Paul Goodnight, Imagemaker

Balancing
Between the lines…
Finding ying-yang harmony!
 

On December 5th, I interviewed Paul Goodnight at a reception held in his honor at Gallery Serengeti in Capitol Heights, Maryland.  Paul dressed up for the occasion, donning a black velvet jacket with a red pocket square over his blue overalls.  He is friendly and easy to talk to.

I have admired Paul’s work for a long time, but never thought I would ever meet this world renowned artist.  A master of his craft, Paul’s paintings are in major markets across the globe and his accolades continue to grow. 

Just recently he completed The Network, a mixed media painting for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.  This painting is part of an international traveling exhibition that will begin its tour in the U.S.  Other major commissions he’s received include the World Cup Soccer Poster of 1998; and the Olympics 2008 and1996.  

The Network – 2010 World Cup

Paul’s metamorphosis into a painter was channeled by the trauma he experienced as a soldier in Viet Nam.  Unable to speak, he began drawing pictures to release the painful memories of the war.  Over time, drawing helped him find a new voice and a new direction in life.  Paul says, “Art is making me, rather then me creating it”…”his work is from him, but not of him.”  

Paul paints what he experiences through travel, music, and sports.  His works are ethereal, sensual, and rhythmic.  He begins a work with two strokes across the canvas and what emerge are powerful, statuesque, Afrocentric images.  Vibrating colors rhythmically moving across the canvas pull you into the heart and spirit of his subjects.  You feel the intensity of his dancers’ movement, the power and energy of the soccer player’s kick, you hear music. 

Strength, Stride, Strokes & Spokes
2008 Olympics Triathlon Painting, Beijing, China

Although representational, he paints outside the lines, “I would love to convey the ability to see between the figures, melding and infusing them into an environment of endless nuances where abstraction and representational images are comfortable in the same space and where passion and humanity resonate.” 

There were challenges and rejections along the way, but his career accelerated thanks to his art appearing on “The Cosby Show,” “Fresh Prince of Bel Air,” “Seinfeld,” “The Hughleys,” and in the movie “Ghost.”  Most recently, one of his paintings appeared in “Gone Baby Gone,” and in 2007 a piece of his art auctioned for $70,000 at the Andre Agassi Grand Slam for Children in Las Vegas. 

Dancer & the Piano Tickler  2008
Oil on canvas  55 x 46

Paul’s art is in many institutional collections including the Smithsonian and Hampton University Museum; and some of his private collectors include Desmond Tutu, Maya Angelou, Samuel L. Jackson, Lionel Richie, Wesley Snipes, Isaiah Thomas, and the list goes on. 

Paul credits his success to an enormous support system that empowers him to create.  He also praises his mentor, Dr. John Biggers, a master African American artist, as a major influence in his art career.  Paul was a student at the Massachusetts College of Art, in the 70’s, when he first met Dr. Biggers at a National Conference of Artists Convention; and where Biggers advised the artists to be “image makers.”  These words clarified Paul’s artistic purpose and propelled him to create what he knew and what was familiar to him. 

Dr. Biggers told Paul to create, not duplicate; that the work he did doesn’t belong to him, but to someone else; and to send his work out into the world where it will be enjoyed the most.  For inspiration and ideas, Paul fills his studio with the work of other artists.

Katrina 
Giclee  S/N 200  17.5 x 22.5

When I was asked to interview Paul, it occurred to me that I had a print of his work.  Links and Lineage, created in the early 80’s, became the icebreaker to a brief, but insightful discussion about Paul’s life and art.  And, the back story on Links and Lineage illustrates Paul’s commitment to being an image maker.  The Links, Incorporated commissioned him to create a piece of art for their upcoming convention.  They wanted a brand, an image that reflected black women working together, that captured their southern tradition and cultural roots.

 Links and Lineage

After some discussion, Paul said he stepped out of the equation and focused on what was best for them.  And so, Links and Lineage evolved depicting the connection between the generations and to Africa.  They work in harmony… as mother braids daughter’s hair, daughter braids granny’s, and granny is sewing a quilt. 

The quilt, a guidepost to freedom, depicts patches of tribal patterns, linking the family to Africa.  They are enshrined by the ancient baobob tree like offerings lay as blessings to the spirit world.  Paul calls Links and Lineage an “evergreen piece” because it continues to be in demand.

Early in his career Paul was advised to diversify his subject matter.  Choosing instead to stay true to his culture and history is allowing him the pleasure to do what he does best…magically capturing the essence of people. 

Paul’s website is http://www.colorcircle.com/welcome.html.

Art by Paul Goodnight @ Gallery Serengeti

7919 Central Avenue
Capitol Heights, MD

301-808-6987

Our Common Journey — February 1 to February 28, 2010

Reception: Sunday, February 7, 2010 – 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.

Village of Friendship Heights Center
4422 South Park Avenue
Chevy Chase, MD

301-656-2797

Featuring:

Anne S.Bouie, John Beckley, Daniel T. Brooking, Bernard W. Brooks, Gwendolyn Aqui – Brooks, James Brown Jr., Desiree Darden, Henry Elliott, Jenne Glover, T. H. Gomillion, Francine Haskins, Gloria C. Kirk, Jacqueline Lee, and Samuel Mercer