Film Study 3 - Whale Rider (2002)

 

This incredible film came out when I was in college and I LOVE it still to this day. It is based on a book written by Witi Ihimaera, directed by Niki Caro, and beautifully portrayed by Keisha Castle-Hughes. Some people would call this film slow, but i'd say it is magical and well worth the watch. This New Zealand film delves in to the legend of Paikea whom I drew many years ago and gives us a strong young woman who fights against tradition and expectations.

This is a new series for me (a visual artist) exploring the language of film and tv. I love the medium like s many people and I want to learn more about how the best do what they do. Part of that is learning who does what, re-examining film and tv I love, studying shot composition, lighting, and camera moves. Anyway, if you're curious follow along.

Here's the previous film study- Creed

Black Owned Etsy Shop Mkt- July 24th-27th

 

Peace, juiced to say that I will once again be a part of the Black Owned Etsy Shops "Etsy Market" event this coming weekend. Thank you for reading along here! PLEASE check this event out so you can see some of the incredible Black creatives featured in our group. Of course you can see my stuff, but I bet there's a shop or two in there that you didn't know about before so come come thru, tell a friend.

Saturday July 24th- Monday July 27th

EVENT LINK: https://theetsymarket.etsy.com/

And just in case you want to see ALL the Black Owned Etsy Shops, go here. If you're a self identified Black Owned shop, join the team.

Repackaging of the "Multicultural Sticker pack"!

 

I put this out at the beginning of the year as a pack, but now I just redid the packaging which I really like. This pack contains 6 stickers. If you dig, cop one for a friend.

Character 157 - Pink Dread

 

Here's the Pink Dread! Been awhile since I put up something new, much less a character. Matter of fact its been over a year! Playing with some digitals.

The last character? - Character 156- Jump

Check out the last character collage too.

SF State Features Alejandria Fights Back & Leticia Hernandez-Linares

 

Here's an article featuring my new book Alejandria Fights Back with some quotes from Leticia Hernandez-Linares. We both went to San Francisco State University and Leticia is a professor there now!! 

Check it out HERE.

And if you missed my last post about this new picture book created with The Rise Home Stories Project please see the previous posts here

Social Justice Books Feature

Book announcement

Alejandria Fights back featured on "Social Justice Books"

 

    Yo, this is pretty amazing to make it to the front of the NEW books page on Social Justice Books' site! If you didn't already know SJB is one of the biggest and most organized sites for both diverse and progressive minded books in kid lit for kids pre school aged up until high school and college. PLEASE do me a favor and subscribe to their newsletter, follow them, check out their many book lists, and support them! This is especially true for all those who ask, where are the diverse books? or Where are the socially conscious books?

That being said, I want to givce a BIG shout out to Teaching For Change who are the organizers behind the Social Justice Books site. Thank you for championing books and educators trying to teach the babies. And please keep an eye out for Alejandria Fights Back/ La Lucha de Alejandria when it comes out. You can preorder the book here. And check out my previous post about the book here.

PS: If you look closely you can see a second book on the 2021 new bks page that I illustrated by this awesome lady.

Film Study 2 - Creed (2015)

 

Here's a film about boxing that I love. Ryan Coogler and Michael B. Jordan have a great rapport. They seem to get each other and I think they've worked on four films together now. Anyone, this addition to the Rocky saga is a super intelligent well made one. I haven't seen all the Rocky films but I've seen some and this fits right in. Michael B is the son of Apollo Creed in this flick. 

This is a new series for me (a visual artist) exploring the language of film and tv. I love the medium like s many people and I want to learn more about how the best do what they do. Part of that is learning who does what, re-examining film and tv I love, studying shot composition, lighting, and camera moves. Anyway, if you're curious follow along.

Here's the previous film study- Juice 1992 film

Video: Rise Home Stories Project

 

Rise Home Stories Project is a cohort of 5 projects (Video Game, Animated series, Podcast, Kids bk, Interactive game) including my book "Alejandria Fights Back" is one of them. The project was funded by the ford Foundation and involves several partnerships such as my book's partnership with Feminist Press. Check out the video!

If you missed my post about Alejandria Fights Back please check it out here.

Dead Prez x Sault remix - Pele Durian Funk

 

Dead Prez classic remixed by DJ/Producer Pele Durian Funk w/ this new vibe UK band Sault is creating w/their focus on music. If the video gets taken down please go to Pele's bandcamp to listen to a whole EP of remixes featuring different artists such as Mos Def, Erykah Badu, Bambu, and more all w/ flips of Sault. 

And please support Dead Prez and Sault by streaming and purchasing their music. 

Exclaimer, the remix is a vital part of not only hip hop culture, but of music and culture in general. Here's a link of some other music I've been listening to a lot lately. HOUSE.

Inspiring Artist - Helen Mingjue Chen

 

Yo, Helen Mingjue Chen is one of my favorite artists. She's an illustrator and concept artist for animation. She's worked on Wreck it Ralph, Raya and the Last Dragon, Frankenweenie, Paperman, Big Hero 6, and so many other films. She also has worked on a bunch of comics for DC and Marvel. If you have not seen or heard of her work please go check out her site and get her art books here. I have one and its amazing! Helen if you're reading this, lets book trade!

Here's a video link to here explaining how she does film work.

Yo, if you're new: This is where I share artists that have been inspiring to me in my work sometimes directly and other times. And I am definitely geeking out on Helen's work because her stuff is amazing. The line work, the action, the design elements of her sets, and the lighting. OMG, So good. 

                                                     

Thats it for now. Like I said go check out more of her stuff. The last artist I mentioned that really inspired me is Mira Nair, see that post here. 

You can also see my last inspiration board here if you're currently stumped, maybe it will help.

Old Art 4 - Treadmill

 

Here's a throwback from this old show in Brooklyn. I feel like the treadmill is not at quite as steep an incline, but still there. This is when I was heavy getting into ink. So much of what we go through in this country as working people is about keeping capitalism going and fighting for the almighty dollar. Sometimes it makes me imagine what would I do if I (we) didn't have to live this way.

If you missed the previous Old Art post, here it is: Big Daddy Kane

Here's an old ink drawing I did of an Afro Pick.