leave your shoes and troubles at the door- day 59 project 365

Another beautiful day and I sit on my front porch after a looooong day at work and decided to take a few images from the evening setting light and the Santa Ana like winds as I listen to me wind chimes clang and the humming birds hummmm....... maybe not as blessed as some , but life and its simple pleasures... my life is good.

junk mail - day 58 (project 365)

By the time I came home and check the junk mail I was not feeling so great.   I knew I better take a photograph then or it wasn't going to happen and I was right....... hope I am not coming down with something.

having a private party- day 57 (project 365)

Tonight the second night of the full moon and I am having a private party.    My little granddaughter and I danced to Feli Kuti tonight in the light of the moon and had our ritual honoring to the feminine.   

 As I celebrate my womanhood I thought about the  other day Bro. Kamal, from the family I took photos off, asked me since I have been a grandmother how has that changed my womanhood. I thank him for asking that question.    I have been thinking about this for days now , and honestly will probably think about it for many days and months to come.

What has changed in me , in this time from being a mother to a grandmother?

I was listening to India Irie and her song Private Party and it struck me.  I am celebrating me and the woman that I have become.  As I danced in the moonlight tonight I was thinking and hearing the words --- - I am learning to love me, just look how far you've come, true love begins with me, learning to love the quiet moments, looking in the mirror having a conversation and healing the disconnection ,cry until I laugh or cry away the hurt,  celebrating me..............
There it is...........I am having a private party!

bannana splits and shopping malls day 56 (365 project)

I was fortunate enough to photograph a beautiful family yesterday for a project that I am helping Bro Dawud work on...will not go into to much detail but doing what I can for him.   I am not at the liberty to post to much from what I am doing as not to disturb the nature of things...but I love this image.  

Black Honey- day 55 (project 365)

I still had my mixture of paint , honey and water available and not ideal,  I continued with painting myself as inspired by photographer Leah Gordon (the participants use syrup, water and charcoal).   Leah Gordon has documented the Kanaval in Jacmel ,  a pre-lenten mardi gras in Haiti from 1995 to 2009 I believe (book called Kanaval) .  My next gift to myself will be this book.    The images are haunting as well as beautiful .    This carnival celebration is a little different because of the people that participate make their own  compelling costumes that represent political, historical , religious, mythical and spiritual representations of the region.   They paint their bodies black and have ropes with horns or adornment to represent the struggle and freedom from slavery.  Many with mask and hoods with hidden faces.   Most or all participants that do so are male . The people have stayed true to their roots and luckily have not had modernity of the corporate influence involved which makes it such.   Unfortunately as what I have read that after the earthquake a few years back it may not take place anymore. 

I had a beautiful visual and wanted my son to allow me to be a participant in my vision , but no go......so again I am the subject matter.  I hope to continue on this vision in a more complete narrative .    As I was photographing myself  I was asking the ancestors to guide me showing the pain endured as being captive.   Well, besides the images being pretty intense for me,  the honey was drying on me with the rope I was really in pain .   I don't even recognize myself in the images and and feel I  invoked my  Haitian/African ancestors in these images as I truly felt pain, however nothing in comparison to what any endured.   The final image is some the bruises that appeared on me after this creation and experience.   

I honor my father and my ancestors  and humbly give thanks for the life I am able to live !!!!

 

no she didn't - day 54 (project 365)

First and foremost---- I know many of you are thinking...."no she didn't" , well ...yes I did.   My intentions are explorations of emotions and the masks' we wear.   Sometimes things just aren't so comfortable....so lets take you out of that comfort zone  just as I have stepped out of mine......just for a moment.   If you are uncomfortable then I have done my job to make you feel and question.  I am an artist. 

 Please continue....
 
I came across two visual artist that I was really feeling their work as researching several different things, one being "black face".    The controversy in current day artist and ads using black face makeup interest me and when does it become creative,art,  informative or from the racially rooted place it came from.  Is it really a form of black face when the body is painted to create a feeling or convey emotion???      Black face does come from Minstrel shows with racist stereotypes and is disturbing, hurtful and makes people uncomfortable to have to deal with that emotion and reality.   Even in modern day the idea of  "black face" exist in the entertainment arena through movies, music, and so much more.         Mark Steven Greenfield (artist   -   http://www.markstevengreenfield.com/   ) has delved into the subject of black face and its social and political aspects through his art and using old images with current words and so much more.    I am sure there are others as well.   Here is another link that has the history of Minstraly and much more information from the first shows , to the African Americans  who performed  such as Bert Williams and current day forms of  entertainment that perpetuates the same stereotypes today.  (http://black-face.com/ ).

   

scuse me while i kiss the sky - day 53 (project 365)

 I was having a discussion with a friend about Jimmy Hendrix and his music, the times, free love, psychedelics, and his talented short life.  Apparently there is some new recordings that will be released that were not previously released. 
I turned on some Jimmy and got dressed, and of course it wasn't hard for me to find an outfit in my closet, and started shooting....Purple Haze, Foxy Lady, Voodoo ..uh huh...of course again my own personal groupie joined in.   Excuse me while I kiss the Sky...(using that for a part two, to come)

oooh man- day 52 (365 project)

I have been feeling very strong .....  I had just been pondering about the female and how much of the masculine is part of us.  Many of us are fathers and mothers at the same time (or have taken on that role at one time or other).   We can be  stern, forceful, and nurturing all at the same time.  

day 51 (365 project )

mama gonna knock you out- day 50

I borrowed this mask with  idea in mind.. a female Luchador..... I did a little investigating on Luchadors.   First to see if there were woman Luchadors and there are.   The best knowledge I stumbled across was 
Cholitas Luchadores- indigenous women wrestlers of Bolivia... keep in mind they wrestle in their traditional dress. 
qoute from one site- 
The fighting cholitas see themselves as symbols of strength: Their opponents include bigotry and sexism. “My goal,” says one fighter, “is to lift up indigenous women, who have been treated with contempt.”
“We fighters carry within us a kind of fire that nothing can quench.

Gaining popularity in the 1930's Lucha Libre emerged in the early 1900's.   The mask that the Luchador wears is usually a representation of animal, spirit, gods, ancient heros....a tradition (of wearing masks) dating back to the Aztecs.

Just a few little tid bits....

Mama gonna knock you out!!!!!

  

ok had to add this behind the scenes warm up and my groupie....

yawwwwwn....day 49 (project 365)

just as the little one is, I am laying my head on my pillow in my room very soon.   My space I have created ( and continue to), is very peaceful.....  

Time to rest, and refresh my mind and body.

home sweet home- day 48 ( project 365)

It has been such a busy week for me and running around this weekend, of course I really didn't get as much done as I had planned.  I was looking around my place tonight and thought how lucky I am ....maybe not perfect but it is home and there is much love in it.

the big "2" - day 47 (project 365)

Today was spent attending lil' man Elijah's 2nd birthday at Chuck E Cheeses.......haven't been in that place in years.  Loving this image of Elijah on a ride of some sort...he wanted to be on it but couldn't figure out if he was really enjoying himself or trying to figure it all out , the clock is smiling.    After looking around at all these games, little rides, etc I can't help but think that as child these colors, crazy faces, stayed in my head, most often i see the world in a dark , kind of whimsical way.   
 
    After some running around to my porch to enjoy the sunshine before a afternoon nap that was much needed......

around town - day 46 (project 365)

Such a busy ,emotional, and  lovely day on Friday. 

doctors appt, trip to San Ysidro to turn in my art submissions (really out of my comfort zone and felt a little intimidated, but did it!!!) , back to work, finally  homeward bound and the neighborhood and the local market for a quick pick up of supplies.   Glad I take my camera with me everywhere !!!! 

mirrors and glue- day 45 (project 365)

I had these images each day for the past few days , just couldn't post them....

On this day I was trying to finish a piece for a submission to a show .....got it done but have to say not sure if it is totally completed to me.  Working on it until past midnight and wouldn't have finished that early if it wasn't for help with Home Depot, tools,etc.  thanks O!