49 Comments
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Angèle's avatar

I'm the Danielle McKinney commentator and I have to say I loved reading this 🖤

I love her work and if I learn to paint one day it will be because of her, but I never researched her biography. Reading this makes me even more enamoured!

I also can't wait to see what other pieces you have yet to paint. Thank you for sharing this 🙏🏾

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Janet Asante Sullivan's avatar

She’s definitely a gateway to picking up the brush, especially since she did late in life, too. Appreciate the encouragement.

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jo's avatar

Found both Janet and Danielle McKinney through you❤️ love this whole exchange

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Kelsey Teller's avatar

I stumbled on Danielle McKinney's art earlier this year as well, and when you posted your piece I assumed it was hers at first glace! Every piece you included in your article is so beautiful and I can't wait to see more of your work as well!

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Janet Asante Sullivan's avatar

Thank you, Kelsey. I am enjoying studying her as a newbie visual artist.

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Rachel Leeke Alexis's avatar

Wow I didn’t know her back story. To start taking her work seriously during the PANDEMIC really speaks to Gods timing. When you’re meant to pop you’ll pop.

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Aura Binah Marie's avatar

Omg I’ve discovered her this year as well. I think Pinterest is where I first found her work. I’d love to own one of her pieces and now I’m even more excited about finding your work. I really want to learn more about art and find a way to converse/connect art and wellness. I always wish I knew how to draw/paint but I don’t 😞 however I’m glad to be finding more black artists

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Janet Asante Sullivan's avatar

Thank you, Aura. I didn’t know how to paint/draw until this February after taking a painting class. I truly think it can be learned. Appreciate you being here

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Micaela Brown's avatar

I love her vignettes of women exhaling. I see so few relaxed adult women. Lovely.

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Ivana Esther Martínez's avatar

What a beautiful meditation on McKinney's inspiration in your process and how her work is informing your own gaze as an artist. I too trekked out of my DMV (NoVa) suburb last year in search of Danielle at the Hirshhorn only to be met with the same disappointment. I hope they bring that acquisition out soon. It's meant to be seen.

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Janet Asante Sullivan's avatar

Glad to see I wasn’t alone in my disappointment. Thank you reading

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Sylvia G's avatar

I see the inspiration, now after your storyline, for what it’s worth - when I saw your piece in my feed, I clicked to open because I saw a woman and her spirits circling with the smoke. Hence, the view I saw was a surrounding of spirit and ancestry vs the inspo of female solitude.

I love art. Even with the creator’s vision, we make up our own.

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Janet Asante Sullivan's avatar

Thank you, Sylvia

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words of sicca's avatar

I’ve written about McKinney as well but not published yet, I was introduced to her earlier this year too!! And your pièce os work is absolutely stunning and carries that same energy of the inspired work, appreciating black women in solace being a rare sight🤍🤍

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Janet Asante Sullivan's avatar

I’d love to read your piece! Do share when you are ready. And thank you.

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words of sicca's avatar

Just posted xx

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Jeremy Mathew's avatar

Janet! I have been meaning to comment on your painting, but WOW WOW WOW! Somehow the blues look so warm and the smoke from the figures cigarette...the luminosity of the lampshade...truly a stunning work of art.

I hadn't heard of this artist, but I can see the inspiration so clearly.

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Janet Asante Sullivan's avatar

I kinda feel like we are friends now, lol. I am seeing all the tiny things I wish I did differently like all artists do but reminding myself of your words and others. Thank you!

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alex b.'s avatar

Her portraits are beautiful. I like that you mention she doesn't explain much about her pieces. I feel the same way about my own. As for the Basquiat x Banksy exhibit, much different vibes than McKinney but I could imagine that was still worth seeing.

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alex b.'s avatar

Your piece is absolutely beautiful and choosing to draw inspo from McKinney was a great choice. The blue pulls me in the most.💙

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Janet Asante Sullivan's avatar

Feedback from other artists always feels special. Thank you, Alex.

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alex b.'s avatar

You're welcome😉🫶🏽

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tierra's avatar

You are so talented. I’m also in DC, let me skip over to the Hirshhorn and ask why it isn’t being shown!

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Janet Asante Sullivan's avatar

lol, right?! Collecting dust somewhere🙃

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Ellyceeeeeeee's avatar

Woah! Thank you for bringing this work to my attention. This is beautiful! I'm excited to see more of your work as well. Such a satisfying read

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Janet Asante Sullivan's avatar

Danielle’s work really is! Thank you, Ellyce

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Holistic Mira's avatar

Your analysis are her work was perfect ! This is the first I’m hearing of this artist and her work and you did a beautiful job at portraying her art and the meaning behind it!

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Janet Asante Sullivan's avatar

Thank you for stopping to read it

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Ms. Lynn Beauty's avatar

She is truly my favorite. Giving a space for the black female form just exists. Beautiful and restful. This is fresh. I have trauma fatigue.

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Janet Asante Sullivan's avatar

Agree!

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Jai aka “Diva”'s avatar

Love your art as well!

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Janet Asante Sullivan's avatar

Thank you Jai!

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Jai aka “Diva”'s avatar

I love her work as well. My favorite piece of hers is “Morning Glory” and I want a copy so badly.

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