You might want to take a page from the book of NYC mother/daughter duo Malisa and Imani Parke who started their Swanky Designs in 2019.
March 1 they launch with Macy’s and relaunch a new site.
Their mission is to create designs that encourage you to step out of your comfort zone and live a Swanky lifestyle with their big statement earrings (or BAE – big ass earrings as they call them…look it up, it’s a thing).
They’re here on Facebook.
I have a story to tell of the beauty I see. Of a beautiful people that are my lineage. The intent of my art is to capture the vastness of who we are as a people, our culture, our style, our essence and share that beauty with the world,” explains Pittsburgh polymer artist Dominique Scaife
In her 2019 solo show, World Melanation: A Celebration of Hue, Dominique exhibited 20 one-of-a-kind sculptures created to celebrate the beautiful skin tones of black women.
Dominique’s newest works are part of the Roots Run Deep: A Contemporary Survey of African American Hair Culture at Brew House Association. She’s here on Instagram.
Roots Run Deep looks at the ways in which Black hairstyles are tied to tradition and examines the historic influences on modern styling. The show runs through March 6.
North Carolina’s Michelle Davis Petelinz helps us continue our observance of Black History Month with this sculpture called Munira, Ancestress of Radiance, part of her Ancestral Series
Michelle works in polymer and mixed media and has explored her African and Native American heritage in sculptures, tiles, wall art, bowls, and other mixed media pieces.
She describes her work as a fusion of art, spirit, and culture.
Alabama’s Stacie Binford (StayandMarie) loved her grandmother’s big, colorful earrings. Stacie found polymer in 2011. She’s marketing her new line energetically and the collection and story were picked up by three TV stations in her area.
Her Memphis collection is a throwback to the 80’s with high voltage colors mixed with big black and white elements. Her earrings are bold and inspire confidence in those who wear them – completing an outfit or inspiring one. Here she is on Etsy, Instagram, YouTube. She’s busy!
February will be a mash-up of Valentines and Black History Month. These HeartBoxes from Massachusetts’ Kathleen Anderson hit all the right notes.
Kathleen designs her boxes to be filled with heartfelt messages on business-card-sized notes for all kinds of celebrations – weddings, birthdays, graduations, anniversaries, retirements, and memorials.
Her lidded containers have been widely exhibited and collected. West African patterns influence her polymer designs. She will be teaching at Snow Farm this spring.
PCD will be trolling for loving hearts and remarkable works from Black artists all month long.
