My first piece of art that I found interesting was called “Portrait of a Collagist” by an African American artist named Benny Andrews in 1989. His work is mainly abstract. impressionism and realism and the medium he likes to use and uses in this particular piece is oil and collage on canvas and measures approximately 92 inches x 51 inches. In this piece his work is abstract and realistic, like most of his pieces. (Source?) In this work, Benny depicted himself in the work of art creating another work of art. He stands at a 45° angle as if he has been interrupted by us, the viewer. This is how Benny engages us, the viewer, in his painting. As if we were as much a part of it as he was. Looking at his painting from a distance, it seems like it's just another oil painting, but looking closer, you can clearly see the different fabrics he uses to create collage and which give its textures to the painting. He shows the space in the painting by leaving the wall on which the canvas hangs bare, as well as the floor except for the box of rags that he uses in his collage. In his painting/collage, the line is outlined in the ground and goes up into the line of his pants, forcing you to focus on the texture of his pants because they are real jeans. It makes you want to touch it, touch it and feel it for yourself. The line continues down the rest of his body to notice that his collar is also a piece of fabric that sticks out a few inches from the board. The line also forces you to look at the painting he is creating and notice once again his use of fabric in the collage he creates, and then down to the box of rags at his feet. His use of fabrics throughout the painting......middle of paper......th and now. When describing himself in his work, it is as if he is saying that I am as I am, take it or leave it, or in his own words: "If you want to see me, you will see me as I am, and this self is completely as an artist, I will not accept any second self who poses generically to stay true to a certain tradition. (Source?) As different as the two artists are in their form and the way they each create their art, they both see how difficult it is to be an African American artist. Through their work, they tell a story of triumphs and failures, as well as the world's issues for African Americans and the struggles they face. Even though Benny passed away in 2006, his work shows how, as an artist, he overcame many obstacles in his life to become the wonderful artist he is today. Hank tells the story of what it means to be African American in today's world and the new struggles they face every day..