Larry "Poncho"
Brown is a native of Baltimore, Maryland. He pursued his art
education at the Maryland Institute College of Art, where he
received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in 1984. He started his
first business at the age of 17 as a signwriter, and has been a
full time artist ever since. Much of his early sign work was
featured on television commercials and movies including Barry
Levinson's "Avalon."
His art, both fine and commercial, has been published
nationally in Upscale, Ebony, Ebony Man, Essence, and Jet
magazines. The young artist work adorns the walls of the likes
of Dick Gregory, Anita Baker, Bill Cosby, Susan Taylor, and
Bernard Bronner to name a few. His most popular artwork titled
"Black is Black" and works from "Egyptian Queens" series has
been featured on the former hit TV show "A Different World." "Sidesteppin"
was featured on the HBO mini series "Laurie Avenue", and "One
Love" has been featured on "In The House".
He is the youngest honorary member of Art 2000, a national
multi-cultural visual arts association. Among his convictions,
is educating young artists. His is the founder of "The African
American Youth Art Exhibition" which has been sponsored in
Baltimore annually since 1990. He is also one of the founders of
Artistic Legacy, which sponsors art workshops with students
featuring artists nationwide. "My goal is to provide an outlet
for young artists to express themselves, as well as enlighten
them on the importance of art in culture."
Admirers often site rhythm, movement, and unity, as favorite
elements in his work. He primarily works in acrylic, although he
uses a variety of mediums and styles to express his interests in
Afrocentric themes, Ancient Egyptology and dance. Poncho's
unique style combines past and present art stylizations to
create a sense of realism, mysticism, and beauty, which gives
his art universal appeal.
