This painting is of Beyoncé based on her first solo album Dangerously In Love. Yes, she’s phenomenal, a Houston born superstar and music legend. With art, I was able to visually connect the amazing phenomena as she took her first steps being a solo legend. Doing that act alone, took a lot of courage, something that I reflected on when painting this mural.
In Japanese, there is a term called Kintsukuroi which lacquers broken pieces with gold, silver, & platinum to broken pottery increasing its value. “Breakthrough” was more about a person going against the odds, struggling for that magical moment. It takes a lot of breakdowns to make a breakthrough. And what I mean by breakdown isn’t as much about psychology as it does involving one’s ability to be alone, shot down, still rise up, get called out, but survive, thrive & challenge your normal way of life to achieving something greater. SHE did it! Beyoncé pushed herself in many ways a lot of people couldn’t. She managed to put herself on top, and hasn’t fallen since. I incorporated all those concepts into this painting.
This will be the premiere to art series called Unbreakable that I have submitted to the Houston Museum of Fine Arts for their 19th Citywide African American Artists Exhibition opening at the University Museum at Texas Southern University (June 16- July 30th) . It was also the most time I have ever spent on a painting. Everything was extremely detailed from applying & laquering the cracks on canvas to hand adding Swarvoski crystals. Over 2,000 hours (in 7 months) to drive an important concept, but that was definitely worth it! I get inspired by painting people of magnitude in their abilities as well as character. In the past, I’ve painted favorite icon Maya Angelou, Oprah, Prince & more!
To see more paintings as well as my artist biography visit http://artofangela2.wixsite.com/ibelieve
Thanks,
Angela M. Smith
Visionary Artist
“Fine Portraiture Art from Heart”
The Art of Angela 