contact info

VISITORS: Tours of the studio are always available. Text or message if you'd like to see what was LITERALLY created from the ashes of Hurricane Ida.

(These updates are posted daily)

Contact Information

Grey Cross Studios
1920 4th St, New Orleans , LA 70113
Email: gcsartno@aol.com
Send text messages to 504-874-2908, Instagram @GreyCrossStudios, Facebook Grey Anatoli Cross, Threads @greycrossstudios

The Black Lives Matter Archive - Artist R.A. Smoller


"WARRIOR MOM"

So this is a painting of a friend of mine from the Congo. She lives here now in Oakland, CA with her family. I painted it because, even though she is half my age, she is a true inspirational and courageous persona that I thought needed to be honored. She showed me extraordinary kindness a couple years back and I was so moved, I wanted to do something to thank her. I painted this to thank and honor her and then I sent it to her. She told me that she cried when she got it. The name, "Warrior Mom" came from her kids, who I let name the painting. The hands of her family are woven into the painting with fabric patterns from the Congo. She is indeed a proud warrior. 

It is a digital painting on canvas. Limited edition. Size: Height: 36" Width = 24" 



BIO

I can’t remember a time in my life when I wasn’t thinking about or doing something that involved artistic expression. Growing up poor forced me to turn to any available materials for creative projects including egg shells and string. My life took me in many directions as I moved from Philadelphia to New York to pursue a career in theater, and finally to Los Angeles where I began teaching. Aside from my diploma in graphic design, I am a self-taught digital painter and photographer and only started painting at the age of 66.

I see my art as visual storytelling and any subject is grist for the mill. I love to juxtapose representational images to create personal narratives. Each work is purposeful, conscious and responsive to a particular set of prevailing emotions. Whether the viewer sees the same story or invents a whole new scenario, it is the grand mystery and endless fascination of creation for me. I leave it to the critics and art aficionados to define it and do the labeling. As an “emerging artist” at age 68, I’m just thrilled to be out there (or anywhere for that matter), have my work seen and to be part of the art conversation. I am honored and humbled by my experiences in dealing with the art world so far.







No comments:

Post a Comment