My Grandma

Drawn in 2011. She requested that I sketch a portrait of herself for her.

Mom

Drawn in 2011. This was inspired by a photo of my mother when she was in her early 20s.

Pakistani Woman

Drawn in 2010.

Josephine Baker

I drew this portrait in 2011. As I said in a previous post I decided to draw Josephine Baker. She was an adorable entertainer of her time and should always be A powerful role model of African American women.

I wish I was as bubbly as she was. Her joking around facial expressions are so lovable.

 

                                                                                                                           

Thai Dancer

I drew this portrait in 2010. I love the traditional dancing outfits of Thai women. The head dress on the top of her head (unfortunately I couldn't draw the head dress as high as it really is in this particular portrait) and the floral head piece on the right of her head makes their traditional dancing outfit even more breath taking. It would be an honor if I had the chance to try on one of their dancing outfits one of these days. Thai food is also one of my many favorites. I usually eat my Thai food at a family owned restaurant owned by one of my mom's student's parents. (My mom is an elementary school teacher.) The mother who owns the restaurant and waitresses are always so kind to us. They always talk to us while were waiting for our food at our table with nothing to do. Pad thai and crab rangoons will always be a treat.

Billie Holiday?

I drew this portrait in 2010. My original idea was to draw an African American 1920 flapper. But when I showed this drawing to my mom she claimed it looked like Billie Holiday. Either idea is pretty accetable for this portrait in my eyes. Speaking of Billie Holiday my favorite song sung by her would have to be "Strange Fruit." All this talk of early and mid 1900s celebs makes me want to draw A portrait of Josephine Baker next. There's A good chance you'll spot her on one of my next posts soon.

Ethiopian Girl

 I drew this portrait in 2010. I've hoped that if I ever found out which country my African ancestors came from some of them would be from Ethiopia. I've only seen an Ethiopian once in my lifetime so far. It was A man at A shopping mall my mom and I were walking around at. We stopped at A certain store where an Ethiopian man was standing in a purchase line in front of us. My mom had the bravery to ask where he was from since we couldn't figure it out ourselves no matter how hard we both tried--and he replied Ethiopia. The traditional Ethiopian clothing she's wearing is called Habesha Qemi with a shawl. The symbol tattooed on her forehead is an orthodox or Coptic Ethiopian christian cross.

A better look at what she's wearing (Habesha Qemi:)