By Dr. Y’Shua Yisrael
Albert Einstein is celebrated as a giant in the area of theoretical physics because he stands alone. This article raises the banner of a local artist with creative genius par excellence who like Einstein and other great men stands alone in their respective areas of expertise. Mr. Willie Coleman is a Black man, a native son of Gadsden Alabama. Mr. Coleman has worked tirelessly to develop, refine, and perfect his artistic talents. The word ” giant” is used to describe men who, because of their exceptionality, tower above ordinary men. There are giants in the spiritual realms that we read about in the scriptures like Goliath. There are literary giants in the literature that we read about like Hercules, there are giants in the area of Dance choreography like Alvin Ailey and Arthur Mitchell. These renowned figures are rightfully celebrated. Artistic giants are the recipients of creative genius, their presence amongst us gives both, inspiration, and pleasure.
Not all giants receive international acclaim as those previously mentioned above. There is an exceptional category, it is a category reserved for the hidden, like the exquisite little flowers that remain hidden; seen only by the privileged, gifted, and the astute. I am writing this article to share one such hidden giant, an unsung genius, whose artistic genius parallels Vincent van Gogh, Picasso, Gauguin, and Degas. This article extols the Artistic genius of one of Alabama’s most creative visual Artists; Willie Coleman. He is known artistically as, “ Toson”. When I met him, and upon seeing his greatness, I immediately, respectfully added the appellation, “ Mr. and I have called him Mr. Toson since our initial meeting. Mr. Toson’s creative genius has been demonstrated in his hometown for more than a half century. He was gifted from his youth with physical stature, which made him an excellent athlete. He excelled in Basketball, outrebounding, and outscoring his peers and competitors. His athletic skills gained him recognition at the state level as a superior athlete. His destiny was not to become an athlete, however, but like William Blake, he was destined for artistic genius. Mr. Toson is formally educated in the area of graphic design, which reinforces, strengthens, and supplements his intuitive genius in the areas of, drawing, sketching, illustrations, geometrical design, and painting. His skills have propelled him into the ranks of the artistic stratospheres. Yet, because of his humility, gentleness, and unassuming nature, he has remained off the radar of public visibility.
A man among men, a husband, father, and an autonomous businessman, his fingerprints are everywhere in this city, in numerous homes, including this author’s home. He is a master builder, he has blazed a trail for other Afro-American men and talented artists to follow. A spiritual man with a love of God and his neighbor. He has given considerable thought to his beliefs, and practices. He is confident of his personal convictions which have gained him the respect of the clergy, community, and city. Toson uses his canvas to express his unique outlook of seeing the world from a heightened vista of his creative genius. His work reflects an array of colors, themes of culture, African American Church, and sacred traditions with universal and geometric designs. Toson’s art captures his profound sensitivity to color, symmetry, balance, design, and patterns that reflect nature’s stillness and order; such refine perceptions that are not ordinarily seen or appreciated. His use of color and shadow blends causes the same image to look both, the same and again, different.
The genius of Toson’s work, in my view, lies in his use of intricacies, details of colors, parallel lines, shapes, convolution, and a combination of light reflection, abstract pattern design, shadows, and shadow blends. The artistic genius inherent in his work is recorded in the annals of heavens, and will go down in history, registered as “ the gift of Genius from a giant among men; Willie Coleman, Mr. Toson. (tosonart.com)
Dr. Yisrael teaches: (1) An introductory Hebrew course, (2) Self-Reflection Technique (3) The Hebrew Miracle prayer; ANA BEKOACH. Interested parties should contact him:Babayshua@gmail.com