Her work also includes conservation sketching expeditions, which allows her to visit African conservation organizations, sketch on-site and learn in detail about conservation issues. Her resulting sketches and paintings are then used to raise awareness and funds for the organizations’ fieldwork. “It can be a real challenge to depict complex issues like the human-wildlife conflict in a painting,” Nicholls writes on her personal website, “but it has given my art layers of meaning, as well as layers of color.”

According to Nicholls, while her studio paintings consist of multiple layers, her sketches require confidence and speed. “I usually work in pencil or pen first, then add watercolor,” she explains her creative process. “I don’t have an easel or a chair because I usually stand when sketching people, or need to be in a vehicle when sketching wildlife.”

She adds that field sketching is a life drawing class in the purest sense of the phrase. In addition to being great fun, it also allows her to meet fascinating people, has given her a great understanding of wildlife anatomy and behavior, and improved her artistic skills. The best part? Her work also helps African conservation organizations, as Nicholls says she makes sure to make a donation from the sale of every original painting, original field sketch, and limited edition reproduction.

The post Alison Nicholls Studies the African Wildlife Through Her Paintings appeared first on PlayJunkie.

“Art has been a part of my life from as far back as I can remember,” he writes on his website.

“My childhood home was filled with paintings, sculptures, and artifacts of many different cultures from around the world,” he adds. “These works, along with my love of sci-fi and fantasy art, inspired a lot of my early creativity.”

According to Lewin, he also inherited from his father the love for storytelling. “I loved listening to his stories of the old country in Jamaica while we worked. He also taught me a lot about ancient societies, science, and history.” Eventually, he began creating his own stories, with pencil and paper his first medium of choice. From there he moved to graffiti which in turn, lead him to painting.

His paintings demand attention, with his subjects looking straight forward, powerful, and enchanting. To this day, Lewin says his favorite aspect of the work is storytelling, with each of his pieces portraying a different story. “Each piece has it’s own story to tell and for different viewers, the story might change,” he writes. “I try not to interfere too much with that process. I try to let each piece evolve on it’s own.”

“I’m not always sure of the meaning behind each piece, but I’m also not too concerned about that either,” he admits. “I’m more into the process of creating. I love getting lost in the details. It can be very similar to meditation. I love the concept of the artist as the conduit. Transcribing visions onto a canvas.”

Take a closer look at some of his visions.

The post The African-Inspired Portraits of Paul Lewin appeared first on PlayJunkie.

Sessoms’ artworks are filled with unique motifs and mystical elements that reference African and Caribbean mythology, spirituality and the rituals of these cultures.

“There is a distinct West African influence throughout the Caribbean which suggests a congruent historical and cultural dialogue between the two regions.” – Sessoms says off his work. “Many of my drawings are homages to African deities, ceremonial and ritualistic traditions while others include aspects of historical narratives and divination.”

According to the artist himself, his primary goal is to “inspire those within the African and Caribbean diasporas to revive their collective memories of divinity, royalty and cultural ingenuity” while aspiring to establish “a cultural and intellectual dialogue with the viewer.” 

Check out some of his works below.

The post Unique Paintings Inspired by African and Caribbean Culture appeared first on PlayJunkie.

“The purpose of my art is to be visually stimulating while creating a topic for conversation,” she told Super.Selected. “My work captures, femininity as a social construct as well as biological attributes. My work captures a lot of the Western ideals of femininity when I include stilettos, clothing that accentuates the waistline, and certain body shapes. On the other hand, I want to challenge Western ideals of feminine beauty.  That is why I paint more women who look like me – women of color.”

Living and working in Austin, Texas, Okoro, it was Okoro’s strong desire to become an artist that sparked her interest in fashion illustration, photography, and design (and not the other way around). “I try to create work that is aesthetically pleasing,” she explained. “It has turned out, what is visually striking to me is also aesthetically pleasing to a lot of people.”

“Art can be a tool for political activism,” she stressed. “First it’s a way to draw attention to an issue. Art can make people ask questions. Second, art can unite the public so that they can engage and contribute to change.”

Take a look at some of our favorite portraits of hers.

The post Nigerian-American Artist Uses Art as a Conversation Starter appeared first on PlayJunkie.

Her work also includes conservation sketching expeditions, which allows her to visit African conservation organizations, sketch on-site and learn in detail about conservation issues. Her resulting sketches and paintings are then used to raise awareness and funds for the organizations’ fieldwork. “It can be a real challenge to depict complex issues like the human-wildlife conflict in a painting,” Nicholls writes on her personal website, “but it has given my art layers of meaning, as well as layers of color.”

According to Nicholls, while her studio paintings consist of multiple layers, her sketches require confidence and speed. “I usually work in pencil or pen first, then add watercolor,” she explains her creative process. “I don’t have an easel or a chair because I usually stand when sketching people, or need to be in a vehicle when sketching wildlife.”

She adds that field sketching is a life drawing class in the purest sense of the phrase. In addition to being great fun, it also allows her to meet fascinating people, has given her a great understanding of wildlife anatomy and behavior, and improved her artistic skills. The best part? Her work also helps African conservation organizations, as Nicholls says she makes sure to make a donation from the sale of every original painting, original field sketch, and limited edition reproduction.

The post Alison Nicholls Studies the African Wildlife Through Her Paintings appeared first on PlayJunkie.

“Art has been a part of my life from as far back as I can remember,” he writes on his website.

“My childhood home was filled with paintings, sculptures, and artifacts of many different cultures from around the world,” he adds. “These works, along with my love of sci-fi and fantasy art, inspired a lot of my early creativity.”

According to Lewin, he also inherited from his father the love for storytelling. “I loved listening to his stories of the old country in Jamaica while we worked. He also taught me a lot about ancient societies, science, and history.” Eventually, he began creating his own stories, with pencil and paper his first medium of choice. From there he moved to graffiti which in turn, lead him to painting.

His paintings demand attention, with his subjects looking straight forward, powerful, and enchanting. To this day, Lewin says his favorite aspect of the work is storytelling, with each of his pieces portraying a different story. “Each piece has it’s own story to tell and for different viewers, the story might change,” he writes. “I try not to interfere too much with that process. I try to let each piece evolve on it’s own.”

“I’m not always sure of the meaning behind each piece, but I’m also not too concerned about that either,” he admits. “I’m more into the process of creating. I love getting lost in the details. It can be very similar to meditation. I love the concept of the artist as the conduit. Transcribing visions onto a canvas.”

Take a closer look at some of his visions.

The post The African-Inspired Portraits of Paul Lewin appeared first on PlayJunkie.

Sessoms’ artworks are filled with unique motifs and mystical elements that reference African and Caribbean mythology, spirituality and the rituals of these cultures.

“There is a distinct West African influence throughout the Caribbean which suggests a congruent historical and cultural dialogue between the two regions.” – Sessoms says off his work. “Many of my drawings are homages to African deities, ceremonial and ritualistic traditions while others include aspects of historical narratives and divination.”

According to the artist himself, his primary goal is to “inspire those within the African and Caribbean diasporas to revive their collective memories of divinity, royalty and cultural ingenuity” while aspiring to establish “a cultural and intellectual dialogue with the viewer.” 

Check out some of his works below.

The post Unique Paintings Inspired by African and Caribbean Culture appeared first on PlayJunkie.

“The purpose of my art is to be visually stimulating while creating a topic for conversation,” she told Super.Selected. “My work captures, femininity as a social construct as well as biological attributes. My work captures a lot of the Western ideals of femininity when I include stilettos, clothing that accentuates the waistline, and certain body shapes. On the other hand, I want to challenge Western ideals of feminine beauty.  That is why I paint more women who look like me – women of color.”

Living and working in Austin, Texas, Okoro, it was Okoro’s strong desire to become an artist that sparked her interest in fashion illustration, photography, and design (and not the other way around). “I try to create work that is aesthetically pleasing,” she explained. “It has turned out, what is visually striking to me is also aesthetically pleasing to a lot of people.”

“Art can be a tool for political activism,” she stressed. “First it’s a way to draw attention to an issue. Art can make people ask questions. Second, art can unite the public so that they can engage and contribute to change.”

Take a look at some of our favorite portraits of hers.

The post Nigerian-American Artist Uses Art as a Conversation Starter appeared first on PlayJunkie.