Eldzier Cortor Dies at 99

On Thanksgiving Day, renown artist Eldzier Cortor died leaving behind an awesome collection of works produced during a span of more than 75 years. His paintings and prints depicted African-Americans, especially nude Black women. "She conveys a feeling of eternity," said Mr. Cortor. "The continuance of life. The Black woman represents the Black race. She is the Black spirit."

Of his purpose in making art, Mr. Cortor said: “You try to just get [viewers] to stay with that painting for a while, you don’t just burst past it there. And that’s the idea. If you can get someone, to catch their eye a little bit.”

Read more about Eldzier Cortor here in The New York Times.  See some of his works at the Michael Rosenthal Gallery. 

Kehinde Wiley's Year

For New York-based portraitist Kehinde Wiley, 2015 is beginning as a very exciting year based on his expansive reach and growing recognition in the art world and beyond.  Last month, Secretary of State John Kerry presented Mr. Wiley, along with seven other artists, the 2014 U.S. Department of State Medal of Arts for promoting cultural diplomacy and understanding through art. In receiving the medal, he joins the company of past and present medal honorees including Kiki Smith, Carrie Mae Weems, Sam Guilliam, Maya Lin, Mark Bradford, Pedro Reyes and Jeff Koons.  

His works are everywhere.  Turn on the television and his portraits star on the hit FOX television show, "Empire."  Visit museums from Los Angeles to New York and a Wiley painting will be on display.  Upcoming?  Mr. Wiley's first museum retrospective opens at the Brooklyn Museum on February 20.  Read more about Wiley's world here in this New York Times article by Deborah Solomon.