In this sorrowful time, supporting people who create has been one way to show my hope for a better future. I love this new wrap. It was made by Melissa Mitchell of Atlanta. My niece turned me on to her work. Melissa is also my sorority sister. For more, see this link. Meanwhile, Marvin Gaye’s… Continue reading surviving via creating.
Only the lyrics in this song posted below, which was recorded two years after I was born, make sense this week. What a week. And this lil fella sat outside my window yesterday. He knew I needed his ear. Sat there for a good ten minutes, too. I just don’t know
Today I am vibing on T.Q.’s remix of his 1998 song “West Side,” which is 54:17 minutes into my 1998 Miami Mix on Mixcloud. The Compton native initially made a tribute to California and later did the same for my beloved Miami. What I like most about the remix is his understanding that South Beach… Continue reading west side
When not sewing or doing more expected academic work, I have been working on these three collages made of all sorts of things including vintage photographs and faces I painted on tea bags using Japanese ink. One of them is titled “Se sentit.” English translation: felt. I feel so much these days. Do you? I… Continue reading Se sentit
One of the things I loved the most while working on the book and film about Grant was discovering the things that happen onstage and behind the scenes to musicians and the people in their lives. In clubs. In studios. And beyond. I learned even more about these things while living in NYC early this… Continue reading the eddy and grant
“Coming Up Roses.” That’s what I named this piece. The roses are from our yard. Three different types. The piece is on found wood. The roses suggests seasons. I pray we are just living through a season. I know that we are. Now, how to survive it? I have turned to art since March 25th… Continue reading comin up roses
It’s been a productive day as I continue organizing photo albums, photos, scrapbooks and memorabilia. I stumbled upon the button from my first book tour. And a painting I took to Paris. I also completed two pieces made entirely of scraps from my own box and that of others. Warrior women. Fierce for times like… Continue reading productive day
Today I read about how a lot of artists have taken to crafting. Handmade things apparently soothe the soul. There is also, at least for me, a chance to think of people who came before us, ones who had to sew, who had to use their hands to make things grow. I think about such… Continue reading reaching back…planting.
Earlier this week, Alejandrina Cue, a beautiful artist I met in Cuba who now lives in my beloved South Florida, shared this self-portrait, which inspired my own. Mine is hardly on the level of what she produced (i.e. she is far more expressive; I hesitate. A lot). Both pieces speak to the kinship and friendship… Continue reading artist. friend.
“Lady in Blue Mountains, or She Knew Mary Seacole’s Grandmother,” made from scrap fabric including linen sheet from my mother in law’s trunk. Today I heard from a dear friend who is also an artist. She sent two beautiful pieces. One of them had the words “wounds that don’t hurt” on the image of a… Continue reading Lady in the Blue Mountains
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