My 2022 Year In Review

admin — Wed, 11 Jan 2023 20:25:47 +0000

50 Things That Shaped My Year

First, let me wish everyone a Happy New Year!!! And yes I know it is January 11th and we’re almost two weeks into 2023, but I believe the etiquette is that you have thirty days to wish those you haven’t seen a great new year. With that said let’s get into it.

At the end of every year I like to take time to review my year and the events that shaped my life. I usually write these in my journal for my eyes only. But, this year I thought it would be cool share that list with you. So, here are the fifty things that shaped my 2022 year. I urge you to do your own year in review. This is a great exercise to remind you of all the things you learned, accomplished, and helped you to grow.

Turning 55.
Starting a mastermind group with some amazing women business owners. This experience has been a game changer for me. These women gave me the support I needed when I decided to close my health coaching business and go full-time with my art business. Talking about a pivot. That is one for the books
Morning coffee and conversation with my HOA (husband of awesomeness). This is something that we have done for a while. But to have someone you can share your thoughts and ideas with and have no judgement is the bees knees.
Creating my vision journal: this is the second year I have done this type of journal. It is something I can carry with me where ever I go. I have pictures, ideas, thoughts,etc. I can journal in it and sometimes I write my prayers in it. This year though, I was able to do this with my squad which made it even sweeter.
Not having a garden this year: This was by choice. I felt I could not take on one more project. Not realizing I was suffering from burnout. But, oh how I missed not having my garden. This year, it is on.
Leaving my health and wellness practice: Best decision I have made in a very long time.
Suffering from burnout: The worst thing ever!!!
Being diagnosed with ADHD at the age of 55: The best thing ever. My diagnoses helped explain my past and gave me the courage to start a new life. ADHD is my super power.
Turning to my art for healing: During this time of burnout my art helped heal me. It saved my life.
Making the decision to go all in and build my art business.
Finding and becoming a member of a community of artist, curators, gallerist and art collectors. Thank you Detroit Fine Arts Breakfast Club!
Applying to my first art call: I got it!!!
Being chosen for my first art exhibit at Crain’s Communication.
Creating an art practice that helps me to be more productive.
Selling my art online.
Reading and applying the methods of the book Profit First Mike Michalowicz.
Discovering and rediscovering artist who inspire me.
Developing my skills as an artist.
Creating my inspiration board.
Being intentional about my art and business.
Getting crystal clear on my life’s vision.
Starting my first paint series.
Learning how to paint portraits.
Painting my first portrait.
One of my guilty pleasures: Listening to the J.ILL podcast with Jill Scott, Aliya St. Claire and Aja Graydon-Dantzler.
Starting my second mastermind group of creatives.
Letting go of my morning routine.
Building my faith and trust in God and myself.
Reading about the Law of Prosperity in “You To Can Be Prosperous.” I will never look at prosperity the same.
Being in awe of son number one finding his passion.
Being in awe of son number two living his dream and landing his first paid modeling gig.
Being a part of an amazing group of women business owners for a monthly segment on entitled “That’s Rich” on Pep Talk Live with Tisha Hammond on YouTube.
Loving the music group Tank and the Bangas. They are giving me life as I go through my creative process.
Learning Portuguese which has not happened yet, but I have two more weeks. “Obrigada.”
Cleaning out my closet and working on detachment.
Watching baby videos when I need to smile.
Binging on GOT. Yes, I was late to the party.
Learning more about the Harlem Renaissance, which has inspired my desire to create my own intimate space for creatives to come together to have meaningful conversation, express ideas, and collaborate around art, culture, and politics.
Getting COVID and experiencing a type of sickness I have never experienced before. This had me reevaluating my whole life.
Inviting my cousin to my studio to spend a day of painting, laughing, eating donuts and drinking coffee so that she could connect with her inner child and create.
Appreciating my friendships and staying connected.
Cultivating new friendship at the age of 55. That is a blessing!
Always being inspired by music my favorites are Tank and the Bangas, Afro beats, and House music is life.
Realizing that there are still in-crowds even in the art world, and they intentionally exclude others because they think they’re not “cool”. Reminds me of the Mean Girls movie.
Yearly friend evaluation: Letting go of old friendships, and knowing what category other friends fit in.
Taking my own advice and taking off the last two weeks of the year.
Having the courage to submit a proposal for a solo show in 2023.
Learning how to sketch eyes: Big deal to me.
Drawing my first face.
Painting my largest piece ever 48×60 inch canvas. (I’m still working on it )

I wish you peace and prosperity in 2023 and I am looking forward to seeing what 2023 brings forth this year.

Please feel free to share the things that shaped you this past year. I would love to hear from you.

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Mental Freedom

admin — Fri, 26 Aug 2022 15:46:27 +0000

In March of this year, something began to happen to me. I had feelings of depression, but not my usual bouts of depression. This was different and very unfamiliar. I couldn’t focus on anything and I would have these crying spells two to three times a week. I thought I was having a nervous breakdown. I knew I could not go on like this and had to get help.

I was sharing how I was feeling with my girlfriend and she said my symptoms sounded like ADHD. I thought to myself, surely not. I’m in my fifties and I would have been diagnosed when I was a child. Well, I was wrong! After, seeing a psychiatrist and having neurological testing I was diagnosed with ADHD and put on non-stimulant medication, which was the best thing that could have happened.

I felt trapped in my own mind. I couldn’t think straight and I couldn’t focus on anything or function for that matter. I was a prisoner in my own mind and needed to be free.

Once I began to feel better and able to focus, and I mean really focus, I made the decision to go full-time with my art business, and let me tell you it was the best decision I ever made. It was such a freeing decision. Once I made the choice of going full-time and putting my all into it so many wonderful things started happening with my art and my business.

I found a wonderful art community of artists and collectors (Detroit Fine Arts Breakfast Club), I entered my first art call and my art pieces were chosen to be exhibited at the Crain’s Communication building in Detroit in November 2022.

Freedom means that I get to wake up every day and do what I love. This does not mean I don’t have hard days or struggles, but doing what I was meant to do and what I love makes it much easier to get through those times.

The painting that is featured above was started during the time I was going through neurological testing, and the adjustment of medication to find my “sweet spot”. It is titled “Manic Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday…” This is the piece that helped me break free.

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The Making of She Is Hip Hop

admin — Wed, 14 Apr 2021 18:56:31 +0000

A Labor of Love

I approach the blank white canvas with trepidation. The self doubt creeps into my head. ‘You are not an artist. You’re not good enough. Who do you think you are?” The fear is overwhelming and I think… Just walk away. But, I can’t. I am determined to make this happen. I know I was born to create and through practice I will succeed.

After a good self pep talk I think about my palette, what colors should I choose. I remember, I just received a new order from Jerry’s Artarama and got new paints by Golden. Looking through the colors one stands out. It’s Pyrrole Red and it looks okay in the jar but not that exciting. I take the lid off and remove the seal and am amazed. It is the most delicious vibrant red I have ever seen and I know that this will be the star color of my palette.

Once I choose my colors and put them on the palette I pick up some colored pencils and china markers and begin mark making. Something is missing. It is too quiet. I need music. I sit down at my computer and go to YouTube to look for some music. I search my feed and I stumble upon DJ Jazzy Jeff’s Magnificent House Party. Evidently, he has been doing DJ sets during quarantine.

I click play and it takes a second for the stream to begin. When it starts I am taken back to my youth. I begin adding color, and adding marks to the once intimidating white canvas. It is white no more. The first layer goes on, then the second layer. I add marks, stencils and I see something happening.

After a couple of days of listening and painting I approach the canvas one afternoon and stare at the colors. Music is blasting. Then it happens. I see a face. I am intrigued. I take my brush and make an outline of a face, neck shoulders, and then I add hair. I add the eyes, nose and give her a beautiful red lip and “She Is Hip Hop” is born.

You may ask who is “She Is Hip Hop”? Well, I will tell you exactly who she is. She is a young black woman trying to find herself in this male dominant world. She loves hard and sometimes struggles with self love, but you wouldn’t know it.

She has been given God’s grace as she embarks on life’s journey of twists and turns. She loves her culture and her people’s history in which she draws strength from even though she has witnessed and sometimes been victim of verbal and physical abuse.

She is creative and wants to have a voice in this noisy world. She is inspired by black women who have a voice and who have taken a stand and who are not ashamed or timid to speak out and live their truth, like Maya Angelou, Nikki Giovanni, Sonja Sanchez, and countless others.

She imagines herself having a powerful voice and speaking her own truth. She believes that anything is possible in this world even though she gets knocked down by everyone. She will choose to live life on her terms and make her own way in this world despite the naysayers and the haters.

She will create her own happiness so that she may have her version of living happily ever after.

She Is Hip Hop will always rise to the top.

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