Independent Sector

 

I was commissioned to paint a portrait of 12 fellows of the 2020 NGEN Fellows from Independent Sector. Here's a bit of process of how I did it, minus the reference photos of the individuals and the seated poses.

LINK to the program

Here's the final.

VIDEO: Wexner Center for the Arts (Portraits)

Here is the third video in a series where I talk about how I draw something for the Wexner Center for the Arts in Columbus Ohio. This one in particular is about portraits or faces. Check it out and share with the young ones in your life.

You can see the previous videos here:
Lettering
Characters

ArtvsArtist 2020

Here is my #ArtvsArtist piece for 2020. I didn't see anyone posting new ones yet this year so i thought I'd do it again. I haven't done one since 2018. Check out some of these pieces in more detail. From left to right, top to bottom. If you're new to my work, here's how you can work with me LINK, or you can email me at info@robdontstop.com
1. Read Print 1
2. Brown Berets for Inktober
3. Bandsaw character
4. Leila Motley (Poet)
5. Me- Photo by Kristen Murakoshi
6. Dads who dig character
7. Boombox character
8. Play That Beat type
9. Organizer painting

Jazz Portraits 30- Shirley Scott (Organ)

Wow, cant believe its been so long so I posted a Jazz related piece. Here's a lady Ive been listening to and getting acquainted with. Ms Shirley Scott, a wonderful organ and piano player who was an incredible band leader, band member, and an all around talented musician who I feel does not get enough praise. Some of my favorites by her include "Shirley" (w/ her husband Stanley Turrentine), Carla's dance, 411 West, and Soul Song. There is also a good segment on NPR's piano jazz with her as well. RIP.

Jazz Portraits 27- Jaspects (band)

My my my what a group this is. I'm just starting to delve into their sound. Yes I'm late. But then, I started....right? Jaspects is a group of cats who met at Morehouse, see Vanessa Warren's write up on them from the Polkadot LP. They play hella instruments, they rhyme, sing, and they got fashion sense. What else could you ask for in a Jazz Band? Um, so the songs i'm feeling by this multi-instrumental, multi-talented ensemble are "Fallin", West End Station, Be-Hop, and My way to love. If you're just tuning in, Ive been working on this Jazz Series of (Rough) portraits and typography for more than a year and its almost done. If you have not heard of some of the musicians like this group, check out what the individual members are up to. I found Henry Conerway III of Jaspects on twitter for example. From one artist to another...

Jazz Portraits 26- Patrice Rushen ( Piano/ Vocals)

Patrice Rushen is an OG musician. Been listening to her music for awhile. I think i first flipped out when I heard "Where there is love", because Mobb Deep used that for Temperature's rising. But aside from all the great soulful songs she did from ablums like Pizaz, Posh, and Patrice; she started with more experimental, electronic, and funky Jazz. Some of the songs I dug up that I liked were Before the Dawn, Stepping Stones, and Puttered popcorn . Long live Patrice, multi-instrumentalist, composer, and funk goddess.

Jazz Portrait 25- Pharoah Sanders (Saxophone)

Pharoah is a pillar in one of my favorite styles of Jazz. Its a fusion of so many things that just compliment each other. Some of the classics from this brother, who is still performing are Thembi, Astral Traveling, and The Creator has a master plan. Dig it. Oh and The Revivalist has a good review of the Thembi LP.

Jazz Portrait 24- Jneiro Jarel/Dr.Who Dat (Beats)

Update 2019: Indigo Eden is probably my favorite of the pre 2011. This is still one of my favorite paintings I did of this era of music inspired portraits.

Here's my original post of Jneiro typography. Some songs of his I didn't mention in that one are: Brooklyn mood, Nights over Nantes, and Viberian Sun . Why'd I put down this due? Because there is something vibrant, funky, and experimental in his music. I hear it.

Update 2019: Indigo Eden is probably my favorite of the pre 2011.

Dig this? Check out this portrait of Madlib

Jazz Portraits 23- Muhsinah (Multi-instrumentalist)

The first time I heard Muhsinah was through a song she did called "Stay Here" with Exile. To this day I still dont know who did what on the production of that song. But, I love her voice and I love the tracks she makes blending her skills on the guitar, piano, and moog. Some favorites of mine featuring her are How Great, Gogh Again, Only and Always, and Stop & Go. Get all up on her sound yall!

Jazz Portraits 22- Abbey Lincoln (Vocals)

All it takes is one song, melody, or note. I'm not sure yet which one is my favorite, but something lead me to the amazing vocal talent of Jazz singer Abbey Lincoln. Take a listen to Down here below, Freedom Days, Prayer protest is wheww,

Jazz Portraits 21- Roy Ayers (Vibes/ Composer)

So much to say about Roy. I think it was in 94 when i heard the Main Ingredient LP and the Blowout Comb that I really began to notice of this legend. I must of played "Searching" over and over and over again that summer on my little boom box. Then of course there was the Daylight sample from A Tribe Called Quest' "Bonita". Once I found about 2-3 cuts that had sampled his music, I began looking for the records. First finding records like Mystic Voyage, then Everybody Loves the Sunshine, then . But here are a few cuts he collaborated on with other people like Vibrations, the Proceed remix,and Take a look at yourself . Roy is arguably one of the illest vibraphone players and an incredible composer whose fusion of styles and sounds has inspired so many young people who continue to sample his music today. Case in point some folks were so inspired they decided to start a documentary project on him! And I cant forget "Aint got time", love that track.

Jazz Portraits 20- Nujabes (Beats)

I think the first time I recall hearing brother Nujabes name was from a track he did with Queens MC Apani B Fly Emcee. I am still largely new to his work and his legacy as a pivotal person in Japanese Hip Hop. But I want to say that songs like Omnipresence,  Battle Cry, and Another Reflection?! Wow, rest in peace brother, your music lives on.

Jazz Portraits 17-Dorothy Ashby (Harp)

I found Dorothy's music through hip hop. INI+Pete Rock to be exact. I'm syill digging into her sound but my favorites of her's so far are "Drink" , "Heaven and Hell", and of course "Cause I need it". If you can tell me the name of the LP Pete Rock sampled "Cause i need it", i'll send you a drawing. :)

Dig this? Check out this one of Donald Byrd

Jazz Portraits 16 -Dizzy Gillespie

A titan of Jazz Music! Some of my favorite Dizzy songs are "Night in Tunisia" and "Manteca"

Jazz Portraits 15-Bobbi Humphrey

I found Bobbi through hip hop music, and again this is one of the ways my love and appreciation for her music has grown. You remember which group sampled "San Francisco Lights"?

I also love "My Little Girl" and my all time favorite BLACKS AND BLUES!
Bobbi was one of the first female instrumentalists to be signed to Blue Note, recording several LP's w/them and is still alive and playing today! Give thanks to creativity where ever you may find it.

Jazz Portraits 14-Madlib the Beat Konducta

I might need an extra page to count all the Madlib (aka Quasimoto, Beat Konducta, YNQ, Madvillian, Jaylib) beats I keep on rotation. This cat is like one of the illest and most prolific Jazz Musicians on the beat machine you ever heard. How about
So Much
Dear God
Basic Instinct
Mystic Bounce
support his music here

Jazz Portrait 13-Cassandra Wilson

I remember when i met Cassandra Wilson, I was so nervous I couldn't think of what to say except that my grandfather was from the same state she was from as she smiled and signed my cd. My dad used to listen to her and that's how I fell in love with her sultry voice. Remember "You Move Me" and "Darkness on the Delta"? Ms Wilson, if you're looking at this portrait, its not meant to be an exact portrait, just an expression.

Jazz Portrait 12- Headnodic

The twelfth in a series of drawings, scribbles, or paintings of people I consider to be Jazz and all that it encompasses. If you're not familiar with Bay Area producer "Headnodic" of the mighty Crown City Rockers/ Mighty Underdog Crew you better ask somebody. Two of my favorite Headnodic beats are "The Drive", "Something", and "one from his new lp coming up "Turn your radio up".

Jazz Portraits 11- Ejigayehu "GIGI" Shibabaw

Can't remember how i stumbled across Gigi (Ethiopia), but i loved her voice as soon as I heard it. Here's one I like "Gole" and Mengedegna

Jazz Portraits 10- Freestyle Fellowship

The Freestyle Fellowship is one of my favorite groups(Mikah 9, Peace, J Sumbi, Self Jupiter, & Aceyalone) and i don't care if you don't consider them to be a part of "Jazz" history. I do! If you are unfamiliar with FF I suggest you check out the documentary This is The Life to get an idea of the soil they grew up in. Listen to "The Sun took a Day off" .Been listening to these cats since 93'.