We huddled into the beach bar to escape the rainstorm. Just moments ago we were all on the beach. Not being from here, I was amazed at how quickly the storm was right over us. We ordered some drinks to bide the time and wait out the storm, contemplating where we could eventually feast on oysters to cap off an amazing day of just being able to be outside and enjoy the beach and the sun. Suddenly, a monstrous roar erupts as thunder strikes near the bar. Everyone goes quiet. The song ends. And there is silence for just a fraction of a second… Then, the sun came out and the song “Return Of the Mack” begins playing as the radio transitions not only the song, but what felt like a new moment in time. As the sun began to rise, the restaurant raised its blinds to reveal the most beautiful double rainbow I have ever seen. Not only have I never seen a full rainbow from horizon to horizon, but on this day I saw two. We said “FUCK THIS BAR", closed our tabs, and ran out to the beach as we just saw this double rainbow glisten before us. The rainbow was so clear it looked like there were multiple rainbows coming out of it. In the middle of the rainbow, placed perfectly in the middle, was a cargo barge. To my eyes, it looked like the barge was lit by a studio light or something… perfectly highlighted by the sun. I ran back to the car to get my film camera. But as I returned not only did I realize that the camera was out of film, but that the entire moment had passed. I will never forget what I saw on this day with my friends Ryan and Brittany. It will continue to be one of my most cherished memories.
But anyways yall, haha thanks for reading that I just had to write about that experiences somewhere… But anyways thank you for coming to check out my blog! For anyone who is new to this blog, I used to blog a lot more and just through the last few years of going through my tattoo apprenticeship and art journey, I haven’t made as much time for it. But typically I just write about how I’m feeling, how I’m looking at life, what lessons I’m learning, and about some of my creative process. I hope that by inviting you into some of my life in this way, we can find some common ground in life and that we can inspire each other to move forward. I feel like life, especially in these days, can feel quite isolating, and I believe that it is the sharing of ourselves (vulnerability) that ultimately bridges that gap. I have felt this deep desire, almost more like a conviction, to start writing again and to shift my energies to a different direction. I had a realization the other day that for the most part, my entire 20’s (quite literally) was spent on apps. I thought about it, I got instagram when I was like 19 or something, and it has been concrete & solid part of my everyday existence for over 10 years. The more I thought about it, the more I started to imagine a life without it. For much of this time, this interface has been influencing my decisions, relationships, and overall life in so many more ways than I could even admit to you. And idk man it just made me think.. for the last two years I have built virtually my entire business and brand through instagram. I had my assistant download and save all my reels, and its in the hundreds. I once remade a reel 12 times from scratch becasue the app kept crashing. But I got it through! I have instagram to thank for a lot of the foundation of my audience, clients, and art buyers… as well as the ability to share myself with virtually the whole world. But, in the recent times of my life, just for me persaonlly, I just can’t stop thinking about who I would be without it. Thinking about leaving instagram brings up all sorts of questions and fears… “what if I miss out on something?” “what if no one buys my art anymore?” “what if no one comes to my events?” “what if I can’t meet someone?”… all these things. But to me, it is the presence of these fears that is a reason I feel like I’m making a change… it’s like that’s exactly where they get you… with all this FOMO of varying degrees.
I wanted to change directions for my own health and also I’m just interested in art, writing, experiences, making money, and finding the truth of my life. In a way, I began to feel deeply its insincerity and its illusion. It’s almost a cliche to even say out loud now… but it’s really not all that real in the end. I’m embarking a personal journey to prove to myself that I can change, and that I really try anything I want to. I want to prove to myself that I don’t need to sell all my soul into algorithms, reels, and online “CLOUT” to be happy, successful, at peace, or one bad ass motherfucker. All that is very possible and very available in real life. There is a principle within power dynamics that states to increase your power, you withdraw your presence. I feel like the last two years were my time to be seen all the time. I needed to do that to be where I’m at now. But I’m entering a new realm with different rules. I want my mind to speak for itself now, through my writing and through my art and creations. I’ll still be posting art and on my business page, but I’m just gonna let it down for a second and focus on my art, brand, writing, and my relationships. I want to focus on this blog, as I feel like this isn’t really social media I’m just processing what I think out loud. In essence, I feel like I am transitioning from a width stage, to a depth stage. And this is where it will go down. So… if you’re along for the ride… welcome and thank you. But, without further delay, I wanted to write about my experience in Savannah putting on my first out of town solo art show…
The Summer Outside
I wanted to do a show in Savannah because this city has a total vibe. It’s by the ocean, beautiful architecture, amazing food, drinks, coffee, everything… What I began to appreciate even more was how the businesses were running their shows. It was so creative, and also so folk. It’s hard to describe, but if you ever get the chance to experience Savannah through its creative people… take the opportunity. It is totally unique and beautiful. I am thankful to have met all of you in Savannah, and thank you for accepting and supporting my artwork.
“The Summer Outside” is a new show I put together over the last few months as I was opening my store in Atlanta. A lot of these paintings were created right inside Ponce City Market. I swear this experience is teaching me how to focus and paint anywhere. A lot of these works were created while running my store Blooms Emporium, tending to customers, while people watching me, people asking me “how long it took.” I’m not sure what I was thinking by trying to open a shop and do an art show at the same time… but hey this is how we roll now. It is possible!
The picture I posted is one of the paintings called “Cafe Koi,” which was painted using some espresso from our bar and canvas I spontaneously bought downstairs at Ponce. It is created on canvas using a combination of coffee, sumi ink, liquid acrylic, watercolors, and glitter. If you look close, the glitter has hearts and stars inside it. If you want to see the rest of the works from the show, check them out here. The entire show is on view in the Cobra Room inside the Lone Wolf Lounge in Savannah Georgia until September. So please go check it out yall and tell your friends.
Where There Is A Will
Since this was my first out of town show, I was definitely nervous. I didn’t know what to expect or how everything would be received. I knew that we had to do everything in our power to put on the best show possible. One thing I’m realizing about “trying your best” is that it is the antidote to a lot of regret. I’m looking at it this way now… instead of asking “is this enough” as yourself “is this my best?” I’m realizing for myself that if I do my personal best in everything I do, not matter if it soars or if it is a complete failure, I can rest at peace knowing that the outcome wasn’t up to me. I look at doing everything I can as half of my bargain with the universe. And it meets me there almost every time.
To promote the show, my assistant Sophia and I went around to every neighborhood and business we could on the morning of the show with a flyer that said “ART SHOW TONIGHT AT LONE WOLF LOUNGE.” I got 200 printed and by the end of the day we had a stack of about 50, which means we made contact with 150 people. We put them on cars, bulletins, handed them to people walking around Forsyth Square. I went to art galleries to meet the owners and artists and invited them out to the show as well. By the end of the day, we were inviting people that we had already invited that morning at other places. I believe that personally inviting people to things is the best, and maybe only truly 100% effective way to make a true impression. How I think about it is energy: by putting the amount of effort and energy into promoting and talking with people, you are showing how much you care about what you do, and it is more attractive to people to go see. If you are an artist please consider the idea that your audience and your opportunities will treat you just like you treat yourself. It starts with you. Take the initiative and show the effort, and it will be returned to you. How you treat your own life and the opportunities in your present directly effects the outcome, don’t fall into the trap of thinking otherwise. But anyways, opening night was such a hit… My friend Ryan DJ’ed an incredible set and we had a vibe all night long. Waves of people were coming in, buying prints, and just enjoying themselves. Honestly it was so surreal… just watching it all happen. We did it! We really did it!
The response from the community from the audience to the curators and business owners was all such support. And this is why I f*cks heavy with everyone that was involved because it was a true celebration of craft and art. Just wanting to have a good time and experience real and dope shit.
The next I brought my art class to Savannah for the first time. It was such a special time… it felt like everyone kind of needed it in a way. My goal was to sell 10 tickets my first time and we did! What I realized through this experience was the truth of “where there is a will, there is a way…” and how true it is, you just can never give up! In the classes case, I had sold 6 tickets up to the day of the class, then stayed up late making more reels and sharing more online, and boom we got some more sign ups and 2 walk-ins! I’m seeing it all is a mattering of setting your goal and knocking on the door in as many creative ways as you can until it opens up. There is ALWAYS a way through something if you never give up.
Overall, this was just such a dope experience… One of my dreams is to travel the world as an artist and gather the stories and experience the heartbeat of the world’s people. Everywhere is so unique and there is so much out there to experience. Going to Savannah was my first step into developing this vision. I want to create a way where I can visit cities all over the world and make art inspired by those places, tattoo there and teach art classes. I want to see the world through the eyes of a creator and to be inspired by all that there is out there. Savannah showed me a little more that I CAN do this and that I AM doing this… all I have to do is take care of myself and keep going.
But yes yall thanks for reading my first blog back. I will be blogging once a week for the for seeable future. This is my “social media” now haha. But anyways, I hope it helps and as always thank you for your support.
OH PS!
And just when I thought the weekend couldn’t go any better I got a DM from the Art Director of the JW Marriott Hotel on River St about working together. Here is a picture of the lobby. til next time!
