Pure Genius!!!

Going SOLO, but not SOLO!!!

Currently I am planning my SOLO exhibition at the Chill Bar and Louge here in Albany, GA.  I've got the support of a modeling group known as Phreshlife here at school, and I just talked today to Sonique O'Neal, creative up and coming handbag designer of BellaDonna Handbags here at school.  I'm both inspired and motivated by those who surround me, my show, my works, and my summer internship at the Lowe Gallery.  It only gets better from here!!!

P.S.:

Bright Idea: Haim Steinbach on Shelving His Art at Louis Vuitton

In Depth of the "Ni-Ni" Series

I was told once before that people just don't live by a code of ethics and morals anymore and you shouldn't expect everyones motives to be genuine and wholesome.  This statement was the inspiration behind the "Ni-Ni" series.  Over the past few weeks I have certainly dealt with many trying situations, even to the point of showing my ass in front of a long line of people, pulling my girlfriend out of the club because of the lies of other disrespectful men who I thought at one point I could trust.  After many hours of mental breakdown and careful deliberation, I came to the conclusion that people are not born with evil intention, nor do they initially harbor them upon first approach.  I have realized that people allow themselves to be corrupted by their environment, their own selfish greed, and the disloyalty of other.  In essence, my view is that we live in a world of chaos and temptation, and many people are weak enough to feed into their own selfish hunger to be better than the rest, and will pull anyone back down if need be.  Prime example of the "crabs in a barrel" theory.  For me, I have been told that my wishful optimism of the world and all its flaws carry me into a very disillusioned state of mind and practice, singling myself out and making myself the "weakest link" among the mass monstrosity of the parasitic and the disdainful.  In short, I hope for the good in man when there is none left.  This theory weighed heavy enough on my heart that I was affected by the one person in my current environment who I still believe is upstanding, despite all flaws: my girlfriend.  I believe it is safe to say that sometimes she is very naive to certain aspect of people, and innocent in her current situation.  Thus, this inspired the "Ni-Ni" series.  I asked myself, how exactly is one individual, so innocent, naive, young, and beautiful corrupted by those things that surround them and are most common to their nature.  Individuals are corruted through gluttony, sexuality, and lust.  These three elements trigger the thirst for the things unattainable in life.  They drive men and women to do things that disregard respect, love, and emotion just to do what is right.  WE as human beings all suffer from one of these elements.  The question is, do you CARE to prevail?
The figures are white to symbolize purity, along with the image of a ballerina; a fluid, natural, free flowing figure that is known for youth a naive consciousness to the world around them.  As an answer to the question stated before, you use those three elements to corrupt the figure.  The outline of a tight, red dress and stiletto heels to clothe an innocent body with the chaos of the world around it.  This has been the most emotionally relevant series of works that I have done thus far.  I feel like I am really grasping the issues that I am posed with in my everyday life and that are relevant to the rest of the world.

The "Ni-Ni" Series

"Ni-Ni 1"

D.Lamar 2010

Acrylic with Charcoal

"Ni-Ni 2"

D.Lamar 2010

Acrylic with Charcoal

"Ni-Ni 3"

D.Lamar 2010

Acrylic on Canvas

"Ni-Ni 4 (Ni-Ni's Dress)

D.Lamar 2010

Acrylic on Canvas

I've really found an explanation for my question about human temptation and morality through working on these paintings.  I've found definition in what I know to be right and wrong, and for the longest time I felt like there was no more good in man.  Instead, I've learned that my "good-guy syndrome" is not to be forsaken because others chose not to live by a code of ethics and chivalry.  This series was inspired by my girlfriend Tanisha, nicknamed Ni Ni.  Interaction with her and our relationship thus far has shown me that "life is a trip so sometimes we gon stumble" (Jay-Z, "Power Remix") and I've stumbled one time too many.  I'm inspired by my growth as not only an individual, but as an artist.  I'm starting to see life for what it really is in the present time and day.  Further explanation will be posted.