I am a mixed media intuitive artist living on the northside of Chicago. I am a 53 year old single mother of two that has always only prioritized my children and my art for the last twenty years. I have learned embracing my mistakes make for a better understanding of what the universe wants for my art. I like to consider myself a self taught artist learning through the organic shapes in nature and the energy of the female body. I was lucky enough to experience top art schools in Chicago while working several jobs. I rebelled against rules of technique and styles, to develop my own. I am a fashion junkie for textiles and patterns, creating utopia environments with my collage and mixed media art.
My activism to right the injustices against people of color has caused my art to evolve. I am very verbally
active artistically in my community spreading the messages of love to our neighbors. Each piece of art represents the blood shed of the people of color that continues today. I am channeling the pain and suffering of my ancestors that bare no faces to the ones that harmed them. Not being able to identify the faces takes you to the mindset of a POC not feeling relevant enough to live or have justice.
I am also taking my art to the streets to advocate for social changes on racism, and women's rights with the murals, painted in bright colors with hidden messages to observe and process. The mediums and techniques used are homemade inks, collage, watercolor, and the new medium of encaustic wax painting with acrylic inks.
With our current situation in the world, my art has become a necessity for myself and others. There is a need for expression and discussion from POC. I am not concerned with my art work being liked by society, but I do want my work to spark an emotion to the viewer to ask the question of why when
they see my art.
"I Am Aware I Am Rare" is my motto, embracing being a female black artist without boundaries for expression in my creations. Learning to walk with my eyes closed in nature's beauty is what inspires me to become one with my highest power when creating. What is the first organic shape I see when I open my eyes, that relates to the female body and essence? Does anyone else see the woman in the tree that wants to be seen? What is her message, and how can I relate that in my art?
Michel Delgado
Past Events
Soul Works
August 2019
Rose Cannon of Cannon Fine Art in collaboration with Artist and Curator, Fran Joy, brought "Soulworks," a collection of art by artists of color, both renowned and emerging, to 1100 Florence Gallery in Evanston.
1100 Florence Gallery Pop Up
Curated 2019 Winter Arts and Craft Expo
November - December 2019
Cannon Fine Art Gallery, featuring the artwork of William Kwahmena-Poh.
Evanston Art Center
Celebration of 2020 Black History Month
1100 Gallery, Evanston Illinois
Soul Works II group show presented by Fran Joy, Rose Cannon, Debra Salter, Cherie Lockett and Tasha Jehan. The show featured craftwork screens by Debra Salter and pottery by Cherie Lockett, artwork of Fran Joy and Tasha Jehan, and the artwork of William Kwahmena-Poh.
February 2020
Soul Works Comes to the Evanston Art Center:
Parts I and II
Evanston Art Center
The group show was curated by the Soulworks team of Fran Joy and Rose Cannon, and (due to pandemic restrictions) was shown solely in the windows of the Evanston Art Center. An eclectic and exciting array of artwork was shown, which included Black American, Creole, African, Caribbean and Japanese artists.
The smaller April 2020 show was a 'test pivot' to inside viewing of artwork after closure of the center due to pandemic restrictions. This larger, inside show in June and July 2020 featured the following artists: William Kwamena-Poh, Alpha Bruton, Baz Cumberbatch, Michel Delgado, David Geary, Myah Grinnell, Tadaaki Hatta, Fran Joy, Suanne Rayner, Debra Salter, and Jevoid Simmons.