Praising the Culture
Art is an important part of the Black community. If used properly, art can capture the essence of a moment in time or of an individual. Few artists, however, can capture an essence in such a manner that enables the subject’s energy to outlast their physical lifetime. Jacob Lawrence’s Migration Series and Clementine Hunter’s African House are great examples of how art can capture the essence of a time period long ago. We Buy Black vendor, Angelo the Portrait Artist is one of few artists who can truly capture the essence of his subjects.Angelo The Portrait Artist
Angelo Hopson is an Atlanta-based artist. He is originally from Louisiana and specializes in portraits and murals. Hopson uses acrylic paints, charcoal, and pens to create amazing portraits of Black historical figures. By paying special attention to his work, he is able to capture his subject’s essence. For inspiration, Hopson draws from the heroes and heroines who have made monumental sacrifices throughout history. Those sacrifices enabled him to pursue art, thus his art serves as the theme music for those heroes and heroines. [caption id="attachment_8460" align="aligncenter" width="476"]
1. I Am Not Your Negro
Hopson’s piece, I Am Not Your Negro, is a portrait of one of the most profound writers of all time, James Baldwin. Using pen and ink, Angelo copied an iconic picture of Baldwin, giving an old picture a new look. Click here to purchase a copy of this portrait. You can also buy the original directly from Hopson himself.
2. Welfare Queen
Hopson created this portrait of a Black woman using pen and ink as well. He titled this piece Welfare Queen as a play on words. According to Hopson, “…I named this piece “Welfare Queen”…because I want this piece…to give light to the many Black Women who are looked upon as charity cases even though, historically, the world itself has been a charity case, nurtured by…the Black woman herself.” He continues by stating, “No other woman…has breastfed and reared the children of those who have raped her, oppressed her, and devalued her.” Click here to purchase a copy of this deeply rich piece of artwork.
3. Jon Crowe Children
This final portrait is a response to the era known as the Jim Crow era. Hopson created this charcoal portrait as a means to remind people that Jim Crow ideologies still exists today. Now, instead of a cotton plantation, Black people are enslaved by a massive, unjust prison system. History is repeating itself by manifesting in new forms. In order to relay that message, Hopson titled his piece Jon Crowe Children. Click here to buy your copy of this piece.