New Artwork: Huey P. Newton

Huey P. Newton was born on this day 70 years ago.  He changed my life, so I wanted to take the time out to do a little somethin’ for him on this special day.  If you don’t know, or know very little about him, please educate yourselves.  Read his autobiography, “Revolutionary Suicide,” watch some YouTubes, or visit blackpanther.org – the most reliable source of information about Huey and the Black Panther Party.

In all my years attending Oakland schools, I can’t remember one lesson being dedicated to teaching us about Huey.  So parents, it’s very important to share this information with your children.  They need to know what this man did, not only for Oakland, but for the world.

Love you, Huey!!!!!!

New Artwork: Ms. @fatbellybella meets Tomoe Gozen

@SonofBaldwin posted a YouTube the other day, of Erykah Badu explaining the idea behind the ‘Window Seat’ video.  At the time i saw this video, i had also been watching some Akira Kurosawa and Yasujirō Ozu films, and reading a book about the Samurai.  i was inspired by it all, and decided to do a quick drawing.

In the video, she was talking about how much courage it took to do what she did in ‘Window Seat.’  And how it’s so hard for us to go against the grain and challenge the norm.  i think it’d be good for all of us to get outside of our comfort zones; to do things because we feel like doing them, without caring what anyone else might say about it.  We need to start making our own rules.  Forget most of what we’ve been told and start relying on our intuition to find the answer to life’s questions.

Anyway, upon reading this book, i discovered that there were actually female samurai.  They were rare, but there are some stories about women they called Onna Bugeisha.   Tomoe Gozen was an Onna Bugeisha, known for her courage and strength.  So i thought it fitting to bring the two ladies together.  “Boxcutta Crew” is just my imaginary squad, like a supergroup of all my heroes; people who think for themselves and never allow anyone to put them in a box.  Labels and boxes, those are our enemies.

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Speaking of courage and strength,  also pictured here is དཔལ་ལྡན་ ཆོས་མཚོ་ (Palden Choetso), a nun who self-immolated on November 3, 2011 fighting for Tibetan freedom.  དཔལ་ལྡན་(Palden)= possessing brilliance and glory.  ཆོས་མཚོ་ (Choetso)= ocean of dharma.  If you haven’t read and signed this pledge, please do ==> http://www.standupfortibet.org.

Video links to:

Erykah Badu Explains ‘Window Seat’ ==> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bI3qRovp1A8&feature=player_embedded#t=6s

Nun Self Immolation (Warning: GRAPHIC) ==> http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=heRelfk_QW4#t=0s

Almost finished with my Sade painting.

It’s been like, a year and a half(?) since i started on this painting, and i’m finally finishing it up.  i decided last night that i want to turn it from day to night (paint the sky to dark blue), because it will make it more magical, i think.

i just learned how to use gold leaf, so i put it on every part that i planned on painting gold (which did not work, because the gold oil paint was too dull).  And now i’m gonna paint the detail over the gold leaf.  Besides that, the detail in the clouds, the sky, and some drop shadows need to be done, then it will be finished!!

 

New Painting: La Noire

i started on this painting because i ran out of white paint while working on the Sade painting, and didn’t feel like going down to Pearl to buy more.  Plus, i was hearing all kinds of craziness on Facebook and Twitter, about some cockamamie study that found Black women to be the least attractive to the opposite sex.  i don’t believe a word of it.  Somebody’s hatin’.

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NEW ARTWORK: Album Cover for Young Gully’s “The Prescription”

So, I’ll be teaming up with my new favorite emcee, Young Gully, once again.

I’m working on the cover for his upcoming album, “The Prescription,” due out this Spring.  If you still haven’t listened to “The Grant Station Project,” for which I did the cover art, please check it out (http://younggullyyh.bandcamp.com/album/the-grant-station-project).  While you’re at it, download the “Definition of Gas” mixtape (http://younggullyyh.bandcamp.com/album/definition-of-gas).

I’ll be doing a portrait of Gully himself this time, in colored pencils.  I am soooo happy to get a break from paints!  You don’t even know…

4/17

I’m not going to post anymore photos of my progress, so you’ll have to wait to see how it turns out.  I drew out what i call the “skeleton,” which is like a guide, so all i have to do next is color on the skin.  It’s really not necessary to do all that pencil shading and stuff, but i like to make sure everything is perfect before i start with the colored pencils, which you can’t erase.

I’ll post a photo of the final piece when it’s ready.  In the meantime, please check out the links to Gully’s music that i posted above and make sure you pick up The Prescription.

Stay tuned….

4/26

Pretty much done.  i’m sure i’ll start messing with it tonight, fixing and touching up here and there.  This picture is kinda dark, so it doesn’t show all of the smoke.  i’ll post a better one tomorrow…

NEW ARTWORK: Mural for NJ Restaurant

I haven’t posted a blog in years, it seems like.  I’ve been steadily working, and just haven’t gotten around to it.  It’s easier to upload a photo of what I’m working  to Twitpic.  But I can’t rant on Twitpic.  There are only 110 characters.

First of all, today is Tibetan Uprising Day, so if you are not aware of the significance of this day, please enlighten yourselves.

–> http://www.studentsforafreetibet.org/article.php?id=2156

(It’s supposed to rain all day, but I prayed to the rain to hold off until the protests are over, because I need to go.)

Secondly, I feel like hell on wheels right now.  I rarely get sick, maybe once a year or something… and it’s that one time right now.  But I gotta keep it movin’… got things to do.

I’m working on a mural at a new restaurant opening at the end of the month.  It’s actually from a picture of Luciano Pavarotti and his family in his back yard in Modena, Italy.

Stay tuned.  I’m trying to work quickly, but not too quickly.  No half-steppin’ in Leah’s world.

3/21

I will post the details of the location and what-not when I’m done.  So everyone in NY/NJ can go and see it, and get some good food.

4/10

It’s my last day here.  Gonna fix some imperfections, paint the blades of grass, and fly south.

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4/11

I finished the mural around 5 am on Monday morning.  And i missed my plane to Miami in the process, so I had to catch a later flight, which was delayed, and caused me to miss my connecting flight.  Anyway, i have to say it was all worth it, because i was able to meet some great people and was shown beaucoup love during the painting project.

If you have time, and are in the area, please visit Casa di Pizza at 50 Elm Street in Westfield, New Jersey.  It’s a cute little quaint place, Westfield, with a Coach store, Esprit, Victoria’s Secret and all that.  So you can go get your shopping on and stop in for some food.  I love the family who owns it, so i’d appreciate if you show your support by patronizing their business.  Tell ‘em Leah sent you…

I forgot to mention a priest blessed the painting?  I was really happy about that, even though i’m not Catholic, or of any other religion.  He was sincere, though, and i hope that anyone who places eyes on that painting will be blessed.

 

New Artwork: Oscar Grant (Redux)

I had originally done a simple portrait of Oscar Grant for Young Gully’s ‘Grant Station Project’ tribute album.  But when a friend asked to show it at an upcoming event, I decided I needed to spruce it up a little bit.  Afterwards, it is to be given to Oscar’s mom, Wanda Johnson.

It’s called “Descansa en Paraiso” (thx to Tulio for the translation assistance.)  Most likely, you can pick up on the Miami vibe.  That golden frame behind him is a motif on the apartment building my sister lives in.  And the palm trees, of course, are everywhere you look…

Rest in Paradise, Oscar…

New Artwork: For Annaelisa

Today must really be a special day.  Because 3 great people were born on this day.  Sade, Aaliyah, AND Annaelisa.  i have art in the works for all three… actually i just completed the one for Annaelisa just moments ago.  i’m just waiting for her to get here and see it!

It’s of an old photo from her parent’s wedding back in Italy.  When i first saw it, i knew i had to draw it.  So i decided to do that and give it to her as a birthday gift.  It’s just Charcoal and Colored Pencil on paper.

While i was working i listened to “Primo Amore” by Carlo Buti sooooo many times.  And earlier i was listening to Sade.  i still can’t get over how great she/they is/are.

p.s. R.i.P. to Miss Aaliyah Haughton.  Love you ALWAYS!!

NEW ARTWORK: The Wind Cries CARRIE

This is just another spur-of-the-moment No. 2 pencil drawing.  i had been promising my dear friend from Junior High that i’d do her portrait for years, and since her birthday was on New Years Eve, i thought it would be the perfect time to at least do a sketch.

(That symbol inside her earring = Capricorn.)

Obviously, if she was born on New Year’s Eve, she’s a Capricorn.  As you know, that is one of my favorite signs. Honest, loyal, dependable, and generally easy-going and down to earth.  If you don’t have any Capricorn friends, you need to get some!  They’re the best!

The title came from Jimi Hendrix’ “The Wind Cries Mary.”  i am all about Hendrix right now – that’s how i came up with that.

Mon Petit Aubergine

I made this card for my eldest sister for New Years, just because she’s the best sister in the world.  And she loves eggplant.