Beautiful Thursday

After leading my class on Pablo Picasso at the V.A., I slipped over to "Back On The Beach" for my favorite breakfast.  I sat on the beach, warmed by the sun and enjoyed my feast while reading the paper.  A walk to the water's edge brought me just one handsome pelican flying low, fishing for his breakfast.

I drove over to the Santa Monica College Barrett Art Gallery next to the Broad Stage at 11th and Santa Monica Blvd. to view a new exhibit "African American Treasures, History and Art from the Collection of Bernard and Shirley Kinsey."  The Kinseys have collected historical documents and art that documents the history and many gifts of the African Americans in our country.  I met Mr. Kinsey after he completed taping an interview for the radio.  They tell a story of amazing people like Philis Wheatley, born in Gambia, West Africa in 1753 and sold as a slave in Boston at age seven.  She published a book of poetry first in England due to the colonies' lack of support for black literacy.  Her book was only the second book to be published by an American woman.

Bernard and Shirley Kinsey

Khalil, their son

"The Cultivators" by Samuel L. Dunson, Jr, 2000

United States Soldiers at Camp William Penn, 1863
Over 180,000 African American men served in the Union army during the Civil War.  This is one of the first recruiting posters.

"Eagles Nest, Yellowstone" by Grafton Tyler Brown, 1890

"Lilacs" by Charles E. Porter, 1890

"Love Letter" by Dane Tilghman, 1995

"Slow Drag" by Ernie Barnes, 1997

"Noon Wash" by Jonathan Green, 1988

"Seascape" by William Pajaud, 1984

"The Fiddler" Bronze by Ed Dwight, 1988

Untitled, by Elizabeth Catlett, 1980

Photograph of artist Charles White, 1943 by Gordon Parks
Gordon Parks was the first photographer hired by Life Magazine.  He document much of the civil right movement.  Later he directed the movie "Shaft" and other movies.  He was also with Essence Magazine.

"The Dreamer, Portrait of Dorothy Dandridge" by Charles White, 1951

"Trailblazer's - The Three Kings", 2008  by Toni Scott