219: Radically Free Portrait Artists

This week we’re covering the artists behind the official White House portraits, the artist and singer-songwriter Issy Wood, enslaved pottery artists, and American outsider artist Nellie Mae Rowe. 

Official Obama Portraits Unveiled at the White House 

The White House held a ceremony to unveil the official portraits of President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama. Better late than never, right?  

Artist Robert McCurdy painted the official portrait of President Obama. He tells his subjects not to smile and to look directly into the camera to capture a transcendental moment.  

Michelle Obama selected artist Sharon Sprung. Mrs. Obama’s statement about how a girl like her was never meant to be in the White House is inspiring.  

For more information on the Smithsonian portraits, check out podcast episode 127, Rise of the Black Portrait Artist 

Portrait Artist Sharon Sprung 

The identity of the presidential portrait artists is top secret, and it’s usually revealed about a year after a former president leaves office.  

Sharon Sprung painted the official portrait of first lady Michelle Obama. Although she completed it in 9 months, she had to keep the portrait and the fact that she’d done this important work secret for over 5 years!  

She was inspired to paint portraits by the early death and memory of her father.  

If you think you’d like to paint portraits, you can take my free class, 5 Simple Steps to Painting Portraits That Your Friends and Family Love 

Art and Albums: Artist and Singer Songwriter Issy Wood 

Artist and singer-songwriter Issy Woods (as well as Joni Mitchell) proves that it’s possible to be a multi-passionate artist.  

Her art and her music are provocative, and like the trial-blazer she is, her album is titled My Body Your Choice.  

She’s outspoken, opinionated, talented, and not afraid to let her art reflect her passions.  

If you’d like to know more about how to generate hype around your work, you’ll love hearing my conversation with Michael Schein, The Hype Handbook with Michael F. Schein 

Enslaved Potters  

There is a new exhibit at the Metropolitan Museum of Art - Hear Me Now: The Black Potters of Old Edgefield, South Carolina.  

One of the items exhibited by artist Dave Drake is a piece of pottery signed with his name Dave and the word “concatenation”  

When I was researching and writing my book, Artpreneur, I was intentional about being inclusive. Too many books about art only talk about white, cisgendered men. Sharing the story of artists like Dave is important to  inspire the next generation of artists. 

It isn’t out until January, but you can get pre-order bonuses now! 

The Art of Nellie Mae Rowe 

The American artist Nellie Mae Rowe was in her 60’s when she began to transform her Atlanta home into what she called her playhouse. It became a destination for artists until she passed away in 1982. 

Check out her art in the book Really Free: The Radical Art of Nellie Mae Rowe.