by Sandra Pryer

Barack Obama

Description:

Collage of Obama with wife, studing,resting Original handdrawn watercolor 22x17 

Signed by Artist pricedto sell. original priced to sell 

The original work is currently for sale. At the present time, originals are not offered for sale through the Fine Art America secure checkout system. Please contact the artist directly to inquire about purchasing this original by clicking on the picture links below.

Changing Leader

Description:

Original hand painted picture of Barack Obama in front of white house and American Flag,done in acrylic paint. Signed by Artist 

Please Click On The Picture Link Below For More Information:

Hope

Description:

Significance of Hope emerging new leader, featuring Frederick Douglas and Martin Luther King. Original watercolor 100% cotton paper. Signed by Artist Original priced to sell. 

The original work is currently for sale. At the present time, originals are not offered for sale through the Fine Art America secure checkout system. Please contact the artist directly to inquire about purchasing this original by clicking on the picture links below.

About Sandra:

Raymond started drawing as a child when his mother asked him and his brother to draw flower patterns on a paper towel. He won his first Art contest in a competition for the city of Philadelphia’s public school at the age of 9 years old. It’s theme centered on cleaning up the streets. He was one of 5 young artists to win.

Raymond often received certificates for his achievements in Art, which allowed him to attend summer Art camp in Philadelphia as a young child. His life began making a turn in the wrong direction at the age of 14, when he was convicted of burglary and sent to a Juvenile institution at Glen Mills, PA. While there he was introduced to the poetry of Langston Hughes and Ceramics Art. He dropped out of high school in the 10th grade and was sent to Camp Hill State Prison for robbery. There he got his G.E.D. and learned from other prisoners how to refine his skills as an Artist.

Raymond was released from Camp Hill Prison in December of 1983. He was determined not to go back to prison. He had several jobs before he attempted to enroll in the Philadelphia Institute of Art, in which he was accepted. A few days prior to starting class, he shot and killed a young man. Raymond had been stabbed 11 times by the same young man 3 months prior to the shooting. Raymond then and now maintains that he acted in self-defense. The court did not agree with his claim and he was sentenced to Life in Prison.

Since his incarceration, Raymond has read over 300 books on religion, Black History, American History, African’s contribution to civilization and written short stories. He took a home study course to become a Paralegal at Southern Career Institute of Boca Raton, Florida. He took this course in hopes of defending his self as well as other prisoners who he felt was wrongly convicted.

While in Prison Raymond was brutally attack and beaten near death by 11 prison guards, He suffered 7 fractured bones, cuts requiring stitches in 4 areas of his body, then left in the cell naked in the middle of winter for 3 months before he was given medical care. Although the physical pain was unbearable, it was being naked and called racial names in the process that hurt him the most. Serving as his own attorney in court and won a civil case against four of the guards and scored a victory against the state and was awarded $300,000 in damages by a federal jury. After appeals and threats by prison lawyers and authorities he only has seen less than 25% of the actual settlement. Raymond looks to re-affirm his humanity by allowing his art to be a testament that people can change.

His Art is an expression of his life, political and cultural experiences and views. He seeks to educate people on the richness and beauty of African American culture of the African experience here in America and around the world.

Raymond’s goal is to touch young Black men and inform them that there is more to life than a culture of drugs and violence. He hopes that his Art and life will be a testament to others. One’s aspirations and dreams can be realized with hard work and motivation. A Portion of all sales is contributed to the cause of helping others. He is currently trying to gain exposure of his Art. His work has been exhibited in Paris France along with other Artists for the ”Mumia Abu Jamal” support Group along with writings, and drawings against the Death Penalty.

His work has been displayed at the Philadelphia’s Port Museum of History, The Pan African Art and Film Festival, Gardena Jazz Festival, Black Business Expo, Pasadena Jazz festival at the world famous Rose Bowl, and Old Pasadena Jazz Festival at Brook side Park in California.