Greenwood Ave. Magazine No. 4

No. 4

© 2023 Greenwood Ave. All rights reserved.

No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the editor, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and specific other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law. For permission requests, write to the editor, addressed “Attention: Greenwood Ave. Permissions,” at the address below. info@greenwoodave.com greenwoodave.com Printed in the United States Publication Design by Goldmill Co. Cover Art: CBA by Troy Browne; Digital

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CREATING OPPORTUNITIES for North Tulsans.

P.S. It’s all free, pass it on.

DueNorthTulsa.org

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

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Art is a mirror to society, reflecting its values, dreams, and aspirations.

Each medium is a testament to the creativity, innovation, and imagination of the culture. It can simultaneously be a window to our history and future.

Art serves as a powerful commentary on the human condition, allowing us to examine and understand the world around us with fresh perspectives. Whether through paint or poetry, art can be therapy, expression, protest, and entertainment.

This edition is a celebration of an unsung group of Black entrepreneurs: artists.

Artists navigate a unique space of not just owning a business, but being the business.

My background is in branding and design, so I had to take art classes in college.

To this day, I thank my professors for letting me pass with a very generous B. While my skills are not on par with the artists featured in these pages, I admire them and anyone putting their hearts on a canvas, screen, or wall.

Whether you are an artist or merely inspired by them, remember that you are created in the image of the Creator.

You were designed with intention.

You are art.

Trey Thaxton

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

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OPAL’S GREENWOOD OASIS 13 TROY BROWNE SKIP HILL 87 27 FRANKIE ZOMBIE 39

DIALTONE 99

CHUCK STYLES 47

TYLER THRASHER 107

MOYOSORE JOLAOLU 57

DR. FAHAMU PECOU 117

CHRISTINA MORELAND 65

JESS OWENS-YOUNG 127

LOOKBOOK Q4 77

SHANTELL MARTIN 135

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CONTRIBUTORS

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Editor in Chief & Creative Director TREY THAXTON

Art & Design Director ETHAN SCHAFFER

Designer & Digital Manager SAMANTHA MOISA

Project Manager RACHELLE CHAMPLAIN

Editor TAYLOR BRISEBOIS

Production Assistant KAYVON STUBBS

Digital Assistant JAZLYNN WARREN

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Opal’s Greenwood Oasis

Hello. My name is Opal Brown. I live in Greenwood.

That’s part of the city of Tulsa in the state of Oklahoma.

I just finished third grade here in 1921.

EXCERPT FROM OPAL’S GREENWOOD OASIS Authors: Najah-Amatullah Hylton & Quraysh Ali Lansana Illustrations: Skip Hill ©The Calliope Group. All Rights Reserved.

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On Mondays in Greenwood, all the children wake up and eat breakfast. We grab our books, get on our bikes and ride off to school. We learn reading, writing, and arithmetic, music and art and physical education.

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While the children are at school, the mothers cook and clean. They wash and cut hair at Madame CJ’s.

They serve sodas and work the counter at Williams’s drugstore.

They help customers measure their sizes at the department stores.

They make dinner and iron laundry at their own homes.

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While the children and the mothers are busy, the fathers are working hard, too. They read long papers at the law office.

They load heavy groceries and fix cars. They help sick patients and clean dirty teeth. They run hotels and shops.

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On Saturdays in Greenwood, children run and ride through the streets. We go on errands for our parents. We ask for nickels and dimes to buy sodas and burgers.

Grown-ups sit on porches and at lunch counters catching up. Families go to the matinee at the Williams Dreamland Theater.

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On Sundays in Greenwood just about everybody goes to church. We dress up fancy and behave our very best even though it’s crowded and hot. We sing hymns and listen while the pastor preaches. When service is over, we walk home to eat cold cut sandwiches and salad for lunch while the women cook up big dinners.

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In Greenwood, we have everything we need, and it might surprise you to know that everyone looks like me.

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Greenwood Ave. is

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a blank canvas.

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TULSA ,

OKL AHOMA

SKIP HILL

Skip Hill was born in 1961 in Padre Island, Texas but grew up in Oklahoma City.

At 12, Hill’s father, who collected prints from Black artists, introduced him to the art of Romare Bearden. Skip’s love of learning and his international travels have been instrumental in the development of his unique visual aesthetic. His art is a personal invitation to take a break from the everyday.

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HAKEEM; acrylics, inks, Molotow markers on Bristol paper.

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BASKETBALL VIRTUOSITY (M.A.A.D. CITY / ZULUS); acrylics, inks, Molotow markers on Bristol paper.

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“Whether it’s song, poetry, or architecture, art is a reflection of a people.”

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(above) PROMISE LAND [DETAIL]; mixed-mediums, inks, digitally generated collage on birch panel. (right)

BEAUTY SHOP ARIA (HYMN FOR MABEL LITTLE) [DETAIL]; Mixed-mediums, acrylic paints, opaque inks, latex gloss enamel, hand-cut and digitally created collage elements, resin on birch panel.

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(above) IT MIGHT SURPRISE YOU TO KNOW THAT EVERYONE LOOKS LIKE ME; mixed-mediums, hand cut paper, digitally generated collage on birch panel. (right) HOOP DREAMS (THE HUSTLE) [ARTIST’S NOTES]; Acrylic paints, metallic and opaque inks, hand cut paper collage, basketball hoop and resin on (3) birch panels.

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(above) BOOKER; acrylics, inks, collage, molotow markers on bristol paper. (left) DEANDRE; acrylics, inks, collage, molotow markers on bristol paper. (right) I DIDN’T KNOW KITSUNE WOULD BE HERE; acrylics, inks, collage on strathmore paper.

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SKIP

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“To see ourselves reflected in the arts brings a self-respect and self-esteem that makes life beautiful.”

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SPARTANBURG,

SOUTH CAROLINA

FRANKIE ZOMBIE

Growing up in the Bronx, Frankie Zombie is no stranger to creative expression. Frankie got his name from the late nights spent in the recording studio. After seeing his mom battle stage 4 breast cancer, he realized he had a different purpose. Frankie uses his art to uplift spirits and inspire one feeling: Happiness. With a focus on contemporary abstract art forms, Frankie has tapped into the heart of interior design, thought-provoking murals, automotive design, fashionable apparel, philanthropy, and Civil Rights.

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FRANKIE

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“I choose to focus on bright colors.

My purpose is to inspire happiness.”

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PHILADELPHIA,

PENNSYLVANIA

CHUCK STYLES

Chuck Styles was born in a small suburb outside of West Philadelphia. Styles was a barber when someone saw his sketches and encouraged him to pursue art. After Styles became a professional artist, he realized early on how much representation matters. With collaborations with global brands like Topps, HBO, and ESPN, he wants to show the next generation what is possible for Black artists.

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CROWN; mixed medium, digital and acrylic on canvas.

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(above) BEEN SUPER BOY; acrylic on canvas. (right) STAY HUNGRY: MONEY BURGER; acrylic on canvas.

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“Art is a journey.

It is essentially,

the human experience visualized.”

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ACTIVONIA

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(left) PICK; mixed medium, digital and acrylic on canvas. (right) BASQUIAT; digital and acrylic on canvas.

CHUCK

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“I want to show Black artists that we can save the world.”

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LAGOS,

NIGERIA

MOYOSORE JOLAOLU

Hailing from Lagos, Moyosore Jolaolu’s artistic style is primarily focused on capturing the nuances of human emotions, behaviors, and relationships.

Moyosore uses his art to remind people that they are not alone by telling their stories from his point of view as a Nigerian man navigating the spaces of others, in a somewhat colorful manner.

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SHARES OF SELF; mixed media on canvas.

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(above) A LONELY PLAYGROUND - TALES OF DEPARTURE; oil and acrylic on canvas. (right) THE RADIANT MISFIT; oil and acrylic on canvas.

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(left) APPLE AND TREE CONVERSATIONS, A FATHER’S ROADMAP; mixed media on canvas. (below) WHILE, STILL, THERE IS TIME; chalk, pastel, charcoal, and acrylic on canvas. (right) THE WAIT-WHISPERS THROUGH A WINDOW; acrylic, oil and oil pastel on canvas.

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MOYOSORE

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“ Every single individual has a story

and no one’s story is less significant than the others.”

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LOS ANGELES,

CALIFORNIA

CHRISTINA MORELAND

Born in Kentucky, raised in southern Germany, and later in Dallas, Texas, Christina Moreland’s love of illustration came from hours of drawing with their father as a kid. Now specializing in graphic design, storytelling, and traditional animation, Moreland utilizes both vintageinspired and modern techniques to create art that speaks up for others and builds community.

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QUEER VOICES; digital.

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(left) (right) QUEER IN FLOWERS; digital.

LOVING EACH OTHER; digital.

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(comic) (top) (middle) (bottom)

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YOUR BODY LOVES YOU; digital.

LEAD LOVE; digital.

LEAD LOVE; digital.

GIVE BACK; digital.

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BLACK JOY; digital.

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CHRISTINA

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MORELAND

“I didn’t grow up with a lot of Black cartoons.

It’s almost a duty of mine to make art that speaks to us and speaks up for other people.”

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The Archives

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23Q4 Lookbook

Established in Tulsa, Oklahoma—Greenwood Ave. pays homage to history and celebrates the future of Black doers and makers around the globe.

The Archives feature two beloved pieces from Greenwood Ave.’s original collection, displaying our classic serif type. The raw-edge seams highlight the beauty found in the imperfections of a work in progress; honoring not only the final product, but the process it takes to create something truly worthwhile.

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greenwoodave.com/shop

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NOTTINGHAM,

UNITED KINGDOM

TROY BROWNE

Nottingham native, Troy Browne, is a master and finding beauty in imperfection. His digital scissors create dynamic, surrealist collages that are breaking newbarriers Playing with proportions and shifting scales, his crazy compositions have garnered collabs with Crocs, Sony and Warner Brothers.

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STOOD; digital collage.

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(left) CRYING GAME; digital collage. (right) STARE; digital collage.

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“Art is about user perception.”

GET UP; digital collage.

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(left) FLOWER; digital collage. (right) SK8; digital collage.

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(left) KING OF HEARTS; digital collage. (right) LOL; digital collage.

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TROY

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“The impact of one image can be quite powerful.”

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TULSA,

OKLAHOMA

DIALTONE

Antonio Andrews, better known as Dialtone, is a rapper and creative visionary. Tone’s music and art serve as a vehicle for him to process the good, the bad, and the ugly of his experiences growing up on the north side of Tulsa in the shadow of Black Wall Street. Under his brand, No Parking Studios, he is channeling his creative energy into helping other North Tulsa kids see the power of art as an outlet.

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JUNETEENTH; digital.

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(above) (right)

WE BUILT A HOME IN THE DESERT; mixed media on wood.

SHINING COVER ART, FIRE IN LITTLE AFRICA; digital.

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(above) (right)

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TWIN #1; mixed media on wood.

TWIN #2; mixed media on wood.

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DIALTONE

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“We are trying to give the next generation a new way to see things.”

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TULSA,

OKLAHOMA

TYLER THRASHER

Meet your friendly neighborhood mad scientist, Tyler Thrasher.

This artist and conservationist is based in his hometown of Tulsa. From illustrating nature to crystallizing deceased insects to creating dried plants that glow in the dark, Tyler uses his craft to remind us how amazingly beautiful and mysterious this whole wide universe is.

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CRYSTALLIZED CICADA; mono potassium sulfate.

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“Art is one of the sole reasons that humanity has a better understanding of not just itself, but the world around us.”

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(left) CRYSTALLIZED BEETLE; chromium potassium sulfate. (above) CRYSTALLIZED SNAKE SKELETON; chromium potassium sulfate.

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CHROMIUMchromium POTASSIUM SULFATE CRYSTALLIZED CICADA; SNAKE SKELETON; potassium sulfate.

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(left & right) GLOWING POPPIES (back) CRYSTALLIZED CICADA; mono potassium sulfate.

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TYLER

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“I use art as a vessel for progress,

wisdom,

and understanding. ” 117

ATLANTA,

GEORGIA

DR. FAHAMU PECOU

Dr. Fahamu Pecou is an interdisciplinary artist and scholar whose works combine observations on hip-hop, fine art, and popular culture to address concerns around contemporary representations of Black men. Dr. Pecou received his BFA at the Atlanta College of Art in 1997 and a Ph.D. from Emory University in 2018. As an educator, Dr. Pecou has developed a narrative-based arts curriculum focused on Black male youth and is also the founding Director of the African Diaspora Art Museum of Atlanta.

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EVERYBODY LOVES THE SUNSHINE; acrylic and stardust on canvas.

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(left) WATER AND SPIRIT; acrylic. (right) FLEX; acrylic on canvas.

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THE END OF SAFETY; acrylic on canvas.

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(left) FADE; acrylic on canvas. (above) JUNG THUG; acrylic on canvas. (right) UNTITLED; acrylic and stadust on canvas.

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DR. FAHAMU

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PECOU

“ In the future, historians will tell what happened.

Artists will tell how it felt.”

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BALTIMORE,

MARYLAND

JESS OWENS-YOUNG

Professor Jess Owens-Young believes that everyone should see themselves reflected in art. Owens-Young’s work seeks to highlight the joy and resilience of Black people. As a selftaught artist, she uses memory and the emotions related to memories to drive her art practice.

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I SWEAR I GOT BUCKETS; acrylic paint, oil pastel, wax pastel, and oil stick on canvas.

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(left) GIVE HIM FLOWERS; painted paper collage on watercolor paper. (right) STEPPING INTO THE LIGHT; painted paper collage on watercolor paper.

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(left) BLOOM ANYWAY; acrylic paint, oil pastel, and wax pastel on oil painting paper. (right) YOU ARE YOUR BEST BLOOM; acrylic paint, oil pastel, and wax pastel on oil painting paper.

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JESS OWENS-

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“If you look back in history, oppressed folks have always found creative ways to express themselves.

Black art is important for human thriving.”

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LONDON,

ENGLAND

SHANTELL MARTIN

Shantell Martin is the definition of multi-hyphenate. Her iconic black-and-white drawings have graced the walls, floors, and ceilings of the world’s most prominent museums. She’s also drawn live during a performance with Kendrick Lamar. The British visual artist is also a philosopher, cultural facilitator, teacher, choreographer, and songwriter. Martin encourages everyone to find their line and leave their mark on the world.

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THE CONTINUOUS LINE OF LEARNING AND UNLEARNING

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SOMEDAY WE CAN Location: Buffalo AKG Art Museum Photo: Connie Tsang

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(left) PROTECTING ARTISTS RIGHTS (right) IN THE ANSWERS

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“Art reminds us to connect

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with our younger selves.”

YES YOU ARE Location: Seaside Playground, Rockaway Beach Photo: Roy Rochlin

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THE MAY ROOM Location: Governors Island Photo: Roy Rochlin

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THE QUESTION Location: Los Angeles County Museum of Art’s NFT

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SHANTELL

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“Creativity is a means of using your mind and body to express what’s inside and in-between.”

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Greenwood Ave. is a quarterly magazine.

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CREDITS

Lookbook Models VONDELL BURNS MARLON HALL Photography RYAN “FIVISH” CASS BLAKE JUETT MOLLY THRASHER COLE HAAN FRANKIE ZOMBIE BRYCE FRANCE TENNEAL MCNAIR SOPE OJOMU K ARLO X RAMOS JACK DEAN PICTURES LARRY WRIGHT RACHELLE CHAMPLAIN

Special Thanks STUART HETHERWOOD RYAN MCGAHAN PORCHA THOMAS DR. SHAWN CRAWFORD NYAMA WINGOOD Opal’s Greenwood Oasis NAJAH-AMATULLAH HYLTON QURAYSH ALI LANSANA THECALLIOPEGROUP.COM

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Greenwood Ave. is a blank canvas...

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