Graphic novel COVER REVEAL : Excited to announce upcoming release of Pushing Hope: A Memoir Of Survival by @santanaraymond and illustrated by @iamtheleopard One of the Central Park Five. ABOUT PUSHING HOPE
One of the Central Park Five reflects on his wrongful conviction—and tireless fight for his 2002 exoneration—in this moving young adult illustrated memoir. Now available for pre sale (Link in bio)
Raymond Santana’s story is an example to teens of the power of hope and resilience—and the importance of fighting injustice to stand up for what’s right.
When Raymond Santana was just 14, he was accused of a crime he didn’t commit. The 1989 rape of a jogger in Central Park was pinned on Santana and four other young teens, a tragedy that would change their lives forever.
In this powerful illustrated memoir, Raymond Santana takes readers on a journey from his move to Harlem, to his arrest and trial, and from his time in prison to his ongoing fight for justice. Exonerated in 2002, Santana has made it his mission to fight wrongful convictions and injustice. What has sustained him and given him the strength for that fight, is his creativity—art and fashion have always been a refuge and a source of hope.
Teaming up with celebrated artist Keith Henry Brown, Raymond Santana shows in vivid color how one can survive by pushing a message of hope.”
@astrapublishinghouse@painted.words@santanaraymond
Congratulations to @joeciardiello on his induction into the Hall of Fame by the @soi128 . By far, he’s my favorite living illustrator — but even more importantly, he’s one of my favorite people I’ve ever had the privilege to know.
I’m especially proud knowing he comes from Staten Island, my hometown - also, we both went to the High School of Art And Design in Manhattan, although he was a couple of grades in front of me. Seeing someone from where I came from reach this level with such grace makes me even prouder of my roots.
Joe isn’t just a great image maker — he’s a great human being. His humility is beautiful, and his generosity toward others is unmatched. No matter how accomplished he is, he always makes you feel like you matter, like you’re worth his time and attention. That’s rare.
I’m beyond happy for him, though honestly, he deserved this honor long ago. Congratulations, Joe — nobody deserves it more.
L’amore porta grandezza, Maestro!
From the archives: 1991 watercolor based on a police photograph from the early 1900s. This is a style of I don’t indulge in much these days. From a book of black & white NYC crime scene photos called Evidence by Luc Sante. Two men after falling down an empty elevator shaft. #lucsante #evidence #watercolor #keithhenrybrown #iamtheleopard @painted.words@paintedwordseditorial
“father was a slave and my people died to build this country and I am going to stay here and have a part of it just like you.”
Singer/actor/social activist/lawyer/athlete PAUL ROBESON #paulrobeson #oldmanriver #activist #othello #chinesebrush portraitillustration legendaryafricanamerican artist keithhenrybrown iamtheleopard @pwlicensing@paintedwordsartrep@painted.words
“You gotta mean it and you gotta treat it gentle.” Happy Birthday, jazz saxophonist/composer SIDNEY BECHET #sidneybechet #sidneybechetinneworleans #neworleans #nola #clarinetist jazzclarinetist legendaryjazz jazzillustration inkandbrushillustration penandinkillustration keithhenrybrown iamtheleopard pagestreetkids @pwlicensing@paintedwordsartrep@painted.words
“I’m just an advertisement for a version of myself.” Happy Birthday, singer/songwriter/artist DAVID BYRNE
@davidbyrneofficial@iamtheleopard #keithhenrybrown
“Just because a man lacks the use of his eyes doesn’t mean he lacks vision” -Stevie Wonder. Next to @johncoltrane , no musician has moved me more than Stevie. @steviewonderoficial Happy Birthday, Steveland Morris. #steviewonder #illustrator #legendary #soulsinger #innversions @iamtheleopard illustration penandink illustrationart @pwlicensing@paintedwordsartrep@painted.words
For a while, I had an Instagram account called @NudesdayTuesday — a name gifted to me my good pal Kevin McDermott. Recently, the account was suspended and ultimately deactivated by Instagram.
This work has always been a distinct part of my artistic practice: figurative studies shared over many years with other artists working in and around the human form. Rather than let it disappear, I decided to move the entire project over to Bluesky.
You can catch it there now.
