Promises

The struggle for African American freedom kept moving forward despite the many lies, false promises, and hurdles placed in front of Black people by this country. This painting was a huge challenge to tell this story using my signature style of abstraction. I took a month of study of sharecropping and history to gather ideas for my images. I compiled the idea in a sketch with graphite to work on abstraction, balance, light and dark areas and inclusion of identifiable subject images. On the right side is a depiction of the 10 acres and a mule lie with the cotton bolls in the center leading over to the notorious Company Store. The chains and flags with the terroristic hanging rope surround the store representing further means of oppression and lies by this country. In the center is an educator taking the life threatening risk to educate youth with true history and knowledge of self. In the far background on the right is the cityscape of ancient Egypt. Next to it is the cityscape of Washington DC and far left is the cityscape of Atlanta.