Making of-Black Celebration#20

Title:Making of-LaWanda Page sketch-2014

Do You remember? LaWanda Page ushered RuPaul into the world on her debut vinyl recording of the album "Supermodel of the World".


Way before that illustrious honor, LaWanda Page was an American actress and comedienne best known for her role as Aunt Esther in the 1970s TV sitcom Sanford and Son.

Also another one of my favorite shows growing-up as a child.

Making of-Black Celebration#19

Title:Making of-Jean-Michael Basquiat sketch-2014

Jean-Michael Basquiat was a Haitian-American artist. Basquiat first achieved notoriety as part of SAMO, an informal graffiti group who wrote enigmatic epigrams in the cultural hotbed of the Lower East Side of Manhattan, along side with Keith Haring (just to name a few)New York City during the late 1970s where the hip hop, post-punk and street art movements had coalesced. By the 1980s he was exhibiting his Neo-expressionist and Primitivist paintings in galleries and museums internationally. The Whitney Museum of American Art held a retrospective of his art in 1992. Basquiat was also the one-time lover/friend/companion of the material girl herself, MADONNA.

I have always admired both of these artists-When Andy Warhol died on February 22, 1987, Basquiat became increasingly isolated, and his heroin addiction and depression grew more severe.  Despite an attempt at sobriety during a trip to Maui, Hawaii, Basquiat died on August 12, 1988, of a heroin overdose at his art studio on Great Jones Street in New York City's NoHo neighborhood. He was 27.

Making of-Black Celebration#18

Title:February-Black Celebration-Gary Colman sketch-2014

Gary Wayne Coleman was an American actor, known for his childhood role as Arnold Jackson in the American sitcom Diff'rent Strokes (1978–1986) and for his small stature as an adult. I was a HUGE fan of this show growing-up for a lot of reasons. Sadly the after life of the show was very tragic for it's three main actors, Dana Plato, Todd Bridges & Gary Coleman.

Personally, I have always enjoyed his performances, especially the one's with Janet Jackson on Different Strokes & Good Times.

Making of-Black Celebration#17

Title:February-Black Celebration-Florence Ballard sketch-2014

One of the "original" founding members of the girl-group of the 1960's...The Supremes, this is the incomparable Florence Ballard (listen to her plate). I could not tell you why I'm so attracted to her but something behind those eyes, screams "agony"...I was compelled to draw this portrait.

Florence Ballard is best known as a member of MOTOWN's vocal group, The Supremes, Ballard sang on sixteen top forty singles with the group, including ten number-one hits. On February 21, 1976, Ballard entered Mt. Carmel Mercy Hospital, complaining of numbness in her extremities. She died at 10:05 a.m. the ensuing morning from cardiac arrest, caused by a coronary thrombosis (a blood clot in one of her coronary arteries) at the age of 32. 


"Flo"-was one of her nicknames, was the original lead singer of The Supremes when they were The Primettes and Flow was the one who chose the name SUPREMES. Berry Gordy did make Diana Ross the lead singer in 1964.

A promising career cut too short.

Making of-Black Celebration#16

Title:February-Black Celebration-Flip Wilson sketch-2014

Flip Wilson was a comic in the 1970's who had his own variety show. The show earned him high accolades and enormous respect for a black comedian of his day, TIME magazine even dubbed him "The First Black Superstar" in January of 1972. Born Clerow Wilson, Jr. in Jersey City, New Jersey.

His show was a regular staple in our household, Made me laugh so HARD!!! as a little boy and let's not forget his alter-ego & most popular character, Geraldine Jones, who always referred to her boyfriend, "Killer".

Making of-Black Celebration#15

Title:February-Black Celebration-Bob Marley sketch-2014

According to my mother, I was born at the exact same hospital Bob Marley passed away in-Bob Marley died on May 11, 1981 at Cedars of Lebanon Hospital in Miami (now University of Miami Hospital); he was 36 years old.

His music takes me somewhere creatively, A place, A spot, That I admire greatly. His life story is epic as well as his legacy.

I'll puff one in his honor.

Making of-Black Celebration#14

Title:February-Black Celebration-Larry Levan sketch-2014

Larry Levan was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York in 1954-an American DJ best known for his decade-long residency at the New York City night club Paradise Garage, Levan got his start alongside DJ Frankie Knuckles at the Continental Baths were Bette Midler & Barry Manilow (Just to name a few) became stars among all the beautiful naked men in towels trolling for random sex.


In September 2004, Levan was inducted into the Dance Music Hall of Fame for his outstanding achievement as a DJ. Although I never attended Paradise Garage, I respect Larry Levan's contribution to the music I LOVE.