Maya Angelou "Queen Antiquity" Speed Painting https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r2gobSDQm7w

"To be free is a Caged Bird's Dream"

I love turning trash into treasure. This is a contemporary rendition of the late great Maya Angelou, an American Hero. It is also the 8th installment of wood I found in various trash dumps brought it home cleaned it up and turned it into art. Please sure to like and subscribe!!!!!!!!!! "Queen Antiquity" :Repertoire Transfer: Wood Mix Medium: Acrylic, Ink  Print Orientation: Portrait Size: 40"x48" Weight: 20.4 .lbs Process Step

1. Clean the wood. Step

2. Gesso the wood. Step

3. Dry the wood, this can be air dried or blow dried. Step

4. Paint a base color, this is usually done in a raw Sienna. Step

5. Preliminary sketch, this generally done in pencil or color pencil Step

6. Trace the permanent lines in a raw umber Step

7. Paint begin painting start with lite colors and gradually build. Step

8. Varnish your painting, using Polyurethane or Polycrylic Step

9. Edit your video. Step

10. Upload and post.

In “Queen Antiquity”, Lorenzo Pickett creates a powerful fusion of Maya Angelou’s strength with the timeless elegance of Queen Nefertiti. This acrylic painting on wood, inspired by the regal Egyptian queen, offers a profound commentary on heritage, wisdom, and resilience.

Symbolism and Inspiration

Queen Nefertiti Influence: By drawing inspiration from Queen Nefertiti, Pickett merges two iconic figures: Nefertiti’s timeless beauty and Maya Angelou’s lasting influence on culture and society. Nefertiti, an emblem of female power and grace, parallels Angelou’s role as a cultural and spiritual leader. The painting likely reflects this connection by portraying Angelou in a similar regal pose or crown-like adornment, evoking her own reign over the literary and social worlds.

Antiquity and Timelessness: The concept of antiquity emphasizes the timelessness of Angelou’s wisdom, suggesting that her words, like those of ancient queens, will endure for generations. This likely resonates through the use of earthy, historic tones—golds, browns, and deep blues—that evoke the ancient world and lend the painting a sense of age-old importance.

Color and Mood

Royal Hues: Golds and blues are prominent colors in depictions of Nefertiti, symbolizing royalty, enlightenment, and divinity. If these colors are present, they would connect Angelou to a higher plane of wisdom and power. The richness of the color palette enhances the painting’s regal atmosphere, underscoring the sense of Angelou’s authority and influence.

Antiquity and Texture: The wood medium adds to the sense of ancient history, with the grain perhaps evoking the passage of time. The layering of acrylic on wood offers texture, giving the piece a feeling of depth and the sense that Angelou’s legacy is carved into history itself.

Composition and Detail

Maya Angelou as Queen: The depiction of Angelou likely mirrors Nefertiti’s iconic bust, with careful attention to her facial features, headgear, and posture. Angelou’s expression may convey calm confidence or regal wisdom, paralleling Nefertiti’s grace and command. Her poised and stately demeanor elevates Angelou to a legendary status, portraying her not only as a poet and activist but as a leader of the ages.

Crown and Adornment: If Angelou is depicted with crown-like adornments, the parallel to Nefertiti becomes even more pronounced. These symbols of power emphasize Angelou’s legacy as a cultural matriarch whose influence is as enduring as that of ancient queens. The crown may also symbolize the “crowning” achievements of Angelou’s life—her literary works and her influence on civil rights.

Brushwork and Texture

Acrylic on Wood: The wood medium adds a tactile element to the work, bringing out the natural, earthy feel of antiquity. Pickett’s brushwork likely varies, with smoother strokes to highlight Angelou’s regal features and more textured layers to evoke the weathered beauty of time-worn artifacts. The combination of smooth and rough textures emphasizes both the elegance and resilience that define Angelou’s legacy.

Overall Impact

Lorenzo Pickett’s “Queen Antiquity” elevates Maya Angelou to the stature of an eternal leader, blending her influence with that of Queen Nefertiti to create a symbol of timeless wisdom and power. The painting exudes reverence, portraying Angelou not just as a contemporary figure but as part of a lineage of powerful women who shaped history. The use of acrylic on wood, combined with the deep, royal color palette, creates a layered and nuanced tribute to Angelou’s lasting impact on the world.