Art for Life

I’m really big on inspiration. I get it from everywhere: walks, movies, books, conversations, antique stores, television shows, traffic. I thrive off of it! I literally get turned on by being inspired, any new way to light a fire of creativity within myself I jump at, which is why all my life I have desperately wanted to love art.

I envision myself as the type of woman with an art collection so sensational that museums actually beg me for the opportunity to showcase it. I would join the ranks of Tamia and Grant Hill, Chris Webber and my name sake Aaronetta Pierce who at one time with her husband had the largest African-American art collection in the state of Texas!

But as much as I fantasize about being a chic woman, cultivated and engorged in the art culture, my home a constant stimulation of exceptional works displayed on pedestals and walls with my guests, friends and family praising my unique taste and keen eye; There is one small problem, I know absolutely nothing about art.

I go to galleries and museums in search of inspiration but most of the time I end up being inspired by the bar or coffee shop. I hate to say it but the most interesting thing to me about the Mona Lisa is that she is rumored to actually be Leonardo Da Vinci. Creepy…but kind of cool.

It shames me to admit these things, I am an actress which is its own art form and the militant in me also yearns to offer support to anyone journeying the road less traveled, which is most artist.
So imagine my delight when, in search of my perfect piece I walked into an LA gallery and saw:
'Gold Digger, Like a Hooker... Just Smarter', by Todd Oldham. I felt the familiar tingle of inspiration. Could it be my first art piece? I actually found myself evil-eyeing the other patrons and protecting my piece like a guard dog. Finally, I got up the courage to look at the price. 'Price upon request.' Isn’t that 'art speak' for ‘Probably more than you can afford?’ A little down but not out, I went home to research the piece. Read: google!

‘Recording Artist/ Philanthropist Rhianna purchases 7 Todd Oldham pieces"

Huh? I got a little bit jealous and competitive. No Rhianna did not go out and buy my piece of art. Of course I knew she did, because she has excellent taste and wouldn’t leave that one on the wall. Sure enough in the list of works that Rhianna aquired 'Golddigger, Like a hooker... but smarter."

I found out that I could get a lithograph for $1100? But like I said, I know nothing about art, is that like a knock-off Gucci bag? I don’t think so. I want an original or nothing at all!

Well, the truth is, if the lithograph was $1100 then the original was probably out of my reach for the time being. Though in mourning I figured something out, I don’t have to be a Mona-Lisa loving, Renoir toting artistic erudite. The important thing about my art is that it inspires crazy, sincere, fabulous, fun, me! And it was then that I found her, or should I say them, at my favorite Sunday spot the Fairfax and Melrose Trading Post (which is a fantastic non-profit itself).
S.A.D., Shawnte

The artist is Shawnte’ Shawnte’ and boy is she fun. All of her pieces remind me of my fabulous girlfriends, my loving sisters, my superfly mother and all of my aunts! And I didn’t feel uncomfortable at all asking for prices because immediately I wanted to support this sister.

Hopefully Adi Chicks by Shawnte (bottom) will grace my walls very soon (In the event of another national…) But it is important for woman of all ages to find something to adorn their walls that speaks to them because as Picasso said, 'Art washes from the soul the dust of everyday life.' Amen to that.

Which is why this weeks Cause Fabulous is Rush Philanthropic Arts Foundations ‘Art for Life’ owned by Russell Simmons.

The Cause of the Rush Foundation is to present the highest quality arts education for children, with a particular focus on underserved, under-recognized or disadvantaged populations. His 2008 Miami event raised over $575 thousand dollars for youth in the Miami Dade community and that is just fabulous!

Dedicated to my girl Leigh, aka Whitley Gilbert, who is destined to have the kind of art collection that is shown around the world!