NOTHING CAN DIM THE LIGHT
[2017]
Acrylic /Oil on canvas with Mixed Media and Gold Leaf
39 x 47
Each of us brings to the world unique talents, gifts and abilities.
Even if you don’t know what it is, or value what you do ,
someone, somewhere, will benefit from your presence.
No one can do what you do exactly the way you do it.
It is this uniqueness that makes you valuable to the world.
We are each as unique and valuable as the other.
It was designed that way. A gift from God.
Gifts are not given on the basis of race or gender.
As a matter of truth, gifts come in many shapes, sizes and colours.
When you do what you do, exactly the way you do it,
you are sharing God’s gifts, bestowed for the good of the world.
— Maya Angelou
I GET OUT
[2017]
Acrylic on canvas
47 x 39
This painting was influenced by Lauryn Hill’s song ‘I Get Out’. She sings about/ in protest of the music industry and illuminati.
For me I wanted to get out of the boxes and decisions I felt were blinding me, binding me and robbing me of who I am. Thus causing me to be angry, frustrated and confused.
I get out of all of the boxes and expectations. Just to live as me and just being free. I don’t support anything that I don’t believe in or compromise in areas of my life where I shouldn’t. I choose life and to stay true to who I am. I am no longer bound by these imperceptible chains.
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ONE LOVE
[2017]
Acrylic on canvas
39 x 39
'The greatness of a man is not in how much wealth he acquires, but in his integrity and his ability to affect those around him positively.'
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Money, houses, cars, clothes and the list could go on, all of which are useful but should not determine or definer status as human beings. I live by this quote and always try to be integral and live a life that tries to affect those around me positively. Bob Marley has influenced my life in many ways. His music has brought joy, concentration, motivation, healing and strength. The lyrics and melodies have transformed some of my darkest days into light.
This painting is based on the Samaritan
woman in John 4. Jesus meets her at a well, in those days Jews and Samaritan’sdid not speak or interact with one another. Jesus asked the woman to fetch him water, she said she couldn’t. He identifies that the water at the well never quenches her thirst literally she he also infers that she is spiritually dry and never full and tries to find herself in numerous husbands and other things that don’t make her whole. We too are often eager to satisfy our physical desire and often overlook our spiritual needs. This painting depicts the battle between our desire and conflicting needs and how we are never satisfied and need to feed our souls.
WOMAN AT THE WELL
[2017]
Acrylic on canvas
39 x 39
I AM
[2017]
Acrylic on canvas
59 x 39
DON'T TELL ME I'M NOT BLACK
Don't tell me I'm not black
because I don't choose to insert a track,
And my hair continues past the centre of my back.
Convincing yourself blackness is synonymous with scrupulous beauty standards,
Another route to separate and entrap us,
Because a hair specialist have now consumed you
to define a persons blackness through catergories and numbers1b 2c 4b.
Naturlista and Curl pattern wars,
Can I touch it ....oh is it really yours.
You're definetly not black it roars.
Don't tell me I'm not black
because my skins not midnight
but not fair enough to say I'm just light... skin
When did the complexion of my skin become the definition of my blackness.
When heritage and my ancestral history
should be the components and determining factors.
You attack me and become a cultural extractor as if you should be the only black benefactor.
You can continue to tell me I'm not black.
I am black and I am black enough.
I am enough.
So please don't tell me I'm not black!
By Genique Middleton
BOB MARLEY
[2016]
Acrylic on paper
12 x 17
MS HILL
[2016]
Acrylic on paper
12 x 17
BECAUSE I AM
[2016]
Acrylic on canvas
23 x 33
‘A system in which a minor has been placed into a ward, group home, or private home of a state-certified caregiver, referred to as a "foster parent". The placement of the child is normally arranged through the government or a social service agency. August 2007. The year where one thing, changed everything. She was trying to find her balance whilst living in a society where almost everything was the opposite of how she wanted it to be.’
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We often wear masks. What we want people to believe about us and who we actually are. The colour depicts the facade we put up and the black and white is who we really are.
JAY MIDDLETON
[2017]
Oil on canvas
39 x 39
Dedicated to my beautiful Aunty Paulette. You are a reflection of strength and grace. You continue to give and love in excess when you of all people have every reason not to. You remind me of forgiveness, hope and joy! Thank you for always reminding us of Jay through your love.
In loving memory of my big brother
JAY ANTHONY MIDDLETON
It's hard to grasp the concept of you being murdered. Too young to understand but too old to pretend it wasn't real. With age I grew to understand the severity and the damage, stains and pains your death has left on our whole family. Our hearts secretly cry. The hardest and greatest lesson of your passing has taught me to forgive and the power of forgiveness. The freedom!
'Like a comet blazing across the evening sky GONE TOO SOON'
MORE THAN A WOMAN
[2017]
Acrylic and spray paint on canvas
36 x 24
MORE THAN A WOMAN
You're more than a woman
More than the obligatory borders and norms
You're more than the external factors
Its trivial implications
You're a reflection of grace
You've influenced who I am as a woman
You've made me a woman
Mama you're more than a woman to me.
Your faith
Your patience
Your Perseverance
Your Understanding
Your Love
Your Courage
Your Encouragement
Your Sacrificial living.
All qualities that is rare for just one to possess
You're more than a woman
You’re a mother to many
When you speaks your words are wise,
Confidant, comforter, companion
Clothed with strength and dignity,
Exuding strength
Defying all the oppositions
You laugh without fear of the future.
There are many virtuous and capable women in the world Mama,
but you surpass them all
Charm is deceptive, and beauty does not last
You remain fearing the Lord till the last
You're more than a woman
And I love the way that you make me feel.
I am a reflection of you.
I won’t wait for the day that one of us leaves the earth to exhort or display how I feel.
Irreplaceable.
That is true
Mamma
You're more than a woman to me.
You're more than a woman.
—Genique Middleton
DUVAL
[2017]
Acrylic on canvas
36 x 24
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Dedicated to:
My Big Brother Duval Luke Middleton.
Words can never amount or explain the depth of love, gratitude and admiration I have for you. May the strokes of the paintbrush deliver my message to you in the best way I know how. You’ve been my brother, my best friends, my father and more. You inspire me daily through your continual fight and pursuit of happiness through the every day trials of life. May you never loose your wonder. May you never loose the fight. Your strength an consitency will pay off. Keep going, I am proud of you. I love you.
HOPE
[2017]
Acrylic on canvas
12 x 39
Dedicated to my beautiful brave sister Nicole.
Cancer has caused a lot of pain, grief, uncertainty, confusion and loss amongst the human race. This piece was inspired by sister and her current journey with cancer. May we never take our health and simple things in life such as family, friends and time for granted. May we never loose hope.
PEACE
[2017]
Acrylic on canvas
39 x 47
‘Life with God is not immunity from difficulties but peace in difficulties.’ - C.S Lewis
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We search high and low and in people and things to find peace. I find peace in Christ and his word. Only since becoming a Christian have I finally been at peace despite my circumstances. Scriptures and verses are the foundation of my life and this painting. The three colours are symbolic of the trinity and all that was done on Calvary.
Thank you for coming to/ viewing Dear Diary and being part of my dream and helping it come to fruition. I hope that you've been inspired and will go and be a light and use the gifts you where given in your world and colour it with love, however or whatever that may look like.
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Our Greatest Fear
Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.
Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.
It is our light not our darkness that most frightens us.
We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented and fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be?
You are a child of God.
Your playing small does not serve the world.
There's nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other
people won't feel insecure around you. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone.
And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, Our presence automatically liberates others.
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— Marianne Williamson
DARE TO DREAM
[2017]
Acrylic on paper
8 x 12
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I AM LIGHT
[2017]
Acrylic on Canvas
39 x 59
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' You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.'
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- Matthew 5:14 - 16
TRANQUILITY
[2016]
Resin, Ink & Mixed Media on canvas
8 x 12
ABBA
[2016]
Resin, Ink & Mixed Media on canvas
8 x 12
This poem was written by my older cousin who is an amazing woman and encouragment to me about her own life. The painting was birthed from this poem it was as if the poem was a parralell to my own life. Through this journey of life I lost who I was along the way and I wore many hats and took on many tasks so I could hide myself in business. Now I give thanks and appreciation for every single day. I dare to dream and choose my own path for I know the right way. I’m loving me on inside and this new found woman is here to stay.
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ALONG THE WAY
[2017]
Acrylic on canvas
36 x 24
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ALONG THE WAY
I have hurt myself along the way
I’ve fallen time and time again
Assuming those around me would catch me
I opened my heart to receive love and settled for pain
Expecting someone on the outside to love me Making the same mistakes over,
I’m the one to blame
Only I have the power to forgive me
I lost who I was along the way
I forgot that I was a woman with needs and desire
Focusing on everyone else but me
I wore many hats and took on many tasks so I could hide her Holding on to pain that had become me
Making bad choices which made the burden bigger
Only I have the power to forgive me
I never loved myself along the way
Now I give thanks and appreciation for every single day
I dare to dream and choose my own path for I know the way
I’m loving me on inside and this new found woman is here to stay
Only I have the power to forgive me
- Siobhan Campbell
SORROW
[2016]
Acrylic on paper
12 x 17
MAJESTY
[2016]
Acrylic on paper
12 x 17
SERENITY
[2016]
Acrylic on paper
12 x 17