Alvin Black III: I’m a Chicago native who has been here most of my life, went away to college 2001-2005, studied fine art and economics. After graduation, I worked as a TA in the art department for a year, and then came back to Chicago. In addition to painting, I also work as a DJ and designer. My first solo show was last summer, ran for three weeks and was a success! I recently got accepted into an artist residency program in April in Thailand, where i will be teaching and creating.

Since starting work in pastels in 2011, my work has primarily been women of color and landscapes

 I often tell people that life is a series of paintings, I just have to decide which ones to capture- so I’m always on the lookout. I’ve also learned traveling (around and out of the country) is a key part of my process- to recharge and expand my horizons. I have a special affinity for big hair, just love the aesthetics of it…

My first memories are of drawing, I’ve made art all my life- in college my training was as an oil painter. The last few years, I’ve been working to develop my identity as an artist more strongly over the last 4 years.

 So many! I will try to keep it concise: Some historical favorites: Degas ( master of the pastel medium ), Ingres ( uses line brilliantly ), Rembrandt ( the light and shadow in his work ) | Contemporary favorites: Kara Walker, Henry Yan, Casey Klahn, Tim Okamura, Henry Ascencio…alright I’m stopping there.

 A number of my pieces were featured in Arielle Loren’s Corset Magazine last year, Issue 7

 Impressionistic, earthy, quiet

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