Portrait of a Cosmolite

Universal, mixed, traditional and futuristic, and multi cultural. I enjoy the idea of someone who encompasses all the the traits of humanity. Tradition, cultures, and technology. There's a purism in the diversity, and a beauty in that which is very exciting. Sort of a full circle.

This work was inspired by humans drive for the future, their foothold in tradition and our diversity. Happy New Year!

Harolds Day Off

Its been a while since I've been posting here! So as a way to ease you back into the mind numbing visual explosion of work I've been doing lately, I've got a link ya'll should check out.

Sort of some intro, an apology and a frame of mind : Its little well known track by Eric B and Rakim called, I know you got soul, you may know it. http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=2TYmUp5J5mg&desktop_uri=%2Fwatch%3Fv%3D2TYmUp5J5mg

In this piece, Harold has finally got some time to himself, to be the bird he was meant to, to be a bird of flight and a kick ass rockstar! The only thing is, he's a penguin. So a bit of improve is necessary. BAM, jetpack!

Roots

This illustration is inspired by the link between women and nature, and the interesting connections African women share with the land. I was very inspired by images of mother nature and the Greek titan Gaia. I tried to stay away from the cliche' pretty girl with fruits and apples, cause it doesn't say much, save for, " I'm a nature lover and am connected to trees, apples and dear."

Peace.

Sinner Girl Illustration

I'm a passionate person. I'm a lot of things, like most people are. Most people are dynamic. The focus is not on me though, I'm a screen. The aim is to always keep myself in the position where the screen is clear. - Mos Def

Alot of what I do is inspired, alot of who I am is inspired,  therefore my creations are made to inspire. This is an illustration part of an ongoing search, and exploration of black culture, africanism and the role of black women in these ideas and culture. This is the illustration inspired by black beauty, and the idea of the natural black women. A natural black women these days is one the most beautiful and honest things, because they represent a coming together of the past and now, held together by nature. A black women is said to be connected with nature more than any other human, this is the way it is in African culture. I am interested in the question,  "Who is the black women now?"

Look forward to more on this soon. also check out this poet, quite inspirational to this idea. 

Marshall Davis Jones : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JjH0jmAiU7k

Illustrator Taj Francis http://tajfrancis.daportfolio.com/

Peace! 

The Finished Illustration and a Poster I made while being indecisive about my colours. The poster is available for print so leave a comment if you would like a copy. 

The Diner Proposal

Two rival clans meet in the neutral ground to discuss an end the rebel onslaught upon the two clans. They must stand together or be destroyed by the desert rebels.

The leaders of the free peoples of the Karoo discuss the resources needed to disable to rebel assault. Nathaniel Van Der Westhuizen presents Helena Carmicheal with a gift, one that could change the tide! The fierce sudectress is interested by his offer, and wonders what he desert forager has planned. Nathaniel knows the lands close to old Kimberley better than anyone and best of the potential of its treasures.

A short story I came up with after an inspiringly vivid dream weeks ago. :)


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Felicia Porter

I believe she was America's Next top Model. My painting doesn't do her justice, she is heavenly beautiful, this is my attempt at showing that beauty in 3 and a half hours.

She inspires my artworks and I reference her photographs now and then, one of these days I'll propose to her too! :P


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Bonsai Goldfish!

My friends know that I'm a lover of asian culture. Its no secret that black people and asians get along like peaches and cream! So since asian, especially japanese culture and design are very inspirational to my concepts, and I aim to the simplicity  that is achieved by japanese design, I decided to make this poster!

I recently saw a fishbowl and pot plant combination that ruptured my mind scope, I got one hardcore mind explosion  from the idea! Having two  different organisms in a single space like that is brilliant! I'm a bit uncertain of how it really work, with the regulating of the different temperatures needed to sustain the organisms, but hey beautiful concept nonetheless! So i decided to punch it up with a little bit more zen by adding in a bonsai tree, you cant hate these trees, if you do you have no soul! I also gave Steven Tyler the goldfish a new home(yes thats his name). 

So that's the idea people, the co-existence of two beautiful creatures and merging two ecosystems! DOES THIS NOT EXCITE YOU?!!

Son Of Krypton

So some friends and I recently watched the new superman movie by Zack Snyder. I enjoy his films because he's a visionary who loves showing us a different take on what we think we know.

So after seeing the movie it took me some time  to come to grips with the way the story was told. It strays abit from the original movies, which left me abit confused. What I thoroughly enjoyed though was the character of superman, he'd new suit(HATED the old one) something about 1930's superheroes trending the wearing of their briefs outside. Ofcourse, Henry Cavill brings a well needed rawness to the character, sporting a beard! I think superman needed the makeover, and Cavill delivers! If you haven't seen him before I belive he's in The Immortals and The Tudors. He looks like a classic archetypal
 hero, ripped like a greek sculpture, steel blue eyes with the humility of a true hero. 

I loved the cinematic style so much, I call it instagramed, not insultingly though. So once I got over the storyline changes and the nosebleeds from all the fantastic flares stopped, I decided to illustrated Superman! I don't think I ever have either! So I tried to show him as he was portrayed in the movie, referencing a pose of him flying, I wanted to show him as I remembered him in the film, humble, raw and still compassionate, I mean com'on the man is a real hero!

Anyway, thats it, so let me know what you think, comments are appreciated :) Peace!

In the Morning

Most of my morning train rides look like this.

Early-late risers rushing to catch the 6:58 train! Using advance ninja skills to find a seat only to be beat to the punch by a swift old lady in pumps and a box of tissues. Forcing to squeeze between big lady whose armpits will engulf you whether you care for it or not, which isn't all that bad when it's chilly; and a metro man with his I- phone, I-pad and laptop all out at the same time. Luckily the train ride isn't too long, because suffer the metro man's intense BOSS colgone which urges the lady with her hand full of tissues to keep sneezing. The best part of early morning train rides though is when the sun just rises and that warmth pecks your nose and cheeks.

Thats a glimpse of my mornings, on a normal day :)

Peace.

The Desert

Hello World, This here artwork is an inspired by the beautiful model Felicia Porter- http://www.tumblr.com/tagged/felicia%20porter her beauty is extraordinary.

 I referenced one of her photographs for this illustration, I found her pose so interesting. It's a photograph I decided to reinterpret the scene. In my mind she's a native of a particular desert people who are one with the desert, I'd say it's neo futuristic time space. Anyway, the female in the illustration is a young, beautiful and enthusiastic tribal woman, who spends her time venturing into the desert having adventures with the desert animals and conversing with them.

In this scene she speaks to a hare who explains to her that there is a suspicious new plant growing  at the deserts edge and theres whispers among the other desert creatures of this plant possessing some kind of magic.

Well that's where my mind goes anyway, what do you think? I would like to explore what happens in the next scene sometime, so throw a suggestion! :)

Peace! 

Harely Quinn

A few weeks ago one of my good friends asked me to illustrate her Residences twitter page avatar. She's from a Res called Nerina, at the University of Pretoria.

They requested an illustration of Harely Quinn, which I found pretty cool, as she's a pretty crazy villainess.
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K.Dot

Kendrick Lemar.

When I heard this guys mixtapes last year, my head exploded! This dude has so much potential, I think he is loved because he's a present day rapper who brings that 90's presence, of hood life, the streets and that true to life honest rap we lost with Ice Cube, Joe Burden and many others.

I don't need to start ranting on about why I like him, he has sick flow, nostalgic beats, and he's a poet on the mic. It only makes sense to have to make a portrait! This one is a bit different from what I usually do. Exploring lines in this one, and I think it came out alright. There will be others. Kendrick is a pretty good character, and encompasses a lot of black culture, which is great! He also pushes the boundaries of his music, and rap wholeistically.

Anyway, let me know what ya think. :)
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Chic

Editorial illustration.

I was thinking about how beautiful north african women are, especially Ethopians and Somalian women, so I made this.

Sometimes my thought process only goes that far. :) Alas, I decided to include my rough process as well, so you could see how it came to be. I referenced photograph or 3, as I always do. I can draw quite well out of my brain, but a great artist told me once,"observe everything around you and make use of those observations". So I began referencing, which helps my work so much more, cause I learn while I draw!

Let me know what you think. :) peace
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Drizzy

This is my 2nd portrait of RNB singer/rapper Drake! I have mad respect for the dude! I love his music and especially he's style. I think what I can relate to with him is that the man has ridiculous ambition, and only aims for the clouds. He's work has seen him make so many tracks and mix tapes that I myself find it hard to keep up. I dig the dude because of his versatility, tenacity and the fact that he revolutionised Rap music whether you like him or not.

The man is skilled, and his most interesting characteristic for me, is that he's human, and makes many weird and stupid mistakes, but that he can move on, on learn from them, or at least make pretty good music about them!

The fan painting I promised a while ago :) It turned out to be a speed painting as my time became less and less, but I think I prefer it more, had I gone analy into the details I may have lost that freshness. Who knows, there may be more, but let me know what you think :) peace.
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Real Girls LOVE Pink

A tribute to the girly girls who still hold it down and keep it real, all while expressing their femininity. Guys love a girl who can get down with them and play the occasional foos'ball  game, or throw down a bear with them, but we also love it when a girl can still be girly. Whats girlier than PINK?

As Ink.

Here is an illustration I've popped out recently, I'm trying something newish here with this one. except a few more following this trend. I actually like this style, its interesting and comfortable to my hand, I want to push it a bit further and see what i can come up with. It draws alot from comic book style inking. Which fits into my theme quite well. 

The reason for trying out a few new things is that I want to illustrate the theme in a style that echoes its concept. I've been discussing my work with an art director lately and suggestions have been brought up to explore a mix of style that will marry concept and execution. So i'll be experimenting alot more within my illustrations. Bear with me :)

Comments welcome. Peace :)

The Watchers

A little more dissecting and experimenting, pulling out some interesting things and learning a lot.

This style of painting, cell blocking, lends itself to illustration quite well. I'm trying to make it my own a little more, so I will experiment some more. :)

Feel free to leave a comment. This illustration is still inspired by the work of Sergi Brosa. sergibrosa.blogspot.com/

Peace.
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The Priest

Some Fan Art From the movie, The Priest, I like the movie's idea and the story line, and so I painted this.

There's really not much more to it. :)

Evade

Trying out a new style,m or rather adding some zest to mine! :)

Aspire.

This painting came out pretty cool. It started off as a sketch of a young girl who dreams of herself in the future, and aspiration to be beautiful.

I thought of what young kids hope to become one day, for me it was a fireman. I had no thought of looking like a male model or being super rich, I just thought it would be pretty epic to be a fireman. What interested me making this was the role we play in moulding this ideal in youngins. Ideally I'd want young kids to grow up inquisitive of the world, to grow up rebellious of greed and superficiality. I think it's pretty important to instill hopes and dreams that instead of telling kids what they can look like or drive one day, we can rather instill an attitude of will power, knowledge, and being proactive in society.

Well that was a whole bunch of ranting, I doubt it makes sense, I'm listening to rap as I write this, a horrible song of, making "mils" and getting girls.. Sad. Nonetheless I was intrigued with the childish innocent dream, to be a grown up. Now that most of my friends and I are, we're role models so we need to start walking right huh?

That's about all I'll put you through then.

Leave a comment :)
Peace!
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Dawn & Harold

This painting has been in progress since quite early in the year, I decided it was time to finish it up.

It is actually one original from my initial sketches for my Black as Ink theme. A female breakdancer, something I've always highly respected, because breakdancing takes some serious skill!

I admire the way female breakdancers move, they're agile, and their flow can be truly amazing!

So, I decided to paint a strong woman and why not a b- girl? Then the penguin showed up, his name is Harold, and he's pretty cool, as you can see.

Leave a comment, it is appreciated.

Peace :)
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Coloured Girls With Pretty Eyes

Portrait of a friend of mine. :)

Getting better at this painting thing. 3hours in photoshop.

Peace :)
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Priestess

Recently, I re-watched the Priest, a post apocalyptic film where man fights vampires. The vampires are defeated by priests with super human ability. Except, they come back twice as strong with 3 times the vengeance, you know it is. Sorry if I ruined it for you.

This is some fan art for the movie. The only female priest(making her a priestess). She is played by Maggie Q, who I think is beautiful. My attempt at rekindling that beauty :P that's all.

Leave a comment.

Peace :)
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Willow

I'll start with the name. Its pretty clear its not a Willow Tree, and I myself am unsure if I'm calling the girl Willow or the concept by the name.

Initially, I was going to draw two women in a struggle, referencing a photograph of two female contemporary dancers, but I decided it would be more power and appropriate to my theme Black as Ink if I had a single woman sort of captured by nature. She is static like a statue, hence the young girl looking at her.

The idea behind this is that black women are seen as being closest to nature, the tree in this case being nature, holds the struggling woman, either supporting or hindering her. She stands as a legacy for the young black girl to look upon and learn from.

A lot of metaphors and concepts working in this work, but hey in the end, I wanted it to look great, I don't expect you to read all the above, but if you get here, you probably did :P

Leave a comment, share, all is appreciated.

Peace :)
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Penguin wars

Alright, so this really only exists because I like penguins. I thought it would be fun. I had great fun drawing the penguin, his name is harold and he's featuring a lot in my sketches lately. I wouldn't say he's my subconscious. He is more the Jake to my Finn.(Adventure Time ref.)

Soo.. Yea :) leave a comment.

Peace :)
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The Sista

"Its been a long time, I shouldn't have left you, without a strong rhyme to step to..." Some old school lyrics from rap legend Rakim to welcome myself back to my own blog. :)

I've been crazy busy with projects, so much so that I have to substitute a bathroom break and sleep to draw lately. I had the cool opportunity to work for an advertising company and do some story boarding, that was good experience and hey at least I got to draw!

So, I have not forgotten my theme this year. Black as Ink, and this is an addition to it. I'm still obsesseing about black culture, the people and how it fits into my life and all that jazz. *this is not a speech*. ;) I will say that I've been inspired by various artists lately, and as always hip hop music, bam!

I'll put up some related stuff soon.

Peace :)
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The Run

Just a concept illustration I decided to semi finish and put up.
:)
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Androids are good listeners.

This is an illustration I drew last year. First thoughts? why paint something so old, I thought you were working on a new series?? Well, I like this drawing and thought I'd try a new painting technique on this piece. I don't remember why I drew this except that I was influenced by robots at the time and I love asian women in kimono's.

Encounter

A mystical priestess, adapted partially from the Calypso. She is one who serves the gods of the sea, she is one with the sea and can adapt to her environments in order to fulfil her duties. In this scene the priestess is collecting coral,sea cucumbers and other deep sea treasures for a harvest ceremony, when she comes across a Sting ray. The priestess embraces the Sting ray as an under current flows through...

A little story I came up while I noticed the Sting ray of Ushaka Marine World during my holiday this year. An addition to my Black as Ink series. As part of a folk story.
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lord flako

This is a recent portrait of rapper A$ap Rocky that I painted for no good reason but as a tribute to the upcoming super rapper.

I've called this painting Lord Flako, "who am I? Lord Flako, painting vivid pictures call me Basquiat Picasso",which is what A$ap calls himself in one of his verses in his track Phoenix, which is my favourite track of his.

So there ya go! comments welcome. :)
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sitting samurai

An ink sketch I did during the holiday, about 10min. Just transferred to digital.
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Black as Ink : sketches of black women

These are a few sketches for a series I'm working on during the course of this year, called Black as Ink. In this theme I will be exploring different situation of black culture.

The purpose I guess is a way for me to perhaps looking into the roots of being black, what it means for me, and how it is represented in the 21st century cultural melting pot.

So far I'm influenced by characteristics that define black women in their features such as their hair, and what they do. Not to make this a boring serious of awesome looking paintings and pictures, I'm also trying to juxtapose black and asian people in different situations, by incorporating various themes, such as hip hop culture. Which is a very prominent movement in black culture from the US to South Africa, to the UK and beyond.

My hope is to start an exploration my own way into what I find beautiful in black culture, blackness, hip hop, and what influences myself and other black people.

These few starting sketches are my documentation thus far, I will add paintings as I finish them, as well as more conceptual sketches as I apply them to projects and so on. I will also allow for commissions either of a piece centred around blackness or of black people and asian culture(not limited to)

This as much an exploration for me as it is an introduction for you into, my ideas :) so please follow me in the journey, and comment.

Thanks!
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