ArtBySFM

Fantasy In Color: We Are Modern Art

Fri, 24 Mar 2017 05:34:58 -0700

You never know what you're going to get when you walk into a Fantasy In Color event. I have experienced walking into a dance party, an art studio with live painting, and this time around, I walked into an art mall.

Navigating through the brownstone gallery, you encounter a variety of artists, styles and prices.

When you walk into the first room your eyes are set on a table of hearts and kings created by Christy and Rob Ayala. From the core to the crown, the Ayala's astound viewers with visual commentary that speaks to all. Ultimately, the Ayala table displayed life in society and all of its culture.

It is the responsibility of the artist to ensure that the canvas conjures some sort of emotion within the viewer. Artists Ivette, Kadeem and Julius met their responsibilities leaving onlookers with warm hearts, hopeful grins and open minds.

Ivette displayed a collection of pet paintings entitled, "Amber Sightings." She captured everyday moments that doggie parents would appreciate. Using reference pictures and fantasy the viewer is given a glimpse of personality in a pet they met in a painting.

In a series entitled, "Lil Black Boy" Kadeem dives deep into significant moments of life. Taking us through a journey of memorable moments, we are reminded through milestones that we have achieved and we will achieve no matter the circumstances.

Art has a way of not only invoking emotions or inspiring viewers, art also has the ability to inform the ignorant. Using his signature heavy drops of paint and iconic characters, Julius' work displayed the corruption of power and those who...Read More

Fantasy In Color: Yup, another one!

Fri, 03 Mar 2017 07:34:40 -0800

Fantasy In Color (FIC) hosted an art party. Yup, another one! This time the festivities occurred on a Thursday evening and featured a vibe like no other. I remember speaking to people who attended multiple FIC parties. They said, "Every Fantasy In Color is different." Curious as to what this meant, I couldn't wait to see what new fantasies lied in that brownstone in Harlem.

I placed my peacoat on a wrack and wore the badge of an artist. "Hello, my name is... SFM." Turning to my left, I walked into a space of peace and progress. The music was soft, the paintings were bright and the artists were caught in the act of making magic with their hands. In the first room was Chastity the Poet soaking blues in orange hues while Asare Opoku collaged.

3 rooms, 6 live artists, 1 Dj and countless amounts of brush strokes. The frequent visitors were right, this party was very different than the last. It was like FIC traded in their dance floor for an art studio. Although people danced, the new trance was glancing over at the progress of artists any chance you had. After sipping on a Pale Blue Ribbon, I watched Kadeem Phillip place a rose in front of a bright yellow sky; right beside Andy Estevez, who was on a quest to craft QuestLove with all of the colors.

As I admired the live painting by a face that seemed familiar, I realized I've seen this man paint before. His name is Brian M. Covery and I own one of his paintings. As I caught his attention he quickly recognized me, a true artist never forgets their supporters. Before ever...Read More

Fantasy In Color: We Dream In Color Art Party

Sat, 18 Feb 2017 07:55:00 -0800

Fantasy In Color (FIC) is an artist collective based in Harlem, NYC whose mission is "to create a network of local artistry to band together on projects and bring the arts back into our communities." How do they do it?—By hosting bi-weekly art parties, consisting of both visual and performance artists.

When you walk in you are greeted by a crowd of diverse faces admiring art, having conversations, dancing to music, and overall you feel welcomed. It is as though the art embraces you, and therefore, you embrace the art. With three rooms full of colorful art, there is so much to see.

You find yourself gravitating towards pieces; pulled in by their message, design, and creativity. You can literally spend minutes, if not hours, gazing at the art. Sometimes you may look around and realize that the artist is nearby, noticeable by their classic, "Hello, my name is..." name tags. There's nothing like talking to the artist and getting inside the thoughts behind their piece.

"'Don't Color Me Red,' said Black," was the piece I decided to feature at FIC's art party. A 16x19 frame soaked in many colors; it was a rainbow of sorts. A black figure made of paper mache stood at the center colored with red drops over it's body, representing the Black struggle to remain 'Black' and not 'red' in a society where guns are like paintbrushes painting the black man red. Let's not forget, in this colorful world, black lives matter.

Towards the end of the event, everyone was gathered by the host, president and founder of Fantasy In Color, Rob Ayala. It's showtime! First up to the mic was Richard Pigkaso who wowed the crowd with his yo-yo skills and then switched it up with an original...Read More

#NoBanNoWall

Mon, 30 Jan 2017 15:06:59 -0800

Rally at Battery Park & March to Foley Square

It was early Sunday morning, January 29th, when I came across an Instagram post about the rally being held in Battery Park to march in opposition of the Muslim Immigration Ban and the construction of the wall on border of Mexico. The hashtag was and still in #NOBANNOWALL.

Now what to create? With only an hour and a half left of time, my partner in art and in life, Jarlyne, agreed that we should create signs that we'd both take on the same image with different approaches that sent a clear message about our perspective on the situation. I gathered some cardboard, turned on my projector, and photoshopped a picture of Trump and a toddler. It feels like we have a child who is going through his "terrible twos" stage for President (no offense to two-year-olds). There he is—sitting on America's flag, despite his bigotry, racism and sexism, playing with our constitution like they are blocks that could be built up and torn down.

We got off the train with our signs and could see others walking in the same direction, holding signs they created, just like us. Off in the distance, the Statue of Liberty, a place where immigrants once traveled through to start a new life with their families. It is the perfect representation of what we are still fighting for.

A familiar voice could be heard on the mic. As we approached Battery Park the chanting grew louder— we knew we had arrived. A familiar voice could be heard on the mic, "Can it be? Yup!" It was...Read More

SFM featured at the Bronx Museum of Art

Sun, 15 Jan 2017 11:18:58 -0800

THE SUNRISE KINGDOM

"The Experience Magazine hosts its first ever visual arts party.

January 15th 2017 at the Bronx Museum.

Hosted by Jay Stone, co-Host Kitty Leigh

Music by DJ Hear No Evil

A community building, networking event which will include art, live painting, poetry, music, dance, raffles and so much more. A Kingdom will rise in the Bronx!!!!"

THE BOONDOCKS' SAINTS feat.

Ramarley Graham, Sean bell, Sandra Bland, Michael Brown, Philando Castile, Tamir Rice, Alton Sterling, Oscar Grant III, Trayvon Martin, Amadou Diallo, Freddie Gray, Eric Garner, Samuel Dubose & YOU

This 3ftx4ft painting by SFM, featured at the Bronx Museum on January 15th, brings attention and awareness to the systemic discrimination and oppression of people of color that exists in the United States of America.

The goal of this pierce is to inform our communities, motivate individuals to stand with our brothers and sisters, and fight for justice.

To get his message across, SFM uses references The Last Supper, The Boondocks, and The Boondock Saints. It is an interactive piece, which you will later see, as onlookers are encouraged to share a message from within as they stand with them.

STAY TUNED FOR PHOTOS FROM THE SUNRISE KINGDOM EVENT!