NNHMD...where the Naturals meet!!

Well I had a wonderful opportunity to attend the first National Natural Hair Meetup Day. It was held on May 19, 2012.  There were many events held all over the U.S. on that day.  It was hosted by the the fabulous Marci Toliver. She is the founder of Coily Encounters. You can join the page on Facebook and talk to other naturals who are transitioning or have been natural for a while.

Below are a few pictures of the event.  It was put together well and everyone had a really nice time.

Swag bags galore

Swag Bag and contents

Meetup hostess

Vendors 4 Naturals

Renata Jones MUA

Marci with winners from the sponsors Hair Rules

Facebooking and Tweeting the event

Lovely naturals

Beautiful coils

Marci with vendor Lillie Monet's Bath essential and winner

The Good Hair Debate

This was a review of a program previously watched on the Dr. Drew show

Okay first of all I am really feeling some kind of way regarding this title and the fact that we as African American women and men are still having this mindless superficial debate amongst ourselves. Yesterday on the Dr. Drew show LifeChangers he had Kim Cole and a another well know Youtube vlogger Himan10nence. they were guest along with several other black women who were there to discuss the issue of Good Hair, Nappy hair, Relaxers and Weaves.

I'll be honest I didn't watch all of the show but what I did see was enough. I think that this is a issue in the black community let alone the natural hair community that we have just about beat this dead horse to death. There were black men and women in the audience and the responses from the men were some that I had heard before. Either they don't like natural or prefer the long straight hair. Of course Derek J had too put his two cents in. He said that some natural hair is just unruly and that it needs a perm. Derek mentioned that he didn't think Natural hair was that big of a trend of something of that nature. "Hello!!!" you live in Atlanta home to some of the biggest natural hair shows around.

I really just had to step back for a moment and think why in the world are we as a people constantly debating on issues that constantly keep us divided. Light skin, Dark Skin, Nappy, Straight, Perm, Weave. UUUUUUUgggghhh really. At the end of the day it all balls down to loving who you are and not worrying about what someone else thinks of you.

The hair issue is a constant divide amongst black women. Is it really this serious y'all?

Crochet anyone?

Yep that's right I said it Crochet. I love to create beautiful pieces using yarn. Crochet has even become a hot Fashion trend in the fashion industry. Well I had a opportunity to meet two of my favorite Crochet Diva's The Double Stitch Twins and if you haven't had a chance to find out who these ladies are then look them up. They are awesome and really create some funky fashionable crochet. They are also pattern designers for Red Heart Yarn. How cool is that!

I got a chance to meet them in Duluth Ga. Erika and Monika are so nice and down to earth. The jacket that I am wearing is one of their patterns. I had such a great time making this piece.

Its Been A While....

Well I have been away from my blog for quite awhile. Life always seems to get so busy sometimes. I have had a opportunity to catch a few snippets of time here and there. I have been working with polymer clay latley to create jewlry. I really am enjoying this medium. I have some pictures to post so I can share a little of my creativity with you. I hope you enjoy!

2010- Another Year in the books

Well this year is almost about to end and somehow I dont feel like I have accomplished all that I really wanted to do. I know you probably feel the same way too thinking that next year you will get everything that you wanted to do and those things that your heart desired to see come too pass will manifest.

I know one of the main reasons why I didnt see as much as I wanted is beause I didnt write down my goals. I know a shame!!. If you see it you can acheive it. Even the Word of God says to write the vision and make it plain upon tablets, that he may run that read it. (Habakkuk 2:2)

So I just want to encourage you to take the time and write down those goals and visions that you want to see happen in 2011. I promise my self that I plan on meeting every goal possible that i put on my list. What about you?

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that we are too legit to quit. We are too dope to be roped. Too fly to get by. We are more than able, we are damn near capable of swinging up and grasping the stars. We are here and we aim to do more than survive, we aim to thrive.



I saw this quote on another blog called Black Thoughts..... Wow!!! it just made me proud to read it. It encouraged me because I know that this statement is so true. Regardless of what society and the media says about us as a people WE DO aim to Thrive and not just Survive.

The young intelligent black man from Atlanta, Deonte Bridges; has really been on my mind. The Valedictorian speech that he gave at Booker T Washington High School in Atlanta will forever be etched in my mind. Here is a young man who defies all odds and is not a Statistic a young man with a successful future ahead of him. He won over 1 million in scholarship monies. When I viewed his speech on you tube it brought tears to my eyes. I can just imagine how proud his mother must be.

A Little bit of Paper, Paints and Pencils.....

My Own Koi Pond

Underwater Treasures

Sunflower in the Sun (Work in Progress)

Work in My Progress of Juan and son

Hello

I am back for a moment. I have been away working on some art. I had a few projects that are still a work in progress. So I will put them up when I get a moment too. I found a new medium that I hope I am just going to never give up: Polymer Clay. Oh the endless possibilities with Clay. I am excited about getting started. So here are a few pictures. A drawing and a couple of paintings.

Its Spring already!!!!

Well I haven't been on my blog in such a long time. I actually kinda miss it. I can't believe it's spring already where is the time going. I am really determined to make sure I reach my goals this year.

I have really been in a mode of renewal lately. I have been cleaning and throwing out and giving away all sorts of things. It feels refreshing really. It's amazing how you can collect so many things and hold on to them and then ask yourself why in the world do I have all this stuff. so out it goes. Yes I am Spring Cleaning!!!

I am still creating I have been crocheting quite a bit since I found these cool ladies Erika and Monika Simmons. If you love to crochet check them out. I will upload some pictures very soon.

I am getting back to drawing and painting also. I have a couple of pictures and paintings that I am working on soooooooo I will have some pictures coming soon also. Well you know until next time........

Its a New Year....2010

Well I haven't been on my blog in a minute. I have been in a very creative and crafty mood lately. I found these two ladies called the Double Stitch twins: Erika and Monika. Their work is really awesome and it has gotten my creative juices stirred up again. I have always crocheted( since 7th grade) but not like this. Soooooo when I get a few of the projects done I will let you see what I have been creating. Until the next time .....

My own Koi Pond

Well I did get a chance to get back in the studio(it's not a fancy place just a extra room in my house) and paint and create a little. It felt good to do so. I am working on two paintings. This is one of the paintings it's not really finished yet but I thought I would share the progress of it. I don't know why I like to paint fish but something about them is very peaceful. This picture isn't the best I took it with my cell phone so I'll take the final one with my digital camera.


Until next time

And the Nobel Peace Prize winner is.............

Okay so I am so happy that President Barak Obama was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize. Already the HATERS are in full force saying that he doesn't deserve it. All I can say is is Favor ain't fair. You haters can't change the fact that the man is still well liked in Europe and in America. I am happy for the President.

Creative Juices stalled by tiredness

I have not been on my blog in a minute now. I haven't created any new paintings or drawings either. Life can make you so so very tired but if you want to reach your goals you gotta keep it movin'. So this weekend I am going back in my studio. I have some things that I have put on the back burner and I really need to create. I have a vision of a mixed media piece and I feel Like I am going to explode if I don't get it out on canvas or paper or wood.. something.

My next door neighbor is teaching me how to quilt. I am doing most of it by hand. The old time way. I may piece the final together by sewing machine. It's not really a fancy quilt it is just very colorful. So hopefully I will have some pictures of that up really soon.

Oh and to take care of my tiredness I found out that my digestive enzymes are a little on the low side so I am beginning supplements. Low enzymes and Low probiotics wreck havoc on your digestive system. When it's slow you feel sluggish. I can't waste time feeling sluggish I have to many art projects to create and share with the world. :O)

Until next time

Lillian And Leroy

This is a picture I did for my coworker. She was excited for me to do something for her husbands surprise birthday party.... I am still honing my skills when it comes to pencil drawing. So this is the results that I got. Of course as an artist there are many things that I wish and want to do better on this picture and future drawings.

I will post more pictures as I progress. I am working on another piece so it will be up next month. Until them see you soon.

Well it is June and I am currently working on a piece for a co worker. It's for her husbands birthday. It should be ready in another week or so. I'll be back to post it. In the mean time here is one of a buddy of mine she is getting married in Nov 09.

New Drawings.... Finally

I was recently inspired by a fellow artist friend of mine Kimara. I use to draw and create all the time.. I still do but I find myself not doing it as much as I ought to. So I am putting my God given talent to use. I am doing pencil portraits. It's almost like painting with pencils. I am still learning and improving my craft as I practice more and more each day. Here are two new pictures: My grandmother Mary and Fran and Brenden.

No Pictures!!! What!!!

Well I am back and I haven't had a chance to post any of my drawings yet. I have been pencil painting and I love it. I love to use the talent that I feel God has given me. I will post something soon. The inauguration is just 3 days away and I am sooooooooo excited. The Obamas are so down to earth. Well the next time I post it will be some art work. Portraits is what I have been working on mostly so I 'll let you take a peek. Until then see ya.

Time is ticking by.. Tick Tock

I have had a lot of things running through my mind, but I haven't had a chance to share them on my blog. I have been doing a lot of new pencil drawings. I love to draw or create art period!!. It just takes me away to another place. I will post some new ones soon.

Okay!!! New Direction

I think I have had enough of the politics. I am on politics overload, but don't get me wrong I am so happy about our new president but No more politics on the blog for right now. I think I will share some of my art with you all. Anything that I create may get sometime on the blog. SOooooooo that's the direction I am going in now.

Today was THE DAY!!!

Well I did it!!! My civic duty to be apart of the process that will allow for CHANGE to come. A CHANGE WE CAN BELIEVE IN. I went and cast my vote for my candidate to win. I waited 5 hours to cast it. I met so many excited people who were in line waiting to do the same thing too!! Oh the excitement!!! and when I got up to the voting booth all I could do was smile, grin and think about how historic this moment was for me. I don't think anyone saw me dance my little jig with glee but I did. Tonight I am going to sit on the edge as I wait with baited breath to see the out come. I want the same outcome as most of the people I have talked to do. Even all of Europe has its eyes on us. I think that if they could help us vote they would do it too.

Joe the Plumber and the 250,000 question

Okay this is the last thing that I will probably talk about that has to do with politics. Is it me or has this Joe the Plumber thing gone just a little too far. I mean he said that he was going to raise 250,000. 00 so that he could purchase a business. Okay so wouldn't that mean that he wouldn't have actually made or netted 250,000.00 that year. So wouldn't he still be eligiable to not be taxed on his business income? hhhmmmmmmm. I think some of the facts are missing to this Joe the Plumber crap.