a shot in the dark

if you're looking for me...

2009-12-16T19:07:00.000-08:00

here. i. am.

sweet home

2009-12-12T20:19:00.000-08:00

art is love

something i found in Wetumpka, Alabama

2009-12-10T20:36:00.000-08:00

Astratto: flight patterns

2009-12-06T16:15:00.001-08:00

i told my bff stuckey [who has an awesome blog by the way] that i would submit some work for Astratto, a week dedicated to nothing but art. he's called upon all of his friends to dedicate some time during the week of Nov 30-Dec 5 to art and share it with him so he can share it with the world. check his blog to see some of the submissions, many more to come. hopefully some of my images will make it up. shout out to hue for that dope spoken word piece.

at 37,000 feet

reflecting

the rain drops don't exist

this high above the clouds

ears pop. blakroc

loud

at 37,000 feet

reflecting

tapping. dozing

in and out of dreams

my thoughts wonder like that

wouldn't take long for them to get to you

reflecting

on being this high

sun shines

bright on these words as i write them

wonder if god approves

reflecting

on being that much closer to her

silent

we rap over instrumentals

i hear her better over dilla beats

ears pop. on the one

reflecting

on that light

gliding

on my thoughts

(prayers)

to get that much closer

to her. to you

reflecting

at 37,000 feet

flight patterns is a short set of images i shot while traveling this past weekend. many more images to come...

...stay tuned

teri joi

totally awesome

2009-11-29T13:17:00.000-08:00

art is love

send me to paris...please!

2009-11-27T17:55:00.000-08:00

we want miles | exhibition
Miles Davis : Jazz Face to Face with its legend

an exhibition by the Cité de la Musique which follows Miles Davis’ musical and personal journey, from his hometown, East St-Louis, to his retrospective concert at La Villette in Paris, just a few weeks before his death. i read that it's going on to montreal in the spring then to new york sometime after. i MUST see this exhibit. check the press release here.

art is love...and miles.

black(roc) friday

2009-11-27T12:10:00.000-08:00

if you buy anything this black friday buy this.

Blakroc Project from Myrhax on Vimeo.

art is love

catch a fire

2009-11-22T19:45:00.001-08:00

see. more. here.

art is love

blue train in black and white

2009-11-21T22:53:00.000-08:00

art is love

radturnian

2009-11-21T21:02:00.000-08:00

art is love.

child like

2009-11-21T20:52:00.000-08:00

i love street art.

art is love

xo

intimate discovery: Ravi & Jose

2009-11-19T21:51:00.000-08:00

assignment: create a 4 image story capturing an intimate moment displaying discovery or betrayal. mmhmm yeah that's what i said. so here is the first. three more after the jump. comments are welcome. btw these aren't the images i chose (they weren't cohesive enough) but they are my fav.

art is love,

xo

"stay tuned..."

final project note

2009-11-19T20:47:00.000-08:00

so, i've been MIA this week (in case you were lookin) i can't really say i've had a lot going but i've had a lot goin on. after working franticly this weekend to shoot and schedule shoots for my 50 Black Women project, a conference with my instructor put a pause in my step. here's how it went down..

i go to class like i do most mondays (unless the monday night game is too awesome to miss) and begin editing images for my intimate discovery shoot (pics coming up next) which i also shot over the weekend (shout out to Ravi and Jose... and Bentley). My instructor comes over and looks over my images, gives me the blank stare, a thumbs up then walks away. (Awesome he likes them or he doesn't hate them) he doubles back (uh oh) he wants to see the images from my final project. so i immediately go into explaining why i changed my idea for the third time. he doesn't care. he just wants to see the work. i show him. blank stare. i look for the thumb, no dice. he says nothing for a second then proceeds to go in on me (nicely, i'm surprised, he's actually giving me a useful critique). without goin into it he basically told me that i've been rushing through my shoots and haven't been shooting with a purpose (not want i want to hear but i get what he's saying). he tells me my final project is a loss cause and walks away. i'm disappointed, i'm confused, i know he's right. i go back to editing the first batch of images but i'm not focused. i'm overwhelmed. a wave of emotion comes over me and i have to leave. i want to talk to my dad. i miss him. i tear up. i cry when i get in the car. i breakdown when i get home.

i spent the rest of the week reflecting. thinking about him, my photography, his photography, about his influence in my life. i wonder if he's proud of me, what he would say about my work if he was here. thinking about painting, about my intimate portraits (gotta finish those), about stuckey's art week (what am i gonna create, that's such an awesome idea, i should have thought of that), about the show in march (oops not supposed to mention that, don't wanna jinx it, that's all i'll say)

i have a lot of work to do and a new perspective on how to approach it and work through it. i'm stretching...growing and excited about the way things will be taking shape.

check out a couple of pics from the weekends 50 BW shoot after the jump.

art is love,

teri joi

50 Black Women: Ravi

2009-11-14T16:55:00.000-08:00

here is the first unedited photo of my new series for my final project. it's totally over exposed. i have my work cut out for me. shooting more ladies tonight which means more images tomorrow. stay tuned...

art is love

the principle of simplicity

2009-11-13T18:58:00.000-08:00

it's friday, a little early in the evening and basketball is on the tube. after a few phone calls and twitter updates i feel a gnawing inside like i'm supposed to be doing something i'm not doing. photography. duh (as the light bulb goes on). no shoot scheduled for the evening but i realize i haven't the faintest idea how i'm going to shoot this shoot when i do begin. so i pull out my books and mags (always gotta have source material). Black Beauty by ben arogundale beautiful images of black celebrity (i feel pretty and proud), Esquire's big black book (hmmm what am i going to wear tonight, i love menswear, ooh Andre 3000 he is fine) i'm side tracked again, I-D's P.Y.T. issue (these girls are beautiful...Hypnotic Brass Ensemble are eight brothers delivering feel-good jazz...busy sidewalk in front of Whole Foods....New Yorker) i stop reading and immediately go searching for the article. even better a video. this made me want to pull out geronimo load him with some ilford 120 film and go to work (damn daylight savings time) but there's always tomorrow. get inspired. oh and they have a doc coming out sometime next year. can't wait. i'm gonna watch all their youtube vids.

video via the new yorker

"anything that's worth anything lasts long"

art is love

side note:

2009-11-13T10:57:00.000-08:00

so i've been going through it this past week. the (SoCal) winter chill in the air has been brutal on my immune system and my creativity and my motivation. so much so that i have been neglecting some very important things, i.e. anything having to do with my camera and anything resembling work. but as this cough subsides and my creativity returns and my health is restored to at least a functioning order i will be working like a crazed woman this weekend and the coming weeks to complete two projects due in the next three weeks. Intimate Discovery/Betrayal and Black Women: Made In His Image (loose titles). i need to have them both done before the holiday, thanksgiving not christmas (yikes!) but like all clarkites i will find a way or make one. a special thank you to all my lovely friends that have agreed to help me with these projects. i ♥ u!!

art is love,

tj

tuesday blues

2009-11-10T23:59:00.000-08:00

art is ♥

"stay tuned.."

thinker

2009-11-09T20:27:00.000-08:00

art is ♥

"stay tuned..."

sun(day) come up

2009-11-08T16:34:00.000-08:00

art is ♥ and ♪

xo

"stay tuned..."

shooter

2009-11-05T14:35:00.000-08:00

this is so bad ass! my dad would love this (rip). how can i get one?!

art is ♥
xo

"stay tuned.."

via fffound

intergalactic

2009-11-04T14:57:00.000-08:00

art is fun
♥ xo

"stay tuned..."

high key split pt duex

2009-11-04T09:34:00.000-08:00

i ♥ my friends. i had such a good time shooting my bff. she is such a sport and always gives me what i need. love her! here are a few of my fav (unedited) images from last nights shoot. i don't know if the key is high but i love these pics. feedback is much appreciated. gracious!

art is ♥
xo

"stay tuned imma show you how my art move."

autistic savant

2009-11-03T14:30:00.000-08:00

image via Stephen Wiltshire

came across a fascinating article about Stephen Wiltshire, a prolific artist who's unique condition enables him to draw from memory. above he's pictured sketching a panoramic view of the entire new york city skyline, after a twenty minute helicopter ride, again from memory. so amazed and inspired.

read more here. see more here.

art is ♥
xo

"...art moves"

yours & mine

2009-11-02T16:57:00.000-08:00

art is ♥
xo

"stay tuned imma show you how my art move"

the fresh made fresher

2009-11-02T16:36:00.001-08:00

art is ♥
xo

"stay tuned imma show you how my art move"

Roy DeCarava Photography

2009-11-02T11:02:00.000-08:00

lens blog has some of the amazing images of the late Mr. DeCarava iconic [african american] photographer. i also just read a great article by photographer John Sevigny on his emphatic genius. get familiar.

art is ♥
xo

"stay tuned..."

swinger

2009-11-02T09:38:00.000-08:00

art is ♥
xo

"stay tuned imma show you how my art move"

mahogany

2009-10-28T20:56:00.000-07:00

pushing myself. high key split take two.

art is ♥
xo

"stay tuned imma show you how my art move."

inspired by: the color of life

2009-10-28T19:45:00.000-07:00

POLAROIDS... from Andre' Wright Jr on Vimeo.

i want this!

art is ♥
xo

"stay tuned..."

Roy DeCarava

2009-10-28T19:11:00.000-07:00

the art world has lost another great. legendary photographer Roy DeCarava has passed away at 89. my sister just introduced me to his work this year. i knew all about Gordon Parks and read his books but i had no idea there was another black photographer that impacted the art world in the same way. check out the article here. and if you can find it, pick up a copy of The Sweet Flypaper of Life, his collaboration with Langston Hughes. i just bought on amazon.

image via nytimes

art is ♥
xo

"stay tuned..."

Type your summary here

thinking of you...love

2009-10-23T11:20:00.000-07:00

i looked for you last night amongst the few stars that lowly hung over a city lit sky.i confess i had to pull out my telescope, pointed to the east, to see you.

our energy amass, billions of light years away. you seem just as far but your energy still penetrates, still engulfs me. not just as the moon beams and the jazz plays. no. i feel you on the brightest star. penetrating, engulfing me. reminding me of bathing in you. soaking you up. lather in your blessedness. i am blessed. to share [with] you. breathe [with] you. be more with you.

i looked for you last night amongst the few stars that lowly hung over a city lit sky. i confess i had to pull out my telescope, pointed to the east, to see you.

art is ♥
xo

"stay tuned..."

New Assignment! portraiture: high key split pt1

2009-10-21T23:14:00.000-07:00

today i shot part one of my newest assignment in studio. high key fashion portrait. what photographer doesn't want to take a stab at a fashion shoot. i'm shooting part two tomorrow. i'm kinda excited at how it's turning out so far. i'd love to know your thoughts.

art is ♥
xo

"stay tuned imma show how my art move."

to see more

run-dmc the musical?

2009-10-21T09:05:00.001-07:00

first the rock n roll hall of fame now broadway. who says hip hop is dead?

i ♥ hip hop!

check out the article here.

art is ♥
xo

"stay tuned...."

image via googleimages

study group

2009-10-20T22:17:00.001-07:00

art is love
xo

"stay tuned imma show how my art move."

The Sartorialist

2009-10-20T21:58:00.000-07:00

i got it! wish i could've sprung for the hard bound coffee table book but i'm saving up for a new camera. priorities. hopefully i can make it over to his book signing on thursday. keeping my fingers crossed.

art is love
xo

"stay tuned imma show you how my art move."

Type your summary here

1001 rules for my unborn son

2009-10-20T16:33:00.000-07:00

saw this over at a cup of jo. a blog turned book of rules and quotes for a mans man. too cute. i like rule #373. i might need to pick this up when it hits stores October 27. i'm expecting...my nephew Kamden to be here on the 26th. can't wait! check out the author walker lamond's blog here.

art is love
xo

"stay tuned..."

New Obsession: Hedi Slimane

2009-10-19T11:04:00.000-07:00

this man's photography is insane. check out his site here. there's a lot to see. take your time.

art is love
xo

"stay tuned..."

image via hedislimane.com

a little taste of soul

2009-10-18T23:13:00.000-07:00

"stay tuned imma show you how my art moves."

the hunt for red october

2009-10-15T21:37:00.000-07:00

as promised...wish i knew how to add music

"stay tuned imma show you how my art moves"

south side blues

2009-10-14T11:06:00.001-07:00

i love the way art speaks to me. the feeling that washes over me when my soul is lifted by something beautiful. like getting under a warm blanket in a cold room. i like that feel good feeling.

this image did just that. as an event photographer (though i never really considered myself one) i am always interested to see how other artists capture moments. stopping time is an art. in his showcase Michael Abramson captured some of the most beautiful, intimate and interesting moments in 1970's south side chicago nightlife.

i'm inspired. read the article here.
image via google

"stay tuned..."

The Hunt

2009-10-13T14:36:00.000-07:00

just a taste, full set coming soon...

"stay tuned imma show you how my art moves"

philly boy

2009-10-05T19:41:00.000-07:00

saw this over at okayplayer and had to share. one of the favorite MCs black thought of the legendary roots crew. everything he touches is gold. i might have to cop this tomorrow. enjoy

"stay tuned imma show you how my art moves"

type rest of post here

retreat: gallery 5113

2009-10-04T13:52:00.000-07:00

sometimes you just have to get away. to think. to re energize. to get inspired. to connect with like minded individuals. thanks stuckey for this post and for inspiring g.e.e.k.s like me. studio 2441 coming soon (name subject to change).
more after the jump.

"stay tuned imma show you how my art moves"

from Stuckey via G.E.E.K. Monday's post

do you have a place you go to get re-energized about your craft?
say you are in an artistic rut..and nothing is good enough or you can't find inspiration.
do you have a place you can go?
a place that makes you want to take over the world in the next blink of an eye.
that when you get back home, the goals in your mind are new and exciting?

these places could be anywhere.
a beach.
a big city.
your hometown.
a concert.
vacation.

there has to one of those places for you.
an actual location or event.
you know it...come on...think about it.

sometimes an artistic mind needs a change of scenery.
to rediscover the passion.
get the motivation.
feel needed.
loved.
appreciated.
humbled.

what's your place?
Have you been lately?
Do you need to go soon?
Do you need to feel inspired?
If so, plan your trip today.

Forget everyone and everything except your art.
Go get rejuvenated.
And come back a better and more complete artist and person.

-stuckey

dear summer,

2009-10-04T11:59:00.000-07:00

"stay tuned imma show you how my art moves"

See more!

if this don't make you smile

2009-09-20T22:20:00.000-07:00

type rest of post here

low key: natural selection

2009-09-20T21:23:00.000-07:00

close seconds. i love photography!

low key: part deux

2009-09-20T21:09:00.000-07:00

last week i posted part one of my low key lighting assignment. here is part 2. much better if i do say so myself but you can judge for yourself (please do i'd love the feedback)

final images right after this

i'm thinking harlem... renaissance

2009-09-16T12:14:00.000-07:00

the literary city by Ian Huebert for the San Francisco Chronicle

via apartment therapy

i love the idea of this but i want some baldwin, some hurston and some langston. i think i found a new project.

"stay tuned imma show you how my art moves"-mos

low key: not so much

2009-09-14T23:34:00.001-07:00

learning and growing. learning and growing.

my newest class assignment is to create the album artwork for a neo soul artist on the verge of a comeback using low key lighting in studio and outside. needless to say i missed the mark. well half of it. part two to come later this week.

"stay tuned imma show how my art moves"- mos

shut the front door!

2009-09-01T12:16:00.000-07:00

Introducing the Canon EOS 7D

New 18-megapixel DSLR shoots high-def movies and includes high-end features on the step-up Canon EOS 7D.

Canon today took the wraps off their newest EOS DSLR camera body, the Canon EOS 7D. The 18-megapixel Canon EOS 7D is described as a mid-range DSLR. With a suggested retail price of $1700, the Canon EOS 7D comes in $1000 cheaper than the suggested price on the Canon EOS 5D Mark II that we reviewed this summer. Like the Canon 5D Mark II, the Canon 7D also includes Full HD video recording at resolutions up to 1920 by 1080 pixels. But even though the Canon 7D is a less expensive mid-range option, Canon has included some interesting new features that even their high-end cameras still lack. Read the rest of the review here.

oh and i modeled too...hehe

2009-08-27T21:49:00.000-07:00

well sort of....

more to come... not of me though *wink

-teri joi

"stay tuned imma show you how my art moves"-mos

Portraiture

2009-08-27T21:24:00.000-07:00

as promised, here are a few more of the images from my class shoot. enjoy.

"stay tuned imma show you how my art moves"- mos

Ray & the Hassy

2009-08-24T22:29:00.000-07:00

here is one of the images from my first in studio portrait shoot. this image was shot with the hasselblad. i wish i had more time (and knew how to work that camera).

inspired | Peter Jansen sculptures in movement

2009-08-18T21:21:00.000-07:00

via: kanye's blog

school's back in session

2009-08-17T21:45:00.001-07:00

image: google images

Classes started today and I'm taking a portrait class with photographer Neil A. France. Working on my 10,000 hours.

teri joi

"Stay tuned imma show you how my art moves." -mos def

new project

2009-08-16T19:47:00.000-07:00

more to come.

blindess

2009-08-12T14:59:00.000-07:00

"you are your lens...you can't separate your identity from your perspective."

I don't know who said it, but this quote came to mind as I read this fascinating article about fashion photographer Kurt Weston who became legally blind in 1996 due to an AIDs related illness. His condition however has not kept him from living, teaching, creating and exhibiting his art. As a self proclaimed procrastinator I was... AM inspired. Read his story here. Check his work here.

and check back for more of mine...here.

-teri

raw

2009-08-11T22:25:00.000-07:00

see more here

New Photos

2009-07-21T00:16:00.001-07:00

check out my flickr page for photos from The T.O. Show Premier party shot by yours truly.

for kamden

2009-07-08T11:39:00.001-07:00

l.a.s.e.r.s.

2009-06-29T18:14:00.000-07:00

a dark day

2009-06-25T18:17:00.000-07:00

1958-2009

O

2009-06-19T18:29:00.000-07:00

i know you all have seen (or heard of) the images of a 20 year old Barack Obama during his freshman year at Occidental College featured in the 2008 People of the Year Issue of Time Magazine. Well Lisa Jack, the photographer that shot these images is exhibiting the photos at M+B Gallery in Los Angeles until August 29.

not only am i a g.e.e.k. but i'm also a n.e.r.d.

2009-06-18T20:03:00.000-07:00

n.e.r.d has a new site...with games! oh joy! i've been playing for the last 15 minutes and i don't want to stop.

i did also mention that i was a g.e.e.k. check out this new social network devoted to artists sharing their craft, networking and inspiring each other.

time to live your dreams people.

writers block

2009-06-11T21:08:00.000-07:00

and it stifles

all that is pure

organic

i can't even bring in a plant

cause it attracts attention

that flies around

distracting

breaking my concentration

stifling all that is pure

organic

grays and blues

muted

(time to go green)

my voice not so vibrant

i can't think in color

when i'm surrounded by

monochromatic patterns

that stifle

all that is pure

organic

rigid

they don't bend

break

you down

cloud your mind with

spreadsheets

conference calls

mindless chit chat

around water coolers

word

out look

pretty dim

from where i sit

cause every thirty minutes

the light goes out

but if i don't get up

and get out

they will keep trying

to turn off my shine

between the hours of 9 and 5

cantation

2009-06-10T23:17:00.000-07:00

if we could love

[free]

i'd call on you and

you'd write me love

and

i'd reciprocate and

with beautiful hymns

we'd

make love

love

and kiss

the world away

our harmony

is all that exists

and everything will be right

cause

we love so good.

my theme song, a cappella

2009-06-03T21:02:00.000-07:00

saw this on (think) common's blog, had to share. does it get illa than mos

the ecstatic june 9th!

young love

2009-06-02T21:11:00.001-07:00

love art | culver city

2009-05-30T22:24:00.000-07:00

mine

today i spent the afternoon enjoying the culver city artwalk, 41 galleries open free to the public displaying an array of artistic mediums. needless to say, i was in heaven. here is just a taste of the culture of culver city.

installation

picture show

art in fashion

art lovers make nice art

spf : a

creativity live and in color

robby marshall group | living electric

rounding out our walk was the robby marshall group. let me just say, this band f*ckin rocked. looking at them you'd never think they played bluesy jazzy soul music. where have they been all my life!

cherry poppin

2009-05-29T10:45:00.000-07:00

so here are a few of my first images shot with geromino. i'm such a virgin.

B&W

2009-05-28T20:28:00.001-07:00

new photos coming....

if God is Love

2009-05-26T14:36:00.000-07:00

if God is Love
where does He go when It's gone
and she's hurting
and she's crying
tired of giving of her God
worshiping his
longing for His

if God is Love
why is Hers never enough
for his God
she gives sacrament
for not being right in his eyes
laments for her short comings
her God
his false promises
before God
their God
their Love
no honor in his words
she cherished
she loved

but God
where does He go when It's gone
and she's hurting
with nothing left to give
nothing left
to Love

but God
she's hurting
be still
Love

L.O.V.E. | today

2009-05-19T09:01:00.000-07:00

On this day
there will be no talk of war
or politic
or disaster
or death
love is alive today
so we will speak only of love
There will be only love
on tongue
and lip
and in heart
and thought
and it won't be that Hollywood type of love
not tv love
not dime store novel love
and certainly not mainstream music love
love
love
you know, love
Love that has been worked on
like gardens and term papers
Love that has been nurtured
like children
and well
like children
Love that falls
crashes even
burns
but dusts off
fixes up
and rises
rises
more brilliant than before
phoenix love
yeah
phoenix love
So let us speak only of love
healing love
no herbal or over the counter love
real healing love
like
God love
like mothers love
lovers love
child's love
like
best friend love
change the world love
human love
humans love
love soft
love hard
but just love
enjoy this new garden
work on it together
and it will be perennial
It will grow year to year
it will be beautiful
it will win blue ribbons and everything
folks will come from far and wide just to see it
and wish they had it
had this kind of garden
this kind of love
love.

Ursula Rucker
Ma'At Mama

you're welcome

soul rebel

2009-05-18T20:10:00.000-07:00

the new york times has a new blog! its called lens and its a photojournalism blog displaying the most amazing photographs, multimedia images and slideshows. Showcase: Bob Marley is one of todays many posts. Not only does it feature 9 ill images of the man himself but includes an interview with David Burnett, photographer and author of Soul Rebel: An Intimate Portrait of Bob Marley in Jamaica and Beyond which features photographs of the legend in Jamaica in 1976 and his European tour in the spring of 1977. i want this book.

Hip

2009-05-18T15:10:00.000-07:00

like most twenty somethings today, i am really into fashion and art and the marriage between the two. street fashion blogs often give me exactly what i'm looking for when i want to be inspired by the art in fashion. the sartorialist: fantastic photography and gives me wonderful menswear, garance doré: amazing photographs and even more amazing illustrations of gorgeous clothes and great accessories, and my newest obsession the unknown hipster: combines crazy good imaginative drawings (i love crayola) with incredible looks and you don't even have to use your imagination to see his vision.

love art

love art | l.a.

2009-05-12T17:44:00.000-07:00

as an l.a. native, i see images like the one above around town often. i always wondered who owns the creative mind that produced such oddities. Enter Mr. Brainwash. A dynamic street artist painting the city of los angeles creative. here's a link to an interview with carson daily. i love art

oh and his website is one of coolest i've been to. click here to connect to culture

love + love

mornings thoughts

2009-05-11T10:20:00.000-07:00

...my hand resting softly in my necks bend
i feel my pulse in my throat
swig and swallow
hard
suppress my appetite
i wish coffee worked on you
the days pass
i grow thin and heavy with wanting
obese and obscure.

sensible words

2009-05-10T23:03:00.000-07:00

“Know, first, who you are, and then adorn yourself accordingly.”

Epictetus

on sex and love

2009-05-06T11:45:00.000-07:00

"I think sex is important, and magical (if you're lucky), and intimate and precious and special. But I also think it's important to take it with a pinch of salt and a generous sense of humour. It just happens, and it just is. Like you said, there is nothing, nothing worse than being contrived, or obvious or awful with sex. I think sexy is synonymous with intelligence, and confidence and subtlety and a certain self-possessed knowingness that I'm nowhere near having but would really like to achieve. I can't have sex with men I don't love, or at least like very, very much. I can't have sex with men that scare me, and I definitely can't have sex with men I don't find intellectually challenging, interesting and in the possession of a delicate soul.

Delicate soul? I'm such a creep.

But like everything, do you think the most interesting, erotic parts are the little things? The obscure bits that make your stomach flip? The preambles, the dinners before, the cigarettes after. The breathless conversation about the best things you know and the 'would you like a glass of water?' and 'are you comfortable', the 'let me walk you to the bus stop in the rain in the morning', the 'oh my god I want to make this boy a mixtape and that hasn't happened in months', the 'you have to read this book', the 'did he just hold my hand while we're falling asleep/open the cab door and put his hand on the small of my back/tell me I look more beautiful than every other girl in the room/dance with me to Girls Just Wanna Have Fun', the emails, the intricacies and intimacies and the careful navigation. "

i wish i could own these thoughts.in a sense i do.though i've never been able to express them.not in this way.thank you natalie

love + love

this could be love

2009-05-05T09:39:00.000-07:00

i'm always looking for new sources of inspiration, so during my daily tour of kanye universecity i came across nabilphotography.com. i'm in deep and utter infatuation. this man's work is nothing short of amazing!

nabil

new photos

2009-05-04T20:32:00.000-07:00

here

i so need to go to New York this summer

2009-05-02T19:59:00.000-07:00

the Costume Institute at the Metropolitan Museum of Art is hosting the exhibit Models As Muse: Embodying Fashion which features photographs of models from 1947 to 1997. see article and slide show here.

the exhibit runs from May 6th to August 9th.

laid to rest

2009-04-30T20:38:00.000-07:00

rest in peace daddy

more soul | the soul of l.a.

2009-04-29T22:40:00.000-07:00

savior

2009-04-29T21:36:00.001-07:00

it's been 10 years since (my favorite band) the red hot chili peppers released californication. dope ass album! here they are performing one of my fav joints. john frusciante's solo, amazing. enjoy

sensible words | uhuru

2009-04-27T15:27:00.000-07:00

"freedom is free of the need to be free."

-funkadelic

ugly on a beautiful day

2009-04-25T13:04:00.000-07:00

play the song, read the poem

coming down from yesterday's high of red and green
feeling the weight of five slices
rolling from the warm of my bed
pleasant dreams
so few
let myself be free as air is
step into it
my feet bare on warm floors
watch their shade change
i shuffle
scratch at the ash
watch it grow thicker-grayer
catch a whiff of yesterday's scent
(that was some good weed)
caught in a lovely breeze
the sun shining through the trees
on me
i put on my shades
casting blue on already blue skies
hiding my red eyes
things aren't so rosy
but it is a beautiful day
i ignore myself to appreciate the glory
weep cause i can't feel it.

[he]aling

2009-04-24T11:29:00.000-07:00

and it don't stop
my world rocked
but time keeps going
keeps ticking
i clock hours
when i should be home on my knees
but i can't pray
can't cry
exist i
a body and a voice
no feeling
with nothing to say
rub my shoulders into cushions
my house is empty
and my hands are full
the only thing big enough to carry this weight
i dole out in pieces
myself all over it
scotch guarded in my restlessness
i could tip over
[it]i could break
[down]i could hide
[forever] i could run
could loose my breath
til my heads light
and the weights gone
but i catch it every time
and i'm back numb
and heavier than ever
drag myself back to reality (home)
see what time it is
what time i let pass
see if my healing is home
waiting for me
the streetlights are on
and i hear my name
i round that corner
then another
and another
my healing ain't there
he must be somewhere playing with time
i keep missing him
maybe i'll wait up for him
he might show up
in the morning.

sometimes you just have to rock out

2009-04-23T21:59:00.000-07:00

enjoy

all the rage | so far gone

2009-04-23T21:03:00.000-07:00

so last night i was introduced (figuratively) to Drake... i know i'm late but where has he been?

if you ain't got it, i found it here.

here's one of my fav tracks from the mixtape

a story of sorts: short

2009-04-23T20:20:00.000-07:00

this is a short excerpt from a short story i wrote, based on a memory... or two

We sit in the corner of my bed and I tell her of the light boy with the eyes the color of his skin,

light. I blush as she buries her face unable to listen as I tell her how my hands sweat when we

play on the same team and my heart jumps up and down when we hi five. She laughs when I tell her about the boy with dark curls like Michael Jackson, the light brown one. She doesn't like him cause he lives around the corner and I often leave her to play with him. He is so cute and I know she will understand but she doesn't. She sits with Henry and they ignore me so I teach her to fly without showing her how to land and him too. Sometimes he breaks her fall, sometimes he doesn't. Before the loneliness and guilt become too much to bear, I pick her up (mommy likes a tidy room) and place her back on my bed. She is my favorite.

We often sit on my chair and watch the sun dip behind the fences, try to mimic the colors the sky makes but they do not make crayons so beautiful.

I read to her my favorite books, she is comfortable in my lap and when the others come home we climb back to the top and hide in the corner, sometimes the closet. They are mean to me, the others, calling me names, taking my friends, hiding them. My books and dolls.

Shayla is sad for me when they say mean things, Henry too but he loves his arm too much to protest and she is meek like me, holds me when I cry.

journal entry: slow leak

2009-04-22T15:06:00.000-07:00

i just want to sleep, Sleeping Beauty style. deep and long. and wake up to a wonderful new day. i don't need a prince [to be] there (ain't enough kisses in the world ) i just need the sunshine and a beautiful song.

project

2009-04-19T21:13:00.000-07:00

so... i don't even know how to verbalize what i'm trying to do. i'm way too emotional at the moment to put it into words. so ....

heavy

super | woman

2009-04-18T08:14:00.000-07:00

i knew it would happen, i didn't know how, i didn't know when.

but in the back of my mind...i knew.

i knew that when it happened i would again put on my cape and protect everyone.

i knew when daddy gave me my cape i would have it forever.

i knew my cape was special when he made me go through so much to earn it.

i knew i would forever have a role that was irreplaceable.

i knew when it happened i would be sad, hurt, angry, confused, disappointed and alone.

what i didn't know was that the cape works on everyone else

but me.

- Toni Toney

eternal

2009-04-17T22:48:00.001-07:00

Walter Anthony Lacy

Tony | Abdu

9.19.1950-4.17.2009

this morning my father, this cool muthafucka right here, passed away. he is the reason i shoot. he is my inspiration, the planter of the seed whose fruits i share with you. i love him with all that i have and will miss him to no end. you will see more of this man, from this man, his art, his passion...through me.

live | love

bye bye life | for daddy

2009-04-17T22:45:00.000-07:00

something i read somewhere

2009-04-08T08:54:00.000-07:00

"she's perfectly thick, her thick can handle my thick."

thoughts on grief

2009-04-05T17:08:00.000-07:00

good grief

they have shoulders
vast as seas
strong like currents
that take in the utterances
stuttering, empty wails
they have soft cotton to rest their heads
to bury their fears in to
firm hands that too are gentle
lovingly caressing away tears
holding up shoulders when they buckle

i keep my coat on
seams tight, rigid with stiffness like coat hangers
i sit up straight
a balled up hanky in my pocket soft
worn faithful
holding tight my utterances between threads
my hurt into palms
empty wails on def ears
sucks grieving alone

______ on my mind

2009-04-02T10:57:00.000-07:00

the last time you kissed me
i peeked
opened my eyes just a bit
cause i wanted to see you
see if you were thinking about me
while your tongue tasted mine
see if you liked my taste
liked my biting
your lips fit comfortably between my teeth
i liked the vibrating
when you eased them free
you liked it too
cause you smiled a bit
without opening your eyes
i kissed your smile
demure and subtle
you kissed me back with intention-hard
i saw your concentration
the vigor
with which your lips moved
pressing
as if they might escape you
my lips
i pulled back a bit
not cause i couldn't take it
no-to draw you in
closer to me
to breathe for me
cause i hold mine
and as you came
i closed them
and succumbed
under the weight of you
your kiss
our intensity waning
i opened them again
and found you
peeking

the soul of l.a.

2009-03-31T21:31:00.000-07:00

leimert park

i'm going to be posting [my] photos of my neighborhood periodically so you too can see the beautiful soul of los angeles.