5.25

my weekend was so full

my first braai

memorial day

. . . 

portrait of the artist - monk of funk

monk of funk

he's a music producer

who recently started his own record label 

so how did you come up with that name?

i heard michael jackson say it once

and i was like

. . .

that's it!

that's me!

i start with a beat

listen to it over and over

then add the instruments

music is an expression

it's got to make people feel

. . . 

i had an awesome time

connecting with another artist

check out the full story on my site

motion

stop acting so small

you are the universe in ecstatic motion

- rumi

portrait of the artist - debra

im always inspired by the artist

the one who was born to create

whose passion ignites souls

my friend debra

an illustrator and graphic designer

has got undeniable and effortless

we got together on what finally felt like a proper spring day

sunny skies and a cool breeze

the air was light

her apartment filled with music

(corinne bailey rae, drake, kendrick)

and with great conversation

snacks

and some spontaneous dancing

i was able to capture her creative process

her mind

her heart

and from her hands

flow art in its purest form.

she's got the sort of free spirit that breeds creativity.

each conversation i have with her leaves me inspired

keeps my soul excited about my own passions

her work is honest

she creates what truly inspires her

with the goal of opening minds about the standards of beauty

her paintings are mostly of natural haired black women

who like her

let their manes flow wild and freely

"art is a lasting impression of the society we live in
we can look back to the twenties and see what were the major topics of discussion through art. 
it's like a visual time stamp. 
unfortunately minority voices aren't usually part of the maintained archives
but as the saying goes 
the hunter tells the story, not the lion. 
those who make art are telling our stories, from where we are sitting
here and now, how we look at the world. 
that page in history is important. "

in the past few months

she's been sharing her art with the world
and growing a steady flow of fans

her illustrations have gone viral

opened up amazing opportunities

"my fears are that I'm not good enough

i think every piece I put up isn't good enough

[and] honestly feel like i take a chance everyday by [sharing]. 

my followers have gotten me this far

i really appreciate their feedback. 

i try to make them the voice in my head; silence that other one. 

its about doing what you love

fearlessly and straight from the soul.

this artist is going places

and i'm so excited to watch her journey

. . .

had a blast shooting debra

hair and styling by me

jewels by respect the chief & decollete

makeup by tanica davis

check out more on my site

and see debra's work at debracartwright.com

the prettiest thing

i'm dreaming again

like i've always been

. . .

door #50

" you must knock on door number 25 or 50 or 100

as enthusiastically as you did on the first door that was closed in your face

you need to be prepared for a lot of rejection and never give up enthusiasm

it'll get you eventually to a successful area"

. . . 

- john paul dejoria (co-founder of paul mitchell hair and patron spirits)

read this powerful quote 

and it resonated with me

knocking on door #50 

without loosing enthusiasm

takes a great deal of faith

we tend to expect what we are used to

50 doors slammed in our faces

we expect door #51 to produce the same result

almost a defense mechanism

preparing for the worst

the challenge is to prepare for the best

keeping a glimmer of hope

never loosing enthusiasm

that maybe the next door just might be it

. . . 

found this image while cleaning out my computer

shot last year while i was in barcelona

i spent a day solo

traveling to a small town i had heard of

scary experience getting lost in a foreign country with limited phone/internet access

but well worth it

. . . 

be bold

be enthusiastic

prepare for the best

part II

you've always moved to the beat of your own drum

beautiful and terrifying

at the same time

i tried to catch up

tried to hold on

knowing eventually

i'd need to stand still

and watch you walk

. . .