Today, at the National Portrait Gallery in Washington, DC, artists Kehinde Wiley and Amy Sherald became the first black painters to unveil commissioned presidential portraits from and at the museum. Wiley’s portrayal of a thoughtful, sitting President Obama falls upon a pattern of vibrant foliage, typical of his style. Baltimore-based Sherald’s work features Michelle Obama sitting, as well, in a beautiful flowing gown. There’s an …
This color tarot deck by Small Spells (run by Rachel Howe) is a charming set of cards featuring Howe’s illustrations. While delightfully mystic, the pictures are also inspired by cartoons, tattoos, low-fi graphic design and more—the result is a delightful, colorful style of its own. Positive vibes, healing powers and artistic inspiration permeate these cards. (Also available with a guidebook.)
While not uncommon or infrequent, an art fair at a convention center can be a strange juxtaposition. There is a mimicking of the white cube gallery as though it will make guests feel a bit more at home while they turn a blind eye to the incongruous fluorescent lighting, the metal detectors, the medical conference next door. Still, none of these things matter when in …