I leaped without looking and I loved it...

In another couple of weeks, it will be a year since I walked away from job and then 2 weeks later; I left Baltimore. It's still quite surreal when I think about it. One of the things I used to talk about when I first started this blog was taking chances and my hesistance to do so often. But lo and behold, I go and take a giant leap of faith. Talk about taking chances!

Now don't get me wrong, it definitely hasn't been a cakewalk or easy. I can say that it truly has been a learning experience for me, as well as a trying time. (Man, I've used a lot of commas so far in this post). I feeling pretty optimistic about my future and future prospects. Adult Choices is something I have dwelled on in the past and I find myself increasingly making more and more of them. I guess I am finally starting to lose that contentment quality that I have had all those years. I've never been a free spirit so to speak but I will latch onto something if it feels real comfortable. I guess that's the main reason that I'm feeling good about my situation because it's ever-ever-changing. Nothing is stagnant or comfortable. Almost everyday is a new adventure, a new struggle,  a new learning experience and I am kind of loving every minute of it just a little bit in the back of my mind. The rest of my mind thinks I'm just strange, lol. That's it for this week guys.

Until next week...

-Namaste

Happy Born-Day, Jean-Michel Basquiat...

On this day in Brooklyn, NY 52 years ago, one of the greatest artist whoever lived was born.  Jean-Michel Basquiat in the 80s was one of the most iconic artists of his time.  He tackled issues of race, power struggle and self-identity and created works; which inspired many of artists in his time and in the present.

I, myself become aware of his work while studying in art school.  I had one of my classmates mention to me how my work seemed to be heavily influenced by Basquiat.  I am not ashamed to say that I knew nothing of this artist growing up as a kid in the 80s.  After doing a little interwebs and library research, I found that I was one, familiar with some of his work already and two, I could see where some of the similarities were in our styles.  From that moment, I resolved to become familiar with this great artist.  Just reading quotes by him and also finding archived footage of his interviews (which were really powerful) were very informative.  This great artist was taken from the world all too soon.  It was and is great to see that in his brief time on this planet, he influenced so much of our culture.  He is still influencing us.  I know he has influenced me and I consider him to be one of the artist that I do idolize. Untitled(Skull) is one of my favorite pieces of his.  Maybe one day I will own a print of it.  Just thought I'd share a little of my feelings/insights on this great artist on his birthday.  Just a little...

Congrats on surviving the apocalypse!!  Until next week...



-Namaste

If I must...I must...

Konnichi'wa minna-san! Today I read an interview that Emory Douglas did in JUXTAPOZ magazine that I found to be highly informative. Emory Douglas is a revolutionary artist who was also the Minister of Culture for the Black Panther Party. He designed the majority of their literature and propaganda. He also designed the iconic image of the party, The Panther. He, in the article talked about the relevance of race in our modern society. He did this piece of Obama where Obama apologized on behalf of the United States for Slavery. This was a powerful piece of revolution art in that its meaning could be viewed as quite controversial. Whereas Shepard Fairey and others were creating empowering works of art incorporating Our newly elected, Mr Douglas on the other hand took the opportunity to make you question the the state of the union as it stands now. To me this work was spot on. Its a piece that makes me look at where my work has evolved(or devolved) from. I recall being back in college and exploring race in my work and how informative and enlightening that was to me. The last few years of I have gotten away from that subject matter. Apart of that, I believe is because I questioned whether or not race is still relevant in art. I mean we still have issues of race and race identity in today's society but I wondered/wonder how deep it runs in art. How I can get away using race in my work and not come off as angry black man. Reading this interview gave me hope. It gave me that good feeling I always get when I see someone out there making work that makes you question the status quo and whether or not race still really matters. This article really has me excited about the prospects of creating work go forward. I look forward to having you guys along for the journey.


-Namaste