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"LETTING GO"

This is an emotional piece for me, that represents my personal life. This is not a self portrait, but a face I was able to envision as I started painting. The woman's face is coming out of darkness ( a dark and painful past), and she has tears in her eyes. The combination of reds represent struggle and they are in movement because there will always be struggle before there will be ease. The various circles of light were happier and positive times in her past...things she's tried to hold on to. The woman in white surrounded by glitter and lighter colors represents the "letting go"; the release from all the bad energy that has been growing within her mind and spirit. She is headed toward the light which is a bright and positive future, while leaving her dark past behind.

This painting I did of Lena Horne is included in my "Black Hollywood series.I embellished this acrylic painting with crystal flat beads and glitter to enhance her jewelry, head piece, and signature. Original painting is available for purchase.

This rendering of a young Sammy Davis Jr. is a piece I have included in my "Black Hollywood" series. The original painting is acrylic on 20x20x0.75in. stretched canvas, and is currently for sale. For purchase information, you can contact me either on this site or directly at: chelledartdiva@yahoo.com.

This painting of Dorothy Dandridge is my latest piece I have included in my "Black Hollywood" series. The original painting is acrylic on 20x20in. stretched canvas, and is available for purchase. For more information, you can visit this link: http://fineartamerica.com/featured/dorothy-dandridge-chelle-brantley.html?newartwork=true or you can contact my email address at: chelledartdiva@yahoo.com

Evelyn Preer (1896-1932) was a well respected African American actress of her time. In the 1920's and 30's she starred in several silent films, such as "Within Our Gates," a controversial film directed by Oscar Micheaux, an African American director, and "Homesteader." Evelyn Preer was one of the hardest working women in show business, and a favorite in film, stage, singing in nightclubs, dancing, comedy and acting. She had such a wonderful singing voice, that many of the mainstream actresses lip-synced to her recorded voice in movies. Evelyn performed in prestigious clubs such as the Cotton Club and has worked with top figures in show business such as Eubie Blake, Paul Robeson, Duke Ellington, Red Nichols, Ethel, Waters, to name a few. Evelyn seemed to have so much more going for her until she suddenly passed away from double pneumonia. Evelyn Preer is an unsung actress whom I have included in my "Black Hollywood" series.

This rendering of Redd Foxx is included in my "Black Hollywood" series...The original painting is acrylic on 18x18in. stretched canvas, and is available for purchase.

This is a painting I did in 2009. I originally painted this piece to be included in a gallery showing in Oakland, CA. The theme was a "summer" based theme. The painting is of a little girl, standing on the beach, staring out into the water. I wanted to capture the slight breeze by the movement of her sundress, and I applied texture for the sand. The original painting is acrylic on 18x24in. canvas.

Joyce Bryant was an Oakland, CA native (my hometown), who was known as "The Black Marilyn Monroe," and "The Bronze Blonde Bombshell." She was the chocolate-skinned diva known for her signature silver colored hair she'd painted with radiator paint, and her skin tight form-fitting and backless gowns. It's been known that her gowns were so tight, she often needed to be carried off stage.
Joyce was a cabaret and nightclub performer who's songs were too suggestive for radio..
From what I've read of her online, she is considered the "Lost Diva." I guess no one really knows whatever became of her. With all of that said, that is what inspired me to paint Ms. Joyce Bryant

The original painting is acrylic on 16x20in. canvas.

Ada Beatrice Queen Victoria Louise Virginia Smith, better known as Bricktop (August 14, 1894 – February 1, 1984) was an American dancer, singer, vaudevillian, and self-described saloon-keeper who owned the nightclub Chez Bricktop in Paris from 1924 to 1961, as well as clubs in Mexico City and Rome. She has been called "...one of the most legendary and enduring figures of twentieth-century American cultural history...From Wikipedia

This painting of a young Richard Pryor is included in my "Black Hollywood" series. The original painting is acrylic on 18x18in. stretched canvas.

Richard Franklin Lennox Thomas Pryor (December 1, 1940 – December 10, 2005) was an American stand-up comedian, actor, social critic, writer, and MC.
Pryor was known for uncompromising examinations of racism and topical contemporary issues, which employed colorful vulgarities, and profanity, as well as racial epithets. He reached a broad audience with his trenchant observations and storytelling style. He is widely regarded as one of the most important and influential stand-up comedians of his era...From Wikipedia