Gettin’ religion
Quotes and Black Art | Thursdaysº
Quotes and Black Art
Your Curated Art Museum
“Come for the art, stay for the quotes.”
“The world takes more than its pound of flesh sometimes. It’s devised all kinds of torture, the most exquisite being a colossal indifference.”
— Paule Marshall
A Snippet:
Did you know that a teenage Valenze “Pauline” Burke (b. 1929)—smitten with author and poet Paul Laurence Dunbar (d. 1906)—changed her middle name from Pauline to Paule (with a silent “e” - pronounced Paul) in order to honor the late-great Black poet?
Learn more . . .
Quotes and Black Art
Thursday, Dec. 4, 2025 (week 58)
172. “Quiet Storm” (2019) by Mark Thomas Gibson
Miami-based artist Mark Thomas Gibson (b. 1980) on race in America:
“In dealing with race in America, we have all been done a disservice. We are so undertrained in actually having a conversation around it from a very early age, that as adults, we fall into two spaces: either being overly aware of oneself or completely ignorant of others.”
173. “Expectations” (2019) by Jarvis Boyland
Memphis, Tennessee, and Chicago-based artist Jarvis Boyland (b. 1995) on honoring others in portraiture:
“Painting is my way of celebrating people while they are here. The men I paint are real, they are people that I know, trust and admire. They are my friends and lovers. I think portraiture at large scale feels close to measuring the depths of our vulnerability, our complexity.”
174. “Gettin’ Religion” (1948) by Archibald Motley
New Orleans-born and Chicago-based artist Archibald Motley (1891 - 1981) on handling critique:
“Criticism has had absolutely no effect on my work, although I well enjoy and sincerely appreciate the opinions of others.”
Reader Testimonials:
“I always enjoy seeing your posts! It is inspirational how you continue to pursue your passions, and I really appreciate how your Instagram page exposes me to quotes and artwork that I otherwise would probably not see! Keep up the great work my friend!”
— Matt S.
The Silver Lining:
From the sacred to the profane—the world may seem indifferent but there are no actions without consequences. You reap what you sow.
(Breathe In . . . Breathe Out)
Gettin’ religion
My STEM Grew Petals - A Newsletter
Next issue is next Thursday:
11am (Pacific), 2pm (Eastern)
Want more?
Follow on Instagram (at Quotes and Black Art)
Made in Silicon Valley (with love) by author Jafari Joseph.
Copyright (C) 2025 My STEM Grew Petals Publishing. All rights reserved.
My STEM Grew Petals is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.