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Prestige

" the Carolynn Franklin collection "
Kyle Olani

Carolynn

Lebron

you see it.

See you in Overtown 📍 | #ArtBaselMiami

See you in Overtown 📍 | #ArtBaselMiami

“Protect This Crown”

In the wake of the changing tides of power, I feel a deep concern and urgent need to remind us all of the strength, beauty, and dignity of Black women. Mothers, sisters, daughters, and friends. We’re facing a reality where the rights, safety, and futures of not only Black women but all women are at risk in ways we can’t ignore.

This piece is more than just artwork. It’s a call to action. I want us all to pause and think about what it means to truly protect and uplift the women who have carried so much for our families, communities, and culture. The headwrap in this drawing is a symbol of resilience and heritage. It represents the legacy that Black women hold, the battles they’ve fought, and the stories they carry. There will be many more battles, there will be many more stories to write.

Make a commitment to always protect and prioritize Black women, speak up for them, support them, and listen to them. Even in the face of uncertainty, we know in our hearts that a black woman can survive any storm, but that doesn’t mean we have to let them do it alone. PROTECT THIS CROWN.

“Protect This Crown”

In the wake of the changing tides of power, I feel a deep concern and urgent need to remind us all of the strength, beauty, and dignity of Black women. Mothers, sisters, daughters, and friends. We’re facing a reality where the rights, safety, and futures of not only Black women but all women are at risk in ways we can’t ignore.

This piece is more than just artwork. It’s a call to action. I want us all to pause and think about what it means to truly protect and uplift the women who have carried so much for our families, communities, and culture. The headwrap in this drawing is a symbol of resilience and heritage. It represents the legacy that Black women hold, the battles they’ve fought, and the stories they carry. There will be many more battles, there will be many more stories to write.

Make a commitment to always protect and prioritize Black women, speak up for them, support them, and listen to them. Even in the face of uncertainty, we know in our hearts that a black woman can survive any storm, but that doesn’t mean we have to let them do it alone. PROTECT THIS CROWN.

“Everlasting Light”

Charcoal on Paper | 42 x 53 in.

In life, there are moments when everything feels heavy, and it’s easy to lose sight of your potential. But the light within you is yours. You control it. It’s not dependent on what’s happening around you, it’s your source of resilience, creativity, and purpose. The open hands symbolize not only receiving but also giving. Acknowledging your power and putting it to use in a way that aligns with your purpose and destiny.

When I created this piece, I wanted to capture the idea that within each of us, there’s this powerful energy we can tap into whenever we need it. It’s like an eternal flame that gives us the strength to manifest and accomplish anything we put our minds to.

Everything you need to create the life you envision is already within you. You just have to let it shine.

“Everlasting Light”

Charcoal on Paper | 42 x 53 in.

In life, there are moments when everything feels heavy, and it’s easy to lose sight of your potential. But the light within you is yours. You control it. It’s not dependent on what’s happening around you, it’s your source of resilience, creativity, and purpose. The open hands symbolize not only receiving but also giving. Acknowledging your power and putting it to use in a way that aligns with your purpose and destiny.

When I created this piece, I wanted to capture the idea that within each of us, there’s this powerful energy we can tap into whenever we need it. It’s like an eternal flame that gives us the strength to manifest and accomplish anything we put our minds to.

Everything you need to create the life you envision is already within you. You just have to let it shine.

PROPAGANDA 05.

Charcoal on Paper
14 x 20 in.

PROPAGANDA 05.

Charcoal on Paper
14 x 20 in.

“Rain Man Blues” | 42 x 53 in. | Charcoal on Paper

I wanted this piece to capture that moment of stillness when you’re forced to face your reality, no matter how tough it is. It’s raw and vulnerable, showing that sometimes you just need to sit in the struggle before you can move forward again.

The piece is less about any specific event and more about that universal feeling of defeat when life hits hard and you don’t know what to do next. He’s not moving, he’s not fighting, he’s just sitting with it, like he’s come to accept whatever struggle or pain he’s dealing with.

“Rain Man Blues” | 42 x 53 in. | Charcoal on Paper

I wanted this piece to capture that moment of stillness when you’re forced to face your reality, no matter how tough it is. It’s raw and vulnerable, showing that sometimes you just need to sit in the struggle before you can move forward again.

The piece is less about any specific event and more about that universal feeling of defeat when life hits hard and you don’t know what to do next. He’s not moving, he’s not fighting, he’s just sitting with it, like he’s come to accept whatever struggle or pain he’s dealing with.

Brothers Prayer | 26 x 40 in. | Charcoal on Paper

Brothers Prayer | 26 x 40 in. | Charcoal on Paper

Thank you to @essence for the feature! | Written by Mecca Pryor 🤍

Thank you to @essence for the feature! | Written by Mecca Pryor 🤍

“Yesterday” | Original Charcoal on Paper

A message from the artist:

“Yesterday” (The Days We’ve Left Behind) is my favorite piece in the show. It’s really about reflecting on the passage of time. I wanted to show someone who’s carrying the weight of their past — you can see that in the way the man is slumped forward, almost as if he’s tired not just physically, but emotionally. The way his head rests on his arms kind of symbolizes the heaviness of memory.

The rose above him is a symbol of something that was once beautiful but is now fading — maybe representing love, hope, or just life itself. It’s wilting, which felt like a good way to show the idea that everything eventually fades, no matter how beautiful it once was.

For me, this piece is more about capturing a quiet, reflective moment. It’s not necessarily sad, but more of a recognition that with time comes loss, and with loss comes reflection. I wanted it to feel like the man is caught in that space where he’s remembering what’s behind him, but also just sitting with it.

“Yesterday” | Original Charcoal on Paper

A message from the artist:

“Yesterday” (The Days We’ve Left Behind) is my favorite piece in the show. It’s really about reflecting on the passage of time. I wanted to show someone who’s carrying the weight of their past — you can see that in the way the man is slumped forward, almost as if he’s tired not just physically, but emotionally. The way his head rests on his arms kind of symbolizes the heaviness of memory.

The rose above him is a symbol of something that was once beautiful but is now fading — maybe representing love, hope, or just life itself. It’s wilting, which felt like a good way to show the idea that everything eventually fades, no matter how beautiful it once was.

For me, this piece is more about capturing a quiet, reflective moment. It’s not necessarily sad, but more of a recognition that with time comes loss, and with loss comes reflection. I wanted it to feel like the man is caught in that space where he’s remembering what’s behind him, but also just sitting with it.

“Rain” | Original Charcoal on Paper | 4 x 5 ft.

A powerful portrayal of the resilience, grace, and strength of Black women. Her expression is serene yet commanding, her eyes closed in a moment of spiritual awakening. Draped in a cloth, she embodies both vulnerability and strength.

The light that falls upon her from above evokes a sense of renewal, like rain pouring directly into the soul, while the shadows surrounding her emphasize the tribulations Black women often navigate in life. This piece captures the essence of Black women rising in their full power, rooted in their heritage yet reaching toward a radiant future.

“Rain” | Original Charcoal on Paper | 4 x 5 ft.

A powerful portrayal of the resilience, grace, and strength of Black women. Her expression is serene yet commanding, her eyes closed in a moment of spiritual awakening. Draped in a cloth, she embodies both vulnerability and strength.

The light that falls upon her from above evokes a sense of renewal, like rain pouring directly into the soul, while the shadows surrounding her emphasize the tribulations Black women often navigate in life. This piece captures the essence of Black women rising in their full power, rooted in their heritage yet reaching toward a radiant future.

Dreams and Reality | @bykyleolani

Dreams and Reality | @bykyleolani

Dreams and Reality | 14 x 20 in. | Charcoal on Paper

Dreams and Reality | 14 x 20 in. | Charcoal on Paper

Check out the full version of our feature for @pix11news by @benaarontv on our IG & website! | We share our experiences and explore the dynamic of what it’s like to be a father and son specializing in black art!

Check out the full version of our feature for @pix11news by @benaarontv on our IG & website! | We share our experiences and explore the dynamic of what it’s like to be a father and son specializing in black art!

“Artistry in Every Detail” by @benaarontv for @pix11news | Alonzo Adams, renowned artist and his son Kyle Olani Adams, a recent graduate from Temple University, share their story and experiences as a father and son artist duo. From Plainfield, NJ the duo specializes in figurative black art. They continue to build on their story of legacy and amplify the voices and experiences of black culture through their work. @bykyleolani @alonzoadamsart

“Artistry in Every Detail” by @benaarontv for @pix11news | Alonzo Adams, renowned artist and his son Kyle Olani Adams, a recent graduate from Temple University, share their story and experiences as a father and son artist duo. From Plainfield, NJ the duo specializes in figurative black art. They continue to build on their story of legacy and amplify the voices and experiences of black culture through their work. @bykyleolani @alonzoadamsart

The “Sage” Series

The word “sage” can carry deep cultural and spiritual significance. In many African and African diasporic traditions, a sage is not just a wise person but also a spiritual leader, healer, or elder who possesses profound knowledge, wisdom, and insight. Sages are often revered and respected for their ability to connect with the spiritual realm, communicate with ancestors, and offer guidance and counsel to their communities.

In African traditional religions, sages play a crucial role in mediating between the physical and spiritual worlds, using their wisdom and spiritual gifts to maintain harmony, resolve conflicts, and ensure the well-being of the community. They are often seen as repositories of ancestral knowledge and traditions, passing down their wisdom through oral teachings, rituals, and ceremonies.

The concept of a sage in Afrocentric thought is thus deeply intertwined with notions of wisdom, spirituality, and community. Sages are seen as embodying the collective wisdom and experiences of their people, serving as beacons of light and guidance in a world often fraught with challenges and uncertainties.

1. “Sage V.” | 22 x 30 in. | Charcoal on Paper | Sold

2. “Sage IV”. | 12 x 20 in. | Charcoal on Paper | Sold

3. “Sage III.” | 12 x 15 in. | Charcoal on Paper | Sold

4. “Sage II.” | 24 x 36 in. | Charcoal on Paper | Sold

5. “Sage I.” | 22 x 30 in. | Charcoal on Paper | Sold

This collection of original works has been and will continue to be curated to venerate the wisdom and power of the black woman.

The “Sage” Series

The word “sage” can carry deep cultural and spiritual significance. In many African and African diasporic traditions, a sage is not just a wise person but also a spiritual leader, healer, or elder who possesses profound knowledge, wisdom, and insight. Sages are often revered and respected for their ability to connect with the spiritual realm, communicate with ancestors, and offer guidance and counsel to their communities.

In African traditional religions, sages play a crucial role in mediating between the physical and spiritual worlds, using their wisdom and spiritual gifts to maintain harmony, resolve conflicts, and ensure the well-being of the community. They are often seen as repositories of ancestral knowledge and traditions, passing down their wisdom through oral teachings, rituals, and ceremonies.

The concept of a sage in Afrocentric thought is thus deeply intertwined with notions of wisdom, spirituality, and community. Sages are seen as embodying the collective wisdom and experiences of their people, serving as beacons of light and guidance in a world often fraught with challenges and uncertainties.

1. “Sage V.” | 22 x 30 in. | Charcoal on Paper | Sold

2. “Sage IV”. | 12 x 20 in. | Charcoal on Paper | Sold

3. “Sage III.” | 12 x 15 in. | Charcoal on Paper | Sold

4. “Sage II.” | 24 x 36 in. | Charcoal on Paper | Sold

5. “Sage I.” | 22 x 30 in. | Charcoal on Paper | Sold

This collection of original works has been and will continue to be curated to venerate the wisdom and power of the black woman.

2023

2023

Rebirth | Charcoal on Paper | 24 x 48 in.

Rebirth | Charcoal on Paper | 24 x 48 in.

“Groundwork”
Charcoal on Paper
22 x 30 in.
Sold

“Groundwork”
Charcoal on Paper
22 x 30 in.
Sold

“Sage IV”
Original Charcoal on Paper
12 x 20 in.
Sold

“Sage IV”
Original Charcoal on Paper
12 x 20 in.
Sold

“Brother’s Keeper”
Original Charcoal on Paper
24 x 24 in.
Sold

“Brother’s Keeper”
Original Charcoal on Paper
24 x 24 in.
Sold

“can’t unsee it.”
Charcoal on Paper
22 x 30 in.
Sold

“can’t unsee it.”
Charcoal on Paper
22 x 30 in.
Sold

“ you see it. “
Charcoal on Paper
22 x 30 in.
Sold

“ you see it. “
Charcoal on Paper
22 x 30 in.
Sold

“Self-Enrichment” | Original Charcoal on Paper | 22 x 30 in. | SOLD

“Self-Enrichment” | Original Charcoal on Paper | 22 x 30 in. | SOLD

“Testimony” | 2 x 5 ft. | Charcoal on Paper

Available at www.betherenaissance.com/community

“Testimony” | 2 x 5 ft. | Charcoal on Paper

Available at www.betherenaissance.com/community

“Words of Wisdom” | Collection V: “Community” @bykyleolani available now. Link in bio.

you see it.

“Words of Wisdom” | Collection V: “Community” @bykyleolani available now. Link in bio.

you see it.

“Throne Chaser”
Charcoal on Paper
22 x 30 in.
Sold

“Throne Chaser”
Charcoal on Paper
22 x 30 in.
Sold

“More Love” | Limited Edition Giclee
Charcoal on Paper
22 x 30 in.
Sold

“More Love” | Limited Edition Giclee
Charcoal on Paper
22 x 30 in.
Sold

“Visionary”
22 x 30 in.
Charcoal on Paper
Sold

“Visionary”
22 x 30 in.
Charcoal on Paper
Sold

“Rise”
22 x 30 in.
Conté on Paper

“Rise”
22 x 30 in.
Conté on Paper

“Parks”
22 x 30 in.
Charcoal on Paper
Sold

“Parks”
22 x 30 in.
Charcoal on Paper
Sold

“Traveling Man”
24 x 32 in.
Charcoal on Paper
Sold

“Traveling Man”
24 x 32 in.
Charcoal on Paper
Sold

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