Art’s Explanatory Comma

Unlike most of the other interviewees we've had, this weeks guest is a relative stranger, but he was vouched for by Robert Hodge. LaMonte French is an abstract expressionist, who's works deals with his passion for the content of today, and how we have found our way as a world of people where we are today and more. We learned a lot about LaMonte and his work and we are excited to share it with you all. 

Enjoy and Peace!!!

-M.

Our guest this week is a special one and y'all may be tired of hearing from him, but we hope not. It's me, and I'm in the seat that all of our guests have been in and it is AWKWARD! We all made it through. Please listen and enjoy. 

Peace.

-M.

India Lovejoy, effed with the vision so we got her to sit down and collab with the AEC team, lol. Listen to the ep and you will know where that comes from. Seriously, though, India does a lot for artist and the arts. We didn't really know where to begin, so we just did. We enjoyed our time rapping with her and hopefully you enjoy listening to the conversation. Peace.

-M.

Our guest this week is a multi-disciplinary artist whose work centers around the topic of blackness and the pride in and of everything related to the privilege of being black. Music is extremely important to his practice as well. One could call it the driving force, and even the art at times. He is taking art to the people in unconventional ways, and enriching the people and communities. He started with the community that both he and Beyoncé hold very dear, 3rd ward Houston, Texas, and is going beyond. Robert Hodge is a hustler few have seen the likes of. This dude is the Kevin Gates of this art shit. He does not get tired!!! Don't take my word for it. Just give the episode a listen and count the jobs. Also go and Enjoy his work at www.robertleroyhodge.com

Peace,

--M.

Raquel, Myself, and Vernique took a trip out to ATX (Austin), the home of SxSW, to speak with the incredible figurative painter...Nigerian American artist, Dawn Okoro. I did not know what to expect, but the artwork drew us in and so we road tripped it. I have to say, there was no disappointment. Dawn was open honest and awesome. I think it is safe to say, we all became even bigger fans of her work. Dawn speaks unapologetically about her love for blackness, black art and makes certain to uplift black women. This was special and fun. As usual, please listen enjoy and give us your feedback if you would. Peace.

--M.

Living between is a weird place to be, but a good place to be, sometimes. For artists, this means, often times, being able to pay bills and make work that fills you. Hopefully. It could mean that you can't do either very effectively... For our guests this week it means the former. This is a balance that must be found one way or another when creating for a living. It becomes a battle of principles, though, for fine artists. Our guest share some of that with us this week. As always enjoy, listen and give us some feedback, if you so choose. Peace.

--M.

Thank you all for sticking with us! In this ep we recap the first half of out first season and offer you our explanation for our "Scandal Break", as Raquel Calls it. We really do appreciate you, and this podcast has been part of my saving grace, not as instrumental as my wife, family and friends, but this is important too! If you need help please get that if you need convincing hit us on explanatorycomma (at) gmail.com or use the resources below. Our mental health and well being is ALWAYS more important. DON'T SUFFER IN SILENCE AND CHECK ON YOUR STRONG FRIEND!

-M.

NATIONAL SUICIDE PREVENTION LIFELINE: 1-800-273-8255

HOPELINE: https://www.thehopeline.com/

TALKSPACE: https://www.talkspace.com/

This is the continuation of our conversation with Danny Dunson. In this half of the conversation we discuss Ghana. Ghana, the place that brought so much fullness to Danny's life and helped us all get a bit closer to black art, and for a lot of us, home. Danny has been a conduit for many of us, through which we have gleaned so much from the images we have seen and the artist's who have made them. This conversation was eye opening in the same way that the @LegacyBros IG account is. Just listen and enjoy. Tell us how transformative it was later. Peace.

--M.

Yes, we finally thought that an interview was too long to be just a one part episode. But seriously, we just had too much to talk about and maybe even forgot some things we should have asked. Danny is an art historian, writer and curator with a unique perspective on life and art due to an upbringing and support system most dream of. That doesn't mean his road was easy and definitely doesn't mean that he did not bust his ass to get where he is now. This was an art history class we always wanted to have. It was a reverent, enlightening and entertaining time. Go a head and give us a listen and enjoy. -- M.