Only this ain’t a movie dawg. It’’s the real life story of a kid from the hood who dreams of becoming a famous artist. He’s flown to Norway for a solo show. On the morning of that solo show, he awakens to find himself and his work featured on the front page of the newspaper there. and a three full pages inside about him and his work.

Naaaaahhhh this ain’t Breakfast at tiffany’s, cause your boyeee is just a New York Street artist, a nobody. Still I couldn’t think of a more delicious breakfast on the morning of my exhibit at Gallerie Galleberg.

Gallerie Galleberg director Kjetil

Somebody pinch me. Because this is a long way from drawing characters of my teachers in the back of the class. And farther still from the streets of SoHo where I began creating street art with my boyyyeee AVONE. Yet it’’s the kind of thing I dreamed of, and worked very hard for, painting day and night, and hustl’n my art in the streets and online. So, I am very pleased and excited that  my work caught the attention of curator Marte Jettestad and Gallerie Galleberg director Kjetil here in Norway. And while I will do my best to behave with a bit of decorum, and like I’ve been here before. But let’s let’s face it, I’m a nobody, so expect me to show my ass while I’m here (wink). And it seems that I have a lot of good people here to help me do just that.

Gallerie Balleberg has produced a special edition of 20 signed and numbered catalogs which come in a handmade case and an original artist’s drawing - (only a few left, contact Gallery director to purchase one before they’re sold out) plus a limited edition of 500 copies.

There is literally an army of SOMEBODYS behind the scene (including my cuz who prints all my bandanas and t-shirts), scheduling interviews, promoting, designing, slapping stickers, framing, and some just HANGING around to ensure Norway KNOWS Nobody is/was here doing the damn thing.

Thanks for making me feel so very welcome.

FENCES - (24″ x 24″ mixed media, collage and metal plates on plywood)

Not the one written by August Wilson, but the ones being used to separate ..”the Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave” from those brave enough to climb or go around those fences to seek a better life for their families. Freedom this way—–>> for you, you, you….oh I’m sorry NOT YOU.

SOLD

Lead don’t follow is the expression. And I take great pride in doing just that. So, next month (August 28th) I’ll be premiering my new URBAN DERIVATIVE PAINTINGS in a solo exhibition at Din Ramme og Galleri Galleberg. But, in the meantime I couldn’t help but give a taste via some works on paper to my peeps, the loyal somebodys that hold me down, Shows or no shows.

And they’re getting snatched up by savvy collectors here and abroad, cool. I’ll explain more about what “Urban Derivative” means after the opening in Oslo, Norway. Until then, I hope you’ll continue to enjoy and feast upon these new works.

SOLD

Thanks.

Aiiight, so by now, many of you know, I’ve been working on a new direction I call “URBAN DERIVATIVES.”  This is one of the newest ones created during the midst of our heat wave. It’s not quite finished yet. Hopefully you’ll dig it when it’s finished.

Let’s have some fun. I figured on this one I’d let YOU give it a title, and a story. And I’ll pick the best one, and send them  a signed Gicleé of it.

Hmmm. Now who are we talking about?

In a world full of fashion royalty, this brotha has been holding in down  at Vogue for years, keeping things…FIERCE! It was an honor to create this portrait of him. All hail the King, Andre Leon Talley.

Mother and Son - mixed media on canvas 16″ x 20″

From my hood to your hood, dedicated to all the mother’s who have lost sons, and all the sons who have lost mothers:

There is perhaps no relationship, no love more universal than that between mother and child, be it son or daughter. But I speak of sons because I have intimate knowledge of their mischievous musings and oft failings. Youthful  recollections have permanently etched the knowledge that, in a mothers eyes  and her heart,  heaven on earth can be found even for the most incorrigible. Her bosom bestows sainthood upon rogues, and is  life’s eternal respite.

And so it is with drips and splatters of paint and ink, and washes of earthen hues that a humble tribute is offered. This painting a permanent recording of one of life’s greatest love stories to be retold by men who know every page and verse. Or perhaps it is nothing more than a small pebble tossed into life’s pond offering a pleasant reminder, or perhaps solace and comfort to some mother or her son. - TMNK

Want me to take your story, a special experience in your life and transform it into a unique one-of-a-kind TMNK painting?

Cool. That’s what I’m doing right now for a few collectors, (Yours should be finished next week Steve - wink). They can take me anywhere from a week to two weeks, so plan ahead.  - TMNK

Mixed Media on Canvas - 28″ x 70″ A wise Investment - (click here to add to your collection)