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photographer Tag

Inspiring Artist – James Van Der Zee

 

One of the coolest things about the library, the bookstore, record store, or just stepping out into life is the happy mistakes. It’s when you find someone or something that you didn’t intend to find. Case in point, I was searching for one book the day I found another; the Book of the Dead by James Van Der Zee (1886-1983). I’m not going to go into the full history of the incredible photographer but you can look up videos or books about him. He took some amazing and haunting photos of soldiers, weddings, musicians, dancers, his city of Harlem, and the dead. Check out some of the photos I can find on a search. I still have 1 or 2 of his images in a sketchbook of mine from 15 or 20 years ago. 
Inspiring Artist: This is a way for me to share some of the artists who inspire me both dead and alive. Check out their work.
The last artist I mentioned was Alberto Mielgo (Nsfw).

If you like photographers check out Jamel Shabazz or some photos of my daughter by Kristen Murakoshi
April 18, 2021
in General
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Inktober 4 – Joe Conzo



Joe is one of the most OG photographers from the Bronx to document the early days of hip hop culture. It is proof from his photos too that Latinos have always been there since the foundation of mcing, djing, etc. Joe who for many years was a fire fighter, struggled w/addiction developed a love for photography as a teen and went to park jams, knew some of the pioneers personally so he got some up close photos, and was often taking shots of Salsa and Jazz musicians of the time. Besides photographing famous musicians, he also has lent his eye to social issues and his photos have been featured in books, films, documentaries, and countless articles. In many ways he showed there was love, creativity, and resilience among Black and Brown communities of NYC while the city was neglecting the people. Peep more at www.JoeConzo.com or follow him @joeconzo Respect Joe!! 


Sources: JoeConzo.com, Youtube


Want this original drawing? $60 or Print? $20 (includes shipping)  

Got an idea for an org to donate 30% cost to? Email me info@robdontstop.com

October 5, 2017
in General, Inktober
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Who is She? 28 – Yolanda Lopez

Yolanda Lopez is a Xicana artist from San Diego, California. She was born in 1942 and came to San Francisco in the late 60s around the time of some serious social movements with the Panthers, recent the United Farm Workers, and the SF State strike to put in ethnic studies in the school (which she was involved in). The first time I saw Yolanda’s work as a painter it was “La Virgin” piece that she did of a woman running with a flag using the same backdrop as the famous “Virgin de Guadalupe”. This painting was part of a series depicting every day women of color and it hit because there were not many artists depicting brown women like that. The next time I saw her work was the famous illustration of an indigenous Aztec man pointing with the quote “who’s the illegal alien pilgrim?!”. That blew my mind when I saw it, because I’d heard folks talk about Raza that way, but never saw someone flip it on Europeans. In addition to being an illustrator/painter she produced films too! in fact she is also an amazing photographer. Most recently at the Mission Cultural Center I saw some of her photos of homegirls hanging out, from car clubs, probably some who were family too. Her photos provided a glimpse into San Francisco and Xican@ culture that I’d never seen before so vividly in photographs. She is an inspiring artist and a teacher of many. And her son Rio happens to be a dope artist and human being too.

You can purchase this original piece $40, email me at info@robdontstop.com 8″x8″ mixed media on paper

Sources: http://mamiverse.com/, Wikipedia, Mission Cultural Center

March 16, 2017
in General, Who is She?
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Black is Beautiful (2017) 11- Roy DeCarava

I first heard Roy’s name mentioned by director of photography Bradford Young (Selma, Arrival). Roy was born in Harlem in 1919 and grew up there during the renaissance, the depression, and the rise of Be-bop. Roy started out as a painter and although he struggled to get scholarships for college made it to NY’s Cooper Union and the Harlem Art Center. His early influence began with Charles White, but later switched to Photography for its immediacy and speed. He is one of the most incredible photographers working for many publications, putting out 5 books of his work including a collaboration with Langston Hughes. He was awarded by the Guggenheim foundation and had over 15 exhibitions of his work. Facing struggles to get freelance work, he started his own gallery which featured many top photographers. And he helped teach the next generation of African American photographers by starting a workshop called “Kamoinge”. Roy passed in 2009 but his impact on the art form still lives.
You can purchase this piece $40 (includes shipping) , email at info@robdontstop.com 
Sources: Conversations w/ Roy, Npr, Wikipedia

February 16, 2017
in Black is Beautiful, General, Series
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