Page 2 - Bernie-Bio 2
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About the Artist;
Colorful expression and artistic zeal has become the way BerniE. renders his subjects in a strong, graphic fashion
through a variety of medium. He purposely eludes a distinctive style in order to provide his collectors with an array
of choices and styles. At his showings his audience is often awe struck by the diverse range of medium he works
in. Many of his art viewers and collectors are overheard saying; "Oh....and that’s a BerniE. too!". He is strongly
influenced by artists Tina Allen, John H. Biggers and Charles Bibbs, Erte’ and Pablo Picasso.
Born Morton Bernard Edmonds, a native of Los Angeles, South Central area. After graduating with honors from
Crenshaw High School, he continued his education at California State Dominguez Hills, where he received his
Bachelors of Science in Public Administration. He currently resides in Riverside. BerniE. states that his family is
the main source of his inspiration and motivation to be a successful artist.
Motivated by a desire to gain a wider clientele, after some 10 years of private collectors consisting of close friends
and family, BerniE. decided to put his images on the public market. As a result, his art works have continually
gained value. His works are now collected and commissioned for dignitaries like First Lady Michelle Obama, Vice
President nominee Elizabeth Dole, Congressman George Brown and the King of the Ashante tribe, in Ghana
Africa, Oprah Winfrey, Singer-Songwriter Stevie Wonder and a list of others.
BerniE. has been credited by a long list of patrons; NBC Studios, Warner Bros. Studios, Earvin "Magic" Johnson
(Athlete/Entrepreneur), Dawnn Lewis (Actress/Singer), Najee (Jazz Musician) and Chip Fields (Actress/Writer),
just to name a few. His credits also include designing the "Amazing Love Award", "Corretta Scott King Award",
"Reginald F. Lewis Award"- Business Person Of The Year Award and the "Kwaanza Award" - 30th Anniversary
Commemoration, and Charles Lovely - Entrepreneur and Basketball Coach. Other credits that give him pride and
honors are that of having his works grace the sets of several television sitcoms. His works have been recognized by
audiences watching shows such as "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air", "Living Single”, "In The House" and "The Jamie
Foxx Show". An addition to BerniE’s credits is that of being featured in editions of, Artist’s Edition Magazine,
Upscale Magazine, Inland Empire Magazine, Black Voice News, Los Angeles Times, Philadelphia Times, San
Bernardino Sun Newspaper, The Business Press Enterprise Publication, and a variety of other national
publications.
Most recently, in April 2012, BerniE. unveiled a Granite Memorial Bench at the Evergreen Cemetery in Riverside,
California, that was commissioned by the Riverside African American Historical Society. In November of 2011,
BerniE. was commissioned by The Murillo Family to sculpt a life-sized bronze statue of George & Pauline
Murillo, which has been installed at California State San Bernardino University, on the grounds of the Murillo
Observatory. In 2004, The Black Voice News & Foundation, Inc. commissioned BerniE. to sculpt the bust of
Booker T. Washington, which is on permanent display at the Historic Mission Inn, in Riverside, California.
BerniE.’s art work is sold and distributed nationally by a host of art galleries and print dealers. In January 2009, he
produced a television documentary on African American Art in Riverside, featuring Charles Bibbs, Adeola
Davies-Aiyeloja’s, Sandra Rowe and himself. The documentary has continued to air on local channels in Riverside
and San Bernardino Counties and statewide through the California television networks since January 2009.
You can find most of his work on his web site at www.Bernieart.com.
BerniE. aides various organizations in fund raisers. He has assisted organizations such as "The Institute For Black
Parenting" (an adoption and foster care agency), "Five Acres" (a children’s orphanage), churches and other
non-profit agencies in raising over $650,000.00. In June 2011, BerniE. launched a Clothing Line, “Believe”,
Christian Apparel and Accessories, which he will use a portion of the proceeds from sells to donate to various
causes. You can find Believe Apparel and Accessories at www.Believeoutlet.com Thank you for your patronage.