Martin Luther King Jr.

Below are my process paintings of Martin Luther King Jr.

I started with the top image and thought the page needed Martin when he was a child. It felt too busy so I eliminated his face as a child and just left color around him. Something still felt off so I tried to go back to the original more silent piece with white and when I stepped back the white had formed doves all around Martin's face. I knew then the piece was complete!

First Incarnation Close Up Of Martin Luther King Jr., Jessel Miller
Acrylic
28" x 20"

"Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that. Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter."
Martin Luther King Jr.

Second Incarnation Martin Luther King Jr. as a Child, Jessel Miller
Acrylic
28" x 20"

“The quality, not the longevity, of one’s life is what is important.”
Martin Luther King Jr.

Third Incarnation Martin Luther King Jr. Colorful, Jessel Miller
Acrylic
28" x 20"

“I have decided to stick with love. Hate is too great a burden to bear.

Nonviolence is absolute commitment to the way of love. Love is not emotional bash; it is not empty sentimentalism. It is the active outpouring of one’s whole being into the being of another.”
Martin Luther King Jr.

Final Incarnation Martin Luther King Jr.
To Live in Peace and Harmony, Jessel Miller
Acrylic
28" x 20"

“We may have all come on different ships, but we’re in the same boat now.”
Martin Luther King Jr.

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Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
by Jessel Miller

Martin, did you hear the call?
Here and now to stand up tall.

As a child did you understand?
The workings of the world so grand.

What made you take the path to see?
The worst and best humanity.

Believe in Good and God and more,
And hope we'd try another door.

To a place called Color Blind,
A land you searched for in your mind,

I stand beside you in my Soul.
Knowing there is one true goal.
To live in peace and harmony
On earth and air and in the sea.

Live Love your daily epitaph.
Live Love the only righteous path.
Live Love the kindest way to be.
Live Love and it will set you free.