When I decided to write a blog on art for Black History Month, I immediately thought of all the talented current artists I know just in Philly - like fellow Creative Ambassadors Rah Crawford  and Serena Saunders, Willis Nomo, Joshua Mays, Taqiy Muhammad, Lillian Cotton and Cathey White, just to name a few.

However, I felt like I needed to go back and dig deeper into Philly's past artists - such as Barkley Hendricks, Ellen Powell Tiberino and Richard Watson. (Check out the video at the end of the post.)

I still wanted to dig a littler deeper and go even further into Philly's art past. So, I came across  quite a few artists and narrowed it down to my favorite five. 

Romare Bearden

1911 – 1988

Bearden, who is a favorite of mine, is known for his collages and montages filled with metaphors of his past. They are funky and odd, but so magical. He had many jobs over the years, including being an editorial cartoonist for the Baltimore Afro-American. He was also known as a respected writer and an eloquent spokesman on artistic and social issues of the day.

Insider facts: His work has appeared on the covers of Fortune and Time magazines. He also designed costumes for the Alvin Ailey Dance Theater.

Horace Pippin

1888 – 1946

Pippin was called a folk artist, because he had no formal art training. His work was quite graphic, as he did not use any shading in his pieces. Pippin's work appeals to me. His use of bold color was something that drew me in. He is from West Chester and went to art classes at the Barnes Foundation. He also has a piece of art hanging in The Philadelphia Museum of Art. 

Insider fact: He completed his first painting when he was 43 years old. 

Allan Randall Freelon 

1895-1960

Freelon has an impressive resume when it comes to his studies. He had a full scholarship to Philadelphia Museum School of Industrial Art (now the University of the Arts), also studied at University of Pennsylvania, The Barnes Foundation and Tyler School of Art. His work is made up of landscapes, nudes and still-lifes using mostly conte crayon, etching, oil and charcoal. 

Insider fact: In 1921, Freelon was accepted as the first African American member of the Philadelphia Print Club. During the same year, he also became the first African American to supervise all art instruction in the Philadelphia public school system, a position occupied primarily by white Americans at that particular time.

Dox Thrash

1893–1965

Thrash had dreams of being an artist. After working random jobs, he came to Philadelphia. While working as janitor, he continued to create art. He was later recognized as a master printmaker. His work depicted African American strength and other positive attributes as well as struggles and challenges in his prints. In his later years, he mentored young creative minds with their craft. 

Insider fact: He invented the process of Carborundum Mezzotint, a printmaking technique.

Henry Ossawa Tanner 

1874-1946

Tanner is also another artist who I’m fond of. His earlier work is known for more portrait art, while in his later years, he took a more religious approach. His pieces draw you in with his balance of colors, lights and shadows. He struggled with racism in the city and his lack of acceptance. So, in search of being accepted,  he moved to France and remained there for the rest of his years.

Insider fact: On a short return visit to the US in 1893, Tanner painted his most famous work, The Banjo Lesson, in Philadelphia.

Insider tip: If you didn’t know, PAFA is hosting a Henry Ossawa Tanner exhibit until April 15, 2012. During the run of the exhibition, visitors can enjoy evening hours on Wednesdays (10 am - 8 pm) and free admission on Sundays.