Artist: John Hall

Title: "Talking To The Moon: Dorothy Dandridge"

Year Completed: 2023

Medium: Acrylic paint on framed canvas

Dimensions in Inches (HxWxD): 60"x49.87"x2"

Shipping From: US

Additional Information:
Before I get into the meaning of this canvas painting I proudly created, please allow me to get personal.

I am so proud of this painting and there were many moments during its creation that I will forever remember. I will forever remember thinking about leaving the background white because I didn't want to "mess it up", but changing my mind because I knew it could be better. I will forever remember allowing my 2 YEAR OLD SON to help me paint the background because he was so eager to create (you can see videos of this on my Instagram page). I will remember the chills that took over my body when the painting was finally framed and unveiled. It truly felt complete - If you're an artist, you know we almost never know when to call a piece complete . This work of art truly pushed me to be better than I was yesterday.

Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you, the framed and final version of "Talking to The Moon." This is a 1/1 original painting and will never be reproduced.

Here you will see Dorothy Dandridge, the first African-American film star to be nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actress, as she engages the moon with the her story. Even though Dandridge's personal life was plagued with tragedy, her story is a testament to the resilience and determination of Black women. Today, her memory remains a symbol of strength and grace.

(Dimensions include frame)

About the Artist:

Tampa Bay-based artist and Military Veteran (USMC) John Hall, aka Art Bandit, has been on a mission to create and inspire since 1996.

Drawn to art, through his love for wrestling (witnessed a painting used as a prop weapon in an epic matchup), John knew from a very young age he wanted to be an artist. But after being told artists couldn't earn a decent living, he gave up on art school for the traditional academic path. As a kid, John dreamed his favorite wrestler would one day own his work. Once this dream became a reality, he realized he had made a mistake and that anything was possible. From this point on, the goal was to incite this same level of confidence in other artists.

Although setbacks caused him to miss an opportunity to formally develop his skills in a prestigious high school arts program, John's commitment to becoming an artist overcame every obstacle. He has worked relentlessly over the years to perfect his craft. And while he did manage to earn a B.F.A in graphic design, his untutored approach has proven to be a blessing in disguise.

Combining a refined graphic design background with the rawness of a self-taught portrait artist, the Art Bandit is sure to steal the show. His ability to capture the likeness, emotion, and personality of the subject distinguishes him as an artist. They say beauty is in the details, and John relishes the tedious process of bringing his art to life one brushstroke at a time.

Today, tens of thousands of fans follow John's art. His paintings have been owned and embraced by Rihanna, Mike Tyson, Rick Ross, Triple H, Swizz Beatz, just to name a few. John has accomplished amazing things with his art. And while there is still so much more in store, he is most grateful for the opportunity to encourage artists to Dream & Create & Inspire.

Shipping: Price includes shipping to buyers in the U.S. If buyer is outside the U.S., additional shipping charges may apply and will be calculated and payable after the sale and prior to shipment.