Archive for the 'Self Portrait' Category

Family Portrait – Loving Leah

Published on February 3, 2009 in Abstract Art, Art, Art by black women, Digital Art, Experimental design, PTSD, Self Portrait, Visionary and Women. 2 Comments

This painting was inspired by a Hallmark presentation called Loving Leah. Leah’s mother said concerning her daughter’s happiness, “A mother is only as happy as her saddest child” This touched me and I knew I had to paint.

The mother in this version has one small tear in each eye. Her child is smiling.

I suppose you could say this was also an experiment with textures and cubism.  Also, I wanted a rustic look to show the extent to which this pair endured hardships.  Trials and tribulations have taken a tole on them both, still nothing can corrode or break down a bond made of love and nurturing.

Some may be able to see a mother and child in this painting while others might see a woman and her inner child. On a more spiritual level one could see themselves in the arms of the  One who loved them first. In all three examples hardships have been endured and beauty is untouched.

Title: Currently untitled
Art by: F. Magdalene

Commentary: Growing Into Scars

Published on January 25, 2009 in Art, Art by black women, ART GALLERY, Art Sale, Masks, PTSD, Self Portrait, Women and Women of Strength. 0 Comments

This is a follow up to the painting called PTSD.

This one illustrates how it is possible to move beyond the worst of the past. It is possible to have the flames behind you and to look to the future with hope and certainty. Every scar may not pass but once we learn to heal what we can and manage what we can’t true growth and true freedom will begin.
Life can be beautiful. Life will be beautiful.

Continue reading ‘Commentary: Growing Into Scars’

Where Do I Go With This?

Published on January 14, 2009 in Art, Art by black women, ART GALLERY, Digital Art, Originals, PTSD, Self Portrait, Visionary and Women. 2 Comments

These two paintings are based on an original sketch is called “I Can Forgive You”. After several digital alterations that title no longer fits. I’m just calling it Blue Flower for now because the lady is holding a blue flower. You may also notice in the original sketch there’s a figure supporting the larger body who is holding two heads. When I did the digital alteration I chose to leave the two smaller heads, one lighter and one darker. Sunflowers represent multiple lives within one head. They swirl and bump into one another, tangling, twisting, forever moving but they cannot disturb her as she seeks to find her center.

Here are two different versions of an original sketch called ‘I Can Forgive You.”

I have no idea if I’ll continue to work on this digitally or not, thus the entry title, “Where Do I Go With This?”

Art by. F. Magdalene

Jacob, Future King

Published on November 28, 2008 in Art, Art by black women, ART GALLERY, Black Children, Children, Digital Art, Faces and Self Portrait. 5 Comments

Gold and burnt umber make up the skin of a boy who shall be King. One white hot sun at his back and determination on his feet he walks straight ahead to his glorious destiny.

This is image is best appreciated when viewed larger.

Art Title: Jacob, Future King
Art by: F. Magdalene Austin

Love In Lightning

Published on November 18, 2008 in Art, Art by black women, Digital Art, Fantasy, Flowers, Self Portrait and Women. 2 Comments

The more I look at this the more I like it.

This is based on a dream I had about someone I loved asking me to leave. What we had was destroyed by the ghost of my past. He asked me to leave but wanted me to let him keep my artwork. I was furious that he’d deny me but wished to keep my heart, furious like a lightning storm.

In this painting the young woman is naked and vulnerable to the elements, the elements that come from inside. Each lighting strike comes from her hair and splits the entire painting into fragments and lines all leading back to ghost of her past.

Art title: Lightning In Love
Art by F. Magdalene