Harlem - Original Painting

Harlem.  30" X 24" X 2"  Mixed Media on fine art paper laminated to a wood panel. Framed and ready to hang

“Harlem is a stage. It’s like its own planet, from the way we dress to the swag in the way we walk and talk.”

In the enchanting world of "Harlem," an intricate tapestry of human connection and societal reflection unfolds. This mixed media creation invites the observer into a realm where tradition meets the contemporary, echoing with the poignant whispers of history and the hopeful murmurings of the present. The piece foregrounds two figures, embraced in a timeless dance of unity and tranquility, their garments adorned with mesmerizing patterns of red and green.

Behind this intimate embrace, silhouettes in blue gather, clutching umbrellas as though shielding their spirits from a metaphorical storm. Their brown hats act as fragile anchors to a past remembered yet reimagined through the lens of abstract elegance. The composition's dynamic use of geometric forms and flat colors creates a vibrant narrative, a dialogue between forms that conjures an atmosphere at once vivid and serene.

"Harlem" captures the essence of a neighborhood rich in history, where stories of struggle and resilience have forged a community with a voice both enduring and transformative. The melding of acrylic, ink, and collage in the artistic process breathes life into this visual symphony, transcending the boundaries of mere representation. Through this artwork, an ode to human spirit emerges—a testament to connection amidst adversity, painted with the brushstrokes of longing and solidarity. Here, in this microcosm of resilience, the enchantment of "Harlem" lingers, inviting the viewer to lose themselves within its depths and emerge touched by its quiet strength.

My mixed media paintings consist of acrylic paint and digital collage. They are painted on museum quality archival paper and then laminated to a cradled wood panel, varnished, waxed and then framed in a black floater frame. Each piece begins as a digital study on an iPad where the basic composition and coloring is determined before the hand painted original is started.

About the Artist

Frank Trocino is a retired architect turned painter currently residing in Santa Fe New Mexico. His path to Santa Fe began in New York, then to Oregon as a young child through College. From there he lived in Italy, Los Angeles, the Middle East, Portland, and Austin. Franks work can be seen in galleries, hotels, and the homes of private collectors internationally. He is a mixed media artist using acrylic paint, ink and collage and his subject matter is primarily couples and buildings.