The Harlem Fine Arts Show Heads to NYC

Vinyl record artist, Lobyn Hamilton, is slated as one of the featured emerging artists. If you were paying attention, you may have seen his work on the hit show on Fox, Empire.

HARLEM, N.Y.

The Harlem Fine Arts Show is on its way to New York City and will set up shop at the historic Riverside Church. The show is known to be the largest of its kind featuring art from the African Diaspora.

The four-day traveling exhibition will have contemporary paintings, sculpture, and photography for sale, and is open to collectors, art enthusiasts, educators and professionals. The HFAS will showcase more than 80 national and international artists and galleries from Feb. 4 - 7, 2016. 

Behind the Canvas: Maeva Fouche

Maeve Fouche (right) & TC

Maeva Fouche’s journey to follow her passion of becoming an artist is truly an inspiration. 

Fouche is a Black American self-taught artist from New Jersey with Haitian decent and her work is bright, bold and  powerful. She’s inspired by the beauty of women, music, pop culture, Picasso, African culture and someone very special … her son.

I met Maeva Fouche earlier this year at the Harlem Fine Arts Show in New York City. It was her first time showing her work to the HFAS crowd and I managed to get Maeva Fouche to share her uplifting story for this Behind the Canvas special. 

I introduce to you, Maeva Fouche…

View into Buying Art

HARLEM, NY – Volunteering for the Harlem Fine Arts Show was an experience. I learned a thing or two about multicultural art from the artist who were selling them but I also learned from the buyers who bought them. I was under the impression that only affluent people bought art but I was mistaken. The truth is, everyday people love and collect art just as much as the celebrities, politicians and those whose annual salaries are in the six figures.

People think of art not only as a decorative piece but as an investment. The artist may not be well known today but they might make a name for themselves in the future. If you have a piece of work from an artist who is making some noise in the art scene now, his or her work is probably priced anywhere from $500 up into the thousands. Hold on to that piece for 10 or more years, and you could be sitting on your retirement fund.

Void in Art

For the last couple of months I’ve been assisting an old high school buddy with taking his art career to the next level. Given that I’ve grown into a social media junkie, I’m also consulting on his social media presence and how to polish up his personal brand and message.

Shades by DWats

No, I’m not an art curator, nor an art expert, but I did take plenty of art history classes in college which taught me how to appreciate the art scene. But, before I could help my friend I had to educate myself on what the art world is all about, specifically the African American art scene. The ultimate goal is to get his work into notable art galleries and in front of the eyes of perspective collectors. Yes, Shades is by DWats. 

Given that I love to read and research, I decided to head to Barnes & Nobles to pick up a couple of books on African American artists. I was surprised that I couldn’t find one book on the topic in B&N’s art section. They probably just sold out…besides I only went to one B&N.