Creative Juices: Not Much of a Painter!

Here is a painting from a series I did a while back for an AIDS benefit. I was trying to stress the importance of safe sex which is why I displayed the figures in black and white and the condoms in a bold bright colors and also the background in color to set the mood. My professor actually love the idea but I thought I could have done them a little better maybe next time.

Mood: Reflective

Reflections of an Artist:More Blogs to Come!

Boy, I haven't blog in a minute. I've just been so busy with work and everything else in my life that I just hadn't had the time, but next week I'll definately have some more fun creative blogs for your viewing pleasure.

Get Creative With It : African Inspired Shirt Dress!

Every year for black history month my church has an African-American luncheon where we dress up in our African garbs, feast on the most delicious African, Caribbean, and Soul foods, (yummy) and celebrate our African heritage. With nothing to wear and little money to spend, I decided to create my own African inspired garb for under $20.
I've gotten so many compliments that I've decided to make a step by step guide on how to create this one of a kind shirt dress. So you too can recreate this fun loose fitting dress with waist definition and butterfly sleeves given by belt which creates a flattering look for all shapes and sizes, and the best part of it is, there's NO stitching required.



Things You'll Need:

• Funky Afro-centric fabric (choose length based on your individual size.)
• Scissors
• Ruler
• Chalk
• Waist Belt
  
  

Step 1: Fold Fabric into one large square.

Step 2: Find the center of the fabric from left to right.

Step 3: With the chalk, draw an 8" line horizontally in the center at the very top of the folded piece of fabric being sure to leave an even amount of space on either side of the line.

Step 4: Cut at the line to create and opening for the head.

Step5: On the front of the fabric draw a triangle starting from each end of the cut in Step 4.

Step 6: Cut out triangle to create a V-Neck. Step7: Place fabric over the head like a smock, bringing arms out at sides. Pull each side of the fabric front and back together and quickly place belt around your waist to in order to keep the fabric in place.

TA DA!
Pair it up with your favorite pair of jeans or some funky leggings, whatever you do just GET CREATIVE WITH IT!

A Dream Come True!

Yea! Jennifer Hudson takes home an Oscar for "best supporting actress",what a dream this must be for this very talented young women. Sunday night Jennifer Hudson became the 4th African-American woman to receive an Oscar and she deserves every bit of it. Go head Jennifer! Maybe it wasn't the couple of Oscars I spoke about in a previous post Dream Girls but it was just as satisfying!

Mood: Elated

Check out this amazing photograph I came across while searching for pictures of Jennifer Hudson. I thought this picture showed off Jennifer's true essence and beauty so I decided to post it.

Creative Juices: No Excuses!

Today I decided to go down town to the art supply store to purchase some more art supply. I've been having this burning desire to create, but haven't had the time. With work, the gym, and some classes I've been taking my art has kind of been put on the back burner. But last night I was restless thinking about some really great ideas for some of my future works of art, so today I went out and bought all the necessary supplies I need to produce my linocut prints. Now I have no excuses, I don't have to worry about going out to the art studio to use their supply because now I have my own and I can be in the comfort of my own home. I can't wait to put my ideas on paper or linoleum rather LOL. Look for more of my work at a blog near you LOL!

Mood: Anxious!

Happy Singles Day!

If your single like me, Valentine's Day can be a real drag. You know February 14th is coming and you've have yet to find a Valentine or significant other to share it with. You do everything you possibly can to avoid the fact that Valentines Day even exist. Well not anymore cause today I'm celebrating Singles Day and you can too. Singles Day is a day to show yourself how much you care for you. A day to treat yourself to a few of those items you've been eyeing for months. A day to pamper yourself and sit back an enjoy you. So what will you do on Singles Day?

Happy Singles Day

Reflections of an Artist: My B-Day

Today I turned 24yrs old. Thank God for yet another year of life. Seems like just the other day I was so hype to be 21 and before that 18 and before that 16. They say "your only as old as you feel", well I still feel like I did when I was 18. It seem like when you where younger, you lived free, and the world was in the plam of your hands. You could relax take you time and do whatever it was you wanted to do, no rush, no pressure. Umh, but all that changes when you get further up in age. Now it's a "race to the finish line." It's like you have to get all these things accomplished, like get married, or have kids, by a house etc. etc. and you only have a limited time to get it all done. You hear the older folks say when I was you age I was pregnant with my third child, and I was married at this time, and so forth and so on. Well today I'm going to take the time out and thank God for all the many years he's blessed me with. Today I'm going to reflect on the things I have accomplished and keep in mind the things that I hope to accomplish in the furture but for now I'm enjoying me, because "I'm in no rush"!
Mood: Relaxed

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!

Reflections of an Artist: Black Doll, White Doll, which do you prefer?

A while ago I came across this short film directed by a young 17 year old girl named Kiri Davis called "A Girl Like Me" produced by Reel Work Teen Filmmaking a free after school program supported by HBO that Kiri attended. In this film Kiri reconducted the "doll test" which is and experiment originally done by famous husband and wife psychologists Kenneth and Mamie Clark which was used in the desegregation case Brown vs. Board of Education. The Clark's Doll experiment, found that black children often preferred to play with white dolls over black dolls, and when ask to fill in a human figure with the color of their own skin they frequently chose a lighter shade than was accurate. The Clarks saw that the black children viewed white as good and pretty, but black as bad and ugly. The Clarks viewed this as evidence of internalized racism caused by stigmatization. Now over a half a century later the outcome remains the same. Black children are still prefer the white dolls over the black Dolls and we are still seeing the same color issue as we did before.

After viewing this documentary I for one was a little confused about the whole thing. I guess I never really knew how serious this color issue was in our very own race this day and age. I mean, is that whole brown bag theory still going on today?Am I missing something here? What is going on in the minds of our youth and what are we as a society doing wrong to make them fell this way about themselves? Now we must ask ourselves what can we do to change it and actually stand up and do something about it? Mood: Ruminative

Reflections of an Artist: In Honor of Dr. King

Today I wanted to take the time out to remember Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and dedicated this blog in his honor. As a child I can remember every year around this time, in honor of Dr. King, a special would come on television and me and my family would sit and watch it for what seemed like hours on end. I can remember seeing this kind of small man who spoke with a mighty and powerful voice that made him larger than life. A voice with a spirit of triumph and determination, like no one could ever make him loss his ground. A voice so profound that when you heard it, you couldn't help but to sit quiet and listen because you knew that what he was about to say was important. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. has had a major impact on this country and still does today and for that he will never be forgotten. Thank You Dr. King Mood:Stirred

I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: "We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal."

~ Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Creative Ambition: Nikki Chu

While reading an article in Jewel Magazine, (like always) I notice the most beautiful interior designed by a women named Nikki Chu. After reading the article I decided to google Nikki Chu and stumbled across her website at http://www.nikkichu.com/ and was inspired by her Bio.
Nikki Chu first arrived on the scene as a fashion designer, designing everything from men's ties to vintage clothing. Some of her design can be seen on some of the hottest celebrities in Hollywood like Hillary Duff, Mischa Barton and Kelly Osbourne, and more. You've also probably seen her appear on the Tyra Banks show sharing some of her fashion expertise.

After seeing how well Nikki had taken on the fashion industry with her designs, her celebrity clients not only asked her to design their clothes but their interior spaces as well. Nikki Chu has designed interiors for celebrities like Tyra Banks which was featured on one of my favorite reality show America's Next Top Model, Tisha Campbell and Duane Martin, Boris Kodjoe, Gabrielle Union, Mo'Nique and more. Some of Nikki Chu's interior designs can be viewed every month in the Luxe section of Jewel Magazine. You can also catch her on "Mail Order Make-over on the Fine Living Channel and on "Mobile Home Disasters" produce by Steve Harvey on the WB network.

Nikki Chu has taken on both the fashion industry and the world of interior and exterior design, but she didn't stop there. Nikki Chu recently launched her new lifestyle collection called none other than "Nikki Chu" providing both Accessories that includes watches, belts, purses, jewelry, make-up bags and luggage and a Home line creating things like candles, and skin care products. To learn more about Nikki Chu's designs and products and to see more of her work visit http://www.nikkichu.com/ Mood: Inspired

"Each product I create is a true reflection of my personal style."

"My philosophy and mission is to create an affordable luxury brand that combines fashion and lifestyle into one. This is the Nikki Collection" ~ Nikki Chu