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 

Merry Merry with wreck it - day 364 ( project 365)

Christmas today and got to take a few images of Cameron , Colleen and Makai for their holiday photos.    He is one that does not stay still , so the images are very typical of his energy.   Happy Holidays everyone.  

coldwell banker- day 363 (project 365)

Headshots for Shelley -

paper snowflakes - day 361-362 (project 365)

Paper Snowflakes. 
so beautiful
intricate in design
complex weaving of lines and shape
so fragile. 
one wrong cut and the snowflake is ruined
open carefully and slowly to keep from tearing
let the beauty unfold.  

Much like life.

special things - day 360 (project 365) 12-20-13

A little view of my special things , in my little corner......nothing mind blowing for this day except to me.  

motu holiday fun- day 359 (project 365) 12-19-13

I set up a photo booth for the Motu Holiday party.  Such fun and of course a fun group of people make it fantastic.   

colors - day 358 (project 365) 12-18-13

the beauty of the colors and light captured me

looking up - day 357 12-17-13

Just happened to be looking up and seeing the skies this day. 

withdrawn - day 356 (project 365) 12-16-13

This day I was feeling withdrawn.   I asked myself why ?   I was in such good spirits , looking forward, doing my best to be positive.   Oh yes, this is life.  

and of course in walks my groupie---- " I want to take a picture with you ...."

safe travels Juan Zermeno - day 355 project 365 ( 12-15-13)

My dear friend Zerina lost her father recently,  Mr Juan Zermeno.    I felt very fortunate to have met him and been a part of his first art showing of his work for the many years he had painted, drawn and created a legacy for his children and family.

 Zerina and I share a common story , having artist parents, a time of distance from their lives and finally to reconnect with a vengeance.  To learn, love, connect and then to lose them all to quickly it seems and at the same time feel very blessed and honored to just have been in the presence of such a man you call father.

It is never easy to lose someone you love so dearly let alone it be your parent.    I miss my parents often and they are always with me after all these years.

I did attend the memorial for this man that lived life, made mistakes, accomplished much, was a "man's man"  as I heard often, told it like it is, father, grandfather, tio, son..........artist.    I watched as his children wept for him, and laughed about him.   His lovely wife Linda and her love lost.   His mother performing the rosary ritual for an hour for her son's blessings. My dear friend giving her father paint brushes and paint for his journey.   Most of all ....the love .   

Zerina and family , just know he is always with you.  Z- every time you paint and create that is the gift of his legacy to you.  

All my love.....      

yuneek - day 354 12-14-13

I went out to take some images of a young lady who is very talented who was having her first showing of her designs (Keiala of Yuneek Designz).     Very happy for her , it's about putting yourself out there.   Keep it up and pushing forward.  

loving me - day 353 (project 365)

I rose this morning not in a fowl mood but melancholy.  Working on me and my attitude towards things is a continual work in progress always.   I was just thinking about  the typical , such as getting this extra weight off that I am not to pleased with ,tired of feeling sad about things I can't change or have any control over and trying not to take things personally and just be.

I needed to tell myself to love me .   Love the skin I am in right now and forward, every wrinkle,  extra curve, bump, stretch mark, the fullness of me.    If I don't love me what is the point of making strides to move forward in other areas of my life, it will all be for not.   So once again photo therapy.   Getting out of that comfort zone.  See myself as beautiful today is a start.   Whatever the outside world sees is not my concern at the moment.  I need to be accepting of myself.