Wednesday, September 15, 2010

Varnette P. Honeywood, Artist (1950 - 2010)

African Woman (1976), Varnette P. Honeywood

In 1997, I met Varnette P. Honeywood while I was attending a Holy Royal Family Reunion that Dr. Asa Hilliard, III organized during the same time that an Art Fair was in full swing, at the Omni Hotel, in Atlanta, GA. One thing I will never forget was her warm spirit and how patient and kind she was.
After a two year battle with cancer, Varnette P. Honeywood laid down with her ancestors on September 13, 2010. She was 59 years old.

There were so many positively lovely depictions of African-American self love in her paintings until it was very difficult for me to narrow it down to one, so I say, you owe it to yourself to view her artwork.

Dr. Bill and Dr. Camille Cosby fell in love with Varnette P. Honeywood's art work and used her painting entitled "Birthday" (1974) on the living-room wall of "The Cosby Show" from 1984-1992. Honeywood told Jacqueline Trescott of the Washington Post in 1997 that the Cosbys "came into my life at a time when I needed that confidence. People had been chipping away at my confidence." According to King Solomon, "There is a time and a season for everything."

Rest in peace, Varnette. You will be missed.

Funeral Services for Varnette P. Honeywood will be held at
Messiah Baptist Church, Friday, September 24 from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm
Please send flowers


Messiah Baptist Church
4500 West Adams Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90016

Love & light,
Carla