Welcome 2014- goodbye 365

My 365 project is done.   I embarked on this journey not only to make myself take images and shoot but it surely was a journey of self exploration.   It proved difficult at times with everyday life and several times having to post late, but always shooting.    I look back on this year and the many changes I went through and that of my family, friends and loved ones.    It is a lot to take in. 

I have taken chances, stepped out on faith and grown for it.  It hasn't always been in my favor but I am better for it and realize how good my life is even with what are my lows.

I still continue to grow as an artist and human being. Many changes are to come my way in 2014, unseen for sure but all the same.  I will not give up on my dreams ( part time night job looks like in my near future). 

I will continue on my journey....think it, live it, be it....and continue to be "out of my comfort zone", for if I am not I am not moving forward.    Forward is where I need to go only to look back at how far I have come.

Thank you to those who have followed and appreciated my journey this past year...you know who you are.

Until my next post

 

Imani- faith ( day 7 Kwanzaa)

 #Imani - faith. To believe with all our hearts in our people, parents,teachers,leaders and the righteousness and victory of our struggle. #kwanzaa final day. Fathers sculpture chess pieces King and Queen. Happy New Year!

I posted this yesterday and the final day of Kwanzaa 

Kuumba (Creativity) project 365

Kwanzaa day 6
Kuumba (Creativity)
To do always as much as we can, in the way we can, in order to leave our community more beautiful and beneficial than we inherited it. 

A collage of a few things I have done and some of my toys.  My goal as my father, mother, uncles and creative and talented family members, is to leave something for those to come.  To encourage my children and grandchildren to create, express and love the arts.   To leave a legacy for others and the world and make any small contribution to that in any way we can.

Nia- purpose (project 365)

Nia (Purpose) - day 5

To make our collective vocation the building and developing of our community in order to restore our people to their traditional greatness.

Another image from the vault this year.  This is one of the few images I have shared from a project "Daddy/ Daughters", a work in progress.   
When I thought of purpose I thought mostly of the importance of our impact on the youth.   Guiding and leading them to their greatness!!!!   Nia (Purpose).  

Ujamaa - Cooperative Economics (project 365)

Kwanzaa - day 4

Ujamaa-  Cooperative Economics
To build and maintain our own stores ,shops, and other businesses and to profit from them together.


This photo is from a brother at the swap meet among others that I always frequent.  This image from a previous post taken with film from an old twin reflex camera.
Many of us have had our own business whether the main income or part time, as do I ,and it can be a struggle.  It is most important to support each other in our ventures as to strengthen each other.   It is so easy to go to the large market, mall, mass producer and get the great deal.   I get it sometimes that is what  seems to make sense, however I am surely willing to pay a little bit more to support individual and the small business, local farmer or struggling artist when I can so they may continue to work for themselves and in turn get something a bit more personal, grown with love , and the one of a kind items.

 

Ujima - Collective Work and Responsibility --- project 365

Kwanzaa- day 3

Ujima- Collective Work and Responsibility
To build and maintain our community together and make our brothers' and sisters' problems our problems, and solve them together.


I brought this image out from the vault from several years back.  It was the first image I thought about when considering what to do for an image.
This is from working with some folks from FTP (Feed the People).   This truly was a group of people pooling their own money and time, making sack lunches, positive messages and doing the work.  FTP continues to do works in many ways throughout the states.   This is what Ujima is , responsibility  and making strides to build our communities, even if it all begins with a simple meal for the day for those who have not. 

Kujichagulia- Self Determination (project 365 )

Kwanzaa day 2
Kujichagulia- Self Determination
to define ourselves, name ourselves, create for ourselves, and speak for ourselves


As I look in my granddaughters eyes I see  the vision , legacy, strength, power and self determination of her great grandfather and ancestors.  May they be with her and the other children, for we must teach them of where they come from to know where they are going. 

habari gani - unity --- day 365 ???? ( project 365)

Let me start by saying that this is day 365 of my project......but it is not.   Where did I miss approximately 5 days.  Who knows.  Life .    I will post until the year is out to really complete my project.    



"Habari Gani- (What's the news?)"
"Umoja"



Today is the first day of Kwanzaa.   Kwanzaa is based on the seven principles of the Nguzu Saba (seven principles of African heritage).   Created in 1966 by Dr  Maulana Karenga for celebration of culture , community, family and identity.

Today is Umoja (Unity)-  
To strive for and to maintain unity in the family, community , nation and race.

 My attempt will be to depict each of the seven principles in images in honor and meditation  of the ancestors and those to come.
Ase