About Anike

Just one woman recruiting artists, friends and folks to join me in the quest to make waves in the universe through each individual’s artwork.  I am a writer, visual artist, history teacher, mother, wife, weirdo, and tattooed lady.  Working harder and smarter to break into the art world with a brush in hand and a mouth full of prose. Join the collective to bring your thoughts and energy to others who might benefit from your personal journey as an artist.

Anike Robinsonis an educational scholar and graduate of John Hopkins University socially and educationally balanced by attending HBCU, Spelman College. This uniquely intense teacher and visionary artist is also a member of the Phi Alpha Theta Honor Society.

AfricanAmerica The Beautiful spotlights the multiple images and creative imagination in the world of SweetRoots Creator and Director Anike Robinson, a woman making history and opening doors for other artists.

What defines the wife, mother and artist Anike Robinson …

What inspires you to be so uniquely different?

I initially received my first sketchbook from a friend in college. Even as a child I was drawn to drawing. What inspired me first was necessity. I had just completed college, majored in history, and had my first apartment DC. Growing up I was surrounded by the art my parents collected. In this new apartment the walls were all bare. I did not have enough money to purchase art so I started making my own. I used found objects, discarded pieces of furniture and transformed them to fill my place. As I learned new skills my inspiration changed. I had always considered myself a writer, I still do, but I wanted visuals to go with the words that filled my journals. I have over fifteen years worth of journals to work from…hidden in the words were pictures. I painted the story of my life, I painted my parents in their Black Power youth, I painted about the social issues my parents talked about all the time. Then I painted my dreams; I am a lucid dreamer. I now paint that and more. I even learned from a blues musician friend of mine how to paint through grief.

What are some of your upcoming projects?

I am organizing an art show in Adams Morgan April 23, 2011 at Studio Bratt, 1711 Florida Ave, NW Washington, DC. I am starting my own business under the name SweetRoot. The project I am very excited about is working on my greeting card line entitled “Cards You Keep”. I have been making the cards off and on for ten years. The cards themselves are like smaller versions of my paintings and include beads, feathers, text and whatever makes the card speak on its own. I was recently laid off with a number of my fellow teachers so I am working on art full time and “Cards to Keep” is high on my list. I will be launching my website soon. People will be able to purchase paintings, cards, t-shirts, and collectibles. People will also be able to hire me for events as a body painter, photographer, interior design via home murals and graphic designer.

As an educator how do we keep the arts alive in the heart and minds of young people?

What’s next for Anike Robinson?

AfricanAmerica The Beautiful salutes Anike Robinson during Woman’s History Month.

Five Elements of SweetRoot: Earth, Wind, Fire, Water, Art

Source: Some Photos provided by: Chaotic Images

http://sweetroot.wordpress.com/

Stephen Wiltshire is an artist who draws and paints detailed cityscapes. He has a particular talent for drawing lifelike, accurate representations of cities, sometimes after having only observed them briefly. He was awarded an MBE for services to the art world in 2006. He studied Fine Art at City & Guilds Art College. His work is popular all over the world, and is held in a number of important collections.

Stephen was born in London to West Indian parents on 24th April, 1974. As a child he was mute, and did not relate to other human beings. Aged three, he was diagnosed as autistic. He had no language and lived entirely in his own world.

At the age of five, Stephen was sent to Queensmill School in London, where it was noticed that the only pastime he enjoyed was drawing. It soon became apparent he communicated with the world through the language of drawing; first animals, then London buses, and finally buildings. These drawings show a masterful perspective, a whimsical line, and reveal a natural innate artistry.

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