Antionette's Artistry

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the Studioart, culture & behind the canvas

News, inspiration, behind-the-scenes moments, and stories about Black art and culture — straight from Antionette's studio to your screen.

Artist Stories Art News Culture & Heritage Behind the Canvas
Antionette's Artistry blog

African American Art Blog | Inkwell Fine Art Prints

Carnival canvas tote bag resting on the tiled edge of a swimming pool
Find Your Summer: Enter Our Canvas Tote Giveaway (June 25 – July 9)
Sign up for a chance to win 1 of 2 canvas totes — winner's choice, any design in the shop. Enter June 25–July 9, no purchase necessary. Open to continental... Read more...
Four handcrafted leather tassel keychains in black, orange, green, and brown
Small Things, Made by Hand: The Story Behind Our Leather Tassel Keychains
Meet the maker behind our handcrafted leather tassel keychains — Jason Scott Ashton Hodges, self-taught leatherworker and the son who runs Inkwell day to day. Handmade in Los Angeles, one... Read more...
Four Guys canvas print low angle floor lean — Black dandyism art by Antionette Simmons Hodges — African American men wall art gift
Gifts for Black Men Who Appreciate Real Art: A No-Nonsense Guide
Finding a meaningful gift for a Black man with taste doesn't have to be hard. Here's what actually works — art, wearable art, and accessories rooted in Black culture and... Read more...
Three Musicians framed canvas print in gold frame with olive chair — Black jazz art by Antionette Simmons Hodges
Canvas vs. Fine Art Paper Prints: Which Format Is Right for You?
Canvas or fine art paper? Framed or unframed? Here's a plain-language guide to choosing the right format for African American wall art — based on your space, your style, and... Read more...
Annabelle's New Hat framed canvas in gold frame on oak sideboard — Black woman art gift by Antionette Simmons Hodges
Meaningful Gifts for Black Women: Art and Accessories That See Her Clearly
Finding a gift for a Black woman that actually means something takes more than a gift card. Here's a guide to art, apparel, and accessories that celebrate her story. Read more...
Blues Guitarist Tangle Series canvas print hung on wainscoting wall — African American jazz music wall art by Antionette Simmons Hodges
Black Jazz Art: The Story Behind the Music in Every Painting
Jazz is America's greatest original art form — and it belongs on the walls of anyone who truly loves it. Here's the story behind the jazz paintings of Antionette Simmons... Read more...
Billie's Blues oversized boxy tee — Art Is Power Vol. I wearable art gift for HBCU students | Inkwell Fine Art Prints
The Best HBCU Gifts for Black College Students: Art, Apparel & More
Sending someone off to an HBCU is a milestone worth marking with a gift that means something. Here's what to give — and why art, apparel, and accessories rooted in... Read more...
African American wall art in gold frame leaning on paneled floor — Black couple art print by Antionette Simmons Hodges
How to Choose African American Wall Art for Your Living Room
Choosing African American wall art for your living room doesn't have to be overwhelming. Here's how to find the piece that belongs on your wall — and why it matters. Read more...
Older woman and younger woman in a garden wearing the Rooted in the Land tee — Art Is Power Vol. I
Juneteenth Is Not a Cookout. It's a Reckoning — and a Celebration of What Survived.
Juneteenth deserves more than a party. It deserves the kind of remembering that costs something. This Juneteenth, honor the ancestors who came before us — on your walls and on... Read more...
Father's Day Gift Guide - Art by Antionette's Artistry
The Father's Day Gift Guide for the Dad Who Appreciates Real Art
Father's Day is June 21st. Skip the generic gifts and give Dad something meaningful — art that celebrates Black culture, heritage, and style. Here are our top picks from Antionette's... Read more...
Art Is Power Vol. I: The Black Art Graphic Tee Collection You've Been Looking For
Art Is Power Vol. I: The Black Art Graphic Tee Collection You've Been Looking For
Nine original paintings by Black artist Antionette Simmons Hodges, printed on oversized boxy tees built for the culture. Warriors, icons, and ancestors — on heavyweight soft cotton, unisex XS–XXL, in... Read more...
Romantic Black Love Art: Why It Matters and How to Choose Pieces That Last
Romantic Black Love Art: Why It Matters and How to Choose Pieces That Last
Discover romantic Black love art that tells your story. Explore original prints and canvas art by Antionette Simmons Hodges, celebrating Black couples with elegance, warmth, and joy. Read more...
Finding Your Perfect Size Print: A Black Art Prints Size Guide (No Guessing Required)
Finding Your Perfect Size Print: A Black Art Prints Size Guide (No Guessing Required)
Choosing the right size can make or break how your art looks on the wall. This art print size guide helps first-time buyers confidently pick the best size for Black... Read more...
The Best Mother's Day Gift for Moms Who Love Black Art: Tote Bags That Carry Culture
The Best Mother's Day Gift for Moms Who Love Black Art: Tote Bags That Carry Culture
Looking for a Mother's Day gift with meaning? These Black art tote bags by Antionette Simmons Hodges feature original fine art celebrating Black culture, African heritage, and the beauty of... Read more...
goin' to church black art print hung above a brown leather sofa in a living room
African American Art Unboxing: Safe Shipping for Black Art Prints
Discover how we carefully package African American art prints for safe shipping. Our Instagram unboxing video shows our complete protection process including plastic moisture barriers, cardboard corner guards, and our... Read more...
"Four Guys" Black Men Wall Art: A Legacy of Brotherhood and Style
"Four Guys" Black Men Wall Art: A Legacy of Brotherhood and Style
Discover the heartwarming story behind "Four Guys," a vibrant African American canvas print celebrating brotherhood and 1950s style. Artist Antionette Simmons Hodges transforms a cherished family photograph into stunning black... Read more...
Familiar Grounds: Art Rooted in Black Southern Experience
Familiar Grounds: Art Rooted in Black Southern Experience
Watching Sinners felt like stepping into one of my mom’s paintings—rich with Southern roots, spiritual symbolism, and familiar imagery shaped by Black life and legacy. This post reflects on how... Read more...
Breathing New Life into the Past: Restoring 35mm Slides of My Mother’s Artwork
Breathing New Life into the Past: Restoring 35mm Slides of My Mother’s Artwork
A hidden treasure of 35mm slides sparked a journey of restoration, discovery, and connection — honoring the artistic legacy of Antionette Simmons Hodges. Read more...
From History to Canvas: Antionette Simmons Hodges’ Intimate Home Art Studio Tour
From History to Canvas: Antionette Simmons Hodges’ Intimate Home Art Studio Tour
Tucked behind the kitchen of Antionette Simmons Hodges’ home is a 5x7 studio overflowing with creativity, culture, and heart. Though modest in size, this intimate space is where Antionette brings... Read more...
Embracing Change: Art for Diversity And Inclusion
Embracing Change: Art for Diversity And Inclusion
As Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) policies shift across corporate and government sectors, the impact on Black and African American artists is becoming increasingly clear. With art exhibitions quietly canceled... Read more...
A Silent Generation Speaks: Pull Up a Chair at Goldman Art Gallery
A Silent Generation Speaks: Pull Up a Chair at Goldman Art Gallery
Experience "Pull Up a Chair, A Seated Perspective" at the Goldman Art Gallery, featuring powerful works by 13 artists who use chairs as a canvas for storytelling. This thought-provoking exhibition... Read more...
Loving Hands: A tribute to Motherhood and Maternal Health
Loving Hands: A tribute to Motherhood and Maternal Health
Loving Hands: A Tribute to Mothers and Maternal Health Art has the power to tell stories, evoke emotions, and bring awareness to important issues. Loving Hands, a heartfelt oil painting... Read more...
James Baldwin & Nina Simone: Black History Art
James Baldwin & Nina Simone: Black History Art
Honoring Baldwin & Simone: Black History ArtBlack history is a living, breathing force that continues to shape culture, inspire change, and fuel creativity. At Art By A.S. Hodges, we believe... Read more...
African American Art Prints: A Son’s Artistic Journey
African American Art Prints: A Son’s Artistic Journey
In this blog post, Jason Hodges, founder of Inkwell Fine Art Prints, shares his personal journey and inspiration behind the business. Influenced by his mother, Antionette Simmons Hodges, and her... Read more...
Art and Democracy: The 'Why I Vote' Exhibition
Art and Democracy: The 'Why I Vote' Exhibition
The "Why I Vote" Exhibition beautifully intertwines art and democracy, showcasing how each vote and brushstroke contributes to the larger picture of change. Antionette Simmons Hodges' piece, "LET THE PEOPLE... Read more...
Unveiling "Be Fearless Be Bold": A Unique Artistic Journey
Unveiling "Be Fearless Be Bold": A Unique Artistic Journey
Discover the story behind 'Be Fearless, Be Bold,' a unique chair crafted from printed paper and African fabrics. Originally created for a meaningful fundraiser, this piece now features a reversible... Read more...
Multiplicity: A Journey into Blackness
Multiplicity: A Journey into Blackness
Explore the vibrant world of blackness through collage in 'Multiplicity' at the Phillips Gallery. Join a private tour led by Aaro Bell, where African American themes, identity, culture, and history... Read more...