As an artist since the early ages of my childhood, I can remember always having a passion for how lines come together to create pictures, color and images; the whole act of creation seemed fascinating. For years, even through high school, I seldom came into contact with other people who liked to draw or express themselves in a creative fashion. True there were those who liked music, and loved to dance and could sketch a cool image on the front of their notebooks; cool kids who had flare and could assemble a fashion ensemble with the ease of a flowing breeze; not to mention the hip cats that could flow off the top of their dome the moment someone started banging on their desk to the latest Run DMC or Whodini beats.
But passion…I couldn’t have even articulated the fact that I had passion at that age, let alone identify someone else with the same infatuation with creativity as I did. As the years have progressed, however, I have been in search of a collective of likeminded souls and individuals with similar aspirations yet have found it rather difficult to meet the likes of an Earnie Barnes (rest in peace) of my generation, or even Charles Bibbs and Nathaniel Bustion – someone of this artistic caliber who was my age. I have always been in wonder over the concept of meeting someone who can inspire me, the same way that my artwork seems to inspire those around me. Are there such organizations that I can join that will put me in the presence of such remarkable people who have the greatest potential for paving pathways towards success; that could teach me the secrets to attaining notoriety or getting my works displayed in some of the finest exhibits around the world? Maybe there are; and maybe I have not asserted the right amount of energy into discovering the nooks and crannies of the creative world…or at least not enough sufficiently support myself as I attempt to stray away from the rickety and rusted rungs of corporate ladders that contribute very little towards the evolution of my spirit or my calling.
In my days as Editor-and Chief for an online magazine (PLP Media Group) created to expose the talents of artists of all genres around the globe, I found myself swimming aimlessly in a pool of artists, writers, musicians, actors and poets – all in search of their five minutes of fame. Eager they were to see their names within the context of a media outlet that provided them the much needed exposure that otherwise seemed unfathomable on their own. But seldom did I come across a creative head that had the same excitement for offering information that would help another artist reach success. OR, when it came to reaching out to artists who had “made it,” let’s just say that my calls or emails went unanswered. Apparently, most artists posses the proclivity to be misunderstood, sometimes appearing outlandish and "on our own" planet when it comes to relating with other people who are NOT artists. Even when the magnified mirror is being pointed at me by my peers, I have begun to hear the same statements of reclusion about myself (yes I am putting myself out there). Still, the one thing that disturbs me most as an artists is that - especially here in Atlanta, the Black Mecca for artists (African American Artists to be exact) - very few of artists - which I refuse to be included - embrace the possibility of collaboration and/or helping another artist out (contacts, connections, marketing, opportunities of exposure, etc.) for fear that someone will rain on their own parade or bring darkness to their unique light. Unfortunately, it too has taken me years to discover that what is meant for me already exists. And no one has the potential to dim my light but ME.
Skip to two years later…
I have recently returned to school to get a degree in journalism and have begun contemplating ways with which I can be of service to the art community, using the experience (good and bad), knowledge and wisdom I have been blessed to attain throughout my journey as an artist and writer. Combined with my aspiration to share, I feel compelled to create something that will be beneficial for myself, as well as others; something where I can put all my passions – spirituality, art and writing – together on one page and deliver a smorgasbord of inspirational and empowering visual and literary content. I live for the soul. I love, Love, LOOOOVE music, art, film, photography, dance, and books. This I consider food for my soul. And I love empowering people. Aside from the aforementioned, it is also my aspiration to utilize this therapeutic outlet (as my journalism professor likes to refer to blogging) is:
- To provide a platform where I can discuss topics of interest such as societal views, politics, sexuality, spirituality, economic empowerment, and survival as it pertains to the arts and the artists. I would like to converse with artists, writers, illustrators, photographers, poets, actors and musicians of all ethnicities in order to offer views and opinions that are multidimensional in regards to culture and gender perspectives. In my entries, as well as, in conversation on the discussion boards artists can offer advice, promote their works, offer ways to help other artists promote their works and share any inspirational affirmation that has helped them become successful.
- To provide inspirational content so that creatives and our enthusiasts will begin to lean toward the support of struggling artists. It is of the utmost importance that I fulfill my greatest calling to encourage, empower and uplift.
- To maintain the mission of my company in our effort to connect leaders of non-profit organizations that empower and uplift the community who would like to utilize creative projects as a form of raising funds for their organizations
As a result of what appears to be an absence of “community and togetherness” in the creative world, I have decided to do an experiment this year. To do this, I will do my best to reach out to ONE artist a day (at least) and ask them to engage in an ongoing dialog about whether are not artists are really as strange and reclusive as society makes them out to be. I’d like their – as well as yours – opinion about whether there is validity to the stereotypes of an artist. I would also like each artist to share some of their experiences – struggles and successes – they have endured. This project will also kill two birds with one stone as it will also help me network as well as expose the talents of artists, besides myself, from all over the world in hopes of inspiring artists to come together and embrace one another’s endeavors.
THANKS SO MUCH FOR STOPPING BY…I so look forward to conversing with you.
