Modern Art That Inspires: Kadir Nelson

There are few artists that capture the imagination so completely as to inspire one to write what in effect is an advertisement for his latest work. But Kadir Nelson has inspired me, an artist about whom I knew nothing until he was recently featured on CBS Sunday Morning. 

Let me re-phrase that, and say that I have admired many of Nelson's paintings on the covers of my subscription to the New Yorker. Yet I did not know the name of the creator of these unique images. 

In this most recent work, he re-imagines the New Yorker mascot as a modern, aristocratic male regarding his mobile device. In limited edition through July 15th, I have included the information directly from Mr. Nelson's website below.

It is my dream to work with Mr. Nelson in illustrating a series of poems that I have written and yet to publish. Until then, I will be following his work closely and enjoying this piece at home.

Interested in this type of art? You can see more of his works on Instagram. 

Which of Kadir Nelson's paintings do you enjoy the most? Your comments are welcomed below.

About me.

Purchase my latest children's book on Friesen Press.

copyright 2016 Jennetta Younge 

A Love Affair with Tropical Summer Fruits

For a few weeks in Summer, I am like hibernating Bears, who gorge on fruits and berries to fatten up for their Winter sleep. The problem is, I am not trying to gain any extra inches.  You see, this is the time of year when imported dry tamarinds are in the supermarket, and the best mangoes are piled high in the fruit-stands.

Growing up in the Caribbean, tamarinds were my afternoon snack on the way home from school. Tamarinds were the cheapest snack for poor people on our small Caribbean Island. On my island, tamarind trees grow wild like pine trees. If they weren’t cut down for firewood, they matured into huge, fruit-bearing trees.  

The Colonial rulers discovered another use for tamarind.  I helped my Mom collect sacks of dried tamarinds when they were in season. My mother would have us shell them with the warning not to eat them. As quickly as she could turn her head, however, one would find its’ way to my mouth.

The majority, however, were sold to the government and exported to England, where they were manufactured into soap, and condiments. It took several sacks of tamarinds to produce twenty pounds at tuppence, or two pence, per pound. In today’s world, it sounds like a pittance, but when people were paid two shillings and sixpence for a week of hard labor, that sum was like a windfall.

My love affair and appetite for mangoes is another story. Unfortunately, I grew up in the region of my island where mangoes grow didn’t grow abundantly. When my mother could afford to buy them, it was one mango shared between three siblings.

Now you understand my weakness for mangoes and tamarinds, I hope this video will entice your taste-buds to try my favorite tropical fruits.

Do you have any favorite Summer fruits that you can recommend? Be sure to share them in the comments below, and connect with me on social media.

About me.

copyright 2015 Jennetta Younge