Independent Sector

 

I was commissioned to paint a portrait of 12 fellows of the 2020 NGEN Fellows from Independent Sector. Here's a bit of process of how I did it, minus the reference photos of the individuals and the seated poses.

LINK to the program

Here's the final.

Merch Feature - Good Housekeeping

 

Yo! One of my products got featured in Good Housekeeping. One of the hardest things to get is press when creating products for consumers, family, friends, etc. My sticker sheet on "self care" was featured along with several other items for teens. Check out the piece here.

You can cop the sticker sheet from my shop! Get one for you, or a bunch to send to friends. 

Previously, the sticker sheet got featured in Buzzfeed too. 

Thanks for your support as always!

FOCUS Sticker

 

Here's a new sticker! Part of a series of stickers that are reminders or affirmations. This could be for yourself or as a gift to send to a friend. Cop one here!

If you missed the previous sticker "GROW" check that out too.

TCAF 2021

 

Check out the poster for the 2021 Toronto Comics Arts Festival. The fest poster is by Cole Pauls. You can follow TCAF on Instagram or find out more info on their site. I'm excited to be a vendor for this year's virtual event. Stay tuned...

Stuff I've been listening to - 18 (House music)

 

Opio- Granite earth (2005)

Sup fam, this is the latest installment of "stuff i've been listening to" and this one is dedicated to house music. I never really was a fan of house as a kid, teen, or even a 20 something. It wasn't until my 30's that I began to really appreciate it and now I love it. But specifically "deep, afro, or down tempo" house.  So here are some of my favorite joints. They range from hip hop/house to the above mentioned and are from a bunch of different eras. 

Smiles Davis- Count on my love feat Alice Smith (2020)

Aya- Sean (the first house record I bought before I knew what it was!) (2004)

Zion I -Antenna (2009)

Kerri Chandler - Sunday sunlight (2014)

Les Sins -Grind aka Toro Y Moi (2013)

Miguel Migs feat Lisa Shaw - Waterfall (2016)

Tall Black Guy remix for Roy Ayers Project - Luv Dancin (2011)

Anderson .Paak - Twilight (2019)

Teymori - Escapism (2018)

Mr Fingers / Larry Heard - Can You Feel it (1986)

Yvette Rovira - I Remember Love DJ Spinna remix (2015)

Ok, thats it for now. I would add Kaytranada too but he has sooo many songs. I'd just recommend both of his albums. Waajeed, Oddisee, and Dion Decibels have also come out with some pretty dope tracks/edits recently. 

Did you miss the last "Stuff I've Been Listening to?" its all SOUL!

Shout out to DJ's Wonway, Shortkut, Mr Choc, Rashida, Spinna, Spiñorita, and Zaki for lacing me with so much great music!

VIDEO: "Umber" crowdfunding

 

Yo, i'm excited to be a part of this new publishing venture and I'd like to invite you to be a part of it too. Umber started as a magazine, and has grown to be a nationally respected journal-a creative thinkers journal focusing on Black and Brown peoples. 

Now, Mike the founder along with a team of writers, designers, marketers, artists, technologists, and journalists are expanding from one journal to become a publisher of 4. Each one (Umber, Tone, Slumber, and BBP) will focus on a different area and we need creatives to contribute. Not only to the campaign but to making the content as fresh as it can be.

Watch the video, share it, and please contribute. LINK

If you'd like to know a bit more about the founder , here's a short video

If you'd like to get more in depth, please listen to this podcast interview with Print Design to hear how he makes it happen and how it all started. LINK

Children's Portrait 63 - Jahbreel, Kubwa, & Jahlyl

 

Yo, really like how this one turned out. My bro Walker hit me up to paint this portrait of a father and his sons and it is a special gift to give. Scroll through to see some of the painting process. 

Did you catch the previous children's portrait of Emme?

Here's also, one of a parent and two children. 

Want to get a portrait of a loved one painted? Go HERE.

#StopAsianHate

Did these letters as an art offering. Please feel free to share.

These hand styles/ letters are a response to the recent attacks in GA, the past yr of attacks against Aapi which have risen 150%, and the historic racism against the Asian American community in the US

Action steps: What can you do?

1. Have u supported orgs that uplift the Aapi community? Start w/the GA families and organizers by following and donating to Advancing Justice Atl

2. Are u willing to Speak up and speak out? Whether you think your followers and friends will give AF, speaking out is a muscle. Let folks know where u stand and engage the comments.

3. Can you uplift Asian American storytellers, artists, musicians, journalists, etc in telling our very unique, specific, diverse, and varied stories? Do this in kid books, film , video games, animation, etc 

4. Can u help dismantle white supremacy and patriarchy by studying them and talking to your kids, fellow co-workers, students, friends, folks about it? The personal is political.

5. Thank you for showing solidarity and showing up.

Here's a piece I did last year showing AAPI support for Black Lives.

 

Tortured Soul Feat N'Dea Davenport

 

A little light today in constant heavy times. 

KRS ONE -Free Mumia

 

Remember this? The time to free the brother Mumia is now! If you hadn't heard the brother got Cvid and needs our help urgently. Please got to freemumia.com or Mumia's IG to learn more.

See my last post about him here.

Free Mumia Now! Covid related

 

Yo, so this brother Mumia Abu Jamal is still on lockdown and He just contracted Covid. Renewed pressure is mounting from everyday people to release him. Mumia is a revolutionary activist and journalist who was railroaded and wrongfully imprisoned in 1982 for a crime he did not commit. Like so many Black activists he's been imprisoned for speaking out against the system and particularly against the Philadelphia police department. You can help put pressure on the Philly DA, governor, etc.

By going to FreeMumia.com or Mumia Official IG you can learn how to help get this brother out of there. 

If you've never heard of the brother or his case read up on the site above and watch the documentary "Mumia: Long Distance Revolutionary" to get up to speed. 

Video- Erin Yoshi

 

Dope video about the Land of We project by my sister Erin Yoshi.

Check out her public exhibition in LA.

Erin is also interviewing a different woman for the Not Real Art podcast. Check that out here.

Sunset Needle - Music Inspired

Here's a new one in the music inspired series. Sunset needle. Get a print HERE.

This is a series of artwork including type, portraits, and paintings that are inspired by music and musicians. If you're an avid fan of any genre of music I hope you make you smile. I definitely love making them. 

If you missed the last one I made check it out here: 45's record adaptors 

 

O Homem Que Copiava (2003) - Movies I Love 3

I saw this film a long time ago via Netflix when it was a service that sent you dvd's in the mail that you watched and then sent back. Yes, I'm that old, haha. But for real, the awesomeness of this film reminds me that I need to watch more foreign cinema. Without spoiling too much I'll say this is about a stalker, a heist, and human connection. Please check out the trailer and watch it!! 

The last movie I mentioned that I love is "Mo Better Blues" by Spike Lee.

What is this? This is a part of my blog where I share my favorites films. I enjoy them for their pacing, action, comedy, drama, lighting, acting, score, so many things. I grew up as a lover of cinema going with my parents, friends, and by myself. I'm no scholar but I bet I could find a movie we both love to talk about. Stay tuned for more.....