Friday, September 11, 2015

Art & Video: "Power Ups" by Sammus

So this happened....

Well, actually it happened in January. Yeah, I know...I'm late off the mark, but I am still incredibly honored to be asked to participate in a documentary about one of my all time FAVORITE ARTISTS: Brenan Sharp.

My dear friend, Delilah Marvelle, helped me film the video below. She also did some awesome editing. <I love you, D!> {If the link below doesn't work on your computer, here's another link to try: Painting Pam Grier.}


So, why now?

Well, lately I've been thinking a lot about art and the spaces we create in ourselves and our homes for creative expression. The past few years, my painting took a back seat to my writing. A recent trip to Mexico City stirred my painter brain from its dormant state. The vibrant colors of Mexican muralists combined with a swing by Frida Kahlo's Blue House made me want to pick up my brushes, again.

In the past, I would pace myself worried that too many canvases would collect in my limited apartment space. But now with sites like Etsy and Vango combined with Paypal and Square, I feel like I have a means to transact business and actually (hopefully) sell a few pieces.There are folks who would say, "But you should create art for art's sake!!" I hear you, but the engineer in me is too much of a pragmatist.

I am a maker who needs to make things to be sane. I am also a sales woman who knows the value of her time and work. This point was hit home by my new financial planner. They were impressed by the variety of talents that I possess. In a nutshell, I felt supremely convicted when they said, "You need to find ways to monetize your skills." That statement has stuck with me.

My dear artist friend, Brenan, has found a way to balance his award winning graphics design day job with his award winning painting career. (I now own three of his works including the Uhura commission below.) I need to find that same sort of balance, too.


"Power-Ups" by Sammus
A card carrying member of the Nerdcore, I learned about SΔMMUS through Black Girl Nerds and For Harriet. I fell in love with her album Another M that mixes fun, thought provoking lyrics with soundtrack cuts from the video game series Metroid. Although I enjoy the entire album, Power-Ups and Mae Jemison are my two faves that consistently make my inner geek girl squeal with glee. Underground rapper, Cornell graduate, PhD student - that's SΔMMUS in one fierce nutshell. Check her out - for real!

"No one woman should have all this power, 

Oops my power level broke your scouter...."

Lt. Uhura by Brenan Sharp

Thursday, May 28, 2015

Shameless Plug - #50Fathers : "We Are Family" by Sister Sledge

Normally, I don't do shameless plugs for people or products other than for myself and the musicians, singers, and song writers I select for this blog in my posts. But..... this time I have to support my family, my peeps, and my cousin!

Independent motion picture studio Triangle Park Entertainment LLC and its Chicago-based production partner, Madwerkz Studios LLC will be conducting select screening of the motion picture, “#50Fathers” in six major markets starting in May. #50Fathers is a dramatic comedy written and directed by Joddy Eric Matthews (Seeing Tomorrow, The Deadly Return Project, The Bubble) and filmed in Northeast Ohio. Triangle Park will premiere the film in Cleveland and follow with releases in Atlanta, Detroit, Washington DC, Memphis and Columbus. Soon #50Fathers will also be made available to viewers around the world through video-on-demand (VOD) on Reelhouse (www.reelhouse.org) and other prominent streaming platforms. {Keep an eye out for news on the official VOD release via the #50Fathers Facebook page and the Reelhouse website.} The official US television trailer for the film debuted on Bounce TV (www.BounceTV.com) in early May. The project is the first urban comedy filmed in 4K or Ultra HD.

The story follows Dominique ‘Nique’ Hathaway, a blue-chip high school athlete (Johnathon L. Jackson) as he prepares to sign a lucrative professional sports contract to play football or baseball. He seemingly has the world at his fingertips except for the one thing he desires most…a father. He and a group of friends launch a social media campaign to attract candidates to serve as a father to his younger brother, Tyree and himself. Fifty prospects will be screened and the one selected will be paid $10,000 per month once Nique signs his pro contract.

“This isn’t a sports film; it’s not about teams, touchdowns or baskets. It’s about what’s really important in life... family,” says Matthews.  “The focus is on the values of fatherhood and the importance of family,” he adds. “We believe the timing is perfect for a film of this nature.”#50Fathers stars Johnathon L. Jackson and Kyle Carthens with Joseph Primes, Mikel Mahoney, Tati Ana, Giovanni Castiglione, Latecia D. Wilson, Sonia Bishop and Denny Castiglione.

How am I connected to this project? Well, my cousin - Chris - is one of the producers! (I'm beaming with cousin pride!) Chris is also the Animation Lead for Madwerkz Studios. I love him and I want to see him and his projects thrive to the moon and back. Plus, with Father's Day fast approaching in the USA, #50Fathers is both timely and relevant. If you can't catch a screening, then check it out on video-on-demand (VOD) on Reelhouse (www.reelhouse.org) when it is available. Well done, Madwerkz Studios, well done!

Here's the official movie trailer:



"We Are Family" by Sister Sledge

One of my favorite songs in honor of one of my favorite people. I love these types of early videos. I especially love seeing how they are just having a good time lip synching and hanging out on the waterfront. Plus, I think I have that same outfit in my closet somewhere. LOL!

"WE ARE FAMILY, get up everybody and sing!"