Hurricane Sandy Hits!

Sitting here in the middle of the biggest hurricane on record in a long time, a little bored, but praying that the power doesn't go out.  One of my student sends me a picture of a bowl of fruit that he's painting and asks for feedback.  I give him some pointers and the next thing I know he's sends me a better version.  I thought, "Wow, he's using his time wisely amidst the chaos of the perfect storm."  Then I scroll down and see the status of another student who has sketched a cute little monkey sitting, waiting for the storm to pass.  I couldn't help but to be inspired by my star students, spending their down time drawing, painting, and doodling while I'm watching news people put their lives in harms way, about to be blown away by hurricane winds just to prove that we should stay in.

Needless to say, I was inspired and decided to pick up my sketchbook.  Then I thought, but wait, I still have electricity.  I want to use it while I have it so I put my sketchbook down and went to my sketch n draw app on my phone and got busy with my finger instead of a pen.  Who knew a finger doodle could turn out so nice!  I'm getting better at using the sketch n draw app, it's relaxing, and a lot of fun.  I should use it more often.  Many thanks to my students and this storm for the inspiration and whoever created this fun app!  Despite the rain, the wind gusts, and the threat of losing power, I'm still managing to find creative ways to occupy my time.
 

 Hurricane Sandy Doodle by D.L. Tucker

So here's my little finger doodle inspired by the storm.  Thankfully, the electricity is still on so that I can blog about it.  Stay safe folks!  And stay creative!

RANTics: Keep Swimming

It's been two whole months since I've blogged.  Why must this task be so difficult?  I've been working up a storm but inching forward.  Why does the life of an artist have to be this way?  The process is soooooooo long and drawn out.  And nobody wants to pay you for your process, they just want the pretty end result.  But you can't afford to not get paid.  So you chase a check full time and chase your dream part time all while sacrificing your sanity because the ideas are flowing way faster than your hands can find the time to produce, you start to rationalize that maybe somehow you can get away with not sleeping until you die so that you can spend every waking hour trying to squeeze it all in........my heart hurts, cause I've got something to prove.   

Yes.  This is one of those posts.  One of the one's where after you've come to terms that nobody is really listening you decide, I'm gonna talk to myself, because I've got something to say that I need to hear......yep, that's exactly what I meant.

I've decided that my dreams are ghosts, and GHOSTS ARE REAL, they're haunting me, and I AIN'T SCARED OF NO GHOST!  I'm gonna catch that mickey fickey put it in a box and show it off to the world to prove my point!  I AM A DIABOLICAL GENIOUS! okay, maybe not but,  I AM A MESSENGER!  I AM AN ARTIST!  I AM A BAD, AS IN GOOD, MOTHER SHUT YOUR MOUTH!

This post will probably never be published.  Someone might think I'm drunk.  But I'm not, I just....have this dream.  That God gave me a story to tell through my art.  And it's a message that HAS to be heard, by me, and hopefully some other folks too.  So what the heck,  I'm gonna publish it. 

I hear Nemo telling me to "keep swimming".  I might be delirious, but I just might really be on to something too.

 

Keep Swimming (work in progress) oil on masonite 

My Own Personal Bat Signal

I thought I'd come up with my own bat signal, just for fun!  Here's a logo that I created.  When you see this, click on it or the Fly Girlz Saga button to your right and see the latest web comic episode!

I know it's been a while since I put one up, actually....I've only put one up, lol!  Now there's two!  I'm going to try to do better, but you can't really blame me, I have a very full life with 5 kids and all.  So bare with my turtle speed. 

Now.... TO THE BAT CAVE!  I mean... TO THE FLY CAVE!

Two hands!

Her other hand dried, I'm so proud of my girl!

She's Strung!

Despite the missing hand that's still drying and the horribly fit joints, I have to say she's coming along quite nicely.  Once I give her a good sanding and everything starts to fit snugly (which will probably take umpteen hours) I think she will be a great first try at creating my own ball jointed doll.  I can't believe she can stand on her own two feet.  I can't believe I made it to this point.  I can't wait to paint her brown!

 

 "Can you do something with this arm and my hand lady?"

 

I love the poses that you get with double joints, if I could just get them right . . .  

 

Stay tuned.....

Getting Closer!

So I'll get back to posting the 100 days of art which have turned into 240 days, I've stopped counting . . . and blogging about it, but you know me.  Creativity comes in waves and so does blogging in my case!  So I'm skipping all the stuff that I need to catch you up on and showing what I'm currently working on instead. 

Anyhoo, I am pleased to report that I have picked my doll back up and am now closer than I have ever been before.  I've been craving a new doll and my favorite artist hasn't offered a new YOSD so I've been impatiently trying to by the time until she does.  I've even contemplated buying a MSD doll, even though that's not my preference.  I have my eye on one in particular but I don't have any money to buy her, so the yearning has forced me into create mode.  Can't find one or buy one so there's nothing left but to make one and I've been doing, just that!  I started messing with her last night and I almost have all of her limbs strung together for the first time EVER!!!!  I had to patch up a few mistakes that I made because I'm heavy handed and ruined a few pieces that's why she isn't fully poseable yet, I'm waiting for her to dry so I can sand and pull her strings tightly, but here are my progress pics.

 Looks a little creepy like this, but I'm excited to have all of her limbs together... almost.  Remember last time you saw her she just had one leg?  Next time you see her she'll have a full body, all limbs intact!

 

Waiting for the balls on the feet and hands to dry so I can pull her together.  The good thing about paper clay is that I don't have to bake it, but I still have to wait for it to dry before I sand and tighten her up.  I refuse to remove the string to do all of that because I want to see her together and threading that string is . . . let's just say, a lot of cursing is involved! 

 Don't laugh at my homemade s hooks, crazy looking peanut joints, and funky hands, lol! 

This process takes so much patience and finesse, I don't know how doll artists do it.  I'm sure seeing the finished product is worth the pain, but MAN it's hard to get through the bajillion steps without wanting to pull your hair out!  Very tedious and tormenting, especially when you don't know what you're doing and you're just making it up as you go along.  What I wouldn't give to go to a workshop given by an established bjd artist who knows what they are doing!

So this girl is a very rough draft, with very amateur joints, and s hooks, and all the rest of that good stuff that I had to figure out on my own.  I have no idea what possessed me to take on a task like this, but I am pleased with myself for getting this far.  This is definitely a craft that you learn by doing.

While I was waiting for pieces to dry, I sculpted another head.  I think I might be getting a little better at that too.  Check her out.  She is another character from my graphic novel.  God help me when it comes time to sculpt her body.......

 I surprisingly got it pretty even all around for the first time and was so proud of that small feat once I cut her head open.

 I think I like her better without eyes.  I just need to find the right pair.  These are substitutes. 

Can't wait to sand her down and see the diamond under the rough.  Let's see how long this burst of creativity lasts.  

Days 63-65: Spirits and Spirit Houses

I'm on some walls!  The Opening was Awesome!  It was a great turnout!  I made it over!  Artist Talk May 12th, if you'd like to come see the pieces in person!  I'm on some walls!

I was trying to merge Fine Art, Architecture, and Illustration.  I'm hoping that's coming across, is it?  Would you consider these to be "sophisticated concepts"?  I'm curious to know what you think? And there is a reason that I'm asking that question in particular.

All in all, I'm pleased with these pieces.  I know they are just the beginning of the next outburst of . . . being and becoming.   (smile)

If you'd like to purchase a piece let me know.  The prices vary and include shadow box framing.

Shout out to Rikiesha Hawkins for the awesome collaboration.  She made all the spirits (wire figures).
Shout out to Maya Freelon Asante who gave us the honor and pleasure of presenting our progress.  Shout out to my fellow artist's who also participated in the 100 Days of Art Exhibit and provided me with tons of inspiration, encouragement, and laughs along the way, Mrs. Stacie Powell and the soon to be "Mrs." Ashley Haley.  Thanks to Chris Metzger for the post card, the laughs, and the inspiration.  And congrats to Ashley and Edwin on their graduation from Morgan State University.  Keep spreading the word through your art!  To all my family and friends thanks for being my biggest fans and supporting always, ya'll are tha bomb!  To my fellow artist buddies, Lauren Brevner who gave me the audacity to think I could do 100 days straight of art making!  Whatever you were drinking, I wanted some too!  LOL!  And thank you God for showing up and showing off!  Gotta love YOU!  Here are the pics!

 

Days 60-62: African Indian Actually

With my new found grace and strength along came the voice from within.  She asked softly, "Do you realize who you are?"  I said, "Huh, Say What, Say Who."  Then I heard the women that birthed me speak.  Generations of them, telling me all that I am.  Joy set in.

Sometimes, I don't feel very American when I feel the hatred from racists who obviously don't want people of color to be here.  Trying to disclaim me, forgetting that I never asked to be here in the first place.  What is meant to be, just is.

But "they" lay claims to this place and try to deny me my right to be here?  When they weren't even the first.  But I know who was first.  My grandmothers from long past were here before them.  So if you taste a little hot sauce when I say I'm "African Indian Actually", you're tasting right!  Get a cup of water!  Shout out to my Cherokee Great Grand to the Infinite Power Mother and my African Great Grand to the Infinite Power Mother!  I see you ladies!  And I'm gonna represent you to tha fullest!  Hollahhhhhh at your girl!

Days 57-59: Sylph

After you get in a stance and those calf muscles tighten up and you catch a glimpse of your reflection, something . . . happens.  You hold that head up higher.  You get your contrapposto on and face the world like, "Ninja what!  I got this."

That faith, gives you a freedom indescribable.  The knowing gives you confidence.  And the truth of the matter is revealed.  You realize that you are a vessel.  His vessel.  His energy pulses through your veins.  Your skin is thicker, bloodline stronger and it's flowing to the source.  And you understand that . . . you SHALL live . . . and not die. 

You will live, you will produce, you will be a spirit house, you will be fruitful, and multiply.

A sylph is a slender, graceful woman.  In folklore, she is one of a race of supernatural beings supposed to inhabit the air.  Yeah, I'm a sylph.  A bad ass motha, shut yo mouth!

Days 54-56: Kept

This load didn't JUST get heavy.  It's been heavy for a grip, since birth!  That's when I have to sit back and really "Look Where He brought Me From."  I have to sang the song on that note!  "He brought Me Out of Darkness.  I'm Walking In The Light.  Look Where He Brought Me Frommmmm."  (And the choir is sangin in the background!)

So I painted this tree, with a visibly opened caccoon.  I'm out roaming, climbing, hanging on, and yes, still standing strong.  Hollah if you hear me!

Days 51-53: The Mother Load

And of course after that first one, I was bitten.  Bad, like a mosquito bite!  On to the next one, but wait . . . "Mommy, Mommy, Mom, Mom, Muhhhh..... oh please, let me be something more than Mommy!

This explains my second born, The Mother Load!  I feel like the weight of the world is on my shoulders all over again.  And I'm not just carrying mine, I feel this huge responsibility to carry every child on my back like that dude, you know the one holding the world up.   I think his name is Atlas, lol!

But you know, sometimes, that weight is like a crown.  Painful thorns, but a crown none the least.  Ain't no need in taking it off, I'll wear it proudly, because He did.

I'll pray, I'll meditate, I'll prostrate . . . all while the baby lives his life on the edge, clueless to the danger surrounding him, innocent and free from carrying the burden of knowing the truth.  (Another big ass sigh).  A mother's love....

Days 46-50: Solitarily Unconfined

Long time no blog.  That's just going to be the case for now.  All I have to say is . . . 5 kids . . . plus umpteen students . . . what!  I get in where I fit in homie!  And long as you know, I'm getting it in . . . and I am most definitely, getting it in . . . I got you!  (Everything I just said made sense in my head)

So I was in a 100 days of art show with a few beautiful, talented, women.  Maya Freelon Asante, Ashley Haley, Rikiesha Hawkins, and Stacey Watkins.  It was at the Bromo Seltzer Arts Tower, which is so freaking cool.  I wouldn't mind having a studio there . . . Anyhoo, Mrs. Maya Freelon Asante does and she invited us to put some stuff on the walls and walahh, MAGIC!

It all started with our first meeting.  My spiritual partner Rocky (Rikiesha Hawkins) showed her 100 Days project as she emptied a bag of jeweled figures.  As we spread them out and connected to their ambiance, they grew and grew.  They watered a seed in my heart and I started to imagine places to house them.

I gathered the kiddos, gave Daj'zha (The Apprentice) a satchel, and we set off into the woods on a hike to remember.  They took me through their secret world and I became a kid again, remembering my own little nooks and crannies that I wandered in and out of during my most cherished time as a child.  We picked buttercups, revered trees, ingested God's majesty, and went on an adventure, sticker brier bushes and all.  For the first time in months, I was breathing.  I mean really partaking in the experience of inhaling and exhaling life and that is all.  (Big ol' sigh)

I spent a few days prepping paper, dying some with teas, gessoing, and hanging them up outside to dry on cords.  My patio was looking like an artist sanctuary from the street, I fought off ant's and soaked in the sun rays which felt more like God smiling on me.

Then I started to unload my bag of goodies that we collected along our marvelous hike.  So many treasures the forest offered.  Fallen debris, along the wayside, left for dead, screaming out, "I shall live and not die".

Life and Death was heavy on my mind, because it was around the time when the news really broke on Traevon Martin.  I was flooded with feelings of what if this were my son.  The hatred that was spurring from the guts of this case made my guts churn.  I wanted to run away to an island.  Because the thought that I was living in a place where someone, too many someones, didn't want me to be, made me feel dissed.  Spat upon.  And what could I say or do, but take a picture of my kids in hoodies?  I questioned, what did the people who's backs I stand on do when faced with these same tragic realizations.  Those artists spoke up and spread the truth to the people.  To all who would listen.  Again, I felt that familiar call to service that I felt when Obama took office.  God was on the end of the line like, "You gotta say something.  You gotta stand for something.  Don't fall unless you're falling on your knees.  I need you to stand."  Like Tom Feelings stood back in the day.  He is one of my personal heroes from the Black Arts Movement.  He did what I want to do.

So I started laying out the found natural materials from my walk with Yah, cause She was certainly there in my dirty wet timberlands.  (I'm always, falling in the creek.  I think my feet do it on purpose.)

And the piece of art for the exhibition was birthed.  Solitarily Unconfined.

I'm confined in some ways, yes, to my thoughts, internally.  Cause all this mess has got me feeling useless, while in my mind, I have the power to make a difference.  I just have to get my hands to see it all through.  Still, my spirit roams free, much like Rikiesha's little wire figures.  I feel alone and lost sometimes through the madness but although it feels like I'm on this journey solitarily, I know that God is with me and my steps are certainly ordered.

Thanks Kee (Rikiesha Hawkins) for the lovely wire sculptures!  They really bring the piece to life!