Cordell Ross presents| ill@DELphsoul

Cordell Ross, better known as ill@DELphsoul is yet another artist that I have been following long before the conception of B|B|C. His range of illustration, painting, photography, and graphic design is relentless. The likes of Georgia Anne Muldrow, LRG Clothing, Erykah Badu, Muhsinah, and more have been graced with Ross' strokes of creative brilliance. Ross' articulation of his creative process and all that derives from it is just as spell-bindingly beautiful as his artwork.

As such, here are both his art and his words to compel you themselves...
//entering a creative vortex//

[Above: The Artist Himself, iLL]

"I love the trance like feeling I get when I'm creating. That is the way I call on my soul. When I create, I am my crazy self and without any inhibition...... I become ME."

"I believe in the healing power of the arts and the potential for growth in creative engagement, reminding myself everyday that I don't live my life; I create it..."

"I want to feel alive every day and grow mentally, emotionally and spiritually with each experience and person I meet. I believe that we can always learn something from others and whether that is good or bad, it is our choice."

"I also enjoy finding the potential for activism through art. The creative process offers so much hope and consciousness to the ones that engage in the artistic journey."

All artwork courtesy of ill@DELphsoul

Indulge in the ill@DELhsoul movement via:

Website
Facebook
Myspace
Slide

Susan Justice| Freedom w/in + Freedom w/out

Image courtesy of GQ Lewis Photography

"I write about my struggle for truth and freedom, not freedom in a grandiose, global sense, but the internal freedom to be myself. -Susan Justice

Video courtesy of SusanJustice @Myspace

Susan Justice, formerly know as Susan Cagle, rose to fame via a requested performance on Oprah. Her impromptu NYC subway jams became legendary street art and soon catapulted her notoriety into the music world.

Even through a tumultuous period in the industry thereafter, she remains true to her "heART." -Gotta respect that. Her self-recorded 2003 release, "The Subway Recordings" yet remains to be a gem. -Dare I say, she was the industry's litmus test for the "present-day, black indie chick w/ an instrument" motif. (Yep- went there.) Inset image courtesy of Amazon

I'm hearing she is in the lab doing what the scientists do. - It does a music lover's heart good to know that their are artists who take their time to ensure their art remains organic and true. The freedom that Justice seeks within definitely shines with out... Among other things, I'd call it grandoise. ;-)

Check out one of her back in the day NYC subway blowouts...

Video courtesy of SusanCagleFan Channel @Youtube

Experience the Susan Justice movement via:
Twitter
Facebook
Myspace

Ruud van Empel| Wonder as You Wander

Artwork courtesy of Ruud van Empel

Dutch photographer, Ruud Van Empel ...What this photographer does with photoshop and collage techniques is leaving the art world awe-struck.

Many of Van Empel's most notable photography series' have subjects of African descent. -No matter how you slice it, there is something very other-wordly about these particular series that are undeniably luminescent and magical.

Ever seeking to reunite with that spirit of wonder and innocent curiosity?... Rud Van Empel's photography will propel you into a wandering spree of creativity.

Check out more from Ruud Van Empel here!

Sade| Serenades on Love's Battlefield

Sade.Is.Back.

//And let the ppl say: AMEN//


Video courtesy of SadeVevo @Youtube

Image courtesy of Sade.com

Gerard Hanson| Jamaican Style+Canvas

Artwork courtesy of GerardHanson.com

Gerard Hanson, a Jamaican born -UK based artist has produced some the most truest artwork to the contemporary Afro-Carribean experience. His most recent series of paintings, is currently catching the eyes of many in the Meaning of Style exhibition at the New Art Exchange in Nottingham, UK.

The New Art Exchange is the first facility of its kind in Nottingham- a cultural center dedicated to the contemporary black experience. The Meaning of Style exhibition displays the works of various artists who notably capture the essence of the contemporary black British art; such as: Vanley Burke, Clement Cooper, Michael Forbes, and Barbara Walker. [Each of them are deserve a look-see ;-)]

Check out raw footage of the exhibit below:



Video courtesy of Skinderhundal @Youtube

Inspiration via Afro-Europe Blog

June Jordan| Poetry+Audacity in Motion

We are the ones we have been waiting for. - June Jordan

Image courtesy of JuneJordanFilm.com

June Jordan was a trailblazing poet whose works continue to permeate the minds of think tank members and eclectic drifters, alike. I'm elated to know that there will be a forthcoming film highlighting her works and her life.

The film's promo picture is incredible. -Beautifully ironic how a woman of many words could capture you with just her profile and the audacity to leave her mane as is! Priceless. Even her contemporaries sung of her bold poetic contributions. Alice Walker once described Jordan as,
"... the bravest of us, the most outraged. She feels for all. She is the universal poet."

Keep an eye out:

http://junejordanfilm.com/

Elihu Adofo Bey| The Graphic+The Historic

Came across this great book that I had to share. Besides, being that it is the week of Martin Luther King's birthday and Black History Month is right around the corner it just feels fitting.

Still I Rise: A Graphic History of African-American History, written by Ronald Laird and Taneshia Nash Laird is a brilliantly orchestrated, comic-style book that gives you an up to date look at the inspiring journey of numerous American history-makers of African descent. The illustrations by the great, Elihu "Adofo" Bey are very charming and vivid. A great gift for those seeking to educate themselves and engage in a visually action-packed version of such an imperative part of our progressive existence as a nation.

Check out more from Bey here!

Images courtesy of Elihu Adofo Bey

B|B|C loves| Suzi Analogue

Pure creativity, is what I love! Suzi Analogue is a gem in this digital world. Her music never fails to take me to new heights of abstract and experimental dimensions, along with her blog. Even her vimeo channel is a source of sheer visual agitation for the complacent artist. One of my fav songs from the self-proclaimed Brown Girl Wonder is Home Now.

Suzi Analogue is from Philadelphia, PA by way of VA. Her art has propelled her to notoriety abroad; particularly in Japan and Amsterdam, where she is signed to Dopeness Galore recording label. In addition, Analogue steadily releases fire via Klipmode, a phenomenal recording collective that also includes: Knxledge, Mndsgn, and Devonwho. -A few of which have beats featured on the following Suzi Analogue experimental vid that I adore.
Experience::
Life in Analogue

Soar!

Video courtesy of SuziAnalogue @Vimeo

Image courtesy of RashidZakat

Christopher Charles| Creative Silence at It's Best

Images courtesy of Creative Silence Photography

Christopher Charles' photography studio, Creative Silence has been a major source of photographic genius for me since before the conception of this here lil' creative dwelling. With Blank.Bare.Clean's 1st Blogoversary quickly approaching and the new year being here, live and in color, I thought it would be fitting to go back to the basics with this post. -Sharing art that is sincere and talent that is raw.

Christopher Charles is a Raliegh, NC- based photographer whose work has great range and stellar depth. Quite frankly, its hard for me to classify such an artist as just a photographer; considering, Creative Silence is a source of master storytelling. Charles has a keen ability to capture yet, allow moments to live and breath even after his camera's click. Whether its a wedding, promo portfolio, event, or fine art, the characteristic of clarity remains constant in the stories that Charles translates via photo. The Creative Silence blog continues to be a great source of photographic genius as Charles displays his artistic influences, photography musings, and personal works.

Video courtesy of CreativeSilence@Vimeo


Check out more Creative Silence:
Website
Blog
Twitter
Facebook Fan page
Flickr

Tony Philippou| Woodgrain+Halos+The Unspoken

Tony Philippou is a brilliant painter based out of Bronx, NYC. Philippou's work captured me while I was on one of my aimless internet driftings for creative inspiration. And, lo' and behold I came across Thinkspace Gallery.com, where Philippou had an online gallery of his recent series, "Mary In Bronxzooland." Immediately after viewing it, I began to make way to share his work here on B|B|C. I didn't even care to know much about him as an artist- which is very rare. But, my choice carelessness only speaks of just how profoundly Philippou's work translates to the viewer. Amazing!

So, to later discover that one of his most notable quotes is: “I really don’t care to tell the truth…all I want is for my work to command your attention.” - Left me feeling quite in tune with the reserved painter's theory of approach to art.

Tony Philippou's work has been featured here in the B|B|C Hearts these Works of Art section for numerous weeks. His paintings will continue to inspire me and my creative prowess.

Images courtesy of Tony Philippou

Also, check out more from Tony Philippou here!

B|B|C says| Happy Holidays!

To all my incredibly gifted, peculiar, and pleasantly distinctive readers, BLANK.BARE.CLEAN wishes you much PEACE+HARMONY to you and yours this holiday season!

Art courtesy of Dtone-Art.com

Dtone Jean Marie Compper, who goes by simply Dtone is a self proclaimed afro iconographic artist based out of Île-de-France, France. His ecclectic mix of graffiti, pop art, and animation style drawing makes his pieces appear to transcend their 2-d dynamic. I had to share a few pieces from Dtone's series of Merry Dtone paintings. Santa never looked so cool!- I had to. ;-) His paintings have a afro-centric religious theme that illustrates beautiful subjects as contemporary versions of the Madonna and Child, saints, and angels. -A great artist to admire around this time of the year! Check Dtone out here:

Website
Facebook Fanpage
Myspace

Erykah Badu| Ignites The Re+Turn

As you all may know (I sooo hope you do!), there is a spirited anticipation of the Return of a few great matriarchal singers who are due to drop albums within the upcoming 3hree month span. Erykah Badu's recent listening party just ignited a trail of ammunition which is hoped to be amplified with the addition of Sade, Kelis, and Mary J. Blige's respective musical raptures. By the way, I love Sade's new single, Soldier of Love. As a music lover, I can feel the restlessness of my fellow music fanatics in the air. This Return of artful sounds+instrumentation is ridiculously necessary. Also, I'm hearing that Bilal is cooking up something serious in the studio as well. (swoon)

Image courtesy of Erykah-Badu.com

Well, as alluded to before, who better to bring in this much needed caravan of soulful bliss then the @Fatbellybella, herself. Below is a vid of her recent listening party for her upcoming album, "New Amerykah, Part II: Return of the Ankh." The album is due to be released in mid Feb 2010.
(And let the ppl say: I CAN'T WAIT!)

Video courtesy of CreativeControl.tv