"I Use to Feel So Uninspired..."

Greetings Gods and Goddesses!

Whew I had a moment last week. I was allowing a host of negative thoughts to permeate this good thing I got going. Yuk! BUT THEN... Corcoran heard my melancholy shuffle and sent me a little package in the mail. It was funkily striped and coolfully cutout and it gave me the inspiration for this work in progress...



I was also lead to create this...



I have been really immersing myself in various creative projects. Which in turn means they are seeking me out as well. The "do what you love and the money will come" adage is in action here.

I was happy as all get out the Corcoran sent that package in the mail. I feel so INSPIRED! And that is life... the daily inspirations of nature, mail, people, lights, actions,... everything! Creativity is all around just allow it to enter!

Random Photo Moments (Bringing it Back...)

The Heart Don't Lie...

In 2004, I had to rock a heart monitor. It was uncomfortable and I was really scared. The doctor diagnosed me with a Mitral Valve Prolapse. Most people who know me know that I can't have caffeine, I am not sure they know why other than... "I have a heart problem." Sometimes people are nosy and want to know why but when you say heart problem they get quiet and get out of your business with the quickness...

Sometimes my heart palpitates and I have a shortness of breath. It is the result of blood regurgitating back into the valve that should actually be clear... Well I will let the MayoClinic explain...

Mitral valve prolapse (MVP) is a common heart disorder. It occurs when the valve between your heart's left upper chamber (left atrium) and the left lower chamber (left ventricle) doesn't close properly. When the left ventricle contracts, the valve's leaflets bulge (prolapse) upward or back into the atrium. Mitral valve prolapse sometimes leads to blood leaking backward into the left atrium, a condition called mitral valve regurgitation.

Mitral valve prolapse affects slightly more than 2 percent of adults in the United States. Men and women appear to develop MVP in similar numbers.

In most people, mitral valve prolapse is harmless and doesn't require treatment or changes in lifestyle. It also doesn't shorten your life expectancy. In some people with mitral valve prolapse, however, the progression of the disease requires treatment.

On this Valentine's Day I remember my heart that beats and breathes life into this body. I take care of it... guard it, support it, nurture it and accept it. I am indeed an MVP.

I Miss Her

I got to doing work and needed some tunes to listen to so I picked a name out of the sky. My brain landed on Phyllis Hyman. I can remember almost crashing into a rock wall in Philadelphia when we found out that she committed suicide. My friend Dana and I were hanging out riding around Philly visiting her cousins being carefree teenagers. We had Power 99 on and they were playing ALL of Phyllis' hits we were jamming. But we realized that it was back to back so we figured it was her birthday or something until a solemn voice came across the airwaves and said the Phyllis Hyman was morte. Dana was driving her reaction was to just stare at the radio as I did. Her eyes were off the rode and the wall was fast approaching.


The fact that Phyllis was a Philly girl made me fall in love with her. I guess that was a girl crush. Just knowing that she was across the bridge somewhere was an inspiration to me. Kinda like a hometown hero. Philly was just a hop... forget the skip and the jump. It was right there. I thought she was gorgeous. She made me proud to be tall and her stage presence was confident and I admired that. There aren't many artists like Phyllis. No one can touch her. Her vocal styling was extraordinary. Chills take over to this day when Old Friend comes on. My mother mentioned that when I was a child we were in Philly and saw her in the park. I said "Mommy THAT's PHYLLIS HYMAN!" I was of course enamored we went up to her and she said "Hi". That was my only interaction with her but to me it makes her ever apart of my life.


I can not help but wonder what she would be doing and saying now had she not taken her own life. When I look at some of her performances from the past a few artists doing their thing now come to mind Navasha Daya of Fertile Ground, Maimounna Yousef and Jazmine Sullivan. They are all singers who make it seem effortless like Phyllis did.

She is surely missed by me and I just had to say that.

Where ya been... Around Seven Corners and Back Again

Whew... Yes it has been to long. I took an unexpected hiatus to work on me and the direction of sondai. Things are moving and shaking. More projects, more opportunities... More! so what is the latest...

• I think when last I left you I mentioned that the AACWM traveling exhibit was up and traveling! Well the next stop is the Martin Luther King Jr. Library. The time and event will be announced as soon as I have more details.
• I have finally finished the Art House Sketchbook Project. It is in the envelope to be mailed off. That is exciting. I am about to participate in another art installation project as well.
• A couple of sisters from Chicago saw my images on the MOAD website and reached out to me because they found my work interesting. They are working on an anthology called Living Unchained which will include photography, poetry, prose and more. Check them here....
• I have been asked to participate in a series of panel discussions on Art and Healing and to showcase my work as well. The panels will take place in March for Women's History Month.
• The Art Therapy Show in late January on Sophies' Parlor was wonderful. Special guest Sharon Burton shed light on her upcoming projects and her business and was grooving in the studio to all of the healing tunes being played. For the play list and more details about Sharon check Sophies' blog
• The next Sophies' Parlor will be co-produced by Victoria Ford and myself and will feature Sherry Ways, interior designer. We will be discussing Sacred Spaces!
  
• I am teaching photography at a Saturday Arts Academy Program for young girls. I believe I mentioned this before. Today was week five of the program. It has been a fulfilling experience for me. It is exciting to teach young women who are open minded and willing to learn. They are all smart young women . We have a good time together and are enjoying the creative process!

You can see all of the submissions on display March 3, 2009 at Washington, DC Museum of Contemporary Art DC 1054 31st St NW #9 Washington, DC 20007 from 7 - 10pm Check out the images from my sketchbook below.




Ahhhh and there you have it. I am in my little artistic world. 2009 holds a lot of projects and changes in the way things are moving forward. I am excited about the resurgence of creativity that is moving this direction! Next time I won't wait so long to share!