Character 157 - Pink Dread

 

Here's the Pink Dread! Been awhile since I put up something new, much less a character. Matter of fact its been over a year! Playing with some digitals.

The last character? - Character 156- Jump

Check out the last character collage too.

Black Is Beautiful 2021 - Grand Master Tony Watts

 

Tony Duane Watts was born and raised in White Plains NY. Raised in a single parent household he w/ the guidance of an uncle who was a black belt he began studying martial arts at at a young age. One of the early forms was Karate and then he moved on to Kung Fu. Because he grew up without his father he has said his Sifu's (teachers) in martial arts were like his fathers. Grand Master Watts, Sifu, Moy Wu (honorable son) has been studying martial arts for over 50 years and teaching for over 40 of those years. He has degrees in Karate, JuJitsu, Aikido, Gung Fu, Sanucs Ryu, Wing Chun, boxing and he served in the US military. With many of these arts he has high ranking degrees, and he has the 10th level (Qi-Gong) in Gung Fu. Beyond teaching martial arts (all over the world in White Plains) Master Watts has been an active member of his local community mentoring young people away from senseless violence and drugs. He is a father to 9 children, and 7 grand children. 

I found a video of Master Watts while researching another martial artist years ago and could feel that he takes his art form seriously and is very disciplined and principled. More over, you can tell he has respect for his teachers, honor, and he carries on traditions that were developed over 400 years ago. He is not just a student, but a disciple. 

Sources: Black Taoist, Total Wing Chun, West COPNY

Did you see the painting of martial artist Steve Muhammad?

The last painting before this one in 2021 is Denise Oliver-Velez

Original photo ref: Nay Marie

Black is Beautiful 2020 - Linda Denley

This is Grandmaster Linda Denley an outstanding martial artist with a 10th degree black belt in Karate and a 4th degree in Tae Kwon do. Originally from Houston she is known as the Texas Terror and has over 35 martial arts competitive titles under her belt. Known as a hard hitter and fierce competitor she has won competitions at the Long Beach International, the US Open, the US Capital Classic, and the Diamond National. She won the battle of Atlanta Karate competition 11 times in a row and was a top ranked female fighter from 1973 to 1996! She has starred in action films as well and has operated her own martial arts school (The Texas Black Belt Academy) for 45 years. She is the first woman to be inducted into the Black Belt Magazine hall of fame and her high school has a yearly Linda Denley day. Much respect to this great fighter who is still training and teaching today in Houston!

Sources: Sport Karate Museum, USA Dojo, Imdb, Naska Hall of Fame

Want to see more? Check out:

Steve Muhammad - Martial Artist

Ann Wolfe- Boxer

Dr Moses Powell (Musa Muhammad) - Inspiring Martial Artist

Super inspired by Moses Powell the minute I saw him moving and throwing people. It was not just his ability to manipulate the body that drew me in, it was the way he spoke and the fact that he looks like he could be one of my uncles. Watch! There should definitely be a film about his life story!

Black is Beautiful (2018) 4 - Master Ron Van Clief

Ron is a world renowned martial artist from New York. He began training at 15 yrs old w/ Moses Powell (Jui Jitsu), and would go on to train with many other forms including wing chin w/ Leung Ting. Ron competed until the age of 65 and was 5x world champion winner participating in at least 900 tournaments. He was a marine who faced extreme racism. He moved to Hong Kong and became the first African American to star in martial arts films there. Internationally Ban Clief was in 100 films, he earned a phd in theology, developed a style called Chinese Goju, and he trained other such as Taimak (Last Dragon). He still trains today and was one of the oldest fighters to compete in the UFC. 

You can purchase a print for $20 (includes shipping) , email at info@robdontstop.com 

Sources: JetLi.com, UCCN tv, The Black Kung Fu Experience