Saturday, March 10, 2007

The Art of Poetry




This is a piece [pictured above] titled, The Poet by Mr. John Holyfield. John Holyfield was born and raised in Clarksburg, West Virginia. He has studied graphic design at both Howard University and The University of the District of Columbia. His major influences in art are Ernie Barnes and Norman Rockwell (Many of you would remember Ernie Barnes' artwork [pictured left] featured on the 70s television show, Good Times).





Holyfield's art reflects a similar nostalgia of African American culture and southern roots. It has a warm, down-home feel to it. Holyfield's work was the first piece of art I'd ever purchased. I purchased it at an art festival here in DC back in 1999. Mr. Holyfield was there and he had some of his original work on display. The Poet was one of them. Natrually, I wanted the original, but I noticed he was selling the print at a less expensive price (much less). So, I decided to buy the print [unframed] for $150.00. I have acquired other pieces from Mr. Holyfield since, but The Poet remains my favorite. Do you have a favorite piece of artwork?

See more of Mr. Holyfield work by visiting: http://www.johnholyfield.com/

25 comments:

fizzio brown said...

Thanks SB. I like The Poet for many reasons.
One is, The Poet reminded me of the days I used to look up at clear blue skies, enjoying the fruit from which ever tree I was relaxing in :-)

Stephen A. Bess said...

Fizzio-
Thank you! I hope that your weekend is going well. I like your description of the piece. Sounds very tranquil. The piece hangs right above my computer screen.

Kai said...

this is so cool.....have a wonderful night!

M. Akamau said...

Stephen,
Thanks for the link to Holyfield's work. It's pretty wonderful. Makes me wish I were an artist. The Poet is just beautiful. Poetry (though it needn't always be) is often so romantic to me (maybe that's why love poems are among my favorites to pen), and this piece makes me think of poetry's romance.

The Old Guitarist by Picasso is my favorite piece of artwork. I fell in love with it during my college days.

Have a great weekend...
Peace,
Michele

Tafari said...

One of my favorite pieces of art is Cafe Martin (1921) by Leonetto Cappiello. My wife & I used to debate over the Geni/Chef as to what he really was. I cannot remember who won the last argument on this. Actually as I look at it now, he looks like a Spanish Moor.

Writing on Board said...

Stephen,

Great stuff. Thank you. I was just posting about poets and poetry. I have no favorite painting or book or piece of music. But Romare Bearden is ONE of my favorite artists. Do you know him:

http://www.beardenfoundation.org/index2.shtml

NML said...

As usual you introduce me to something new and different. I really, really liked The Poet. I think the composition, whilst different reminds me ever so vaguely of The Birth of Venus by Botticelli. The Poet is a really beautiful painting and thank you for introducing me to it.

Fabrizio said...

That's great!
Mmm... I hope I'll sell my art (with expensive price >:) soon!
Oh and I like the art category!

Ciao

Fab

P.S.: In Italy is warm instead.
It seems that spring arrived early this time.

Bianca said...

You drew me right in, I'm an art lover and collector of many pieces. Holyfield is just one of many but his work represents words of poetry and life as we see, live, and experience it.

A few of my favorites...

Blessing 2

Love Jones

Good Times & Watch Out Now (reminder of back in the days with my family in the country)

Gossip in the Park (couple of aunts who are depict in this piece)

Making Music (childhood memories)

mannnn, you brough back some memories thinking of John Holyfield artwork. What a way to spend a sunday afternoon by attending a black art gallery with some of our kinfolks.

Professor Zero said...

OMG that is so beautiful!

Professor Zero said...

P.S. I tagged you for a meme, but I don't think you saw it! :-)
http://profacero.wordpress.com/2007/03/03/aventurera/

Stephen A. Bess said...

Kai-
Much appreciated. :)

Michele-
I love the piece that you mentioned from Picasso as well. I'm happy that you like The Poet. It's my favorite. :)

Bygbaby-
I'll have to look up that piece online. Thanks for sharing.

Writer-
Oh yes, I love Bearden. He is a favorite of my father as well.

NML-
You are most welcome and thank you for always stopping by and reading me. :)I hope that your weekend was pleasant. I'll stop by to read.

Fab-
I don't know the industry very well, but I think that your stuff is great! I see a fabulous future for you. :)

1blkfuill-
Yes, I see that you are a big fan! That's great! I really like the other pieces that you mentioned. My father purchased, "Soul Mates" for me after I completed my graduate prgm.

Profzero-
Thank you and thank you. :)

Bougie Black Boy said...

Pretty cool to read considering i'm from WV and familiar with clarksburg area too

Lyrically speaking said...

this is a great post, I like the pictures, Mr. Bess you really school us when it comes to your literature and poetry. You are appreciated :)

Stephen A. Bess said...

Bougie-
Yeah, I thought that you would be able to appreciate a homie. :)

Cathy-
Thank you so much. I aim to please. :)

Anonymous said...

Hey Stephen, this is a great post. I adore The Poet, and I do recognize Barnes' work from Good Times. I'm not real familiar with their work, but will explore further. Thanks!

I bought a print at the National Gallery of Art in the 80's, not really knowing about the artist, just loved the piece, then I discovered it was "Grey Line with Black Blue and Yellow" by Georgia O'Keeffe, after stumbling upon an entire exhibit of hers at the NGA a few years later. She has greatly influenced my art and I really dig her sensitivity to shape and color. Here is a link:
O'Keefee Print

Enjoy the week!

Stephen A. Bess said...

Zapped-
Yes, that is a lovely piece. Thanks for sharing. I didn't know that you are a painter. That's great! :)Enjoy your week as well. Peace~

Unknown said...

As always, thanks for dropping that hot nugget of knowledge.

Stephen A. Bess said...

Hello Ms. Woods! Thanks for stopping in. :)
I was just at your blog. I couldn't read what you wrote because of time, but I'll check it out when I get home. Peace~

Anonymous said...

Hey Stephen!

I had the honor of meeting John Holyfield and veiwing some of his work last year at an art gallery in Arundel Mills mall. He's a phenomenally talented artist! Handsome too! lol

Stephen A. Bess said...

UB-
lol! :)Yes, he is a very talented and nice guy.

Analía said...

Beautiful art Stephen. I loved it.
It reminds me when I gave my speech on Ebonics before getting my first certificate as Teacher of English as a Foreign language.
I used very similar paintings as a visual aid.
It’s always great to stop by here. Hugs, Ani

to touch a unicorn said...

That is a beautiful painting Stephen, thank you for the introduction to
Mr. Holyfield

I think my favourite painting is
Stapelton Park by John Atkinson Grimshaw, but then, I love all his work.
Have a wonderful weekend.
sandy

BronzeBuckaroo said...

Favorite piece of artwork is by impressionist artist, or slightly pre impressionist artist, Frederic Bazille. It is titled The Artist's Studio- Rue de la Condamine, 1870.

What I like about the painting is the sense of comraderie among the men picture.

Stephen A. Bess said...

Analia-
:)Speech on Ebonics? Funny. The word "Ebonics" is like a joke here in the states. I've also heard the term, African American Vernacular English.

Sandy-
Good to see you. Have a wonderful weekend!

Bronze-
I'll have to check that out. Thanks.

Note: You guys have very unique taste in art. I've learned a few things from your comments. Thank you.

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