Ms. Afrika Abney, Professional Visual Artist and Art Consultant- Branding Blog

  When you ask me to send you a list of supplies and art materials that I need to teach my art class, then say nothing was ordered. I, then, begin to inquire how do you except me to teach my art lessons? For example, paper is crucial for running a smooth art class. Maybe you wanted the students to paint on their skin. When you hire me to teach an art class, please do not think I am some beginner. That is an insult.  Therefore, having art supplies is important for visual art instruction. If you do not have the art materials available for visual art instruction, why bother requesting for a list of art supplies that I needed? I should not have to use my own resources to provide visual art instruction.  In conclusion, I have had to struggle with the use of limited materials to operate visual art instruction. Students should be able to use other colors other than the primary colors to create their masterpieces and painting on regular paper does not produce the best quality of work. 

  “Surround yourself with people who empower you to become better. “ - Anonymous                                   Self - Empowerment. Digital art created on canvas. Afrika Abney  

The Masks That I wear have represented who I am as an African American female and woman. I have worn many types of masks from dance customs to paper masks. Each of the masks that I have worn represent a different part of my character, background and personality.  "All of us have ways in which we mask and cover our pain." - Iyanla Vanzant  "Because the mask is your face, the face is a mask, so I'm thinking of the face as a mask because of the way I see faces is coming from an African vision of the mask which is the thing that we carry around with us, it is our presentation, it's our front, it's our face." - Faith Ringgold                                   The Masks That I wear. Digital art created on canvas. Afrika Abney     All of us have ways in which we mask and cover our pain. Share this Quote Iyanla Vanzant Read more at https://www.brainyquote.com/topics/mask-quotes All of us have ways in which we mask and cover our pain. Share this Quot

  "The emotions are sometimes so strong that I work without knowing it. The strokes come like speech. "-Vincent Van Gogh "Why do two colors, put one next to the other, sing? Can one really explain this? No. Just as one can never learn how to paint."- Pablo Picasso    Two Colors. Digital art created on canvas. Afrika Abney  When two colors come together, they are called complementary colors. In the digital art piece that I created entitled: Two Colors, I chose white and black. I chose them because they skin tone colors and for some reason the two colors for many years have not worked together. Failing to remember that there is only one human race, these two particular colors have been at war for years. Setting aside differences and objectives, they continue to discriminate and pass unnecessary judgement. Yet, when white and black blended together in the right shade creates a beautiful gray painting.  I learned about colors and how to paint many years ago f

  Esther Productions, Inc Art Enablers was one of the supporters for a visual art workshop that I conducted in the past at Potter's House which took place in 2016. E sther Productions, Inc. is dedicated to using a variety of vehicles—traditional and nontraditional—to develop communities throughout the United States and Europe. It was created in 2004 by Jonetta Rose Barras,  award-winning journalist and author of Whatever Happened to Daddy’s Little Girl?   For more information about Esther Productions, Inc, please visit  estherproductionsinc.com. "Esther Productions Inc Art Enablers believe the arts are critical to individual and communal development. They nurture the soul and stimulate the mind. They also can be key economic drivers, bringing material and spiritual wealth to suffering or underserved communities. Since its inception, Esther Productions Inc. has either produced or sponsored programs in the visual, literary and performing arts. Art Enablers workshops o

                        Since 2020, I have been wearing masks as a result of the COVID rules and restrictions                                                                            placed by Mayor Muriel Bowser. I will continue to be cautious as the mask mandates have been lifted. I will do what is best for me and going maskless, I do not think is a wise idea. As mask requirements are still in place.                                                                   Photo courtesy of Mayor Muriel Bowser Please note that I threw away the clothes shown in the photo. 

 “The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched, but must be felt with the heart.” -Helen Keller   "Women can also be creative in total isolation. I know excellent women artists who do original work without any response to speak of. Maybe they are used to lack of feedback. Maybe they are tougher." -Elaine de Kooning   Elaine Kooning ( March 12, 1918 - February 1, 1989)   " Elaine Marie Catherine de Kooning was an Abstract Expressionist and Figurative Expressionist painter in the post-World War II era. She wrote extensively on the art of the period and was an editorial associate for Art News magazine. "    " I have always wanted my art to service my people - to reflect us, to relate to us, to stimulate us, to make us aware of our potential. We have to create an art for liberation and for life. " Elizabeth Catlett   “Art is only important to the extent that it aids in the liberation of our people.” ― Elizabeth Catl