we are featuring an emerging artist by the name of Fabian. He creates art under the name of his brand which is entitled Occasional Superstar. He hails from Fayetteville, North Carolina and has been producing art under this name since 2003.
Fabian is “basically an ordinary dude who has extroadinary moments” as he so eloquently says. His portfolio consist of wide range of socially and culturally relevant art.
He probably is best known for his Race Card Throw Cards. Which is what you pull out whenever an unaware racist has crossed the line and you want to stop everything and highlight some form of racial inequality. He has created White Race Card Packs and Black Race Card Packs.
Fabian also performs live art to music and utilizes the inspiration created by the moment and the music to create beautiful, unique works of art.
You can view some of his art and his famous Race Cards below. Learn more about Fabian by visiting his site online at: Occasional Superstar
Fabian’s Race Card Throw Cards
You can purchase you Race Card Throw Cards online HERE!
The Art of Occasional Superstar
We have recently received new shipments of Buffalo Soldier figurines from various manufacturers. These items are finally back in stock for the first time in six to eight months. We offer a variety of different styles and sizes. If you are interested in these items please visit our Buffalo Soldiers Figurines Collection. These figurines have a tendency to come in and out of stock quickly. So get yours while supplies last!
Title: If This World Were Mine (Female)
Artist: Kevin “WAK” Williams
Size: 36 x 20 inches
Edition: Open Edition Offset
Price: $36.00
We are now accepting pre-orders for this stunning new art print by the legendary Kevin “WAK” Williams. It serves as the companion piece to the recently re-released If This World Were Mine (Male) by WAK. This print would make the perfect Mother’s Day gift and would look beautiful in any home with or without it’s male companion print.
Available in: Kevin “WAK” Williams Art Gallery
Title: If This World Were Mine (Male)
Artist: Kevin “WAK” Williams
Size: 36 x 20 inches
Edition: Open Edition Offset
Price: $36.00
If This World Were Mine (Male) by Kevin “WAK” Williams is now back in stock, available and ready to ship! This popular print has not been available for some time but has now reemerged so get yours while supplies last. It is terrefic piece for you home and also would make a great Father’s Day gift. A female version of the piece will be shipping soon and is currently available for pre-orders.
Available in our: Kevin “WAK” Williams Art Gallery
Twin Hicks Art on TV
Alan and Aaron Hicks were recently featured on WTTW in Chicago. In this video you can learn more about the two phenomenal twin artists, their history, and their techniques and strategies when creating art. You can also learn more about their new childrens book: Noah’s Ark which was created with their long time collaborator Robert Richardson.
Check out the video for yourself and learn more about Alan Hicks and Aaron Hicks and Twin Hicks Art!
Purchase the Twin Hicks new book online today!
We also have a lot of art by Alan and Aaron Hicks featured throughout our site. View some of their art in our Black Bibilical Heroes Art Collection.
African American Art Glossary
What Is An Artist’s Proof?
An Artist’s Proof is a special subset of a standard limited edition print. Typically, Artist’s Proofs number 10% or less of the total edition and in the past came directly from the artist. Due to the small number of Artist’s Proof’s produced for a particular art print and the fact that they usually come directly from the artist instead of the publisher, Artist’s Proofs, normally sell at a higher price point. They also increase in value quicker than your standard limited edition print and thus are more highly desirable. Often times Artist’s Proofs are the only type of art that avid and experienced collectors buy if they do not purchase an original work of art.
Historically, there were several different ways that Artist’s Proofs were created depending upon the region and the period of history. Sometimes, the Artist’s Proofs were the first prints pulled off from a one-man litho press. Since these prints were pulled from the press when production started and the stone (i.e. the plate which was drawn to create the prints by the artist) was still fresh, these prints were typically sharper and of a higher quality than the rest of the prints created during production. During other time periods, the Artist would typically check every tenth print created by the press during production as quality control. Since each tenth print was personally inspected and approved by the artist this subset became known as the Artist’s Proof.
Due to advancement in printing technology, these quality control methods are no longer needed because almost all of the art prints created during the printing process are identical. In modern times, as payment for the signing of the limited edition, the artist is typically given the Artist’s Proofs from the publisher. Sometimes, the publisher will also keep some of the Artist’s Proofs if they pay the artist a “signing fee” for signing the limited edition art prints. However, Artist’s Proofs still retail at a higher price for the same reasons that they always have. First, they usually come directly from the Artist and second, because of their restricted number.
Overall, Artist’s Proofs are considered a status symbol in the world of art.
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