In this episode, Eric sits down with the talented and celebrated artist Bernard Stanley Hoyes. They discuss his experience of growing up in Jamaica and discovering his passion for art. Working in carpentry, to transitioning into sculpture and painting. His unique upbringing and exposure to the Revival culture and spirituality… moving to the United States, his education in the arts and being taught by renowned artists. How he transitioned into becoming a professional artist; exhibiting and selling his works to prestigious collectors. His notable 'Rag series', how his work has evolved through the years… and the exciting works he is creating today..!  

Guest Bio: Bernard Stanley Hoyes is primarily recognized as a contemporary painter whose work evolves from a highly intuitive space. He is heralded for his ability to capture spiritual realms on canvas in radiant and brilliant essence. His celebration of traditional African religion and spirituality continues to find universal appeal, exciting audiences worldwide. Oprah Winfrey, Natalie Cole, Steve Harvey, Keenan Ivory Wayans and the National Urban League are among his collectors. Selections of Hoyes' work have been featured in several television shows including the Showtime cult classic series, "Dexter." President Barack Obama has even been photographed in front of his work.

Hoyes’ professional artist career began at the early age of nine in his home town of Kingston, Jamaica. Bernard's mother sold his wood carvings and watercolors to visitors at the Jamaica Tourist Board to help maintain the household and support his creative efforts. Hoyes first exposure to professional art education was at the institute of Jamaica, Junior Art Centre.  At age 15 he moved to New York to live with his father, attend school and continue his art endeavors.  He attended evening classes at the Art Students League, excelling quickly. Hoyes matured as a painter and a sculptor under the apprenticeship of established artists such as Norman Lewis, Huie Lee Smith and John Torres.  A Ford Foundation Scholarship was received which allowed him to study with professional artists in a Summer Arts program at Vermont Academy in Saxtons River, Vermont.

Hoyes received a scholarship to finish his academic studies at Vermont Academy for the next two years. There he was instrumental in the development of a formal Art Department and at graduation was given a solo exhibition at the Shepardson Center Gallery on Campus. Upon graduation Hoyes received the Frederick Stanley Art Award. He participated in the Graduate art show and received a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in painting and design. 

During the period of the late 70’s, Hoyes worked intensively on his "RAG SERIES," encompassing over 150 pieces.  He formed Caribbean Cultural Institute and Caribbean Arts, Inc. to Further expose Caribbean culture to America. Hoyes has participated in numerous solo exhibitions here and abroad. He has created murals in the inner city of Los Angeles, CA. He has curated exhibitions and held a position on the board at the Museum of African American Art in Los Angeles and won awards of Excellence for his famous “Revival Series,” nationally and internationally. 

Since 2013 Hoyes has made his Studio in the Desert his permanent resident. Syncona Mesa, has for 25 years his Artistic Sanctuary, now it has a new Chapter. The Vortex which have been a safe haven for the Creative spirits to permeate his work, has convened. 

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In this episode, Eric sits down with AAA certified art appraiser, friend and colleague… Pamela Brown. They discuss her educational background and her love of history, research and learning… especially related to African American culture. How she first became interested and exposed to the arts including new and emerging artists. Her educational background, working in the corporate world — to eventually devoting herself to art full-time. How her love of research and learning lead to becoming an art appraiser.. fueled by her passion for exposing African American artists. Eric and Pamela discuss the factors that are considered in order to determine the value of a piece of art and the excitement and fun that the challenge of each assignment brings..! They discuss the significance of getting artwork appraised.. the process it involves, while offering valuable advice for art collectors to consider; including tips, pitfalls to avoid and debunk frequent myths and misconceptions related to appraising..!  

Guest Bio: Pamela Brown has spent the last twenty-three years as a private art dealer and gallery owner specializing in artists of the African Diaspora. With sixteen years of professional appraising of African American Fine Art, African and Decorative Art; she is a certified Member of the Appraisers Association of America, New York, NY through June 2023 and Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP) compliant. 

Brown has many years of experience in African, Contemporary African American Fine Art as an art dealer, gallerist, collector, advisor, and curator. Her clients include Private Collectors, Museums, Institutions, and Businesses. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Delaware, 1976. She was awarded the University of Delaware Presidential Citation Award for Professional Achievement in 1996. Ms. Brown earned her Certificate in Fine and Decorative Arts, New York University, (NYU), 2006. 

About Eric's Perspective: A podcast series on African American art with Eric Hanks — African American art specialist, owner of the renowned M. Hanks Gallery and commissioner on the Los Angeles County Arts Commission; offers his perspective on African American art through in-depth conversations with fellow art enthusiasts where they discuss the past, present & future of African American art.



For more on Eric's Perspective, visit www.ericsperspective.com

#ERICSPERSPECTIVE #AFRICANAMERICAN #ART
 

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www.mhanksgallery.com

In this episode, Eric sits down with renowned author Peter J. Harris. They discuss his early beginnings; from having been born in Washington D.C, studying journalism at Howard University to eventually pursuing a career as a writer. They discuss his personal life and how he first developed an interest in poetry — meeting influential artists and master poets who inspired him. How poetry served as a vehicle to express himself in order to explore social and personal ideas… and cultivating his own voice as an a writer. His journey as a published author, creating both fictional and non-fiction work and the challenges he’s had to face and overcome along the way. They discuss The Black Man of Happiness Project; a creative, intellectual and artistic exploration that seeks to answer one elemental question: What is a happy Black man?… that examines the state of joy, dignity and happiness that exists in African American life and history in the face of adversity. The various books he has authored and what he has in store for the future!


For more visit: www.ericsperspective.com


Guest Bio: Peter J. Harris is a graduate of Howard University. He is the author of various books, including Safe Arms: 20 Love & Erotic Poems (w/an Ooh Baby Baby moan) (FlowerSong Press, 2022), featuring Spanish translations by Francisco Letelier ; SongAgain (Beyond Baroque Books, 2022); Bless the Ashes (Tia Chucha Press, 2014), which won the PEN Oakland/Josephine Miles Award; The Black Man of Happiness: In Pursuit of My Unalienable Right (The Black Man of Happiness Project, 2014), winner of the American Book Award; and Hand Me My Griot Clothes: The Autobiography of Junior Baby (Black Classic Press, 1993), winner of the PEN Oakland/Josephine Miles Award. Harris and his daughter, Adenike A. Harris, are contributors to Love WITH Accountability: Digging up the Roots of Child Sexual Abuse (AK Press, 2019), edited by Aishah Shahidah Simmons.

Harris is the founding director of The Black Man of Happiness Project and writes the blog Wreaking Happiness: A Joyful Living Journal. Harris is a fellow of the Los Angeles Institute for the Humanities at the University of Southern California, a 2023 artist in residence at The Nicholson Project in Washington, D.C., and was the 2018 City of Los Angeles (COLA) Fellow in literary arts. Since 1992, Harris has been a member of the Anansi Writers Workshop at the World Stage in Los Angeles’s Leimert Park.

A native of Washington, D.C., Harris lives in Altadena, California, where he serves as Altadena’s poet laureate editor in chief through 2024, alongside Carla Sameth, who is Altadena’s poet laureate for community events.  

About Eric's Perspective: A podcast series on African American art with Eric Hanks — African American art specialist, owner of the renowned M. Hanks Gallery and commissioner on the Los Angeles County Arts Commission; offers his perspective on African American art through in-depth conversations with fellow art enthusiasts where they discuss the past, present & future of African American art.



For more on Eric's Perspective, visit www.ericsperspective.com

#ERICSPERSPECTIVE #AFRICANAMERICAN #ART
 

SUBSCRIBE: http://bit.ly/2vVJkDn
 

LISTEN ON: 
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In this episode, Eric sits down with Executive Director of the nonprofit Museum of African American Art in Los Angeles; Keasha Dumas Heath. They discuss her passion for storytelling, affinity for poetry and the interconnectivity of the arts. The history and legacy of the museum, including the founder Dr. Samella Lewis… the role that MAAA has played in the community as a cultural institution and sharing African American art and culture with the public. The various permanent collections in their possession, including an extensive archive and their important restoration work. The current exhibition on show “From the HeArt”, the exciting activities and upcoming events in store.


For more visit: www.ericsperspective.com


Guest Bio: Keasha Dumas Heath is Executive Director of the Museum of African American Art in Los Angeles; a small nonprofit museum where she helps guide communications, member engagement, visitor experience, community outreach, and program development. Keasha is also a member of the board of directors for the California Association of Museums, a statewide museum advocacy organization, where she is a Vice President and serves on the Government Relations, Membership, and Executive committees. She is a past participant in the annual Museums Advocacy Day hosted by the American Alliance of Museums in Washington, DC, and her interests include arts education, museum/school collaborations, public/private partnerships in the arts, and issues affecting community arts organizations. Keasha holds an M.A. in English from Howard University, and she is an alumna of the Getty Foundation’s Multicultural Internship Program.

MAAA was founded in 1976 by noted artist and art historian Dr. Samella Lewis and a group of academic, artistic, business, and community leaders whose goal was to increase public awareness of and support for African American art.

About Eric's Perspective: A podcast series on African American art with Eric Hanks — African American art specialist, owner of the renowned M. Hanks Gallery and commissioner on the Los Angeles County Arts Commission; offers his perspective on African American art through in-depth conversations with fellow art enthusiasts where they discuss the past, present & future of African American art.



For more on Eric's Perspective, visit www.ericsperspective.com

#ERICSPERSPECTIVE #AFRICANAMERICAN #ART
 

SUBSCRIBE: http://bit.ly/2vVJkDn
 

LISTEN ON: 
Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/2B6wB3U
Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3j6QRmW
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iHeartRadio: https://ihr.fm/2KtYGXv 
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Connect with us ONLINE: 
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www.mhanksgallery.com

About Eric Hanks: African American art specialist and owner of the renowned M. Hanks Gallery, Eric Hanks is one of the leading representatives of Black artists, promoting and selling their works nationally to individual and museum collections, publishing exhibition catalogues, teaching art appreciation classes, and writing articles and essays appearing in prestigious art books and various other publications. 

In this episode, Eric sits down with author, media personality and art collector; Alvin Hall. They discuss his early beginnings — growing up in Florida during the Jim Crow era, his educational journey and early exposures to art. The artists who inspired him and helped cultivate his knowledge and appreciation for the artistic process. How he began collecting black and white photography and prints, his passion for writing, his career as a financial writer and becoming a patron of the arts. The works in his collection; what motivates his decision making when buying art and how his collection has evolved through the years. They discuss abstract art, art as an investment... the books he has written, his recent podcast series and research on the Green Book, his new book and upcoming projects.


For more visit: www.ericsperspective.com


Guest Bio: Alvin Hall is an internationally renowned financial educator, television and radio broadcaster, bestselling author and regular contributor to magazines, newspapers and websites.

For five years on the BBC, he hosted the highly rated and award-winning series, Your Money or Your Life, on which he offered both practical financial and psychological advice to people about how to take control of and fix their financial problems. His radio program, Jay-Z: From Brooklyn to the Boardroom, won the Wincott Foundation Press and Broadcasting Award for the best radio program for 2006. In the US, he is a regular contributor on personal finance and the economy on NPR’s Tell Me More with Michel Martin.

Among Hall’s bestselling books are: You and Your Money: It’s More than Just the Numbers, Your Money or Your Life (winner of the WHSmith 2003 People’s Choice Award), What Not to Spend, Getting Started in Mutual Funds 2nd Edition, and Getting Started in Stocks 3rd Edition. His children’s book, Show Me the Money, has been published in over 20 foreign-language editions. 

Hall lives in New York City where he designs and teaches classes about the investment markets for financial services companies, banks, regulatory authorities, as well as information and technology vendors.  He is also on the Acquisitions Committee of the Studio Museum in Harlem.

About Eric's Perspective: A podcast series on African American art with Eric Hanks — African American art specialist, owner of the renowned M. Hanks Gallery and commissioner on the Los Angeles County Arts Commission; offers his perspective on African American art through in-depth conversations with fellow art enthusiasts where they discuss the past, present & future of African American art.



For more on Eric's Perspective, visit www.ericsperspective.com

#ERICSPERSPECTIVE #AFRICANAMERICAN #ART
 

SUBSCRIBE: http://bit.ly/2vVJkDn
 

LISTEN ON: 
Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/2B6wB3U
Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3j6QRmW
Google Podcasts: https://bit.ly/3fNNgrY
iHeartRadio: https://ihr.fm/2KtYGXv 
Pandora: https://pdora.co/38pFWAm

Connect with us ONLINE: 
Visit Eric's Perspective website: https://bit.ly/2ZQ41x1
Facebook: https://bit.ly/3jq5fXP
Instagram: https://bit.ly/39jFZxG
Twitter: https://bit.ly/2OMRx33
 

www.mhanksgallery.com

About Eric Hanks: African American art specialist and owner of the renowned M. Hanks Gallery, Eric Hanks is one of the leading representatives of Black artists, promoting and selling their works nationally to individual and museum collections, publishing exhibition catalogues, teaching art appreciation classes, and writing articles and essays appearing in prestigious art books and various other publications. 

In this episode, Eric sits down with acclaimed artist Kenneth Gatewood. They discuss the role that his parents played in encouraging him to pursue art and his early beginnings as an artist.  Growing up in South Central LA and the artists that influenced him. Being an artist, managing himself and the importance of presentation. Gatewood’s artistic process, working with watercolor and his signature work; including his iconic "Baby Series" that use children as a subject matter. Creating artwork with athletes including figures from Boxing and college sports as a subject matter. Being the first African American to hold licenses to major sports leagues simultaneously; including the NBA, NFL, MLB, NHL and MLS. His experience of meting Muhammed Ali, who signed works of his and his most recently — the art mentorship program that he teaches; working with children at the Richardson Foundation in Inglewood.


For more visit: www.ericsperspective.com


Guest Bio: Kenneth Gatewood is an acclaimed watercolor artist. His masterful paintings have been prized and treasured by celebrities throughout the globe. From Michael Jackson, Tyler Perry, Jack Nicklaus, Dan Marino, Muhammad Ali, Michael Jordan, Queen Latifah, Magic Johnson, and countless others.

About Eric's Perspective: A podcast series on African American art with Eric Hanks — African American art specialist, owner of the renowned M. Hanks Gallery and commissioner on the Los Angeles County Arts Commission; offers his perspective on African American art through in-depth conversations with fellow art enthusiasts where they discuss the past, present & future of African American art.



For more on Eric's Perspective, visit www.ericsperspective.com

#ERICSPERSPECTIVE #AFRICANAMERICAN #ART
 

SUBSCRIBE: http://bit.ly/2vVJkDn
 

LISTEN ON: 
Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/2B6wB3U
Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3j6QRmW
Google Podcasts: https://bit.ly/3fNNgrY
iHeartRadio: https://ihr.fm/2KtYGXv 
Pandora: https://pdora.co/38pFWAm

Connect with us ONLINE: 
Visit Eric's Perspective website: https://bit.ly/2ZQ41x1
Facebook: https://bit.ly/3jq5fXP
Instagram: https://bit.ly/39jFZxG
Twitter: https://bit.ly/2OMRx33
 

www.mhanksgallery.com

About Eric Hanks: African American art specialist and owner of the renowned M. Hanks Gallery, Eric Hanks is one of the leading representatives of Black artists, promoting and selling their works nationally to individual and museum collections, publishing exhibition catalogues, teaching art appreciation classes, and writing articles and essays appearing in prestigious art books and various other publications. 

In this episode, Eric sits down with artist, curator and professor; Jamaal Sheats. They discuss his background — growing up in Nashville, Tennessee, his interest in the arts, his educational background, attending Fisk University and ultimately ending up at Fisk University as a faculty member! Sheats sheds light on how at first he ‘ran’ from the arts — wanting to be a business major, an entrepreneur but how he ultimately pursued his artistic passions and the role his parents played in encouraging him on his artistic path. They discuss the mentors he had that were instrumental in his life, the technique of repoussé, training and developing as an artist. The artists that helped inform his work and how he pays homage to his lineage and ancestors through it. They discuss his involvement at  the prestigious institution of Fisk University — a historically black university, the art department that was established by Aaron Douglas, the impressive long list of alumni and its mission to educate and inspire the next generation of art leaders and advocates. The extensive collections held by Fisk, his role as an art professor, the programs and exhibitions that Sheats has curated throughout the years and his exciting plans for the future.

For more visit: www.ericsperspective.com

Guest Bio:  Jamaal B. Sheats, MFA is Director and Curator of the Fisk University Galleries and an Assistant Professor in the Fisk University Art Department. An alumni of Fisk, both positions enable Sheats to work with students, faculty and the community in ways that integrate his expertise and passion for the arts, education, and mentorship. As a member of the Art Department he has taught Sculpture, Arts and Ideas, Drawing, and Independent Study courses for students with an interest in sub-specialties. In his director and curatorial appointment with the Fisk University Galleries, he successfully integrated the Arts into all academic disciplines and increased engagement with the Middle Tennessee community through novel and innovative approaches. Sheats’ implementation of multi- and inter- disciplinary programs, such as the Fisk University STEAM (Science Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics) Series, Babies in the Gallery (BIG), Visiting Lecturer Series, and Gallery Ambassador Program for Fisk students and community members, are outcomes of this goal. During Sheats’ 3-year tenure as Director and Curator of the Fisk University Galleries, he has also curated 15  art exhibitions; welcomed over 16,000 visitors from across the globe; created the Fisk University Galleries Fellowship for post-doctoral scholars; and built a continuous pipeline of charitable giving from the annual Friends of the Gallery Campaign that he instituted in 2016. In 2017 Sheats’ led efforts to secure funding from the Ford Foundation and Walton Family Foundation to establish the Fisk University Museum Leadership Program, which is a 2-year certificate program that aims to diversify art museum leadership. Within the arts community Sheats is a well-known and respected artist who has maintained a strong and consistent domestic and international exhibition record for nearly two decades. Jamaal B. Sheats, MFA obtained his Bachelor of Arts degree in Art from Fisk University and a Master of Fine Arts degree with a concentration in Studio Art from the School of the Museum of Fine Art (SMFA)-Boston and Tufts University. He completed a postgraduate Teaching Fellowship at SMFA-Boston and Tufts University, as well as a Teaching Artist-in-Residence at the Nashville Public Library. 


For more on Eric's Perspective, visit www.ericsperspective.com

#ERICSPERSPECTIVE #AFRICANAMERICAN #ART
 

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In this episode, Eric sits down with the talented Christen Austin; California native visual artist. They discuss her early exposures to art, artistic influences and how her Mother is also an artist. She sheds light on her educational background, studying Biology, how it lends to her artistic approach. How she transitioned into becoming a full-time artist and the challenges faced by up and coming artists. She describes her process, the media she uses and how she characterizes her style of work — being mostly figurative and the themes she explores in her work that she describes as representational; using people of color as her subjects to illustrate what people of color experience on a daily basis and expressing that in a symbolic and psychological way. They delve into various works she has created to date, how she promotes her work, manages her career… her upcoming projects and solo show!

For more visit: www.ericsperspective.com

Guest Bio:  As a black female artist living in America, Christen Austin feels that it is important to provide imagery that represents the black community in a way that encompasses positivity and relatability. Much of the legacy of African American art and expression has been based on the experiences and truths of black people and has often been created in opposition to the images and perceptions forced upon them by eurocentric ideologies. Her current focus is building a body of work that captures the beauty of black culture and explores the depths of its universal qualities. 

Throughout the development of Austin’s art career, she has have worked with many different types of media such as colored pencil, pastel, pen and ink, watercolor, graphics and design, and sculpture. However, her primary medium of choice is acrylic paint which has enabled me to create works with a broad range of color and complexity. Every piece incorporates narration through human figures and portraits and embodies the artistic movement of surrealism. Her goal is to tell stories, inspire new ideas, and challenge the way that people see the world through a perspective that is rooted in my own personal experiences as well as my understanding and connection with the experiences of others. She wants the viewer to connect with her work on a level that exceeds its visual appeal and allows for them to interact with each piece psychologically and emotionally as well. Art has always been her passion and has since become her voice in a society that seems to limit and silence you at every turn. She has learned that in art, the possibilities are endless and this very idea of possibility is what she wants to represent through my work. As an expansion of her focus, she wants to communicate the importance of representation in art, especially when it comes to art in the black community, and illustrate that we as black people can occupy any and every space, real and imaginary.


For more on Eric's Perspective, visit www.ericsperspective.com

#ERICSPERSPECTIVE #AFRICANAMERICAN #ART
 

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