Harlem's Son

By Nathaniel Stepney

The true Harlem. Not the city portrayed in the cinematic universe. Underground. Hardcore. Making and snatching dreams. Some deferred, others manifested. Creating sons and daughters who embrace the good with the bad and make their own universe. In Harlem's Son, author and artist Nathaniel Stepney takes readers on his ast

• Language: English
• Publisher: Pen Legacy Publishing
• Release date: Nov 15, 2022
• ISBN: 9798986837765

Book preview

Who’s the Harlem’s Son?

Horace Pippin, Augusta Savage, Jacob Lawrence, Jean-Michele Basquiat, and Kehinde Wiley––these are a few names that may come to mind when you think about African American artistry. And when you think of Harlem, how could you not appreciate the artistic, musical, and intellectual impact of the Harlem Renaissance during the 1920s-1930s? Many streets and avenues in Harlem are co-named for its famous leaders and residents. For example, Lenox Avenue is co-named Malcolm X Blvd., 125th Street is co-named Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd., and Eighth Avenue is co-named Frederick Douglass Blvd. When combining artistry with Harlem, you will discover how America became colorful, soulful, entertaining, and intelligent. However, Harlem was home for me and where my love of the culture and the arts evolved.

Others recognized my natural gift for drawing and painting unspoken masterpieces at a young age. As I continued to create my works of art over the years, I came to realize that my gift would afford me the opportunity to travel and witness the purchase of my most memorable creations internationally. During my senior year of high school, I was awarded the Congressional Certificate of Merit for one of my paintings. Since receiving this honor, I have had the privilege to have my work shown at a well-known art student showcase in SoHo, New York. In addition, some of my paintings have been exhibited at the Hamilton Landmark Gallery in Harlem, Exposure Exhibit in Brooklyn, Area 61 Gallery in Tennessee, and the Mahogany Gallery, Spence Art Gallery, and Keptever Fine Arts Gallery locations in Atlanta, Georgia.

My gift of creation drives me to showcase my work as means of support, encouragement, and inspiration to those who have an appreciation for the arts. During the pandemic, my larger commanding artwork was displayed at a local hospital. This opportunity allowed me to provide beautiful pieces of art for the patients to enjoy while recovering and for physicians and first responders to take a moment to stop and glance at during their day. It is my hope you will not only understand the importance of celebrating African American artistry but also appreciate the creativity placed within each brush stroke. Whether it’s creative writing, poetry, or paintings, the arts are what combines us as a culture. May the pictures within this book inspire you, and may the words support you as you seek and move forward to achieve your dreams.

I appreciate your support. Thank you, and enjoy your journey!

The Renaissance

This earlier work consists of my figurative expressions.

Some of these images are vague; others are more distinctive.

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Dancing in the Moonlight

Unity

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Battle Cry

Sow

Ebony

A close-up of a person's skin Description automatically generated with medium confidence