I remember when I first saw Whoopi Goldberg doing standup, and she was wearing a sheet on her head, basically pretending to be this little white girl with long luxurious blonde hair. Everyone can relate to that. It's an oral history of black women's lives through laughter. Mickalene Thomas basicallyblackblonde share on social
I started making art during high school but thought I lacked the talent to become a true artist. Mickalene Thomas artartisthigh Change image and share on social
I started making art with art therapy. It's what I know how to do. I got a lot of criticism for that when I was in school. But I think it works for me. Mickalene Thomas artcriticismlot Change image and share on social
I used to listen to a lot of music in my studio - all the time. But as far as the music that interplays with my work, what I've done and still do is keep a lyric book and song title. The material typically comes from Eartha Kitt, Betty Davis, Donna Summer, Whitney Houston. Mickalene Thomas bettybookdavis share on social
I'm really interested in women, particularly the kind of black woman who has overcome obstacles in her life and transformed. Mickalene Thomas blackinterestkind Change image and share on social
Beauty has always been an element of discussion for black women, whether or not we were the ones having the conversation. Mickalene Thomas beautyblackconversation Change image and share on social
I look to a lot of artists who don't focus on one medium, who you can't pigeonhole. Mickalene Thomas artistfocuslot Change image and share on social
I had someone describe my work as so - '227' - and I thought about that TV show, and I thought about those women on that TV show, and I said, 'Yes, it is '227.'' That show depicted real women, everyday women. If that's the case, my work is very '227.' Mickalene Thomas casedepictdescribe share on social
Once I made the decision to make art despite the obstacles and to make this my priority, things just opened up for me. Mickalene Thomas artdecisionmake Change image and share on social
The first painting I remember selling was 'Panthera.' I made it while I was in residence at the Studio Museum in Harlem, and the museum actually purchased it directly from me. Mickalene Thomas directlyharlemmake Change image and share on social
