Blue Ribbon Reviewers Interest Form - Form Responses

The Daughter of Pianist Mary Cannon and US Colored Troop Veteran Rev. Sidney Penick, Mary Penick was born in 1898 in Norwood and followed in her mother’s footsteps as the organist at Penick Chapel. She is pictured here in 1899 when she was a year old, at 12 years old and a final portrait after her 100th birthday. Ms Mary, the mother of Flinora Frazier, lived until 2001, passing away at 102 years old.

These paintings are part of a larger collection exploring the history of Norwood, a small Reconstruction Era community in Southeast Indianapolis.

Aunt Lizzie
Oil on Board
2022

From the Norwood Collection – Lizzie Brooks was Ms Flinora’s aunt, born in Kentucky in the late 1860s. Due to Ms Flinora’s archive, we have been able to recover the stories of many members of the Brooks family, including photos, journals, pension paperwork from the Civil War and numerous legal documents. Not much is known about Aunt Lizzie because Ms Flinora was a small child when her aunt was nearly 100 years old and we are currently not in touch with the Brooks family. From her stories, Ms Flinora would have to go sit with Aunt Lizzie to keep her company when there were thunderstorms because she seemed to be scared of the storm.

Part of a larger collection exploring the history of Norwood, a small Reconstruction Era Community in Southeast Indianapolis

This artwork is the portrait of a leader – vibrant, strong, but gentle. It is a 1/10 limited edition print.
Work is currently framed in an ornate gold frame, without glass, for ease of display within a display case.
Glass can be added in advance of delivery upon request at no charge.

“Bridging to Hope” was started in 2020, in New Delhi, India, as a fellowship project for Art for Change (https://artforchange.in). Twenty international artists were selected to study and create together. This painting was inspired by the people who spoke to our group about racism, infanticide, and disabilities. When we work together and support each other, we build bridges of love that raise us from darkness to the light of hope.

Finishing touches and slight revisions were added after the painting was shipped back from India. “Love Bridges Differences” was selected for the “Art from the Heartland” regional exhibit at the Indy Art Center and “The Retrospective Gallery Show” at the JCC Indianapolis.

This is a painting of wildflowers from my neighbor’s garden. I pass it nearly daily on my walks and I always marvel at all of the different species, all so colorful, and all so unique, uniting to make this space beautiful and diverse. I feel lucky to have this garden in my neighborhood and knew I wanted to capture it in a painting.

As someone who is differently abled, I look for common themes that connect us all as humans. Nature has always been a big inspiration in my work, and it fits seamlessly into my search for and the importance of community connection in my life. The more we work together, the better we survive.

Family Matters is about keeping the family unity strong through the lineage.

“Love Bridges Differences” was started in 2020, in New Delhi, India, as a fellowship project for Art for Change (https://artforchange.in). Twenty international artists were selected to study and create together. This painting was inspired by the overt racism India endures. We witnessed this period of time of demonstrations and violence as the beginning of right-wing Hindu extremism to segregate Muslims and deny them citizenship. The painting uses the cliché colors of white, yellow, red, brown, and black to symbolize how we view and discriminate against different races. However, we’re connected by the spiraling strand of DNA. We’re all part of a common humanity.

Finishing touches were added after the painting was shipped back from India. “Love Bridges Differences” has been exhibited at the Indy Art Center and JCC Indianapolis.

“Love Bridges Differences” was started in 2020, in New Delhi, India, as a fellowship project for Art for Change (https://artforchange.in). Twenty international artists were selected to study and create together. This painting was inspired by the overt racism India endures. We witnessed this period of time of demonstrations and violence as the beginning of right-wing Hindu extremism to segregate Muslims and deny them citizenship. The painting uses the cliché colors of white, yellow, red, brown, and black to symbolize how we view and discriminate against different races. However, we’re connected by the spiraling strand of DNA. We’re all part of a common humanity.

Finishing touches were added after the painting was shipped back from India. “Love Bridges Differences” has been exhibited at the Indy Art Center and JCC Indianapolis.

While restricted to my tiny apartment during the pandemic, I reimagined the space in the way I dreamt during those times: calm and expansive, with the absence of walls inviting nature inside. This painting exemplifies a philosophy of mind over matter, or the power of imagination of that which restricts us.

Tiffany Black is an award-winning public artist based in Indianapolis, IN, specializing in collaborative and community-based projects. She has been creating large-scale works since 2003, mainly painted murals. She has also worked professionally in terrazzo flooring design, digital design and illustration, and as a scenic artist in the television and film industries in New York City. She is a founding member of TLC Art Collective, a group of artists concerned with environmental and social justice (www.tlc-art.com).

Tiffany studied Studio Art at Hanover College, and earned her Masters of Fine Arts in Community Arts from the Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA) in 2013. She is an adjunct Professor of Art at Ivy Tech Community College, Franklin College, and Arkansas Tech University. www.tblack.co

The painting presents a figure who is proud of their existence, and strong in their beliefs even though they may be different. The figure represents a determination to dig deep and continue to be strong in the belief of who we are and use that strength to put ourselves out into the world and succeed on our own merits. This painting is a reminder that despite criticism, differences, expectations, or prejudices we should believe enough in ourselves to know that our existence matters.

This is one piece in a body of work called Shattered Still Life. It’s about time, beauty, and impermanence. I photograph a still-life scene of flowers and then slowly deconstruct the elements. I lock down my camera on a tripod and take many photographs with and without the flowers. After taking many exposures, I reassemble the image fragments.

A mask piece on canvas

Face Forward is a mixed-media painting on canvas to include charcoal, acrylic and oil.
The larger than life head is rendered wide-eyed and aware, staring face forward directly at the viewer. The head is breaking through a series of triangles meant to represent obstacles, cognitive thoughts or barriers that may stand in the way of moving forward towards a higher purpose.

Emerge is a mixed media painting on canvas to include charcoal, acrylic, spray enamel and oil. The subject of the painting is ’emerging’ from the bottom half of the canvas with a content and peaceful look. I imagined him rising above the stress and harshness of daily life and being totally comfortable with who he is and at peace. The painting is a reminder that we should be comfortable with who we are, and that we’re beautiful. This painting was a result of an art swap with a photographer in Bilbao, Spain. He sent me a variety of photos in which to work from in-studio including a few of his ‘selfies’. In the end, I chose to paint him, as he portrayed to me the feeling of emerging stronger and confident each day. The number in the top left is the actual image frame identifier.

Abstract on canvas with various colors promoting peace

Abstract piece with multiple textures and colors on canvas

This is a Limited Edition of 12 prints. WOLF was originally drawn with colored pencils, carbon, and pastel on a wood panel. “WOLF” is from a drawing Series called “Beastly Earnest”. When you look into the humanistic eyes of an animal, you might be reminded of your own animal status on the planet. We creatures share the same ground, air, and food. Good stewardship of Gaia is crucial.

Painting based on night and day, with two carp swimming through a dreamy landscape. Inspired by traditional chinese landscape paintings such as a Thousand Li of Mountains and Rivers.

During an eclipse bees come to a complete stop until after totality. We will have an eclipse this year and it makes me think about how this rare phenomenon can affect people and creatures.
Bees themselves are unique and wonderful creatures. I think bees symbolize the spirit of community, environmental responsibility, and mindful consumption. They are essential to our ecosystem, pollinating flowers and plants, in return, they harvest honey for sustenance. Working collectively, they ensure the welfare of their hive and play distinct roles in maintaining the health of both their home and their colony.
The flowers in this painting are peonies which is the Indiana state flower.

*this is a digital rendering of the final painting. Painting is almost complete, I am adding the last few details and it will have gold for the outlines.

This painting entitled “Stronger Together” represents the human race.
We are always better as one unit, all races and backgrounds.
We are, together, community serving, loving and uplifting each other.

2024 is the Year of the Wood Dragon. In Chinese culture, dragons symbolize power, strength, and good luck. They are regarded as benevolent creatures that bring blessings, protection, and abundance. They are considered guardians of heavenly realms and protectors of the Earth. Another legend tells the story that a dragon swallows the sun and thus why an eclipse occurs which is interesting as 2024 is both the year of the dragon and an eclipse year.

“Crimson Whisper” embodies my signature style—technically precise yet subtly refined. Despite its modest size, this painting mesmerizes with its intricate portrayal of a still life, highlighting the exquisite beauty of the Indiana peony.

Focused on primary colors—red, yellow, and green—the composition exudes a mature and sophisticated aura. Each brushstroke delicately captures the peony’s allure, inviting viewers into a world of quiet elegance and timeless beauty.

Muted gold frame.

“Blossom Burst” is a captivating acrylic piece exploding with a riot of vibrant florals, blending memories of Indiana’s landscapes with the rich heritage of Puerto Rico. Through manipulation of scale, I aimed to create a fantastical world where blooms of various sizes coalesce in a mesmerizing dance. Using gesso and preserved florals adds texture and dimensionality, inviting viewers to immerse themselves in the intricate tapestry of petals. “Blossom Burst” serves as a vibrant celebration of life’s diversity, seamlessly weaving together memories, heritage, and the timeless allure of floral landscapes.

I’ve been painting since childhood, finding solace and expression in art. Growing up in Puerto Rico, I was immersed in vibrant landscapes and rich culture. Three years ago, I moved to Indiana, facing new challenges and cultural shifts. Painting became my anchor through this transition, helping me navigate unfamiliar terrain while staying connected to my roots.

My artwork reflects the fusion of my Puerto Rican heritage with my experiences in Indiana. Each piece tells a story of adaptation and growth. One standout piece, “Blossom Burst,” is a vibrant explosion of flowers symbolizing the harmony between my two worlds.

Through my art, I celebrate diversity and resilience, inviting viewers to join me on a journey of self-discovery and cultural exploration.

The cherry used for the legs and understructure and the curly white oak slab used for the seat came from locally fell trees. The back rest of this bench is bent steel powder coated in a pop of pink.

Eclipse is a wall hung art piece inspired by heavenly and earthly forms, colors and textures. The overlaying of the circular elements reminds us of the great orbs suspended in space, always moving and crossing between each other. While the warm textures of the figured oak wood emulate wind swept deserts or fields. The low light coming from behind the smaller circle shows only in low or no light just as we can only see past our world when all is dark, and distractions are hidden.