Dr. Maya Angelou: ‘Still I Rise’ Description:

My painting, Dr. Maya Angelou:  ‘Still I Rise’, was born out of a deep admiration and respect for this literary icon and her wise teachings.  

Dr. Maya Angelou was a poet, author, orator, and activist who often was viewed as “America’s conscience”.  She was an active leader in the American civil rights movement and worked alongside notable figures such as Dr. Martin Luther King and Malcolm X.  Born in Arkansas, she shed a light on the racism and oppression that existed for African Americans living under the Jim Crow race laws in the South, especially during the 1960s.  

Dr. Angelou also made history when she read the inaugural poem at Bill Clinton’s inauguration in 1993, as she was the first black woman to do this.  She was also awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by Barack Obama in 2010 for being one of the most influential voices and writers of the times.  

The first book I read by Dr. Angelou, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, was my first introduction to her literary greatness.  In this book, she tells her story of growing up in Arkansas during a time when African Americans had few freedoms, examining not only the racial prejudice that characterized everyday life, but her own experience as being raped as a child.  She was a self-proclaimed mute for 6 years following this sexual assault because she felt like her own voice had led to the perpertrator being killed.

What I find most fascinating about her story, is that the very voice that she chose to conceal deep inside her as a child, was the same voice that later inspired the literary world with her distinct oratory style and gift for poetry.  She attributes her love of poetry to a teacher that not only gave her books to read, but challenged her to break her silence by claiming one could only love poetry if it was spoken out loud.

Angelou eventually learned to speak six different languages and taught all over the world.  She lived in Ghana for several years and joined other activists by marching on the American embassy during the March on Washington.  While it is easy to get swept up in her famous quotes and poems, one would be remiss to overlook the influence of Angelou’s activism in helping to secure equal treatment and opportunity for black Americans.

So as a homage to the activism of her youth and the wisdom of her later years, I combined two portraits of Angelou:  the black and white portrait is a younger Angelou caught in a moment of relaxed joy.  The other portrait is of an older Dr. Angelou, in full colour, revealing her trademark exuberant smile.

I was drawn to the younger black and white photograph because of the candid pose that catches Angelou looking joyfully off into the distance.  The diagonal wooden fence she is leaning on is a natural leading line that advances the viewer’s eye to the main focal point:  the larger portrait.  Originally, Angelou had a cigarette in her hand, but I removed it as she had given up this habit after her mother told her she was the “greatest woman” she had ever met.  

I enlarged the older version of Angelou because it exudes joy.  As well, beneath the contagious smile, is a voice that contains wise teachings and a rich history of a life well-lived. Listening to her interviews, poems, and speeches while I painted really helped me to try and capture her spirit on canvas.

I included three quotes in the background that make reference to her outlook on the importance of courage, the potency of words, and the resilience of the human spirit.   I chose to use a gel transfer for the text to capture a handwritten font that reminded me of Dr. Angelou’s original handwriting.  I like the idea that the power of her words are now embedded in my canvas, underscoring her belief that “words are things”.

I chose yellows and greens for the background to reflect her jubilant smile and uplifting words.  I created a halo of yellow light around both portraits to reflect the optimism and hope that her writings offer.  The blurred out circles represent sunspots as well as what I think the energy looks like surrounding her.  They are also reminiscent of an out of focus nature photograph and allow the viewer’s attention to remain on the portraits.

The silhouetted birds in the background that emerge from behind Angelou are a reference to her iconic book I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings and I included them as a symbol of the struggles she encountered in her life and how she turned that pain into purpose.  The birds get smaller the farther they get from the older portrait to signify their release from captivity and oppression as they fly towards a future bright with love and hope.

Choosing Dr. Maya Angelou as the subject of my painting reaffirmed my commitment to choose hope and courage during challenging times.  Living through a pandemic has been difficult for most people, but reading her words, listening to her orations and interviews taught me that the human spirit is more resilient than we sometimes realize.  Her belief that one must speak out against all injustices and against the use of racial and sexual pejoratives lend credence to her adamance that courage is the most important virtue.  

Dr. Maya Angelou’s commanding presence, confident grace, inspiring courage, and overwhelming love of humanity make her a truly “phenomenal woman”.