It was the first day of a new year — January 1, 2021. A day not unlike any other one might find in Miami: warm, breezy, the sun shining brightly upon the palm trees casting shadows that waver gracefully upon the ground. Except, it wasn’t just another day. Imagine the following: waking up to paint one legend, Henry Taylor, while that legend paints a portrait of another two legends, Barack and Michelle Obama. Well, this was exactly how my 2021 began.
Let me rewind to the last week of November. Thanksgiving had just passed. I called up my Uncle to check up on him, “Unc!” as I affectionately call him, “Where you at?! Are you coming down to Miami? I’m working on a mural on the rooftop of Soho House and there’s going to be a dinner/artist talk where the mural I’m working on will be unveiled. Come see me!”
Henry, excitedly, as he usually is,“Hey, man, I was thinkin’ about coming down there to Miami. Shit... you’re down there already? Man, I’m comin’ down in a couple days! I’ll be there! I’m comin’, man!”
A couple of one-way tickets to Miami and four weeks later, here we are, Henry and I, looking for spaces to create, hungry to produce works. Henry’s work ethic and passion for painting is infectious, inspiring. It so happened that during this time Barack Obama had commissioned a piece by Henry to produce for Michelle’s upcoming birthday. Thrilled does not accurately describe my excitement for him and this endeavor. This task, however, drove Henry mad with anxiety to find the right space and mental clarity to create.
By the graces of the universe, Henry began painting in a temporary workspace on the outskirts of Wynwood — a beautiful space with large industrial windows, high ceilings and an outdoor lawn area. Surrounded by a blissful environment full of paint, paintings, brushes, books, photos and sunlight, I looked around the studio: a splattered, dusty canvas with cigarette butts stuck all over it sat crumpled in a corner — I dragged it out, unfolded it, grabbed a piece of charcoal laying around on the cement floor, got down on my knees and began to work alongside my uncle, the greatest. We worked through the day, late into the night. In the midst of producing such beautiful works, Henry even had time to entertain guests, taking shots of tequila, smoking his cigarettes and talking his shit, both humorously and intellectually. As the day came to a close, we looked back at the studio, peering at the works through the frames of those industrial windows. As Henry smoked his last cigarette, we stood there in silence, reflecting. A perfect day, a perfect start to a new year. And that’s how I spent my “New Year’s In Chinatown With The Obamas”.
This piece will forever be in my personal collection as a testament to our relationship as artists and friends. I cherish these moments in time, always. I love Henry with all my heart and will forever be in awe of his boastful, unfiltered personality and masterful skills. He’s my uncle for life. I love you, Henry. Big Bless. —David "Mr StarCity" White
Read Nathaniel Mary Quinn's interview with Mr StarCity in our Winter Quarterly edition.
