Richlin's Art

Through their music, artists such as Billie Holiday, Jimi Hendrix, Aretha Franklin, Bob Marley, Diana Ross, and Calypso Rose brought joy and happiness to us all. I want to do the same with this body of work.

When the COVID-19 pandemic caused all social in person art events to shut down it caused a huge disruption to my existence as a curator and artist. The first half of 2020 I was trapped in a deep fog. I had no desire to create while witnessing all the lives loss from COVID-19. Until I turned the TV off, started listening to my favorite musicians, I could pull myself off the couch, go back in my studio and create art again. I wanted to remind myself and others of the good things in this world. The first piece entitled Psychedelic Haze; a portrait of Jimi Hendrix speaks to how I was feeling at the time. Painting Jimi lifted the fog and filled my world with music, color and joy. By infusing my world with the music and the artists I loved and admired I was inspired to create the VIP series of paintings. Jimi pulled me out of the fog with color, Billie gave meaning to my blues, Bob centered my soul, Diva Calypso Rose brought me joy and dance, Diva Diana showed me I could be the boss, and Nipsey reminded me every day is a hustle.

These works centers on my VIPs. People who are very important to me. A few are famous people and some I know personally. All have qualities I admire. Black acrylic paint is the foundation of the form then color is applied. I continue to explore the color interaction of tissue paper and acrylic paint. The use of these materials allows me to create amazing translucent color effects, texture and movement in my work. The use of a more fluid and random approach in applying the color started with the creation of the Psychedelic Haze painting. Abstracting the from more expressively is what I was aiming for. The process of creating these works mimics the transformation I had during the COVID-19 pandemic. The hope is for my artwork to transport viewers to that joyous happy place where Billie, Jimi, Aretha, Diana, or Calypso Rose is making sweet music.

The visible shapes, arrangement of parts, the play of extreme light on forms, no consideration of half tones. The bear essence in black and white. By reintroducing color, added suggestions of volume, shade and mood.

“It’s funny that I chose 2020 to do these nudes. I feel the COVID-19 pandemic has stripped the world bare of all it’s pretending. In 2020 all our faults and vulnerabilities exposed.”

ICE CREAM DREAMS

18in X 24in Mixed Media

RIVA WITH HYPNOTIC HAT

48in X 48in Acrylics

FEM VIBE

18in X 24in Mixed Media

FAITH WE SHALL OVERCOME

24in X 36in Mixed Media

STRONG NOT ANGRY

30in X 40in Mixed Media

I knew capturing her spirit in just one painting would be impossible. Sydney has almost no boundaries to her expressions of life.  Her sense of freedom is what I admire most—an African American Haitian Guyanese young adult living in California. I was lucky to photograph her at one of the saddest moments in her life, days after she lost, her mother to stomach cancer.  She posed for me in the shadow of the Golden Gate Bridge on a fidget bright day. With the wind in her hair and that familiar smile on her face, at that moment, her grief disappeared, and her essence shined through. These paintings are my work in progress to capture her beauty. The black contours of her form overlay with the rich brilliant colors of the rainbow that emanate the beauty of Sydney.

Sydney I, II, III, IV, V

On a brilliantly sunny summer day, I captured this image of Sydney. Her strength and personality shine through it all as she basks in the glory of the sun. A day after losing her mother after a two-year battle with stomach cancer.

This is my first black-and-white series of paintings. Black acrylic paint on white canvas In 2020 in the middle of the COVID-19 Pandemic, millions braved catching the virus to protest in the streets worldwide. I stand with them. Inspired by the words and actions of the great statesman John Lewis,

“Get in good trouble, necessary trouble, and help redeem the soul of America.”

By creating this body of work I’m joining the protest. Justice for George, Breonna, Sandra, Ahamad and the numerous other victims of Police violence.

A SCREAM • BOY • HEAR OUR PRAYERS • CONTEMPLATING POVERTY

With the figurative exploration I wanted the viewer to connect and experience a child's suffering. The hurt this word could infliction on the most vulnerable of us.

Images size are 12 x 12 inches and mixed medium on canvas.

RAYS • ECHO • Tropical Vibration I • Tropical Vibration II • Breeze • Wind Song • Bounce • Ωing

These works are the first exploration in the VIM series.  I wanted the viewer to experience joy and movement through the interplay of color in these Images.

This series explores the vibrant colors that nature has to offer.  I wanted the viewer to experience joy and vibrancy of nature through these Images. The image are mixed medium on canvas.

CATTLEYA 36X36

TULIP DANCE     16 X 20   

NIGHTSHADE TULIPS 16 X 20   

FIERY TULIP    16 X 20  

FLORAL    16 X 20   

PINK POPPY    12 X 12  

PURPLE POPPY    12 X 12   

HIBISCUS    11 x 14    

HYDRANGEA    11 x 14    

BIRD OF PARADISE    11 x 14    

SUMMER FLOWER    8 x 10   

JAZZY POPPY I, II, III  8 x 10   

PINK FLORAL    8 x 10   

RED POPPY    8 x 10  

A WOMAN'S PRAYERS

WHEN

FREE LABOR FORCE

Images size are 6 .5 feet x 22 inches and mixed medium on canvas.

The image size is 18 x 51 inches and mixed medium on linen. Created in 2010

POR

My now eight year old daughter, Savannah asked for a butterfly garden for her birthday this year. At the same time my eighteen year old daughter, Riva was about to graduate from high school and go off to college. This made me think of The Cure's song,"The Caterpillar" or what I always call it "Caterpillar Girl". Through out the years I've often attributed the title,"Caterpillar Girl" to Riva as she grew from a baby into a young woman. But I am about to pass the title to Savannah, who would now be the keeper of caterpillars.

Well, she got the caterpillars ,they formed chrysalis and changed into butterflies. We were dreading the day she would have to release them. But when it came time to set them free there was no sadness or reluctance from her. Instead she found great joy in releasing them. I was enlightened by my eight year old. I could now deal with the change that was happening in my life with ease and grace!

The scratching of the violin strings at the beginning of the song brings to mind the awkward crawling around of a caterpillar. Quite capable of sustaining it's own life on the tree it was hatched, but not yet equipped to fly off into the world and contribute. Just like my little caterpillar girl. Now eighteen, she has transformed into a beautiful, graceful butterfly full of confidence and is about to fly away into the world. Off she goes!

This is one of The Cure's more upbeat songs. He laments about his love for his caterpillar girl and his fear of her changing into a butterfly and flying away from him. Even though the thought of his loved leaving should sound a sad tune,this song drums to a happy beat. like a butterfly taking flight. Which is always a happy sight! This is why my interpretation is light and playful. I tried to show the tension between the  reluctance of letting go and the inevitability of nature forcing us to do so.

 Growth or transformation is never easy.  But It's always  beautiful when a child spreads their wings and takes to flight.

SOARING ABOVE THE CRANES

Mixed media 24 x 36 inches.

 TORTUGAS DE AGUA

Mixed media 24 x 36 inches on canvas

FERTILE PLANE

Size is 13 inches

Plaster Sculpture

POR

RESCUE ME

Plaster/Wood/Iron Sculpture

POR

 SLAVERY I, II & III

Wood Sculpture  size is 7feet X 22inches

PRICE: POR

PRISION/THE NEW SLAVERY   

Wood/Plexiglass/nails Sculpture  size is 7feet X 22inches

PRICE: POR 

 ARABESQUE

Wood Sculpture  size is 12inches

PRICE: $800

WALL “Planting Roots Under White Supremacy”

6 1/2 ft X 22 in   Jute Weaving    

Our freedom in Jim Crow times was fragile.

PRICE: POR