“Putney says its got to have soul!!” This was originally part of a set of 2! My neighbor found them both at the local Goodwill Thrift Store in Somerville MA back around 1991. He kept one and gave me the other. As you may have guessed, I’m a big fan of all kitsch from the Blaxpoitation years. I lived through the era of pimps, players, dashikis and Afro Sheen; saw all the movies, bought all the records, played keys in a funk band, wore platform heels and used a pick on my hair. The signature on the painting is Lion (maybe Rudy Ray Moore’s catchphrase was really “I Ain’t Lion”, not “I Ain’t Lyin'”). Another item from my living room.
Black Velvet Soul
Submitted by Brother Cleve
October 3rd, 2011
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Allee Willis
I have MANY a Blax black velvet painting but this one has escaped me. The elongated shape of his head and the white haze along the edge of the Afros to differentiate them from other blackness is fantastic. Lip treatment exceptional.
The photo here isn’t large enough for you to fully appreciate what’s going on but this is my favorite Afro velvets from my collection. Everything that looks like it’s glowing lights up (Christmas lights against crumpled tinfoil) and I give the points why I love it so on this page: https://www.alleewillis.com/soulpatch/velvetpainting.html
Brother Cleve
yes, that one you have is STUNNING, a work of art of the highest/lowest order!! That may be the reatest example of BVA (black velvet afro) that i’ve ever encountered. All hail Wailliams!!
We had an inner city store here called A Nubian Notion that sold items like this back in the 70’s. The store is still there, but without the kitsch, sadly. It’s more of a smoke shop than a head shop, which it was.
denny
I am so jealous over this I can’t stand it. I am still insanely jealous of Allee’s black velvet, light up one that she has in her studio.