#synthiasaintjames

Synthia SAINT JAMES  - Featured Artist: Fine Art Canvas  

"We come here born with a mission… so it's important to listen to our inner voice." Synthia SAINT JAMES sold her first paintings to friends and co-workers in New York City in the 1960s, officially launching her career as an artist. From there, she went on to design a book cover for a best-selling novel, to conceptualizing stain glass windows to her showing her vibrant works in international galleries, and that's merely scratching the surface of her accomplishments. "All of these different doors open because I am always open to what may come; accept good challenges.

"Synthia SAINT JAMES attributes her success to keeping herself physically healthy and spiritually healthy by eating well, sleeping 8 hours, and always researching something new. The type of introspection that leads to self-discovery can occur at any time in one's life. Synthia SAINT JAMES was relatively young, five years old when she realized her life's purpose was to be an artist. 

Synthia SAINT JAMES is proof that the praxis to achieving success and peace requires the manifestation and maintenance of a personal mantra and daily routine that incorporates both work and self-care elements. Our Promise We want this to be the start of a long, fruitful relationship. On-demand, high-quality printing is our way of thanking you for expressing who you are. We promise a smooth exchange from your shopping cart to your door, delivering the masterpiece that is going to transform your living space from a house to a home. Thank you for being a part of this artistic movement with us. Let’s create beautiful homes together.

Synthia SAINT JAMES Collections: https://fineartcanvas.com/collections/synthia-saint-james

Our Website: https://fineartcanvas.com/

TribeLA Magazine has published on http://tribelamagazine.com/art-today-021718-hope-uplift-educate-bring-joy-serenity-synthia-saint-james/

ART TODAY 021718 "My hope is to uplift, educate and to bring joy and serenity to my audience through my paintings." Synthia SAINT JAMES

“Slumber” – Celebrating the universal spiritual and physical bond between mother and child by Synthia SAINT JAMES

Thank you Synthia for an awe-inspiring Happy Birthday Week to you!!!

Synthia SAINT JAMES is a world renowned multicultural visual artist, an award winning author and/or illustrator of 17 children’s books, several poetry and affirmation books, a cookbook, a play, a monologue, and the autobiographical book titled Living My Dream: An Artistic Approach to Marketing (which was nominated for an NAACP Image Award in 2012).

She is also a popular guest speaker, educator and architectural designer who has garnered numerous awards, including the prestigious Trumpet Award, a Coretta Scott King Award, and an Honorary Doctorate Degree from Saint Augustine’s University. Dr. SAINT JAMES also serves as a Global Ambassador for Susan G. Komen for the Cure’s “Circle of Promise”.

Synthia SAINT JAMES’ USPS stamp designs include the first Kwanzaa Commemorative Stamp in 1997 (a total of 318 million stamps was printed using her first design), and the new 2016 Forever Kwanzaa Stamp celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the Kwanzaa holiday. Her paintings grace the covers of over 75 books, including the cover art for Terry McMillan’s book Waiting to Exhale and Iyanla Vanzant’s Acts of Faith. But few know that her artwork has been internationally featured in several United States Embassies through the Art in Embassies Program since the 1990’s.

SAINT JAMES, a highly commissioned artist, continues to create paintings for private collectors, colleges, universities, corporations and for non-profit organizations. The House of Seagram, Coca Cola USA, Maybelline, Essence Communications, National Coalition of 100 Black Men, Glendale Memorial Hospital, YWCA of Greater Los Angeles, Barnes and Nobles and AARP represent a mere sampling of her clients.

In 2014 she began creating commissioned signature paintings for the inaugurations of college and university presidents, which includes paintings for Bennett College, Alabama State University, Florida Memorial Hospital, Stillman College and Harris-Stowe State University. In addition, Kentucky State University commissioned her to create a painting celebrating their 130th Anniversary, which was unveiled on May 18, 2016.

Awards created by Synthia SAINT JAMES include the “We See You Award”, the “Mosaic Woman Award”, and “The Lifetime Achievement Award” especially created for His Excellency Nelson Mandela from Africare in 2010.

Contact Synthia: SynthiaSAINTJAMES.com APBSpeakers.com/speaker/synthia-saint-james squareup.com/store/atelier-saint-james

Editors Note: Dr. Synthia SAINT JAMES is currently booking her 2017-2018 College/University Tour, which includes lectures, master classes, workshops, art exhibitions, fine art commissions, artist-in-residencies, and commencement speeches.

Happy Birthday Synthia SAINT JAMES!!!

ART TODAY 021218 TribeLA Magazine celebrates Black History Month! If you have seen these U.S. Postage stamps, Synthia SAINT JAMES is the artist

ART TODAY 021318 “Honors Mindset” – A commemoration to Historical Black Colleges by Synthia SAINT JAMES

ART TODAY 021418 Martin Luther King – Called to Serve (new art) by Synthia SAINT JAMES

ART TODAY 021518 Happy Chinese New Year 2.16.18! (Fresh off the easel) by Synthia SAINT JAMES: The Year of the DOG

TribeLA Magazine has published on http://tribelamagazine.com/happy-chinese-new-year-2018-synthia-saintjames/

Happy Chinese New Year 2.16.18! (Fresh off the easel) by Synthia SAINT JAMES: The Year of the DOG

“Chinese New Year” 2018 – Acrylic on Canvas, 40×30″

According to several Chinese news sources, for the first time – because of poor air quality in Beijing – there will be no firework displays in the Sky this year. It creates too much smog. Some people are happy about this and some are not. Still, Happy Chinese New Year everyone, fireworks or no fireworks!

Chinese New Year 2/16/18 is available in Synthia’s Square Up Store as Limited Edition Giclees on Canvas Promo Code for 50% Discount= CHINESENEWYEAR – (enter at Checkout) Here’s the link: https://squareup.com/store/atelier-saint-james

Synthia SAINT JAMES Fine Art Institute at Saint Augustine’s University was officially established in the Fall of 2010, and is now accepting donations for the visual arts scholarship fund for young women.

https://youtu.be/mzUWj8vSTCI

Please send your donations to Saint Augustine’s University, 1315 Oakwood Avenue, Raleigh, NC 27610, Office of Institutional Advancement & Development, Hunter Building, Attn: Mr. Newman.

Dr. Synthia SAINT JAMES is currently booking her 2018 College/University Tour, which includes lectures, master classes, workshops, art exhibitions, fine art commissions, artist-in-residencies, and commencement speeches.

Other articles and works by Synthia SAINT JAMES

ART TODAY 021418 Martin Luther King – Called to Serve (new art) by Synthia SAINT JAMES

ART TODAY 11.22.17 Kwanzaa Forever Postage Stamp by Synthia SAINT JAMES – What is KWANZAA, you ask?

TribeLA Magazine has published on http://tribelamagazine.com/art-today-021418-martin-luther-king-called-serve-new-art-synthia-saint-james/

ART TODAY 021418 Martin Luther King – Called to Serve (new art) by Synthia SAINT JAMES

“MLK: Called To Serve”  –  Oil & Acrylic on Canvas – 30×24″ The painting is available as Limited Edition Giclees on Canvas in several sizes and prices in Synthia’s “Square Up” Store:  https://squareup.com/store/atelier-saint-james

I was so honored when the City of Rocky Mount, NC, the city where Dr. King first gave his “I Have A Dream” speech nine months before he delivered it at the March on Washington, chose me to be the Keynote Speaker for the 30th anniversary of their MLK Unity Breakfast (which was held on Monday, January 15, 2018). I was truly humbled when I received a standing ovation for my presentation.

In preparation of my speech I read the Autobiography of Martin Luther King, Jr., which inspired the painting “MLK: Called To Serve”.  The painting includes Mahatma Gandhi, because his life and non-violent approach to change so influenced Dr. King and the Civil Rights Movement.

Synthia SAINT JAMES is a Certified Minority Women Business Enterprise, Visual Artist, Licensor, Designer, Keynote Speaker, Author, Songwriter, SAG/AFTRA Actor, and Playwright and still breaking barriers.

Visit Synthia’s website at: www.SynthiaSAINTJAMES.com

Here are other works by Synthina published at TribeLA Magazine

ART TODAY 11.22.17 Kwanzaa Forever Postage Stamp by Synthia SAINT JAMES – What is KWANZAA, you ask?

ART TODAY 11.20.17 “Junkanoo” – Say that again? “Junkanoo” by Synthia SAINT JAMES, the exciting twice annual Bahamian Street (party) Parade

ART TODAY 11.23.17 “Masekela’s Marketplace: Congo” by Synthia SAINT JAMES + video receiving her Doctor of Humane Letters

New Post has been published on http://tribelamagazine.com/art-today-021318-honors-mindset-commemoration-to-historical-black-colleges-synthiasaintjames/

ART TODAY 021318 "Honors Mindset" – A commemoration to Historical Black Colleges by Synthia SAINT JAMES

“Honors Mindset” – Acrylic on Canvas – 36×24″ – (2017) Commissioned by the National Association of African American Honors Programs and recently unveiled on Friday, November 10th at the NAAAHP’s Conference in Atlanta, GA.

This week, enjoy the many gifts created by Visual Artist Synthia SAINT JAMES, and thank you for joining us here at TribeLA Magazine!

Synthia SAINT JAMES is an international award winning artist and designer of the first United States Postal Stamp for the Kwanzaa holiday. She has to date written and or illustrated 13 children’s picture books, 3 poetry and prose books, 4 children’s activity books, a cookbook, and a postcard book, and we’re just getting started.

She received her first Honorary Doctorate Degree (Doctor of Humane Letters) from Saint Augustine’s College, Raleigh, NC on May 8, 2010; the Historical Black College, where her foundation, The Synthia SAINT JAMES Fine Arts Institution is being established. Synthia, is also the recipient of the 2008 Woman of the Year Award for the 26th Senate District, and she has garnered numerous other awards, including the a Parent’s Choice Silver Honor, a Coretta Scott King Honor, and an Oppenheim Gold Award all for her books.

TribeLA Magazine Acrostic Interview.1

Tagline: Give yourself and your work a slogan and tell us why.

“The Creative World of Synthia SAINT JAMES” — I’ve used this description for many years because of the variety of my creative work and endeavors, such as in the visual arts I am a painter, architectural designer (ceramic tile designs for the Ontario International Baggage Claim, Ontario, CA, and Cowan Elementary School, Westchester, CA, stained glass window designs for the West Tampa Library, Tampa, FL, elevator door designs for a government building in the East End Complex adjacent to the State Capitol Building in Sacramento, CA, and mural designs for two affordable living complexes – all of which was fabricated by other artists who specialized in each medium.), and illustrator of children’s picture books. I’m an author (writer) of children’s books, poetry and prose, lyrics for songs (songwriter), affirmation books, a cookbook, and an autobiographical art marketing book. I have a background in the performing arts, primarily in the mid-late 1970’s, that included a couple of films and television (a national McDonald’s commercial as the spokesperson). I’m an art educator and artist-in-residence, who works nationally with colleges and universities lecturing, teaching master classes and facilitating various workshops.

This article originally published 11.19.17 and has recently been updated. For more Synthia SAINT JAMES, follow the links below:

SynthiaSAINTJAMES.com APBSpeakers.com/speaker/synthia-saint-james squareup.com/store/atelier-saint-james

http://tribelamagazine.com/art-today-11-25-17-meet-dr-synthia-saint-james-atelier-read-entire-acrostic-interview/

ART TODAY: 11.19.17 The Fascinating world of artist Synthia SAINT JAMES begins with her 10th commission for Historical Black Colleges & Universities, unveiled last Friday + Acrostic Q&A starts today!

ART TODAY 11.22.17 From the Haitian Series by Synthia SAINT JAMES + numerous commissioned projects including the U.S. first Kwanza postage stamp

New Post has been published on http://tribelamagazine.com/art-today-021218-black-history-month-us-postage-stamp-synthiasaintjames-artist/

ART TODAY 021218 TribeLA Magazine celebrates Black History Month! If you have seen these U.S. Postage stamps, Synthia SAINT JAMES is the artist

Synthia SAINT JAMES’ USPS stamp designs include the first Kwanzaa Commemorative Stamp in 1997 (a total of 318 million stamps was printed using her first design), and the new 2016 Forever Kwanzaa Stamp celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Kwanzaa holiday.

Editor’s Note: Kwanzaa is not a religious holiday. It is celebrated by African Americans each year from December 26 to January 1 recognizing seven important principles, and culminating in an edible feast and gift giving. It was first celebrated during the civil rights movement in 1966 and it celebrates African heritage, unity and culture, created by Dr. Maulana Karenga, scholar, professor and chairman of black studies at California State University, Long Beach.

Kwanzaa originated from the Swahili phrase malinda ya kwanza, which means first fruits of the harvest. The weeklong celebration, from December 26 through January 1, uses seven candles in a candelabra symbolizing the seven principles of Kwanzaa below:

Umoja (Unity): To strive for and to maintain unity in the family, community, nation, and race.

Kujichagulia (Self-Determination): To define and name ourselves, as well as to create and speak for ourselves.

Ujima (Collective Work and Responsibility): To build and maintain our community together and make our brothers’ and sisters’ problems our problems and to solve them together.

Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics): To build and maintain our own stores, shops, and other businesses and to profit from them together.

Nia (Purpose): To make our collective vocation the building and developing of our community in order to restore our people to their traditional greatness.

Kuumba (Creativity): To do always as much as we can, in the way we can, in order to leave our community more beautiful and beneficial than we inherited it.

Imani (Faith): To believe with all our hearts in our people, our parents, our teachers, our leaders, and the righteousness and victory of our struggle.

To find out more about Kwanzaa, visit the official website at: http://www.officialkwanzaawebsite.org/index.shtml

This article originally published 11.22.2017 at TribeLA Magazine

More Synthia tomorrow…

Connect SynthiaSAINTJAMES.com http://instagram.com/synthiasaintjames http://twitter.com/SynSAINTJAMES squareup.com/store/atelier-saint-james pixels.com/artists/1+synthia+saint+james shopvida.com/collections/synthia-saint-james

http://tribelamagazine.com/art-today-11-25-17-meet-dr-synthia-saint-james-atelier-read-entire-acrostic-interview/

ART TODAY: 11.19.17 The Fascinating world of artist Synthia SAINT JAMES begins with her 10th commission for Historical Black Colleges & Universities, unveiled last Friday + Acrostic Q&A starts today!

ART TODAY 11.22.17 From the Haitian Series by Synthia SAINT JAMES + numerous commissioned projects including the U.S. first Kwanza postage stamp

New Post has been published on http://tribelamagazine.com/art-today-11-25-17-meet-dr-synthia-saint-james-in-her-atelier-read-entire-acrostic-interview/

The Review: Meet Dr. Synthia SAINT JAMES, in her atelier – Read entire Acrostic Interview

Photograph by Leroy Hamilton

http://photographybyhamilton.com

TribeLA Magazine Acrostic Interview with Dr. Synthia SAINT JAMES

[hoot_dropcap]Tagline: Give yourself and your work a tagline.[/hoot_dropcap] “The Creative World of Synthia SAINT JAMES” — I’ve used this description for many years because of the variety of my creative work and endeavors, such as in the visual arts I am a painter, architectural designer (ceramic tile designs for the Ontario International Baggage Claim, Ontario, CA, and Cowan Elementary School, Westchester, CA, stained glass window designs for the West Tampa Library, Tampa, FL, elevator door designs for a government building in the East End Complex adjacent to the State Capitol Building in Sacramento, CA, and mural designs for two affordable living complexes – all of which was fabricated by other artists who specialized in each medium.), and illustrator of children’s picture books. I’m an author (writer) of children’s books, poetry and prose, lyrics for songs (songwriter), affirmation books, a cookbook, and an autobiographical art marketing book. I have a background in the performing arts, primarily in the mid-late 1970’s, that included a couple of films and television (a national McDonald’s commercial as the spokesperson). I’m an art educator and artist-in-residence, who works nationally with colleges and universities lecturing, teaching master classes and facilitating various workshops.

[hoot_dropcap]Rest: How do you spend your time off?[/hoot_dropcap] 1. International travel, which has included countries in Europe and South America, but with a major focus on the tropical islands of the Caribbean, Tahiti and Fiji. 2. Reading all kinds of books. 3. Dancing at home to rhythmic music, my form of relaxing right after a wonderFULL day of painting. 4. Watching classic films, Bette Davis features and Agatha Christie’s Hercule Poirot murder mysteries.

[hoot_dropcap]Influence: What effect do you hope to have on us?[/hoot_dropcap] My hope is to uplift, educate and to bring joy and serenity to my audience through my paintings.

[hoot_dropcap]Back: If you could choose a past literary/art/music movement to be a part of, which would you choose?[/hoot_dropcap] Definitely the French Impressionists. My favorite all-time film is the first Moulin Rouge, starring Jose Ferrer and released in 1952. It inspired my artistic goals on many levels, including making a living as an artist during my lifetime.

[hoot_dropcap]Energy: What fires you up?[/hoot_dropcap] Dawn to early morning brisk nature walks, in a park or on the beach, where I release any built up tensions while repeating my prayers and affirmations aloud softly.

[hoot_dropcap]Los Angeles: Where is your favorite place in Los Angeles?[/hoot_dropcap] That’s a hard question because I have many. So I’ll choose the Pacific Coast Highway and the beaches between Marina del Rey and Zuma. Where would you take visitors? On a scenic drive beginning in Hollywood, then to Gladstone’s Seafood Restaurant via Sunset Blvd. If you could defend the city in one sentence to someone who doubts it, what would you say? The City of Angels, the entertainment capital of the world, filled with beautiful palm trees and magnificent beaches, valleys, deserts and mountains, creatively energetic but laid back.

[hoot_dropcap]Advice: What is the best advice you’ve received? What is the best advice you can give?[/hoot_dropcap] “Make a place for your art.” In 1980, I attended an informal lecture by Ernie Barnes where he emphasized the importance of being proactive. That was the best advice I’d ever heard and I continue to encourage my students and other artists to take control of their careers. I also teach a workshop on “The Business of Art” and recommend my book, Living My Dream: An Artistic Approach to Marketing, for some helpful tips and creative affirmations.

[hoot_dropcap]Aura: How would you describe your energy, style, etc.?[/hoot_dropcap] I’ve been told that I have a golden and magnetic aura, and love that description which I hope to always live up to. I think of myself as a 68 year old petite woman with the heart and energy of a child. I’m always open and love to embrace new ideas, and creative challenges. My idea of dressing up, or as I call it my typical “exhibit wear”, is made up of one of my many Asian tops or jackets, some slacks and a pair of my “dressy” gold or silver metallic sneakers.

[hoot_dropcap]Room: Where in your home do you work? If not in your home, where do you feel most compelled to create?[/hoot_dropcap] I live in an old Spanish duplex and I converted the back bedroom to my studio when I moved in over twenty years ago. One of the great things about the room is that it looks out onto a sun porch and a back yard filled with trees, plants, birds and butterflies, which makes my studio feel like a large creative oasis.

[hoot_dropcap]Tools: What do you prefer to work with, physically and otherwise?[/hoot_dropcap] My paint brushes range in size from a 0/20 to a 2 brush, and my mediums are acrylic and oil paints. If it’s a small painting I’ll create it on my drawing table, but generally I use my easel.

[hoot_dropcap]Indulgence: What is your favorite indulgence?[/hoot_dropcap] A nice glass of Sauvignon Blanc after painting or writing to celebrate the day. Do you cook? Yes, but not as much as I use to. My first cookbook that was published in 1998, which I revised and self-published in 2016. It’s titled Creative Fixings From The Kitchen: Multi-Cultural Delights and can be purchased on Amazon.com. What is your specialty meal? A big pot of “Shrimp, Chicken & Vegetable Curry” with a side of Streamed Rice and Chutney. What is your favorite restaurant in LA where you indulge yourself? ALL-TIME Favorite: The Palace Restaurant for 25 years. The BEST Chinese Restaurant in Los Angeles!!! It was located in Los Feliz on Hillhurst Avenue but is now located on Central Avenue in Glendale.

[hoot_dropcap]Special: Who or what holds a special place in your heart? How does this factor into your creative process?[/hoot_dropcap] First and foremost my mother Hattie, who is now 90 years old. My champion and wind beneath my wings!!! How does this factor into your creative process? I was EXTREMELY fortunate to have had someone who always had my back, and who always encouraged me, since early childhood, to pursue my dream/s. She taught me to “Keep On Pushing” to GO FOR IT…and I still do so on many creative and personal levels.

[hoot_dropcap]Time: What is your all-time favorite piece of writing/art/music you’ve created?[/hoot_dropcap] A hard call…they’re ALL “My Babies”. 1. Book: Living My Dream: An Artistic Approach to Marketing” – which was nominated for an NAACP Image Award 2012 – Outstanding Literary Work – Instructional. 2. Song: “Happy Happy Kwanzaa” – Co-wrote – Received a NAPPA Gold Award – National Parenting Publication Award. 3. Painting: “Slumber”

Thank you Synthia SAINT JAMES SynthiaSAINTJAMES.com

ART TODAY: 11.19.17 The Fascinating world of artist Synthia SAINT JAMES begins with her 10th commission for Historical Black Colleges & Universities, unveiled last Friday + Acrostic Q&A starts today!

ART TODAY 11.22.17 From the Haitian Series by Synthia SAINT JAMES + numerous commissioned projects including the U.S. first Kwanza postage stamp

http://tribelamagazine.com/art-today-11-24-17-international-decade-2015-2014-inspired-united-nations-general-assembly-synthia-saint-james-books/

ART TODAY 11.22.17 Kwanzaa Forever Postage Stamp by Synthia SAINT JAMES – What is KWANZAA, you ask?

ART TODAY 11.20.17 “Junkanoo” – Say that again? “Junkanoo” by Synthia SAINT JAMES, the exciting twice annual Bahamian Street (party) Parade

ART TODAY 11.23.17 “Masekela’s Marketplace: Congo” by Synthia SAINT JAMES + video receiving her Doctor of Humane Letters

ART TODAY 11.21.17 The Dutch Caribbean of Curaco + Read what film inspired Synthia SAINT JAMES to make a living as an artist

New Post has been published on http://tribelamagazine.com/art-today-11-25-17-meet-dr-synthia-saint-james-in-her-atelier-read-entire-acrostic-interview/

ART TODAY 11.25.17 Meet Dr. Synthia SAINT JAMES, in her atelier – Read entire Acrostic Interview

TribeLA Magazine Acrostic Interview with Dr. Synthia SAINT JAMES

[hoot_dropcap]Tagline: Give yourself and your work a tagline.[/hoot_dropcap] “The Creative World of Synthia SAINT JAMES” — I’ve used this description for many years because of the variety of my creative work and endeavors, such as in the visual arts I am a painter, architectural designer (ceramic tile designs for the Ontario International Baggage Claim, Ontario, CA, and Cowan Elementary School, Westchester, CA, stained glass window designs for the West Tampa Library, Tampa, FL, elevator door designs for a government building in the East End Complex adjacent to the State Capitol Building in Sacramento, CA, and mural designs for two affordable living complexes – all of which was fabricated by other artists who specialized in each medium.), and illustrator of children’s picture books. I’m an author (writer) of children’s books, poetry and prose, lyrics for songs (songwriter), affirmation books, a cookbook, and an autobiographical art marketing book. I have a background in the performing arts, primarily in the mid-late 1970’s, that included a couple of films and television (a national McDonald’s commercial as the spokesperson). I’m an art educator and artist-in-residence, who works nationally with colleges and universities lecturing, teaching master classes and facilitating various workshops.

[hoot_dropcap]Rest: How do you spend your time off?[/hoot_dropcap] 1. International travel, which has included countries in Europe and South America, but with a major focus on the tropical islands of the Caribbean, Tahiti and Fiji. 2. Reading all kinds of books. 3. Dancing at home to rhythmic music, my form of relaxing right after a wonderFULL day of painting. 4. Watching classic films, Bette Davis features and Agatha Christie’s Hercule Poirot murder mysteries.

[hoot_dropcap]Influence: What effect do you hope to have on us?[/hoot_dropcap] My hope is to uplift, educate and to bring joy and serenity to my audience through my paintings.

[hoot_dropcap]Back: If you could choose a past literary/art/music movement to be a part of, which would you choose?[/hoot_dropcap] Definitely the French Impressionists. My favorite all-time film is the first Moulin Rouge, starring Jose Ferrer and released in 1952. It inspired my artistic goals on many levels, including making a living as an artist during my lifetime.

[hoot_dropcap]Energy: What fires you up?[/hoot_dropcap] Dawn to early morning brisk nature walks, in a park or on the beach, where I release any built up tensions while repeating my prayers and affirmations aloud softly.

[hoot_dropcap]Los Angeles: Where is your favorite place in Los Angeles?[/hoot_dropcap] That’s a hard question because I have many. So I’ll choose the Pacific Coast Highway and the beaches between Marina del Rey and Zuma. Where would you take visitors? On a scenic drive beginning in Hollywood, then to Gladstone’s Seafood Restaurant via Sunset Blvd. If you could defend the city in one sentence to someone who doubts it, what would you say? The City of Angels, the entertainment capital of the world, filled with beautiful palm trees and magnificent beaches, valleys, deserts and mountains, creatively energetic but laid back.

[hoot_dropcap]Advice: What is the best advice you’ve received? What is the best advice you can give?[/hoot_dropcap] “Make a place for your art.” In 1980, I attended an informal lecture by Ernie Barnes where he emphasized the importance of being proactive. That was the best advice I’d ever heard and I continue to encourage my students and other artists to take control of their careers. I also teach a workshop on “The Business of Art” and recommend my book, Living My Dream: An Artistic Approach to Marketing, for some helpful tips and creative affirmations.

[hoot_dropcap]Aura: How would you describe your energy, style, etc.?[/hoot_dropcap] I’ve been told that I have a golden and magnetic aura, and love that description which I hope to always live up to. I think of myself as a 68 year old petite woman with the heart and energy of a child. I’m always open and love to embrace new ideas, and creative challenges. My idea of dressing up, or as I call it my typical “exhibit wear”, is made up of one of my many Asian tops or jackets, some slacks and a pair of my “dressy” gold or silver metallic sneakers.

[hoot_dropcap]Room: Where in your home do you work? If not in your home, where do you feel most compelled to create?[/hoot_dropcap] I live in an old Spanish duplex and I converted the back bedroom to my studio when I moved in over twenty years ago. One of the great things about the room is that it looks out onto a sun porch and a back yard filled with trees, plants, birds and butterflies, which makes my studio feel like a large creative oasis.

[hoot_dropcap]Tools: What do you prefer to work with, physically and otherwise?[/hoot_dropcap] My paint brushes range in size from a 0/20 to a 2 brush, and my mediums are acrylic and oil paints. If it’s a small painting I’ll create it on my drawing table, but generally I use my easel.

[hoot_dropcap]Indulgence: What is your favorite indulgence?[/hoot_dropcap] A nice glass of Sauvignon Blanc after painting or writing to celebrate the day. Do you cook? Yes, but not as much as I use to. My first cookbook that was published in 1998, which I revised and self-published in 2016. It’s titled Creative Fixings From The Kitchen: Multi-Cultural Delights and can be purchased on Amazon.com. What is your specialty meal? A big pot of “Shrimp, Chicken & Vegetable Curry” with a side of Streamed Rice and Chutney. What is your favorite restaurant in LA where you indulge yourself? ALL-TIME Favorite: The Palace Restaurant for 25 years. The BEST Chinese Restaurant in Los Angeles!!! It was located in Los Feliz on Hillhurst Avenue but is now located on Central Avenue in Glendale.

[hoot_dropcap]Special: Who or what holds a special place in your heart? How does this factor into your creative process?[/hoot_dropcap] First and foremost my mother Hattie, who is now 90 years old. My champion and wind beneath my wings!!! How does this factor into your creative process? I was EXTREMELY fortunate to have had someone who always had my back, and who always encouraged me, since early childhood, to pursue my dream/s. She taught me to “Keep On Pushing” to GO FOR IT…and I still do so on many creative and personal levels.

[hoot_dropcap]Time: What is your all-time favorite piece of writing/art/music you’ve created?[/hoot_dropcap] A hard call…they’re ALL “My Babies”. 1. Book: Living My Dream: An Artistic Approach to Marketing” – which was nominated for an NAACP Image Award 2012 – Outstanding Literary Work – Instructional. 2. Song: “Happy Happy Kwanzaa” – Co-wrote – Received a NAPPA Gold Award – National Parenting Publication Award. 3. Painting: “Slumber”

Thank you Synthia SAINT JAMES SynthiaSAINTJAMES.com

ART TODAY: 11.19.17 The Fascinating world of artist Synthia SAINT JAMES begins with her 10th commission for Historical Black Colleges & Universities, unveiled last Friday + Acrostic Q&A starts today!

ART TODAY 11.22.17 From the Haitian Series by Synthia SAINT JAMES + numerous commissioned projects including the U.S. first Kwanza postage stamp

http://tribelamagazine.com/art-today-11-24-17-international-decade-2015-2014-inspired-united-nations-general-assembly-synthia-saint-james-books/

ART TODAY 11.22.17 Kwanzaa Forever Postage Stamp by Synthia SAINT JAMES – What is KWANZAA, you ask?

ART TODAY 11.20.17 “Junkanoo” – Say that again? “Junkanoo” by Synthia SAINT JAMES, the exciting twice annual Bahamian Street (party) Parade

ART TODAY 11.23.17 “Masekela’s Marketplace: Congo” by Synthia SAINT JAMES + video receiving her Doctor of Humane Letters

ART TODAY 11.21.17 The Dutch Caribbean of Curaco + Read what film inspired Synthia SAINT JAMES to make a living as an artist