THE ARTIST
Ebony London was born in Detroit, Michigan, in 1980. She is a self-taught artist who has also gained mentorship and is currently living in Sacramento, California. Her first solo exhibition, titled “Colorful,” took place in 2017. Ebony London is recognized for her painted, statuesque figures that exude pride and confidence through their posture. The hairstyles of her figures are unapologetically unruly, while their garments are sophisticated and rich in color. Each figure is framed by simple, solid backgrounds that convey the message that it is who you are, not where you are, that truly matters.
Photo: Artist Ebony London in her studio.
Photo by The Magic Eye
THE TYPE OF ARTIST
By Ebony London
I’ve spent the last five years quietly becoming the type of Artist I desire to be. My only solo exhibit was in 2017. I rented a gallery for one night, invited everyone I knew, and displayed my Fine Artwork in an exhibit titled “Colorful.” The exhibit was a success! I sold several pieces of my Fine Artwork and received several Fine Artwork commissions. That same evening, when the rented gallery was empty of guests and only myself and my Fine Artwork remained, I decided upon what type of Artist I would be.
I decided I would be the type of Artist who creates and exhibits bodies of work instead of individual paintings. Similar to a musician who releases only full albums instead of singles. I knew that becoming this type of Artist would require patience.
I decided I would be the type of Artist that uses quality materials including heavy-duty canvases and professional-level paints. I knew that becoming this type of Artist would require a financial investment.
I decided I would be the type of Artist that would stretch my canvases so that I may control the dimensions of my works of art. I knew that becoming this type of Artist would require an understanding of carpentry & measurements.
I decided I would be the type of Artist that would be recognized by a signature style. I knew that becoming this type of Artist would require consistency & commitment.
I decided I would be the type of Artist that creates Fine Artwork that expresses the elegance, gracefulness, and beauty of human beings. I knew that becoming this type of Artist would require that I surround myself with elegant, graceful, and beautiful human beings.
My Statuesque Collection displays the type of Artist I’ve become.
The word Statuesque means attractively tall and dignified. My painted figures display pride & confidence in their posture. Their hairstyles are unapologetically unruly. Their garments are sophisticated & brilliant in color. Undemanding, clean & rich solid backgrounds frame each figure expressing that it is who you are, not where you are, that matters.
Over the last five years, while becoming the type of Artist I desired to be, I did not post nor share any of my Fine Artwork on social media and only displayed a piece of my Fine Artwork in three collaborative exhibits. The reason why? For me, ‘becoming’ was a personal experience.
Comparable to adolescence and the experience of puberty, with time & consideration, the body shape of my painted figures changed! With time & consideration, my creative voice and purpose changed! With time & consideration, what I once overlooked, changed!
Now my painted figures' bodies are calculated! Now my Fine Artwork confidently speaks for me! Now everything inspires and intrigues me! All this happened because I decided the type of Artist I would be.