Even though it’s been a few days and folks are shifting their focus to the #blackgirlmagic that was LEMONADE, I’m still reeling over Prince’s sudden death. It’s truly unbelievable that he has passed. It’s scary, saddening and overwhelmingly difficult to process.

Though not a Prince superfan, I loved Prince. Of the oldies and throwbacks my parents forced my sisters and me to listen to during our childhood, his were my favorite. Whenever his songs played, I’d perk up a bit in the back seat of the car. Aside from Luther Vandross and En Vogue, Prince’s songs were the only songs I enjoyed. I love him in a nostalgic way. Plus, he guest-starred on one of my favorite TV shows, New Girl, which won him major brownie points in my book.

It’s like one of my cousins died — maybe not a close cousin, but a cousin I’d laugh with at family reunions. Needless to say, his death is hitting everyone hard. When an icon of Prince’s magnitude passes, it isn’t easy to move on. But we can pay tribute to him in any way we know how — and I can’t think of a better way to celebrate an inspiring artist’s life than through art. These amazing illustrations powerfully pay tribute to Prince.

Jorge Flores

A photo posted by Jorge Flores (@jorgefloresart) on Apr 23, 2016 at 9:46pm PDT

Rebekah Major and her 365 Days of Prince

My new business card ! Hooray! #art #illustration #Prince #tgif #photooftheday #work

A photo posted by Rebekah Major (@iheartbekart) on Jul 31, 2015 at 11:56am PDT

Picasso Trill

#restinpurple #PurpleRain #PurpleReign #PicassoTrill #ripPrince

A photo posted by Picasso Trill (@picasso_trillmedia) on Apr 23, 2016 at 4:38pm PDT

EmmaKennyIllustrations

👑👑👑 #rip #legends

A photo posted by Emma kenny (@emmakennyillustrations) on Apr 22, 2016 at 8:57am PDT

Mallory Heyer

When doves cry. RIP Prince 🕊. I feel like a part of my childhood died with him, my hometown hero.

A photo posted by Mallory Heyer (@meaowree) on Apr 21, 2016 at 12:17pm PDT

Joe Osei Bonsu

This was one of the best #Prince stories I’ve heard. Definitely had me laughing! I had to do a tribute! Cheers to you @hectah and @okayplayer on the original animated short! You definitely rock it that night @questlove! @prince #payinghomage #purplerain #restinpurple #Prince #icon #theartistformerlyknownasprince #paisleypark #aroundtheworldin80days #signothetimes #theroots #questlove #artists #artistslife #artistsofinstagram #drawing #blackartist #justbecause #illustration

A photo posted by Joe Osei Bonsu™ ✏️🎨 🇬🇭 (@jayoh83) on Apr 23, 2016 at 7:07pm PDT

Deb

Rest in Purple ☔️☔️☔️☔️☔️☔️💜PRINCE💜 Remember the Music 💜Celebrate his Life 💜 #RestInPurple #PRICEforEVER 💜💜💜💜💜💜 #Prince #DebArt #IHeartPrince #RestInPurpleRain #HeartBroken #PurpleRain #IheartPrince 💜

A photo posted by DEB 🐆 (@deb) on Apr 23, 2016 at 7:15pm PDT

ECrowns

RIP #Prince #BabyImAStar #LetsGoCrazy #LittleRedCorvette #1999 #PurpleRain #legend #rip

A photo posted by Ecrowns (@ecrowns) on Apr 21, 2016 at 10:09pm PDT

Maxeen Weaver

Next project. I’ve been wanting to do this portrait for a long time. Now feels like as good a time as any. #restinpurple #wip#prince #portrait #ink

A photo posted by Maxeen Weaver (@eenie_dubbs) on Apr 24, 2016 at 4:12am PDT

Mrghoete.art

RIP PRINCE! “Purple Rain” 🙏✊🙏Tribute to one of my fav artists, a creative genius & all time legend who was a major influence throughout my childhood & life..so many memories.. painted at Street Uni Liverpool, Sydney Australia. Big thanks to Delise and team for the wall! FEEL FREE TO SHARE to celebrate his life & work 🙏🙏 much luv. Mr G #mrgprincemural #prince #purplerain #princestagram

A photo posted by mrghoete.art (@mrghoete.art) on Apr 23, 2016 at 10:40pm PDT

WalkofArt

Rest In Power. The world is a MUCH MUCH better place because of you. #prince #restinpower #restinpurple

A photo posted by @walkofart on Apr 24, 2016 at 7:45am PDT

Circa Aric

Prince and the Evolution… #purpleheart #themostbeautiful #oneofmyfoundations #Prince #livingart #princerogersnelson #restinpurple #npg

A photo posted by Circa Aric (@circaaric) on Apr 23, 2016 at 10:33pm PDT

Noah Goodfriend

#RestInPurple #Prince #PurpleRain #ArtTherapy

A photo posted by Noah Goodfriend (@heebrewhammer) on Apr 23, 2016 at 9:39pm PDT

EmmaKennyIllustrations

Gone to a bigger stage #ripprince ♥

A photo posted by Emma kenny (@emmakennyillustrations) on Apr 21, 2016 at 1:39pm PDT

William Goodman

We all truly lost The Greatest! There will never be another PRINCE💜. Here is the start of my tribute Prince painting☔️☔️☔ @thenewgallery #prince #Prince #restinpurple #purplerain #art #arte #painting #modern #modernart #contemporary #contemporaryart #portrait #urban #urbanart #peoplescreatives #wip #workinprogress #williamgoodman #williamgoodmanart

A photo posted by William Goodman (@williamgoodmanart) on Apr 22, 2016 at 1:30pm PDT

Terryblyamaysin

I having a fuckin ball wit this one !! I was a fan of prince cuz unlike many ppl he wasn’t afraid of being himself !! It’s a beautiful thing #RestInPurple

A photo posted by Terribly😈Amazing😇 (@terryblyamaysin) on Apr 23, 2016 at 7:12pm PDT

Britt Davis

Prismacolor #Prince 💜 #portrait #marker #sketch #RestInPurple

A photo posted by Britt Davis (@brittdavis704) on Apr 23, 2016 at 5:11pm PDT

Comic Riffs

Remembering the many looks of Prince. To see the animated GIF, go to URL link in BIO. #Prince #PrinceArt #RIPPrince #PrinceTribute #PurpleRain #PaisleyPark #PrinceFanArt #Coachelle #PrinceMemorial #RestInPurple #SNL #SNLPrince

A photo posted by Comic Riffs (@comic_riffs) on Apr 23, 2016 at 9:43am PDT

Picasso Trill

Rest in Power 😌🙏🏾☂☂ #restinpurple #ripPrince #PicassoTrill #PurpleReign #PurpleRain

A photo posted by Picasso Trill (@picasso_trillmedia) on Apr 23, 2016 at 4:37pm PDT

Joe Osei Bonsu

Dearly beloved. We are gathered here today to get through this thing called life…..#RIPPrince #Prince #singer #songwriter #producer #icon #purplerain #legendary #paisleypark #artistlife #justbecause #comicbookartist #art #payinghomage #legend #drawing

A photo posted by Joe Osei Bonsu™ ✏️🎨 🇬🇭 (@jayoh83) on Apr 21, 2016 at 11:38am PDT

JC Ro

when I first started this piece yesterday I knew I wanted to eventually do a larger painting of this since I love purple and Prince. During the process, while listening to a lot of his music, I realized how many of my close friends are huge Prince fans, and that I’d really love to make some prints for them as well. . It wasn’t my intent to produce these to be available publicly (or so swiftly), but after an overwhelming number of messages and email requests, I’ve realized I can do something positive by donating a portion of the proceeds to charity while connecting with fellow fans of this true visionary! . So I’m proud to say a portion of the proceeds from this “Purple Pain” piece will be donated to restoring instrumental music education in American public schools, and raising awareness about the importance of music as part of each child’s complete education thru VH1’s Save The Music Foundation. . “Purple Pain” prints available now in 2 sizes, 18×24″ and 24×36″ www.triangleshit.com (link in bio) Legends never die! . THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT! #ripPrince #PurplePain

A photo posted by JC Ro (@jc.ro) on Apr 22, 2016 at 3:02pm PDT

Stella Blu

I am so damn sad today. My heart hurts. I just talked to you on Tues and we laughed about you not being sick. Waking up to see this news, I was so in disbelief..I thought it was a bad joke for hours. The biggest push I ever had to continue life as an artist came from you. I was enjoying sharing work on tumblr for fun, but I was 22 and really scared to commit to living this lifestyle. No one thought I could make any money or live off of painting and drawing. Most people laughed at me, they didn’t know any better. And then Prince discovered a watercolor painting of mine. No one ever laughed at me again, put it that way. He supported me so much, gave me so much encouragement. I became a full time artist. We became friends and I have amazing memories/stories of you. I’m just so grateful to you. I am forever changed from your presence in my life. Thank you so, so much. This is so sad for me to write. Everyone should know, that this man..was a great, funny ass person. He was a true artist. He was everything you imagined him to be plus more and more. I posted this painting I did of him Jan 8th, because it was literally for him. He sent me an email, “If Only My Fellow Artist Friend Would Paint My Portrait One Day…(Sigh)” and the next night I sent him this. He loved it so much.

A photo posted by By Stella Blu (@bystellablu) on Apr 21, 2016 at 6:02pm PDT

We love you, Prince, and your magnificence will always be remembered. Rest in power — and in purple.

pay tribute to prince — Photo: Washington Post

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