Our History
L&S Video, Inc. has been creating, producing and distributing their award-winning videos since 1987. L&S Video may be best known for its “African-American Artists Series” of documentaries, however, L&S is steadily building a broad collection of videos featuring some of the most influential American artists.
Each year this collection grows, as L&S Video strives to make a complete collection documenting important American Artists. To date, the series includes: Emma Amos, Benny Andrews, Jennifer Bartlett, Romare Bearden, Charles E. Burchfield, Elizabeth Catlett, Chuck Close, Robert Colescott, Jimmy and Max Ernst, Jacob Lawrence, Richard Mayhew, Howardena Pindell, Horace Pippin, Faith Ringgold, Betye Saar, Alison Saar, and Jackie Winsor. The recent release “Mixed Media Masters” showcases three artists Alison Saar, Al Loving, and Flo Oy Wong. L&S has created a five-video series called “I Can FLY” which is especially designed for children (although equally appropriate for young adults or “children of all ages”). Another specialized video, “School’s Out: Self-taught Artists” wonderfully documents three well known “self-taught” artists, Grandma Moses, Bill Traylor, and William Hawkins. Lastly, “African Art, Women, History: The Luba People of Central Africa” features noted scholar, Dr. Mary Nooter Roberts, and focuses on the art and culture of the Luba people.
Each video is inspiring in its own way. Rather than putting them on a pedestal, these well-known artists are presented as real, accessible people. The artists candidly share their challenges, and how they live and work, making their art on a day-to-day basis. The videos also explore the early lives of the artists, family life, and profound influences that helped them decide to become artists.
Featured Hosts and Narrators
Besides featuring interviews with and footage of these important artists at work in their studios, the videos also feature numerous guests, hosts and narrators. These include such distinguished critics, curators, actors, musicians and educators as: Wynton Marsalis, Anna Deavere Smith, Geoffrey Holder, Lowery Sims, Ossie Davis, Brock Peters, Priscilla Pointer, Robert Farris Thompson, BLUE MAN GROUP, de la Guarda, STOMP!, and many others.
Focused on Education
Each video has a particular focus on education. As a result, the videos have become a valuable tool for both general education and art education from the primary grades on up to the college level. The videos continue to be included in the collections of many public libraries, private school libraries, college and university libraries across the country. They can also be found in the bookstores and Museum Shops of numerous Museums throughout the country including the Museum of Modern Art, Metropolitan Museum of Art, Studio Museum in Harlem, New Museum, Philadelphia Museum of Art, High Museum, Baltimore Museum, and numerous others (check with your local museum or library). L&S Video also offers free Study Guides, developed by educator, Nancy Roucher. There are currently 12 Study Guides, and each is tailored around a specific video in the L&S African-American Artists Series. These are available for free download.
Linda Freeman
Linda Freeman is principal of L&S Video, Inc. She is the creative director and producer of the African-American Artists Series. In addition to being an award-winning film-maker, she is an artist, actively exhibiting her work in various exhibitions. Her work literally spans from film to painting.
She was born in Greenwich Village in New York City. She studied at the Tyler School of Fine Arts, the New York University Film School, and the Art Students League.
As a visual artist, Linda Freeman is active curating, organizing, and participating in numerous exhibitions across the country. Linda Freeman co-authored the book Talking to Faith Ringgold with Faith Ringgold and Nancy Roucher. She has also produced videos in other important arenas such as recently producing “Teens Talk About Breast Cancer”, an important educational film made in collaboration with the Adelphi New York Statewide Breast Cancer Hotline & Support Program.
David Irving
David Irving writes and directs for the L&S Video African-American Artists Series. He has written and directed for numerous other important video and film projects in conjunction with L&S Video. He is currently Chair of the Department of Film & TV Undergraduate Division, New York University.
David Irving can be reached at david.irving@nyu.edu as well as at http://www.nyu.edu/tisch/filmtv.html
Contact Info
L&S Video, Inc.
45 Stornowaye,
Chappaqua NY 10514
tel. 914-238-9366
fax. 914-238-6324
email: videopaint2@msn.com
New! Mixed Media Masters
See how three different artists, Alison Saar, Al Loving, and Flo Oy Wong, bring their unique perspectives to the term “mixed media”. See the Preview.
Limited Edition Portraits by Linda Freeman
Portraits of Faith Ringgold (shown above), Romare Bearden, and Jacob Lawrence are available. You can also have Linda Freeman do your portrait! Learn more.