We recently connected with Andre’ Belton and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Andre’, thanks for joining us today. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?
One of the most influential projects I’m currently working on is also my most vulnerable to date. The series 7 Steps is a combination of paintings and poems that chronicle an emotional attachment to the principles of Peace, Love, Joy, Intimacy, Resources, Healing, and Wisdom. Each principle is matched with Adinkra (West African) Symbol to further enhance the story. Each complementing poem is either inspired by or derived from the painting itself, and well, life. The series will consist of 55 pieces when compled, which just happens to be my favorite number. Reminiscent of Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, the series explores how having and needing these things, feels.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
I desire to inspire people to see the beauty within themselves and their world with my work. Life is meant to be lived out loud, so make your statement, take that risk, and make that mistake, it’s ok. I think that’s why I focus on abstract pieces, nude pieces, and naturescapes. There’s so much beauty in the imperfection, and in the ever unfolding journey of life. My work is most often collected by people are look to make a statement, and I’m most proud when the statement I am making is appreciated.
Originally, I started painting because I desired to create something beautiful for myself, then that expanded to sharing my work with my students, and then eventually my community and the public at large. I love to tell people that my first painting was this cute little piece called Jazz, but it was actually a huge mural on my bedroom wall. (Think egyptian cubism). It was big as day, at least 4′ x 6′. I paint with vibrant colors because I choose to feel and live in the same way.
In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?
First, stop telling kids that there’s no money in the creative arts. Kehinde Whiley (the brotha that painted Obama’s Presidential Portrait) has artwork for sale valued at over $750,000…and he’s still alive.
Then support local artists, I promise you, it’s so much better than the generic stuff you’ll find in Home Goods and Kirklands.
Finally, use technology to expand the opportunities that artists have to display their work. Representation matters, and technology, when used aptly, can allow space for more fringe voices to have a seat at the table.
What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?
Black People can (and do) create fine art!
As a young kid I had an instructor who told me “Black People can’t create fine art.” I was a precocious kid, and I asked, in my young kid language “What if I re-painted the Mona Lisa, just like Leonardo?” She said “no.”
I avoided art for years after that, and never took a painting class. Even in art class in school, I’d avoid painting.
Years later I was dealing with a major period of grief, and I desired to find beauty in the world. While doom scrolling on social media I saw two paintings that stood out to me. The first was a super colorful Afro-centric version of “American Gothic,” two African people painted in a cubism style. The second was a super colorful portrait of an elderly man by Solomon Adufa. I loved his work because I could tell the skin tone of the person, but I could SEE their color. It felt amazing.
I spent months doing it, but I painted a mural on my wall, and I learned that expressing myself through my art, was more than cathartic, it was healing.
I was also an educator at the time, and from then on, I would always share my creations with my students. If I could do this thing, be it writing, painting, stepping, or making wooden furniture; If I could do it, they could do it too.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.sticksandstonesbydre.com
- Instagram: @sasbydre
- Facebook: Andre’ Belton
- Linkedin: Andre’ Belton
- Twitter: @sasbydre