Visual artist Mickalene Thomas

Visual artist Mickalene Thomas (via mickalenethomas.com)


The V magazine commission which featured Naomi Campbell.
Mickalene Thomas: ''That was really fun. The commission was to accompany V’s interview with Naomi in honor of her 40th birthday. I started by photographing Naomi and from there created a painting based on the photograph. I think we both enjoyed the process.''

Visual artist Mickalene Thomas (via mickalenethomas.com) "Portrait of Mnonja," 2010 for Art in Embassies.

Visual artist Mickalene Thomas (via mickalenethomas.com)

Visual artist Mickalene Thomas (via mickalenethomas.com)

Visual artist Mickalene Thomas (via mickalenethomas.com)

Visual artist Mickalene Thomas (via mickalenethomas.com)


Working in an array of media, including not only painting but also collage, photography, installation, and video, Michalene Thomas has risen rapidly since her 2006 solo debut. This autumn, the broad range of her output is on display at both the Brooklyn Museum (through January 20, 2013) and Manhattan’s Lehmann Maupin gallery (November 1, 2012, through January 5, 2013).
Mickalene Thomas' muse is her mother. It all started when she used her in a series of photos for a photography class. Those images became the basis for some of  her paintings.

''Our mothers make us and make us who we are. They are like a mirror to us. When I use my mother in my art it implies a deeper relationship in the work, free of exploitation.''