Diary Entry #26 BCAT Student Artists Pt.2 / December 29, 2022 by LeRoi Johnson

Kevin Klein is a father, educator, and artist with 14 years of arts educational experience, seven of which he has spent at the Buffalo Center for Arts and Technology (BCAT.) He is also the lead instructor for the BCAT student artists partnering with me in the LEROI: Living in Color Exhibition.

I was impressed with Kevin from the first time we met at BCAT, on Main St. in Buffalo. In part, that was due to how well he had prepared his students for our project. They knew about me, and my artwork, and were enthusiastic about beginning our collaboration.

I’ve since learned that Kevin developed his love of art from his mother who was passionate about young people receiving artistic experiences and worked to find ways to provide them for her son.

It’s that familial tradition that has inspired Kevin to support organizations like BCAT, where young people are encouraged to believe in the power of creativity as an educational tool that can engage and empower…the exact intent of LEROI: Living in Color.

LEROI: Living in Color Exhibition includes the work of students from Buffalo Center for Arts and Technology (BCAT,) Buffalo Public Schools (BPS,) Just Buffalo Literary Center (JBLC,) and Squeaky Wheel Film & Media Art Center. The exhibition will be on view at the Burchfield Penney Art Center through March 26, 2023, presented by M&T Bank, with additional support from organizations and individuals throughout the Western New York community.

Diary Entry #25 Buffalo Center for Arts and Technology (BCAT) Student Artists Pt.1 / December 29, 2022 by LeRoi Johnson

My first encounter with the Buffalo Center for Arts and Technology (BCAT) student artists participating in LEROI: Living in Color was early this year. We met at their center located on Main St. in Buffalo.

If you’re not aware of this amazing facility, it is based on a nationally recognized arts and training center, and it provides resilient learners needing targeted supports with educational and career-centered opportunities, in an environment of hope and discovery.

BCAT students were chosen to be part of my exhibition due to the organization’s mission to motivate high school youth to stay in school, explore their creativity and identity, and plan for their future through an arts and technology afterschool program.

The first day I spent with the teens involved with the program, my goal was twofold. First: to allow all of us to get to know one another. Second: for me to share information about my art so they could begin to form ideas on how they might create their “take” on my artists’ vision.

As I spoke to them about this project and offered suggestions of how they might interpret someone else’s work, I preached one of my guiding creative principles, “Take what you have and expand on it.” And as the project moved forward, that’s exactly what they did.

These kids blew me away with their digital interpretations of my art--- the ways they expanded their works that made them even more creative than my own!

I look forward to art lovers enjoying their work, as well as the work of all the students who are joining me in, “Living in Color.”

Diary Entry #24 Video Friday Burchfield Penney Pt.3 / December 29, 2022 by LeRoi Johnson

It's Video Friday!

Over the last two months, you've heard about this exhibition primarily through my voice and my view. So I thought it was time for you to hear directly from Burchfield exhibition curator, Tiffany Gaines

Why?

Reason #1 She is the detail person for this exhibition from start to finish. Everyone involved in this project relies on Tiffany.

Reason #2 She looks and sounds better than me!

Check out this video where Tiffany updates the progress of the exhibition to date.

Diary Entry #23 Burchfield Penney Pt.2 / December 29, 2022 by LeRoi Johnson

I have to admit my house feels a bit empty these days since 75 pieces of my art have temporarily taken up residence at the Burchfield Penney Art Center. The good news is that I know my paintings are in expert hands with the Burchfield staff, under the lead of Curatorial Associate, Tiffany Gaines.

.The reason my art is at the Burchfield, three months ahead of the exhibition opening, is to prep each work for hanging. That includes cataloguing and inspecting every painting, allowing the canvases to adjust to the museum atmosphere, determining which works should be framed and which can stand alone, stretching and framing canvases, and the auxiliary work of writing and producing a catalogue of every piece of art.

Then, the real work begins---the laying out and hanging of the entire exhibition, including the student artists’ work, ---a task that Tiffany estimates will take up to three weeks.

One of the Burchfield staff working closely with Tiffany in preparing the art is Rosario Pitta. Rosario’s official title is Registrar, which he defines as the “librarian,” for the museum. Yet in watching him move thoughtfully through each of his tasks for this exhibition, it’s clear that his work is about much more than cataloguing.

No doubt, when at last the doors open to the LEROI: Living in Color Exhibition, the display of each work of art will reflect both Tiffany and Rosario’s attention to detail, and their passion for and dedication to their craft.

Diary Entry #22 Burchfield Penney Pt.1 / December 29, 2022 by LeRoi Johnson

Over the last two months I’ve posted a great deal about the student artists partnering in LEROI: Living in Color. Today I want to highlight another key partner in my upcoming exhibition--- the Burchfield Penney Art Center.

For anyone unfamiliar, the art center was founded in 1966 as the Charles E. Burchfield Center--- an arts and educational institution at Buffalo State College. The museum focused on the work of renowned painter Charles E. Burchfield, the first artist ever offered a solo show at New York’s Museum of Modern Art (MoMA).

In 1983 the institution was renamed the Burchfield Art Center to support its broadening multi-arts focus, committing to a full range of visual expression, including craft art, architecture, and design.

The Burchfield Penney is dedicated to the art and vision of American painter Charles E. Burchfield and maintains the world's largest collection of Burchfield's work, as well as many other distinguished artists of Buffalo and the region.

Through the center’s affiliation with SUNY Buffalo State College, they encourage learning and celebrate the richly creative and diverse Western New York community.

Scott Propeack is the acting director of the Burchfield Penney, and he is supported by an accomplished staff that includes Tiffany Gaines, the art center’s first, Black in-house curator. Tiffany is at the forefront of black curatorial engagement - a movement that is just beginning to take hold nationally and internationally.

Her official title is Curatorial & Digital Content Associate, which means that she helps bring The Center’s exhibitions and communications to life.

Tiffany works actively between the Curatorial and Marketing departments to translate the museum’s work across platforms, curating exhibitions, conducting research, communicating with artists, producing multimedia content, and interpreting works for mainstream audiences.

In the case of LEROI: Living in Color, she has helped to expertly guide this project from the very beginning.

Since early 2022, Tiffany and I have been defining and shaping this exhibition by determining which of my works of art will be included along with ways to weave in the work of the four student artists’ groups. In addition, she will be writing the curatorial text that puts my work and the educational component of the exhibition in context.

She also directed the transporting of 75 pieces of my artwork from my home to the art center and is continuing to oversee them as they are catalogued and prepared for the exhibit.

Finally, she will determine how all the art will be displayed in the Center’s expansive East Gallery---a process she estimates may take up to three weeks. She even came up with the “LEROI: Living in Color” title.

In short, using her artistic creativity, Tiffany is envisioning this art exhibition in ways that will undoubtedly make it memorable for myself, the student artists, the Burchfield Penney and all who view and enjoy it during its four-month run. She is a tremendous asset to Burchfield and to the Living In Color exhibit.

Diary Entry #21 Video Friday: BPS Student Artist Reflections / December 29, 2022 by LeRoi Johnson

It’s Video Friday on the LEROI: Living in Color Exhibition Project!

Recently the student artists from the Buffalo Public Schools celebrated the completion of their art projects for the LEROI: Living in Color Exhibition at a luncheon presented by Associate Superintendent of Culturally and Linguistically Responsive Initiatives for the Buffalo Public Schools, Fatima Morrell Ed.D.

At that event, several students spoke about the experience of working with their teammates in creating works of art that will become part of a major gallery exhibition.

As you are about to see and hear in this video of one student, the comments were thoughtful, emotional, and inspiring.

Diary Entry #20 Exhibition Tee Shirt Merch Pt. 2 / December 29, 2022 by LeRoi Johnson

Today I’m sharing the artwork for the third shirt that will be available for purchase as part of my LEROI: Living in Color Exhibition.

Shirt 3: “The Thinker”

This painting is representative of the basic elements of all my work in the Colored People Series, in the hair and facial features.

The image is actually of a person holding their face and thinking about everything going on in life. The two tears offer a double meaning---is the person happy or sad---ultimately suggesting that what the viewer sees is not all that they might think.

These shirts are being created as pieces of art. They will be made from high quality materials and colors, and sold through the Burchfield Penney Gift Store when the exhibition opens. They will also be available after the opening in select stores and online.

The shirts are currently still in the design phase, so a price has not yet been set. A portion of the proceeds from all shirt sales will benefit the Burchfield Penney Art Center. Stay tuned for more details!

Diary Entry #19 Exhibition Tee Shirt Merch Pt. 1 / December 29, 2022 by LeRoi Johnson

One of the key elements of putting together an art exhibition is promoting it---letting the public know everything from the dates and times to details about the artwork, the artists, and any backstories that may be of interest.

Then there’s the auxiliary promotions related to exhibitions that can include books, stationary, jewelry, prints, posters and in the case of LEROI: Living in Color, shirts.

A few weeks ago, I shared photos of a shirt that my friend, Carl McIntosh of the successful British R&B Band, Loose Ends, created for the band’s latest series of London concerts.

It’s a vibrant mustard color background with my 2019 painting from the Colored People Series placed front and center.

Using that shirt as inspiration, I have selected two more paintings from my Colored People Series to transform into shirts, all three of which will be sold as my part of my exhibition “merch.”

This week, I’m unveiling the artwork for the two new shirts.

Shirt 2: Colored People Red, Violet, White.

This painting is based as much on color as concept, displaying variations of red, violet and white along with juxtaposing the shapes of lines and circles.

It was inspired by my African Heritage, particularly the Fulani and Tuareg People and their cultures, where both men and women wear colorful clothing, makeup, and earrings.

I consider these shirts to be pieces of art. They will be made from high quality materials and colors and sold through the Burchfield Penney Gift Store when the exhibition opens. They will also be available after the opening in select stores and online.

At this time, they are in the design phase, so a price has not yet been set. A portion of the proceeds from all shirt sales will benefit the Burchfield Penney Art Center. Stay tuned for more details!

Diary Entry #18 On Becoming a Super Lawyer / December 29, 2022 by LeRoi Johnson

In addition to my artwork, I also practice law.

Hon. Carl B Stokes (l) Hon. Louis Stokes (r)

Some people may think the two professions are diametrically opposed, but in my case they are connected by two remarkable relatives, and one seminal moment in my life.

I was inspired to become a lawyer by my cousins, Carl and Louis Stokes. Carl was the first Back man to be elected Mayor of Cleveland in 1967, and Louis was Ohio’s first Black Congressperson, elected in 1969 and serving 15 terms.

As for my art career, it came about initially due to a childhood accident that left me bedbound for months and caused me to miss four years of school. It also also put pencils and pads in my hands that led to me drawing to pass the time, and ultimately, “Living in Color.”

Earlier this year I received a phone call from someone at Super Lawyers Magazine. They said they had heard a lot about me and wanted to interview me for an in depth article in their Update New York Edition of the publication.

My immediate reaction was one of skepticism, along with a lawyerly thought process that my advertising dollars were going to somehow be tied to the publication of this interview.

As it turned out, upon conversation with my friend/fellow lawyer Jim Scime, (who had already been featured in the magazine) the offer was legit. And so I agreed.

In early spring I interviewed with Super Lawyer Reporter, Natalie Pompiloi, who was well researched and prepared. As a result we spoke on three different days and covered a great day of my life. At the end of the interview I thanked her and we went our separate ways…publication but a feint glimmer in my mind.

Yesterday Jim Scime called to tell me that the Super Lawyer Upstate New York 2020 had published and I should check it out. I searched online and found it with a blurb on the cover that read, “LeRoi C. Johnson on music, art and law.”

Flipping through, I came to my interview in the form of a full page article, with a turn to a second page. As well, I discovered a third page with a “Save the Date” section for my upcoming LEROI: Living in Color Exhibition at the Burchfield Penney Art Center.

Three out of 14 pages of editorial content?!

I would say these days I am definitely Living in Color… even in print!

Diary Entry #17 Buffalo Society of Artists Interview / December 29, 2022 by LeRoi Johnson

Throughout the almost five decades of my artist’s journey, I have been interviewed a number of times…in NYC, Santa Fe, Miami, Toronto, Ottawa, Rio de Janeiro, London, Florence, Singapore and of course in my hometown of Buffalo.

Quite a few of those interviews were in video format, posted on various online sites. It’s only been recently that I’ve been able to locate the majority of them and post them on my own YouTube Channel https://bit.ly/LeRoiYouTubeChannel

As I gathered these interviews, I watched them, in effect taking a trip through the phases and stages of my artwork. What I discovered was that out of all the videos the one I felt was most complete and accurate was an interview by Buffalo SocietyofArtists recorded this past July (below.)

As I prepare for my upcoming exhibition at the Burchfield Penney, these videos remind me of how I began and what I have accomplished. They also inspire me to look forward to all that “LEROI” Living in Color will add to the next phase of my artist’s story

Diary Entry #16 BPS Collaborating Artists Grad Ceremony / December 29, 2022 by LeRoi Johnson

As the saying goes, all good things must come to an end. And so, this part of my work with Buffalo Public Schools students, and their art projects for my exhibition, has come to an end.

If you’ve been following my posts for the last month, you’ve seen the remarkable journey these students have taken from the early days of sketching their ideas on paper, through figuring out how to translate those ideas into artwork, and ultimately creating the art projects that will be on exhibit as part of LEROI: Living in Color.

To honor the accomplishments of these talented young artists, a graduation celebration was organized by Associate Superintendent of Culturally and Linguistically Responsive Initiatives for the Buffalo Public Schools, Fatima Morrell, Ed.D..

The gathering featured a lunch and, of course, cake! Afterwards, a few of the students shared their thoughts about the project, which was the highlight of the event.

I want to thank Associate Superintendent Morrell, Project Advisor, Eunice A. Lewin, and President/CEO of Northland Workforce Training Center (NWTC), Stephen Tucker for their support of this project. My gratitude also goes to lead instructor, Jay Hawkins Sr., for his leadership in guiding the students and helping them realize the life value of art.

Most importantly, I want to thank the student artists for all they gave in their attention, patience, and dedication to their projects, which resulted in impressive works of art.

I look forward to sharing this exhibition with the students from all the participating organizations, and giving people in our community, and beyond, the opportunity to witness their many talents.

Diary Entry #15 Video Friday Facebook/Insta Live / December 29, 2022 by LeRoi Johnson

It’s Video Friday on the LEROI: Living in Color Exhibition Project!

Today I took the leap and videoed my first Insta/FB Live. Check it out to hear the latest about my upcoming exhibition. Also I model some of the very cool merch selling at the SOLD OUT Loose Ends Concerts in London. Yes! That is a LeRoi original tour tee shirt that I'm wearing.

Now that's Living in Color!

Diary Entry #14 BPS Collaborating Artist Students Week 3 #2 / December 29, 2022 by LeRoi Johnson

In addition to each student-team art project for the LEROI: Living in Color Exhibition, I partnered with all of the students on a project that began in the classroom with a simple drawing of lines and circles on pillars.

The idea was to create faces in the circles of those pillars, using a palate of bright colors. Once completed, we would stack the pillars on top of each other, creating pieces of art 8 feet in height.

The student artists and I worked on the pillars, in-between creating their own artwork.

At first, they were tentative as we began layering the designs and colors, but as we continued they became increasingly engaged. And as we completed this work of art, it became clear that---as I envisioned with this project--- the students and I were “Living in Color” together.

Diary Entry #13 BPS Collaborating Student Artists Week 3 #1 / December 19, 2022 by LeRoi Johnson

This week is all about finishing up the student artists’ projects so that they can be transferred to the Burchfield Penney Art Center and readied for exhibition.

This glimpse into one of the projects from start to finish is evidence of the talents of these remarkable young artists.

Diary Entry #12 Meet BPS Collaborating Student Artists / December 19, 2022 by LeRoi Johnson

It’s Video Friday on the LEROI: Living in Color Exhibition Project.

Since so many of my recent blog posts have been about the student artists creating their works for the exhibition, thought you might enjoy meeting one of the student teams and seeing their process as they work.

Enjoy!

Diary Entry #11 BPS Collaborating Student Artists Week 2 #3 / December 19, 2022 by LeRoi Johnson

In guiding the artistic efforts of these students, my role is to inspire their creativity through concepts and ideas.

However it’s a fine line between encouraging their creativity and giving them advice, which through five decades of personal art experience, I know could help them.

The additional responsibility is understanding the makeup of each young artist, and using the right tact to encourage, rather than discourage them.

These photos from my recent exchange with one of the talented Buffalo Public School students, is a good illustration of this process as we review the progress of his work and determine the next steps.

Diary Entry #10 BPS Collaborating Student Artists Week 2 #2 / December 19, 2022 by LeRoi Johnson

After brainstorming ideas, translating their ideas onto paper, and clarifying/defining their works of art., the five groups of Buffalo Public School Students have moved into the studio to begin designing and producing their installation projects.

As the younger generation says, this is when stuff starts gettin’ real!

The work to transform a design into a piece of art can be challenging for the most experienced of artists. That said, these 20 students are staying focused on the task as they enthusiastically began crafting materials, primer, and paint, into their interpretative visions.

The next stage of the project will find the student teams completing their artwork into the final pieces that will reflect their designs.

Diary Entry #9 BPS Associate Superintendent Fatima Morrell / December 19, 2022 by LeRoi Johnson

It’s Video Friday on the LEROI: Living in Color Exhibition Project.

I had planned to do a LIVE video today, but once again an individual connected to the project stepped forward to voice their enthusiasm for this special art endeavor.

I am pleased to introduce Associate Superintendent of Culturally and Linguistically Responsive Initiatives for the Buffalo Public Schools, Fatima Morrell, Ed.D.

In her role, Associate Superintendent Morrell is the person who supported the program goal of including young artists from throughout Buffalo in my upcoming exhibition and facilitated a creative way for Buffalo Public School (BPS) students to participate, learn, and benefit.

This week, she stopped by the classroom at the Northland Workforce Training Center where I’m working with lead instructor, Jay Hawkins Sr., and 20 BPS student artists on creating their interpretive versions of my art.

She not only interacted with the 20 artists and saw their designs on paper, she visited the studio where the students are creating their artwork for a behind-the-scenes preview.

Thank you Associate Superintendent Morrell for your enthusiastic support of these talented young artists and their part in LEROI: Living in Color.

Diary Entry #8 BPS Collaborating Student Artists Week 2 #1 / December 19, 2022 by LeRoi Johnson

The 20 students have split into five teams, each one designing and producing their own interpretation of my art.

The process of defining their works began with the students, their lead instructor, Jay Hawkins Sr., and me, brainstorming their ideas and writing the results on large sheets of yellow paper taped to the walls. We then worked on clarifying and defining their works of art.

Once the teams were satisfied with their projects on paper, it was time to purchase the needed materials, move into the art studio, and begin creating.

Re-taping their yellow project papers to the walls of their workspaces and getting started, the students quickly experienced a reality that artists often face---design ideas don’t always work when it comes to execution.

This part of the process surprised the students. It also taught them that when something doesn’t seem like it’s going to work, you don't give up. You figure out other options.

And they did, with admirable diligence and impressively creative minds.

I’ve included an example of their brainstorming ideas, as well as a sneak peek of one of the team’s early stages of translating their paper ideal into a work of art.

The rest of this week is dedicated to priming and completing the structural elements of their artwork, and then bringing them all to life with paint.

Stay tuned….

Diary Entry #7 Memories / December 19, 2022 by LeRoi Johnson

Over the last week, Burchfield Penney Curatorial and Digital Content Associate, Tiffany Gaines, Preparator, Tom Holt, and Registrar, Rosario Pitta, began the process of transferring 70 of my paintings from my home to the Burchfield Penney Art Center, to prep them for the LEROI: Living in Color Exhibition.

As an artist, this is an exciting time. After six months of planning and discussing, the exhibition is moving forward in concrete ways.

What’s interesting is that in addition to excitement, I’m experiencing an unanticipated side effect.

When Burchfield Penney Acting Director, Scott Propeack, and Tiffany, came to my home in February, to help me choose 70 paintings from over 1500 pieces of my art for inclusion in the exhibit, the process became a mini-review of my life. Memories of people, places and times I’d memorialized on canvas, flooded my mind in stunning reality.

Even now, they continue to play in review.

One of the most haunting of those memories is related to a series of 25 paintings I created in a ten-year period beginning in 2001, which I titled, "Memoirs of a Crackhead."

The majority of paintings in the series are 18 x 12, with one larger canvas measuring 48 x 36. Some might term them, “stark.” For me they reflect the decades of the late 70’s and 80’s when I was living in Los Angeles and touring with my musician/brother, Rick.

Crack was riding a wave of popularity as the “status” drug at that time, and I was on the scene, watching it, fighting it, but never using it

One day a music business executive dropped by my hotel. He was accompanied by one of the most gorgeous women I had even seen. After a few minutes of conversation, this guy shocked me by asking if I could help him score some crack. I had no idea he was a user. Eventually I mentioned some nearby street dealers.

I didn’t hear from either one of them again for days. They literally disappeared. Then came a knock on my door. It was the woman, by herself, looking a lot less beautiful. She said I had to help her. She needed more crack.

I refused.

At that point, she propositioned me as a means of getting money to buy drugs. I told her to get out, but as she left I felt sorry for her and ended up giving her fifty dollars.

Days later she showed up at my hotel again. This time it was the early morning, and she appeared even more ragged and strung out. She’d brought along her young daughter, a child every bit as beautiful as her mother had once appeared. As she begged me for money, she offered her daughter in exchange.

That was the last time I ever gave money to anyone who was going to use it for drugs or allowed them to use drugs in my presence. It’s also a memory I later documented in the painting, Crack of Day.

Five paintings from the Memoirs of a Crackhead Series (excluding the one shown here) will be showcased in my upcoming Burchfield Penney Exhibition, each telling a compelling story of my life and the world around me…all of it “Living in Color.”