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Name: Shonda's Art
Address: US
Telephone: + 214-709-3998

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Original Works by Gary Cooks

Welcome to Shonda's Art.

Thanks so much for coming by. All the world is my canvas.

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See my Dad's artistic debut,

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Meal I 10 x 10 inch acrylic on bamboo plate. Accrued over many projects.	Appetizer I 8 x 8 inch acrylic on bamboo plate. Accrued over many projects.	Gigi's Laugh 5 x 5 inch acrylic on heavy duty gallery wrapped canvas. Captures the essence of joy and laughter that my biological grandmother embodied.
Booked 24 x 36 inch heavy duty gallery wrapped canvas with acrylic and mixed media. Created live during Literature and Arts Festival at Cedar Valley College with community collaboration from students, guests and staff. $2600	Granny's Finger Waves 8 x 8 inch acrylic on bamboo plate. Depicts grandmother in beauty school doing finger waves. Legend has it my granny woke in the middle of the night from a dream that showed her how to create the hairstyle and instantly tried it on one of her sisters. The rest is history. This image references official photos taken at beauty school. $800	Hair Story Origin 8 x 8 inch acrylic on bamboo plate Created based on a reference photo in our family album from my grandmother's beautician era. This piece was the inception of the Hair Story series. I posted it online and received such positive feedback about its warmth and texture I decided to keep going. $600
Hair Story - Walgreen Rainbow Braids 8 x 8 inch acrylic on bamboo plate. Created based on an image I took of a fly neighborhood Walgreens employee. As seen in African American Museum of Dallas in 2020. $600	Custom Shonda's Art Candle Created for Teacup to God Exhibit in collaboration with Golden BLK Candle Lounge, candle comes in three scents. Scent profiles: Warm cup of tea - winter vanilla and chai First Sunday - white orchid, pineapple, and china rain Journal session - baccharat, frankincense and mirrh and amber love	Custom Shonda's Art Candle Created for Teacup to God Exhibit in collaboration with Golden BLK Candle Lounge, candle comes in three scents. Scent profiles: Warm cup of tea - winter vanilla and chai First Sunday - white orchid, pineapple, and china rain Journal session - baccharat, frankincense and mirrh and amber love
Not Tweedle Dee or Dum 45 x 36 inch acrylic on cardboard. Nod to popular 90s TV Moms and reaction to change with an Alice in Wonderland twist. I reference Tweedle Dee and Dum, the twins in the story.	Fast 39 x 31 inch acrylic on cardboard. Piece references popular historic TV moms and places them in a world surrounded by fast food icons. I wanted to examine the existence of food deserts in urban areas and see how these fictitious characters interact in a world where fresh food is a fantasy.	Earrings - We're All Mad Here Limited edition earrings featuring my artwork "We're All Mad Here" created by my friend and artist Joe Mendez coated with resin and a shimmering abstract back.
Earrings - Wonder Boy Limited edition earrings featuring my artwork "Wonder Boy" created by my friend and artist Joe Mendez coated with resin and a shimmering abstract back.	Earrings - Valley Flowers Limited edition earrings featuring my artwork "Valley Flowers" created by my friend and artist Joe Mendez coated with resin and a shimmering abstract back.	Earrings - Dare to Imagine (Dr. Shirley Ann Jackson) Limited edition earrings featuring my collaborative work with Jamaal Eversley "Dare to Imagine" inspired by African American physicist Dr. Shirley Ann Jackson. Earrings were created by my friend and artist Joe Mendez coated with resin and a shimmering abstract back.
offwithherhead 18 x 36 in acrylic painting on canvas with playing cards. Inspired by Eartha Kitt x Alice in Wonderland lens.	wherethewildthingsgrow 5 x 5 inch mini digital print from Journal Series. $15	release 5 x 5 inch mini digital print from Journal Series. $15
breathe 5 x 5 inch mini digital print from Journal Series. $15	Pony Vine Exhale 5 x 5 inch mini digital print from Journal Series. $15	'Til the Cows Come Home: Ode to Jane Warren 24 x 24 inch bandana with fabric paint and miniature cows on wood hanging bar with wooden stars. $700
'Til the Cows Come Home: Ode to Johanna July 24 x 24 inch bandana with fabric paint and miniature cows on wood hanging bar with wooden stars. $700	'Til the Cows Come Home: Ode to Mary Fields 24 x 24 inch bandana with fabric paint and miniature cows on wood hanging bar with wooden stars. $700	addys_swallowed_tears 24 x 24 inch mixed media acrylic painting on wood with Scrabble pieces. Created for "Tears" Show at African American Museum of Dallas in 2020. Features American Girl Book character Addy with an image of Emmett Till's mother Mamie Till crying emblazoned on her dress. Show explored how some tears carry more weight than others based on the demographics of their owner. Scrabble words are a quote from Addy's book where she is told to stop crying in the face of immeasurable pain.
alice_tears2021acryliconmixedmedia24in 24 x 24 inch mixed media acrylic painting on wood panel with Scrabble wood pieces. Created in 2020 for the "Tears" Show at the African American Museum of Dallas, curated by Jennifer Cowley, the piece features fictional Alice in Wonderland in the scenes where she cries and nearly drowns the entire environment due to her massive size. An image of the Central Park dogwalker woman Amy Cooper is emblazoned on her chest. Show explores how some tears weigh more than others based on the owner.	Blues is Truth Wanda King Study A 24 x 24 inch study piece for the Wanda King Blues is Truth Mural in Deep Ellum's Blues Alley. During a phone interview with the famed female band leader I asked her to define blues, and she said blues is truth. The image tries to capture the joy and pain Blues embodies.	Waiting II Waiting II was inspired by my time waiting in Gare d'Oest for a train from Paris to Orquevaux for my 2023 residency. The train station buzzed with activity and amidst the traffic and language barrier I found myself a bit overwhelmed. I sat down and people-watched to see how others navigated and tucked their wares. I spotted this beauty, calmly waiting, on her phone with her baby girl in tow and felt instantly relieved. Her wallet is tucked beneath her sweatshirt. This painting is my thanks.
Brands Created in 2020 when major household brands decided to remove Black images as a way to signify progress. I created a still life from the products at home to explore the connection between marketing and identity for breakfast items.	Granny's Wish 23.5 x 23.5 inch acrylic on wooden round panel. My granny passed away when I was 17. I love this throwback picture of me and my little sis at her first bday party in a long time. I wanted to capture her huge presence, warmth and beauty.	Daddy's Little Girls 23.5 x 23.5 inches on circle acrylic on wooden round panel. $5000 Image depicts me, my little sis and Dad in a tender moment. I'm reading and looking in awe at the baby while Dad balances us on the couch.
Well-Watered Garden 36 x 36 inches acrylic on canvas $2400 This piece was created during a live painting session in 2024. I selected an image of a floral bride-to-be by a brilliant Brazilian photographer and rendered her in my strokes. Both the photographer and bride marveled the final piece when I tagged him. Felt surreal. I love how peaceful she appears to be.	Cake 12 x 12 inches acrylic on canvas. $500 In Sanctuary, I explored definitive moments from my youth that shaped my identity. I loved my birthday because it was solely mine. Lol. I felt like a princess most times. This image is based on a photograph of me from one of those childhood parties, blowing and wishing.	Coronation 12 x 12 inches acrylic on canvas. $500 Depicts a time in elementary school that is now a core memory of me and several classmates dressing up in gowns, pearls and gloves to sing for a coronation "one moment in time." I remember the smoky smell of the boutique and feeling very elegant.
Texas Made 24 x 24 inches acrylic on heavy duty canvas $900 Captures my exploration of identity through place, awards and applause. I use trophies won in my childhood, one of my dad's trophies, a sketchbook and cigar box as representation objects alongside some designs that are inspired by my father's work with mandalas and symmetry to explore changing definitions of success and self.	Juggler 12 x 12 acrylic on canvas (framed) $500 Depicts my mom balancing me, my party and herself during early childhood. I was my parent's first child and am in awe now that I'm older than they were when we arrived.	The Choice 12 x 12 acrylic on canvas (frame) $400 Based on an image from a childhood pageant where I appear more engrossed with my prize than with my escort.
Happy Birthday/Joyeux anniversarie $9000 60 x 69 inches Acrylic on unstretched canvas. Piece explores my childhood fascination with birthday parties and celebrations. I was really shy but thankful for my little sis and cousins as built in friends to accompany the few friends I made on my own. This image captures the conundrum of me trying to ignore my little sis while remaining present with other guests as I received gifts. She hadn't learned the importance of sharing attention at that point.	The Wonder Boy 30 x 59 inches Created as my way to honor James Baldwin and his connection to France while I was in Orquevaux Residency in 2023. I collected French playing cards from a Paris gift shop about the revolution and incorporated those into the piece along with French roses, a sketch of a cheshire cat (my nod to Alice in Wonderland and Baldwin's uncanny resemblance to the character in both appearance and wit) and drew a sketch of him based on a public domain image I liked.	lean 12 x 12 acrylic on canvas (framed) sold. Depicts my grandmother Gigi and my grandfather figure, her husband Chuck, during one of their visits to our house during my childhood. I loved when they came. They always felt like the rich, sophisticated relatives. I didn't know my late teens that she was my bio grandmother.
Love Pew 12 x 12 acrylic on canvas (framed) NFS My parents met at my dad's church due to someone arsoning my mom's home church. A weird kismet. This painting is a nod to that origin story.	Handful 12 x 12 inches acrylic on canvas (frame) *sold* Nod to my youth as a stellar student and loose sense of self based on accomplishment.	5 of diamonds xtra large playing card with ink sketch (in 5 x 7 inch frame)
9 of spades extra large playing card with sketch (sold)	king of clubs xtra large playing card with ink sketch in 5 x 7 inch frame	3 of diamonds xtra large playing card with ink sketch (sold)
2 of clubs xtra large playing card with ink sketch (sold)	9 of clubs xtra large playing card with ink sketch	Joker xtra large playing card with ink sketch (sold)
jack of clubs xtra large playing card with ink sketch	Am I the Villain $8000 40 x 65 inches Acrylic on unstretched canvas. Depicts a conversation with myself regarding my role in my stories. Am I the villain? Am I the damsel? The truth lies somewhere in between.	Big and Cece 12 x 12 inches Sold Painting based on a photo of my dad's mom also known as my Big Mama and my little sister.
Mine, Yours and Ours *sold*Painting based on a vintage photo of me and my little sister, Candace. She loved taking my toys. And would routinely cry at my birthday parties when we were little because she didn't understand why the gifts were mine alone. Normally, the toys would eventually land in her hands. LOL. She's crying in this painting as I grinned with my newest acquisition, a bronze Raggedy Ann doll.	Taylor Made 12 x 12 inches. NFS. Painting based on a vintage photo of my Granny and Gigi. They both hailed from Taylor, Texas.	Addy's Swallowed Tears 24 x 24 in mixed media piece created for Tears Exhibition at African American Musuem of Dallas. Available $1000
Humpty Dumpty Reconciled 24 x 24 in mixed media piece created for Tears Exhibition at African American Museum of Dallas. I created this particular piece during the brutal winter storm in February. I wanted to try and capture my frustration and disbelief in true reconciliation between White and Black women en masse. Available $1000	Alice and the Pool of Tears 24 x 24 in mixed media piece created for Tears Exhibition at African American Museum. Available $1000.	Shonda's Mask SOLD. self portrait on bamboo plate.
cece NFS. Part of Hair Story series for African American Museum of Dallas.	alexis NFS. Part of Hair Story series for African American Museum of Dallas.	tavie NFS. Part of Hair Story series for African American Museum of Dallas.
sheila NFS. Part of Hair Story series for African American Museum of Dallas.	j NFS. Part of Hair Story series for African American Museum of Dallas.	hairstorycolor NFS. Part of Hair Story series for African American Museum of Dallas.
keima NFS. Part of Hair Story series for African American Museum of Dallas.	sis pearson NFS.	Jump 12 inch acrylic on round canvas. Part of my Quarantine Series, depicting me finding a sanctuary jump roping in the midst of the chaotic season. $300
Free Skate SOLD 12 inch acrylic on canvas. Part of my Quarantine Series depicting my sister finding her sanctuary skating in the street outside our Oak Cliff home to escape from the chaos of this season of COVID and killings.	We're All Mad Here 30 x 48 acrylic on canvas with mixed media playing cards added. Depicts an interpretation of Nina Simone's "Four Women" with an Alice in Wonderland twist. $6677	Love on Cloud 9 NFS 24 x 36 in acrylic on canvas collaboration with Jamaal Eversley.
Sleeping Beauty SOLD. 11 x 14 in acrylic on linen board.	spike 11 x 14 acrylic on canvas board. Collabo with Jamaal Eversley. Has shown at Babson College and Beacon Gallery in Boston. Features nods to favorite Spike Lee Joints alongside Eversley's Spencer the nerd character to compare and contrast the creation of identity through brand and action.	Ripples *sold* 24 x 24 in Painting for Color Me Empowered Auction.
maskedmlk NFS. Collab with Mayor's Rising Star Council tweaked with digital masks	I Prefer Eiffel SOLD. 16 x 20 in mixed media on framed kraft paper. Depicts Josephine Baker and the dilemma of being mocked by Statue of Liberty as a Black woman in America.	Hurdles sold. 11.5 x 48 in acrylic on canvas.
First Lady SOLD. 16 x 20 in acrylic on canvas.	Hazel SOLD. 11 x 14 in mixed media on framed kraft paper.	Horizon NFS. Collabo with Jamaal Eversley. Gifted to Oprah's assistant (I hope) during her wellness tour to Dallas.
Dwayne *SOLD*Collabo piece wth Jamaal Eversley. Heading to Boston for dispaly at Beacon Gallery	Detour SOLD. 8 x 10 in acrylic on canvas.	Lady Justice *sold* 18 X 24 in mixed media on canvas.
Dip 11 x 14 in acrylic on canvas	Purrfect SOLD. 12 x 25 in acrylic on canvas.	Gloria SOLD. 24 x 36 in acrylic on canvas.
Gaze SOLD. 4 x 12 in acrylic on canvas.	Ingrid NFS	Doubles 30 x 40 inch acrylic on canvas depicting the younger Williams sisters playing their older selves. $4400
Down The Rabbit Hole SOLD24 x 24 in mixed media on canvas.	Supreme 11 x 14 in acrylic on canvas. $500	Love Rain SOLD.12 x 24 in acrylic on canvas.
Frida SOLD. 12 x 24 in acrylic on canvas.	Stretch 12 x 24 in acrylic on canvas. $700	mirrormirror 20 x 20 inch acrylic painting on heavy duty canvas $800
Harnaam 5 x 5 in acrylic on heavy duty gallery wrapped canvas.	Glare SOLD. 4 x 12 in acrylic on canvas.	Hatlady Sold. 4 x 4 in acrylic on canvas.
Granny NFS	Zoe Green and Blue 16 x 20 acryic on canvas. $500	Audrey Through the Looking Glass_edited 18 x 30 in acrylic on canvas. Depicts Audrey in opening scene from "Breakfast at Tiffany's" with a doting image from her past staring from the behind the window glass. $800
Obama kiss SOLD. 18 x 24 in acrylic on canvas.	Mom NFS	Dorothy and the Forbidden Fruit 24 X 24 in acrylic on canvas. $800 Depicts a warring Judy Garland as Dorothy fighting between her light and dark, her pink and green as she bites into a tempting apple. The piece is a nod to the apple in the Garden of Eden and the apples tossed in the angry forest during the Wizard of Oz.
Come ON! 11 x 14 in acrylic on canvas. $600	Ascension SOLD. 4 x 12 " acrylic on canvas	Toni 20 x 20 " acrylic on frame kraft paper $400
Ntoshake 20 x 20 " framed acrylic on kraft paper $400	Eyes Collabo with Jamaal Sold.	St Louis Blues *NFS*24 x 36 " painting based on a scene featuring Nat King Cole and Eartha Kitt.