She sees the war

 While I was in college and living in Baltimore, I decided I wanted to work in the criminal justice field.  I thought it would be a great way to help improve the world and, cut back on crime.  At that time I believed,  I would make the world a better place by aiding in the imprisonment of criminals.   After many discussions with my mother, she made me promise I would not become a cop.  We had long talks about the different ways a person could change the world and make things better.

Today I am so glad I did not pursue that field.  The criminal justice system is reactive and I needed to find a career in an institution that would be proactive.  I decided I would become a teacher.  Being a teacher is amazing because you have the ability to help shape the minds of children.   An education is the most priceless thing that can be given, from one person to another person.

After doing some writing and thinking about education.  I started thinking about the inequalities in education and the silent war that is going on.  I watched these videos and it aided me in the creation of my latest piece.

 

 The School to Prison Pipeline     

                  

 Under educated, Over incarcerated  

Pipeline -Skip to 1min11sec

I recently accepted a position as an educational assistant in a school.  I am so excited to work with the children and help give them the tools they will need to fight against a system that often wants them to fail.  I think it is time for us to open our eyes to the things that are going on around us, and take the time to be a part of the change we would like to see.

When I created this painting I was thinking about the inequalities in our society and the war on the futures of our children.  " She Sees The War" was not meant to be a pretty painting.  It is the manifestation of my feelings about a silent war. 

S

                                                            SHE SEES THE WAR

New Inspiration

Hey Guys,

 Today I have been doing a lot of thinking.  I have been thinking about life and death, and what I want to be remembered for.  What will I leave behind when I am gone?  How much of a difference am I going to make in this world?  I've had a bunch of those types of thoughts.  Since high school two of my classmates have passed away Corey Murray and Charles Hatchett.    It just made me think about an obvious fact that we never know when we will die.   I have to make sure I leave more than memories behind, when I pass away.  

I know this topic sounds a tad bit gloomy, but if you look at it a different way it is really positive thinking.   I decided that as an Artist I can do so much more than make work that is aesthetically pleasing.  I realized that I have so much to say, and I feel so passionately about a variety of subjects and it is time that I use my work to discuss important subjects.   I also decided to start experimenting more with my work.  I know this is a short one but it's all I can write as of now.  Off to painting

Battle of the Beads

 I love jewelry it's a slight obsession.  When I was younger I couldn't afford all of the jewelry and accessories I wanted in Claire's ( a little accessory store in the local mall) so I began purchasing beads and creating jewelry.    Oh yeah, I thought I had it going on.

  A few months ago I decided I would start making jewelry again, and I have (mostly for myself).    Unfortunately, I received bad news today.  I was told that the love of my life Zuri-Jade would need $6000 worth of surgery on her knees. She has a condition called luxating patella, pretty much her knees pop out of place and cause her to fall and it makes it hard to walk.

                                                                       ZURI-JADE

   

This is the first picture I seen of her and I fell in love.   

This is how she looks now. She's changed quite a bit.   

  

Now my plan is to create jewelry to help pay for her surgeries.  My first battle is with the beads.  I can't believe I have so many.  I have been finding containers of beads every where.  The room I am in looks like a beaded disaster.  BEADS! BEADS! EVERYWHERE!  So the goal for the night is to organize them.  Wish me luck

 

Amy Winehouse

My latest inspiration was Amy Winehouse.  Can we say amazing?  My friend Kenny introduced me to her music in college and I was in love ever since.  Do to her unfortunate death on July 23, 2011 I began to think heavily about her story and what most people know about it.  Everyone knows Amy struggled with alcohol and drug addictions. She shared her life with us through music, although it was great music it did not usually have happy themes.   Do to the media, as fans we were exposed to more of the negative sides of Amy than the positive.   So I began to research and I found out Amy participated in a multitude of charities.  In 2008,  Amy appeared naked in Easy Living Magazine to promote breast cancer awareness.    Amy was a participant in the Hear the World Campaign which was organized to promote awareness about hearing loss.  Amy even allowed the free usage of one of her hit songs "Back to Black" to help promote AIDS awareness through a film for Global Fund's  Born HIV free Campaign and that is just a few.  After learning this information, and so much more I knew I had to do an Amy piece.

 When coming up with the plan for the Amy piece I was inspired by her style. She is what I'd like to call " Funky Glamorous".

 

So I decided to take her vintage style and incorporate one of my favorite interior design periods " Hollywood Regency".  Due to the charity work that Amy participated in I wanted to add that "Saintly Gold" color that can be found in many picture of Saints.  Here are a few pictures that inspired me.   The Hollywood Regency Wallpaper was amazing

  

This is my finished Mixed Media Painting entitled "Amy" 

About Me

                                     Hi Guys,

Thanks for checking out my page.  I guess I will start my first post  as an introduction.   I have always had love for art.  When I was in high school I wanted to take Auto mechanics but my mom wouldn't let me.  She said this whole thing about her daughter not being a grease monkey.   Anyway she wanted me to pursue my interest in art while I was in High school.   I took art classes for a year and then it was time to graduate.  After graduating from high school, I decided that I wanted to teach. I have always had a passion for helping people, and I enjoyed my employment in the field of education. While attending college I decided to study Education and Fine Art. Through my research in Psychology and Art I began to learn more about myself and my abilities. Due to the encouragement of my professors I began to exhibit my art work. My work has been exhibited in The Pennsylvania Capitol Building, The Fulbright International Student House in Washington, D.C. and October Gallery in Philadelphia. Due to hard work and determination, I graduated Magna Cum Laude and received a Bachelors of Art from Cheyney University of Pennsylvania.

Although I have graduated from college, the learning has not stopped. I will continue to be a lifelong learner. I have learned to freely express my feelings and thoughts on canvas, and I have the ability to use my camera to capture a moment in life, or the essence of a person. My artwork reflects my growth and development, both as a person and as an artist. There is nothing greater than finding your purpose, and doing exactly what you know you are called to do.

Art is the vehicle that takes me on this journey through life. Photography has enabled me to capture and document the world through my eyes. Teaching allows me to share all of my talent, knowledge and ability with younger generations. The combination of all three is what my life's work is all about. My goal as an artist is to capture my passion through visual arts and share it with the world. My goal as an educator is to educate, inspire and motivate a generation of free- willed , well rounded, critical thinkers with a voice to be heard.   

So I guess that will be enough about me for now.  I started this blog because I wanted to be able to share my artwork, my philosophy on art, and get the chance to network with new people.  Feel free to leave me a comment.  :-)