Raven Kushner
Brooklyn, New York
California roots, living in New York. I paint the black the rich and the beautiful.
Message
Raven Kushner (she/her) was born in Los Angeles, California, and is currently living in New York and working in Brooklyn. Her lifelong obsession with the Victorian era led her to the little known history of the African American aristocracy of the 19th and early 20th centuries. This, in turn, led her to the surprising discovery that her lineage includes one such aristocrat - multi-millionaire farmer and entrepreneur Junius George Groves (April 12, 1859 – August 17, 1925). Thus began the scholarly research which informs her current work.
She is classically trained, with a foundation in academic figure drawing. She studied under Francis Vallejo, fine artist, illustrator, and instructor at the College for Creative Studies in Detroit, MI, as well as El Camino College, New Masters Academy, and the Watts Atelier.
Statement
On canvas, I create my own universe. In this universe, Americans of African descent have never had their histories stolen, their lives taken, nor their spirits broken. They embody the effortless confidence that radiates from people who are loved.
My process begins with meditation and journaling. I use selfies, reference photos, digital media, and AI to create source material. I then mix and match these images to create the effect I'm looking for. My influences are the Italian Renaissance, Impressionism, and the ideal of a post-racial world. I am drawn to both the classical past, and the distant future. My subjects are usually African Americans of wealth and beauty. My work is meant to inspire opulence and big dreams.