'Love Supreme'

By Ann Nichols

annsnichols@aol.com

For Kevin Okeith, music and art are inextricably linked. These two creative disciplines influence not only his life, but his oil and acrylic paintings.

"Art is my passion and music is my second love," said the artist.

An exhibition of the Mr. Okeith's work is on display at the Bessie Smith Cultural Center through Feb. 20. His show, "Love Supreme," is composed of paintings that were inspired by the music of jazz musician John Coltrane. All of the pieces on display are figurative.

A native of Chicago who now resides in Smyrna, Ga., Mr. Okeith said that he began drawing around the age of five. Although his family didn't take him seriously, the young man knew that he was destined to be an artist.

"I came to the realization when I was quite young that I couldn't see myself without art in my life," he said. "We are all empty vessels waiting to be filled and what completes part of me is knowing that my art will live on long after I am gone."

He works only when inspired and the impetus always comes from music. Having played the trumpet when he was young, he learned there is a rhythm to everything in life.

"Art, to me, is the materialization of thought and it expresses spirit through form," he said. "The magic starts in the mind, and artists know that whatever they can clearly create in their minds can be made manifest into a concrete reality."

Bessie Smith Cultural Center, 200 E. M.L. King Blvd., is open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday and noon-4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Admission is $7 for adults, $5 for seniors and students, $3 for children ages 6-12 and free for children 5 and under. Call 266-8658.