Inspired by Horace Pippin

Horace Pippin, Old Black Joe, 1943, oil, 24 x 30 in., Smithsonian American Art Museum

As part of my 'more fun' New Year's theme, I went to the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery and the American Art Museum to view The Black List exhibition and I came across the painting Old Black Joe by artist Horace Pippin. I was initially attracted to the piece by the bright colors used in the painting. However, the coolest thing about the painting was the artist. Pippin was a self-taught artist who started painting at age 40. Furthermore, he injured his right arm while fighting in World War I and learned to paint using his left hand to guide his right hand that held the paint brush. It took him three years to finish his first painting. I love how committed he was to painting and how he ignored the many obstacles in his path to pursue his art. It's a wonderful reminder that it's not what you have, but what you do with what you have, that makes the difference. To learn more about Horace Pippin, check out his paintings Old Black Joe at the  Smithsonian American Art Museum and the Domino Players and The Barracks at The Phillips Collection.