Local Artist featured in THE BEST MAN HOLIDAY film

At home he is simply dad, to his students he is Mr. Grayson, and to family and friends he is Curtis. However to art lovers he is the "Best" when it comes down to the African American experience and how life is expressed within the community through art. 7 pieces of his art was recently seen in the film, "Best Man Holiday" which premiered this winter.  I recently had the opportunity to catch up with him:

 SONJI:  HOW DID YOU GET STARTED?

CURTIS:  I started drawing with my 1st crayon when I was about four or five years old. By the time I got to middle school (5th & 6th grade), I realized I could draw.  I’d drawn a picture of the last supper and my classmates doubted me. They thought I traced it and my teacher who also doubted me, took the piece home. I remember being very upset.  The entire picture was in color on a poster, so it was obvious I drew it.  Around eighth grade I began putting stuff together for a portfolio to submit to Arts High School which is located in Newark NJ.  As I was growing up what inspired me was my favorite television show Good Times.  I loved the art that was featured on the show. Ernie Barnes who did the paintings inspired me and I felt I had a certain connection with his work. I constantly painted and started drawing all of the time. By the time I entered college I decided to major in African American studies which has a great influence in my work.

 SONJI:  WHERE DID YOU STUDY YOUR CRAFT IF THERE IS SUCH A THING, OR BETTER YET WHERE DID YOU STUDY OTHER ART TECHNIQUES?

CURTIS:  I received my foundation at Arts High School. There I was privy to painting with oils and acrylics. Sophomore year I went into sculpture, junior year it was fashion design, and briefly I studied photography. The 1st three years I had strong art history courses. By senior year my focus was on drawing and painting.  In college my focus was mainly on African Studies.  It helped me become more knowledgeable of my culture, and how we were depicted in negative images. In the past, people of color were not fully appreciated as far as our beauty was concerned.  Instead were depicted with exaggerated dark skin or large noses, lips etc. Society constantly showed us one way.  They would talk about how we were ugly with large rear-ends etc. I find it very interesting however, how now a days it is "popular to have full lips or big behinds".

 SONJI:  WHY DO YOU DO WHAT YOU DO?

CURTIS:  I love it! I cannot see myself doing anything else. As an artist, I'm very observant.  When I'm out in public or go see a performance I observe how people are acting or interacting. Some artists use photos, some have photographic memory. I on the other hand have a photographic memory. After observing I go back in the studio to do research.

 SONJI:  I NOTICE THAT YOUR PIECES BURST WITH VIBRANT AND EARTHLY COLOR. COLORS THAT ARE HEARTWARMING, COLORS ONE CAN IDENTIFY WITH IN TERMS OF "THE HUMAN EXPERIENCE”, (FEELINGS & EMOTIONS ETC). DO YOU IDENTIFY WITH EVERY PROJECT OR ARE THERE OTHER OUTSIDE ELEMENTS THAT INSPIRE YOU?

CURTIS:  Sometimes I create from my imagination and sometimes I use a subject matter. I include my own flavor. For example, choreographer/dancer Bill T.  Jones was once photographed by someone in the nude. What I liked about the image were the angles and curves used. It looked harmonious.  His entire body was covered and painted by artist Keith Haring, in black & white.  As a result he looked like a giant sculpture. I then created the piece "dance that dance my brother".

SONJI:  I KNOW IN THE PAST YOU WERE INVOLVED IN THE McDONALD 365 BLACK HISTORY POSTER PROJECT AS WELL AS OTHER PROJECTS. TELL US MORE?

CURTIS:  That was nice! I was commissioned for the McDonald’s 365 Black History poster campaign to salute Black Media Legends. Posters were distributed throughout the tri-state area.  My art has also been exhibited at numerous galleries.

SONJI:  UNIVERSAL STUDIOS RECENTLY RELEASED THE FILM "THE BEST MAN HOLIDAY" WHICH FEATURES SEVERAL OF YOUR PIECES.  HOW DID YOU GET THE PROJECT?

CURTIS:  By the favor of GOD.  The producer of the film Kenneth Burns and the director Malcolm D. Lee gave me a call one day and told me they'd liked my work, and wanted to use seven of my pieces in the movie "Best man Holiday".  My piece from the" Revelations Series”, entitled "Dance of August", a dedication to Alvin Ailey’s signature dance was used in the  HBO production of Terri McMillan's novel "Disappearing Acts";  so of course it was a great honor to have my pieces used for another project.

 SONJI:  I UNDERSTAND THAT YOU CURRENTLY HAVE A PUBLISHING COMPANY. TELL US MORE ABOUT IT?

CURTIS:  The publishing company I started was back in 1995. I wanted to have a vehicle to market and distribute my artwork. I recently included  C Grayson ponchos which were born in 2011.  I got the idea from seeing a gentleman name Larry Poncho Brown, another artist and friend. He had used some of his art on his clothing line. My company Kemetic Expressions was created to uplift, educate and change negative images that are portrayed in the African-American experience by celebrating in the culture.

 SONJI:  WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO UP AND COMING ARTISTS?

CURTIS:  To never give up on your dreams. Have faith and to use your voice that you want to share with the world. Art is the best platform to do it in. Start submitting and asking your local libraries where you can exhibit your work.  And last but not least, art has a way of touching the soul and it lasts forever. When I'm gone it will be here forever. People will continue to talk about what I left behind.  Don't allow your secrets to be buried.

B.Curtis Grayson, III work was recently featured at the 2014 Harlem Fine Arts Show. For further information visit www.hfas.org

Want to own the art featured in Best Man Holiday, go to B.Curtis Grayson's website www.cgraysonfineart.com.  His Company serves as a place for publishing and distributing  his artwork.