By Janice Malone
One of the many highlights of the Nashville Remembers Dr. Maya Angelou tribute evening was the portrait of Dr. Angelou created by local artist Deneen Coleman-Ruff. It’s a beautifully framed piece that she entitled, “Queen Mutta,” that shows Ms. Angelou posed in a stately, regal pose, looking like the queen that she was during 8-plus decades of a magnificent life.
Deneen and Dr. Angelou have a lot in common in their personal lives. Like Ms. Angelou the artist is also a survivor of abuse, battery, homelessness, abandonment and health issues. But also like Ms. Angelou it was the beauty and creativity of her artwork that brought the artist peace and solace through those hard times.
Deneen says she met Dr. Angelou at Austin Peay State University several years ago. But even before meeting the iconic poet and orator, the artist says she was first inspired by her poem “Phenomenal Woman” and “I Know Why the Cage Bird Sings.” But it was after seeing a beautiful photograph of Dr. Angelou in Essence magazine from the 1990’s that Deneen says inspired her to create this beautiful portrait, which she originally created in 2010.
Deneen says it was her dream to present the painting to Dr. Angelou in person. She says, “I am so sorry that I didn’t get that opportunity. I should’ve stayed more consistent on reaching her but I kept putting it off. Now, I will always regret not being able to personally hand the painting to her. But I will definitely reach out to give it to Dr. Angelou’s son Guy.”
So far, there have been offers to purchase the portrait but the artist says that she created the painting specifically for Dr. Angelou and her family and is not interested in selling it.
Featured Image By: Janice Malone