I am super excited to share this new piece with the community!
The large canvas (24x30in) was quite daunting at first, but the process became my main focus. I never really plan what I am going to draw beforehand, just that I would use a grey background (it wasn’t even the gray I was planning on using haha). Then I picked up my ruler and compass and let my imagination run wild.
Every single dots shares similar traits: they are even and have a nicely rounded shape; however, they each carry their own “DNA” which make them unique!
I love the result and I am looking forward to create even more geometrical pieces like this one. I totally can see those in an art gallery, a museum, or your beautiful home! Meanwhile, it is in my home đ
I have always loved paper goods, and particularly notebooks, diaries, and planners. I have been wanting to create some new I had the opportunity to create some featuring my own illustrations, which are now available on Amazon (and with prime shipping)
The Musician collection includes 8.5in x 11 (US Letter) manuscript paper notebooks, fret notebook and more and features illustrations musicians /and or instruments.
The Afro Dancers Collection feature beautiful dancers wearing large afro celebrating Black hair in its entire glory and meant to normalize black hairstyles in all its form.
The Afro Fairy Collection includes colorful composition books featuring illustrations of Black fairies. These are perfect for school notes for children ages 6 through 10 or older.
The CROWNED: Golden Ladies Collection was created in honor of Women History Month and the CROWN act passing in California in 2020. It features figurative drawings of black women with different hairstyles
If this was up to me, Iâd spend my life in school. When I say âif this was up to meâ I mean if I had the financial means to do so. I have been âvisualizing itâ and âcalling it into existenceâ – probably not hard enough or too many people are doing the same and I just have to be patient…
I dream about money coming out of ânowhereâ, meeting a generous billionaire who wants to facilitate someone elseâs life: mine!
All I want is a house, my own house – two stories with a well-lit attic (cause you know I donât like food smell in my bedroom and I be cooking) – may be close to a lake (like in that last âThis Is Usâ episode) with a beautiful kitchen with a gas stove – where I can host dinners for my family and friends, a place where they can come spend some time away, a peaceful place – close to nature.
I want a car, doesnât have to be new – just have to be reliable, with a large trunk and good on gas so I can take road trips if I want to, or get large canvases to my house when I need to.
I want to be debt-free and have enough extra cash to take some leisure trips if I want to or visit my people in France and if someone needs I can give some of that ⏠away.
Also, have access to higher education so I can get the help I want to craft and edit my book.
I want free+great healthcare so I can do my yearly checkups and tune-ups when I need to. Thatâs all – if this was up to me…
Because “longing” is probably one of the most inspiring topics one can write about. The turmoil of wondering is proportional the indifference given by the object of desire… isnât it something we can collectively feel in our bones and relate to? âą what bout you? : Do you think bout me still, or do you not think so far ahead – cause I been thinkin’ ’bout forever…
It all started with The grainy sound of A fine tip pen on construction paper.
It reminded me of When as a child I would write with my fountain pen on a blotting paper.
In chaotic times, drawing the lines brings me solace.
Abstract is my Art I mimic lifeâs intricacy Yet keep it simple, It reminds me of myself. It soothes my soul, My healing process.
People expect my work to reflect Experiences of racism or sexism or both.
Yes, it can be challenging to find peace In a world you donât always feel like you belong.
From the lack of representation To micro-agressions And assaults The trauma we indure Serves to normalize oppression Yet we survi- val mode Leads to chronic stress
Headaches, brain tumors & Alzheimer No wonder women suffer twice as much from depression.
In chaotic times, drawing the lines brings me solace.
And activates My parasympathetic nervous system Countering the fight or flight Triggered By a world You donât always feel like you belong.
People expect my work to reflect Experiences of racism or sexism or both
I give myself a break And meditate Combatting my depletion By Self-consideration
Abstract is my Art Not to ingratiate myself, I just allow my hands To let themselves wander.
Tomorrow, Iâll draw birds, Or faceless brown bods
Still today Iâll mimic lifeâs intricacy And keep it simple Cause it reminds me of myself. It soothes my soul, My healing process.
It all started with The grainy sound of A fine tip pen on construction paper.
It is hard to project yourself when we donât know what tomorrow holds, which for lots of us, including myself, induces lots of stress.
My way of coping with anxiety has been to spend as much time as possible creating.
I was working with lots of black and metallic colors, then pastels – and here is something kinda new – acrylic paint on white paper.
Hopes it brings as much joy to you that is brings to me!
Similar in so many ways, yet unique. The dots, the circles, the people, the experiences: the circle of life represents the notions of totality, wholeness, original perfection, the Self, the infinite, eternity, timelessness, all cyclic movement, God.
Have you ever found yourself face to face with a bear? Iâve personally never had myself, but the simple thought of it is terrifying to me.
Most likely, I think that I would try to run as fast and far as possible – understandably so: as human beings, we are built for survival; everything we do is instinctively wired so we can make it out alive the most stressful situations.
âOur sympathetic nervous system directs the body’s rapid involuntary response to dangerous or stressful situations. A flash flood of hormones boosts the body’s alertness and heart rate, sending extra blood to the muscles. Breathing quickens, delivering fresh oxygen to the brain, and an infusion of glucose is shot into the bloodstream for a quick energy boost. This response occurs so quickly that people often don’t realize it’s taken place, according to Harvard Medical School.“
âBears have acute eyesight and hearing. Their sense of smell is seven times greater than a bloodhoundâs.”
In the section: “This is what you should do if you encounter a black bear“, one of their advice is: “Stand and face the bear directly. Never run away from or approach him.”
You are basically supposed to remain just here in your terror. Not so easy if you ask.
Well, I think it is a fair assumption that this is how POC feel, especially black males, when stopped by police officers – that is why black parents have The Talk (ain’t about birds and bees).
I hope that you will now understand how insensitive it is to say âHe Should Not Have Resisted Arrest”.
This post was to be published last month in honor of #WomenHistoryMonth but with everything that’s been happening, in New York and the world, I had put this aside and focused on other things. Iâm happy and excited to finally do this and share these pieces with you.
It hasn’t always been this way, but sisterhood had become very important for me over the years. I really wanted to create something special for Women History Month 2020 and thought that portraying women I found inspiring would be a great way to celebrate – even tho, for me celebrating women is all year around.
I let you scroll down for the entire collection and visit their page to discover their work when available!
Inspired by Bandleader/Vocalist/Songwriter/Educator Sarah Elizabeth Charles Gold pen-touch on black Cardboard – 8.5in x 11inInspired by Harpist/Band Leader/ Composer Brandee Younger Gold pen-touch on black Cardboard – 8.5in x 11in – SHOP NOTEBOOK
Inspired by Corporate Executive Safrate M.: “Met ton Clignotant” Gold pen-touch on black Cardboard – 8.5in x 11in Shop NotebookDJ/Writer/Journalist Angelika Beener Gold pen-touch + gel color pen on black Cardboard – 8.5in x 11inInspired by Flutist/Pianist/Producer Anne Drummond Gold pen-touch + get color pen on black Cardboard – 8.5in x 11in
Inspired by vocalist/bandleader/singer-songwriter Pyeng Threadgill Gold pen-touch on black Cardboard – 8.5in x 11inInspired by Ria B, lawyer Gold pen-touch + get color pen on black Cardboard – 8.5in x 11in
In honor of #BlackHistoryMonth + #theCrownAct I decided to make some figurative work subliming womenâs hair.
*The CROWN Act is a California law which prohibits discrimination based on hair style and hair texture by extending protection for both categories under the FEHA and the California Education Code. It is the first legislation passed at the state level in the United States to prohibit such discrimination.
Hereâs my story:
Early on I internalized that my curly hair wasnât âgoodâ. I was so excited to get it straightened and every time it happened people positive comments reinforced this idea.
Once in my early 20s, I went to an interview – first year living in Paris – I had a nice Zara pants and jacket with cute shirt and since I knew that I had to look âprofessionalâ I pulled my hair very tight into a ponytail. I can honestly say I had a magnificently manicured hairdo that day. Still the interviewer felt the need to tell me that if I got the job, I would not be able to wear braids or my hair out. I was so used about that type of abuse and discrimination that I enthusiastically responded something like: âof course!â. I got the job.
When I moved to New York, one of the first purchases I made was a curling iron. For me it was a survival tool as important as a getting plates and cooking pans.
I think it was around 2007 I started to âtransitionâ when my friend Fatima sent me this YouTube video of Taren Guy (I think thatâs her name) basically explaining how to take care of your natural hair. It took years for me to unlearn and rebuilt the self-confidence and acceptance around my own hair.
In 2015, when I started to work at my last company, I was interviewed by an old colleague of mine Lana from my flight attendant days. One thing was different tho: she had switched her relaxed black hair to beautiful blonde dreadlocks. It felt so good to see a woman being top executive of a company wearing natural hairstyle – and encouraged me to also wear mine the way I wanted in the corporate settings.
When I started to work I decided to confidently wear natural hairstyles, especially when we were meeting with suppliers in Asia and Europe – to make a point to show that my professionalism was in no way impacted by how my hair looked.
Itâs been a journey but I can honestly say that all these experiences empowered me to be the confident person I am today and pushed me to deconstruct other preconceived ideas about beauty and power dynamics.
For clarification, this is a « reimagined » version of Van Hunt first album.
TRIM, 2019
Van Hunt is IMO one of the most underrated artists out there.
Can I say I wish him all the success he desires, but also selfishly want to keep him to myself – sharing with us his artistry in human size intimate acoustic venues?
What can I say about the TRIM – Reimagined album, besides the fact it keeps me in my feelings – big time? I love every bits of it and wished I had known all the lyrics by heart last year at his summer concert downtown Brooklyn last year. The sound of this album feel like a long term relationship where you have beautifully matured into your grown-self and finally accepted that the textures and added layers accumulated over the years are what makes it *perfectly unique*.
I appreciate songs that make me think about my human condition, donât you? In Hello Goodbye, Van delivers a potent truth: âlove shouldnât be so complicatedâ- yet, & once again – what would we write about if it was? (Asking for a friend)
Many have been stranded in *that* relationship – you know- with someone who canât be in touch with their own feelings (you may have been that mofo yourself – shiiiiiittttt).
Well itâs healthy to bring whatâs bothering us so openly – and almost taking the ultimate stand – not judging, just saying… itâs the first step towards untangling that type of situationships.
Original Drawing – Gold pen-touch by @sakuraofamerica and Acrylic Paint on 6 ply black paper 28in x 22in – available on Saatchi
The shape of a pyramid is thought to be representative of the descending rays of the sun, and most pyramids were faced with polished, highly reflective white limestone, in order to give them a brilliant appearance when viewed from a distance. (Wiki)
I was frankly inspired this past week. I have never been to Egypt, but I visited Mexican pyramids and there were already pretty grandiose. I hope one day â€
« The circle represents the notions of totality, wholeness, original perfection, the Self, the infinite, eternity, timelessness, all cyclic movement, God (‘God is a circle whose centre is everywhere and whose circumference is nowhere’ (Hermes Trismegistus).
It makes me feel but I feel peaceful watching these! Check out some of my latest creations, soon available on Saatchi
Gold pen-touch by @sakuraofamerica on black paper.
So, let’s start at the beginning: it is for me physically impossible to be in a bad mood while listening to AP. Like he has an ON switch for my happy mood (I can’t think of anyone else making me feel that way on the top of my head.)
When I first heard him I thought: James Brown meets Kendrick Lamar for some reasons (that’s how I felt- still feel).
This is a gift but it also can be very deceiving; for instance, Your Prime is full of cynicism: “Know what she want and she know I ain’t shit but a savage” sounds very dysfunctional, right? Yet the way he says it makes me want to try it anyway, well if I were 23 and live on a beautiful campus – that is… which is not the case, since I am a GAW (Grown A$$ WoMan)
Authenticity is an interesting quality. It is admired but also feared by those who pretend to be someone other than themselves so to be liked by many. Her genuineness made Amy special – and also very vulnerable – but let’s talk about that song right here:
With an extreme nonchalance she delivers her simple and unapologetic truth: she was longing for her man. I know the lyrics sounds cold blooded but I have to respect how candid and honest her explanation was. Polyamorously…
IMO, the tune climaxes she call for forgiveness “How can I put it so you can understand: I did not let him hold my hand”
Two people can do or react similarly for different reasons. Two people can do and react differently for the same reason.
Read that again.
Itâs hard to tell which is which for many reasons. One: we project – we tend to empathize more with those who look like us or we relate to. We automatically side their way – the one we feel safest.
Two: conditioning. In order to survive, humans instinctively form groups and rely on patterns to know what’s safe or not; we follow the rules so we keep within the group. Unfortunately, these patterns, although accepted as facts, donât always hold true. Thatâs why it is important to understand who controls the narrative.
Three: we make mistakes. Our ego has a hard time admitting it could be wrong because it makes us uncomfortable – then, lacking comfort for too long leads to change and heighten humility. Our ego ainât having that.
I wonât necessarily blame those who wonât challenge the status quo or « pretend » to be someone they arenât so to be accepted, praised, liked, get liked. I canât be mad at someone trying to do their best so they can « fit ». Been there, done that.
Honestly, I think a lot of people donât even really know who they are, or what they like because they never really question whether they enjoy what they do or what was done out of habit.
Authenticity brings alignment – thatâs the type of feeling we are longing for. It takes courage to reveal your true self. It also comes with a territory filled with vehement hate, fueled by fear of being left behind.
Ultimately, I believe it can be really challenging to be who you truly are for some people, simply because being accepted is fundamental to our survival as a species and in order to do so, we have to comply with certain standards rooted into some sort of privilege. It’s fair to consider the reasons we have at hand to understand why people behave the way they do so we can respond in a more informed way. It is not about being right or wrong, it is about doing what is right and consider everyone’s humanity.
There are songs, like this one, who keep me believing; keep me believing that one day, I will make someone feel that way about me – and It’ll be reciprocated. I guess what I particularly like about this tune is the “poetic simpledom” of it all.
with my Ukulele in Central Park – Pics taken by my sister Roxane
This past December when I was at my cousin Virginie’s house in Biarritz I felt an immense sense of peace. Maybe it was the quietness or the clean bright uncluttered space, a cocoon if you will, or maybe a combination of all that made me feel like: this is how it should be.
I have lived in New York for 16 years, and although many times challenging, I absolutely loved the city with all my heart, from its effervescence to its diverse crowd and extreme weather; however, I also felt that – maybe – it may be time for a change. A change involving quietness and fresh air.
Every time I have ah-ha moments like these (or any strong emotions if I am being truthful), I tend to write them down. This time was no different. What I did next was to take my ukulele and wrote this song.
“On the way to Oz” deals with how familial and societal pressure contributes to our overall mental health – for me I started to question how my surroundings and perception of success affected how I was seeing myself. At 39, had I met these expectations? Did I use New York as a way to distance myself from the pressure I may have felt had I lived in a more conventional town or closer to family members at the detriment of my mental health? So many questions I am eager to answer!
The song and lyrics are below if you want to check them out. I personally love how it engages my mind and stimulates my thoughts on topics such as addiction, self-love, lies, community and empathy on the road to recovery.
Live version of “On the Way to Oz” recorded inn Biarritz by my niece Charlie, 9 (feat Caramel the cat behind)
Lyrics:
There are places weâll never let ourselves go
And to cope we drink, take drugs, have sex, and scroll
Up and down until we numb ourselves so cold, so cold
We pretend to enjoy things we donât care for
And to cope we tell the world how much it cost,
And we post until we numb ourselves so cold, so cold
Produced by D’Angelo All vocals performed by D’Angelo Vocal and musical arrangements by D’Angelo Bass: Pino Palladino All other instruments: D’Angelo
Probably one of my favorite tunes on d’Angelo second studio album, Voodoo released 20 years ago, in 2000.
The intro is just a well-thought out foreplay to the song – and the layered vocals turn this particular performance into this almost elusive yet haunting feeling of golden love making – many can relate đ
It is almost as if one could taste the compounded desire in their own mouth on this one, *while you sing or recite along’.
âRace is neither biological fact nor dismissible fiction, but an unwieldy set of narratives that Americans live inside.â â Stephanie Burt
I fell down the rabbit hole that is the Poetry Foundation Website⊠Mind you I was just supposed to check out something â and go back to sleep â cause yes, I am jet-laggedâŠ
I ended up reading this great Elizabeth Alexander poem titled âRaceâ on the topic of âPassingâ. For those who are unfamiliar with the term, this refers to a person of African descent who has caucasian features/hair texture and is âpassingâ as a white person.
French Girl in Brooklyn 