Latrice Jackson Paints Realist Portraits of Celebrities

Photos by Jade Katz.

For this week's Mahal, I attended “Painted in the Stars,” Latrice Jackson's art gala at Toshi's Livingroom and Penthouse to raise money for Click and Colab, an innitiative to create arts education in schools. Like many painters, Latrice is obsessed with capturing every detail of the human form in her portraits. However, instead of painting nude models she found on Craigslist, Latrice creates portraits of celebrities like Bill Cosby and Eve—and when Latrice isn't painting, she's advocating for arts education in schools. Along with checking out Latrice's amazing show, I spoke to her about her celebrity portraits, artistic inspiration, and charity work.

VICE: What is your favorite thing about painting a face? 
Latrice Jackson: It's a layered mental puzzle that gives you an indescribable satisfaction when the end result accurately mimicks the presence of a life form. The best part for me is the moment when the face that you have created suddenly looks back at you or seems stuck in between motion, waiting for you to blink or to move conspicuously.

How do you decide whom to paint?
The most prominent decision making factor is the feeling or energy that someone gives me. If my heart is strongly influenced, I have no choice but to follow it and share that feeling through an art piece.

What inspires your art?
I am inspired by life and existence. I feel like my role as an artist is to be a historian of my time and space in history. I thrive off of other creative artists like musicians, dancers, athletes, actors, and personalities that are unique. I take it upon myself to celebrate their visionary work through my own work. People who have met that criteria include my mother, Mavis Seymour, my family, my professors, my students, and my peers.

What is your artistic process?
My artistic process varies through thought development to painting or project execution. I paint from the inside out. With portraiture, I always start with a red background that symbolizes blood, and when light hits the canvas, the layers underneath give a more realistic presence and warmth to the portrait. I spend time with my subjects so their personality can shine through.

How did you end up painting a portrait of Bill Cosby?
The Bill Cosby portrait was a unique experience. International music artist Kissk reached out to me one day informing me that Bill Cosby was having a show at the Kupferberg Center for the Arts. He insisted that I do a portrait in honor of the legendary actor. I had to execute the larger than life-size portrait overnight in less than 18 hours. I went to my studio in Brooklyn, built the wooden frame, stretched the canvas, blasted music, and painted until the portrait was complete. I took the portrait to the show and set it up backstage to present to Bill. Afterwards, I set the portrait besides the stage, and they loved it.

What do you have planned for your upcoming travels?
At the present moment, I am traveling to the Turks and Caicos Islands. I am currently in collaboration with local businesses, youth programs, and schools through the TCI Tourism Board to develop a more active arts culture in the island community.

@RedAlurk