Self portrait Jamila Clarke
Lightplusink
Portland-based photographer Jamila Clarke is an artist Iāve just discovered recently, but I will definitely be buying from her Etsy account soon. Her conceptual photography often incorporates surreal elements, like one stunning image of an airplane flying out of a womanās stormy-white afro. I could also see myself buying a highly relatable photo called āShe Wrote Nothing At All,ā which depicts a Black woman asleep on her typewriter. While there are quite a few select prints available on her Etsy page, you can see her full portfolio on her website.
Printsby5thSeason
Austin-based Cindy Elizabeth is a self-described Afro-futurist, Black nerd, photographer, and mixed-media artist. I initially fell in love with (and bought) a sparkling print called āI Am Made of Love,ā which features a silhouette of Garnet from Steven Universe standing in the superhero pose. I couldnāt help myself from buying a 5x7 āBlack Lives Matterā print that centers a Black Power and fist afro pick. In addition to prints depicting legends like Pam Grier and Whitney Houston in space, she also makes cute buttons with Black Panther characters on them, and others that feature Mr. Rogers, Selena, Colin Kaepernick, Star Trekās Lt. Geordi La Forge, and more.
Assorted works by Alleanna Harris courtesy Alleanna Harris
AlleannaHarrisArt
New Jersey artist Alleanna Harris has so many things Iād like to buy; itās overwhelming, but Iāve decided Iām just gonna spread out my purchases over the next few paychecks. For my first Alleanna Harris piece, I bought a black-and-white āSaturday Morning Illustration/Carefree Black Girl Art Printā that will go perfectly in my bedroom since it reflects my own routine of doing my natural haircare regimen next to a sleeping pup and a snake plant. Her account also has lots of cute illustrations of characters from Living Single, Marvin Gaye, James Baldwin, and many other Black legends. She also has a food series depicting cartoon Philly cheesesteaks, pretzels, and Italian ice.
Nadira Simone Courtesy Nadira Simone
GNODpop
Nadira Simone runs a pretty popular account on Etsy, and itās no wonder: Her page is like a Black-culture art-print wonderland. She sells valentines and other greeting cards with characters and phrases from classics like Martin, Good Times, Juice, and Fresh Prince. In fact, I just purchased a liāl Fresh Prince print in green, as well as an illustrated 8x10 of that iconic bathroom karaoke scene from Living Single. With 250 illustrated items celebrating pop cultureāincluding some coffee mugs, and even some apparelāthe possibilities (for spending) are endless. You can also check out some of her stuff on Instagram.
KubiteesClothing
Based out of Riverside, California, Kubrat Salaam specializes in apparel, accessories and decor. Her designs tend to focus on celebrating Blackness, with items that read āmelanin,ā āIām Black and Iām Proud,ā and āYou Poppinā Sis.ā Naturally, I am also admiring a t-shirt featuring a drawing of BeyoncĆ©, from when she performed at the Grammyās while pregnant with twins.
NkossiBoutique
Jean Pierre of Nkossi Boutique has been selling fine West African fashion, fabrics, wearable art, and dĆ©cor from his location at 130 SW Harvey Milk since 2015. Itās one of the only shops in town specializing in traditional African clothing, so if youāve got any Wakanda-themed parties coming up, Nākossi boutique is probably your best bet for finding authentic designs locally. Specializing in custom clothing and alterations, Pierreās gorgeous collection can be made-to-order. And luckily, last year the shop made some of its product available on Etsy, where you can now shop a slew of vibrant hoodies and jackets, matching coupleās fits, coats, maxi skirts, dresses, and traditional African necklaces.
SirensSongStitchery
Clackamas-based artist Stephanie Griffin makes āmodern embroidery art from a unique point of view.ā Her Etsy account features nearly 100 handmade designs that incorporate words and pictures depicting themes relating to nature, travel, music lyrics, sassy words, illustrated pin-up womxn, the resistance, and positive messages for self-love. Prices for her adorable embroidered hoops range from $15 to $49.50. Iām particularly jazzed about a āMake Your Own Pathā piece depicting a PNW mountainside, and a vibrant deep indigo number that reads āKnow Your Worthā in hot pink.
SoapboxTheory
Portland-based designer and engineer Kayin Talton Davis creates art prints and other household items for children and adults. There are lots of cute lunchboxes depicting Black children as cowboys, ninjas, astronauts, and more. As someone who grew up receiving gifts with pictures of little white girls on them, Soapbox Theory is a breath of fresh air. Maybe I wouldnāt have felt so pressured to relax my natural hair if I would have grown up seeing more self-reflective images like āGirl in yellow with afro puffsā on my stuff.
