Muphoric Sounds 33- Sheila Hylton/ w Sly and Robbie

One of my favorite albums, and one that I remember the most hearing the most as a child in my home. Listen to one of my favorites on Muphoric Sounds.

Imajimation studios-Blokhedz, Blade

I remember the first time I saw the comic "Blokhedz" by these cats was in a library in Bed Stuy. I was amazed and wondered why I hadn't heard of the creators before. I bought the book for me and my son and was really happy to find out they turned it into an animated series. Heres one of the episodes with guest voice appearances by Talib Kweli and Bobbito Garcia

and a peek into their process for animating a series based on Blade Yo Samax Amen, just reminded me of these cats because he posted a Trayvon Martin tribute they did. A nerdy detail, a lot of the graf you see in this series (throw up's, tags, pieces) are real cats, I recognized some of the names as soon as I saw them from Nyc streets.

Me in a Dashiki- by Rashid Johnson circa 2009

I must of been about 29 when he took this photo. I cant remember all the details of that day but I remember I caught the train up to Harlem to visit the Harlem Studio Museum to take photos for a project specifically. Didn't know the brother or his work, but I came across his name recently and remembered that there was a photo of myself and some others out there. I don't do many self portraits so it was nice to see. He shot a whole bunch of different people, as you will see. It was a part of his show "Shadow and Mirror's". You can hear him talk about it and another show below. The brother has a very interesting style. Some of it goes over my head and some of it I find hella tight. Art.
Rashid Johnson Makes Things to Put Things On | "New York Close Up" | Art21 from Art21 on Vimeo.
And the photo was hanging up here as well.

Samax Amen draws portraits

Yo, I've been immortalized by Samax son! It's an honor to have any drawing done of you, but to have it done by such a talented legend in the comics world is even better. The homie Samax Amen who runs the comics and hip hop blog Ghetto Manga is taking portrait commissions. Holler at him yall. LINK And while you're at it, hit hi up about this comic "Return of the Champ"

Characters 51-54- African American Animators

Facebook page link for Afro Amer Animators

I can't remember where I first saw this page exactly. I think maybe through LeSean Thomas' facebook forum. Either way, I thought it was freaking awesome. Not only because I have been working on character design, but because I like the idea of building awareness of people of color in the field, and definitely realizing our power when it comes to telling our own stories. this is especially important to remember when we parents get mad when there are no accurate or culturally appropriate stories that reflect our children, no?

There is now one of Latino Animators in the works too!

Dig this? Check out these ptgs of Brenda Banks,  Floyd Norman and Black Paranorman

Short Story 18 -Spool of thread

Spool of thread
Kite spool thread
Run with it
See the clouds roll in, I feel it 

Spool of thread
Just hold it
Run with it
See the world change as we run 

Spool of thread
I get it
Running fast
Dad I wish that you were here

Spool of thread
Kite spool thread
Roll back time
I miss him

Spool of thread
Spool of thread
Just hold it
Spool of thread

Spool of thread
Kite spool thread
Just hold it
Wind blow softly as I think of you

Wind blow softly as I think of you
Momma cries sometimes
She misses you

And I do too

I love you

Artwork for sale-Jazz paintings and a bit of sci fi

I'm selling these pieces this week, gotta move them out of a Jazz School here in Oakland. If you are interested, make me an offer. These pieces are 36"x48" , they're painted on wood with Acrylic paint and they have a wooden frame for hanging.
  The Sci-Fi piece is coming, picking it up today, so check back tomorrow morning. I will get better photos of each, but for now I have to move them quickly!
Sci Fi piece

Characters 49 + 50- Frida and Diego

Frida and Diego as kids now.

Youth Together Poster/Certificate/Postcard

Can't believe I slept on putting this up before the event. Here are some things I illustrated/designed for Youth Together in Oakland California. I love YT because of the hands on approach they have always had with the schools and youth they work with. They also hold a special place in my heart because they maintained something called the Ethnic Studies Conference where youth from all over the Bay Area could come and receive an alternate lesson about African, Asian, or Raza studies, activism, art, and more; even if only for one day. Congratulations to their graduates of 2013.

Character 48-Cycleo

This is.....