Artist Talk: Oakland Creates Zine Festival 2020
Hiiiiii and thanks for popping over to my page. Last week, I got to spend time with the brilliant zinester, comic book illustrator, and organizer of Oakland Creates Zine Festival, Avy Jetter. I am so grateful to Avy for allowing me time to chat a little about my artmaking practice. I talk a little about my zine Tales from the Garden of Vortexes, my paintings for the orishas, and my latest zine Name_Your_Self inspired by the episode “I AM” from Lovecraft Country. Please do feel free to check out the full talk below.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HujHfOTm9qU
Also here are a few extra thoughts/reflections about these three things cause your friend here is awkward. My goodness.
Tales from the Garden of Vortexes
Released in October 2019, Tales from the Garden of Vortexes is a zine consisting of 3 short stories that is in conversation with themes of family, intergenerational trauma, technology, and spirit.
My favorite story of the series is “Seekno’s Dream” which takes place in a not so distant future 50 year’s after “Nospeak’s Song” which is the first story in the series. In this world complete dependence on apps, tech, and the digital world, Seekno’s struggles with the dangers that come with being completing plugged into the digital space or the unknown of releasing it all and diving into the realm of spirit. Check out the story here!
The images for this zine were taken from the paintings I created in the summer of 2019. A lot of them were inspired by Yoruba deity Eshu-Eleggua, messenger for the Orisha. Eleggua is a gatekeeper, guardian of the crossroads, alchemist of portals and travels. When I think of Eleggua, I think of the power that we have in choice. In the freedom that comes with being able to make a decision to pursue one path or another. To stay in one particular location, one particular manifestation of self OR not. I need this reminder so desperately, especially as a person who can be susceptible to group think or collective thought around what one “should be doing” or “ought to be prioritizing.”
HUGE SHOUT OUT to the wonderful founder of Yoga Love, Treina Alexander, for opening up her lovely studio space to be a home for these paintings for the month of October in 2019. Another shout out to Sis Nau T for connecting me with Treina and always supporting Black folks and artists in Oakland. AND to Ave Ameenah Long from @KeepitDiasporic thank you for being such a grounding inspiring force. Not only did these magical humans support my art but also my fundraiser to spend two weeks in Cuba.
Moon Callings and Black Godx
Originally called “Las Semillas de Yemaya,” Moon Callings and Black Godx are paintings and drawings dedicated to Orishas. Coming back from Cuba on the tale end of 2019 was a huge array of emotions that I really had no idea what to do with. I knew that I didn’t want to let that feeling go. The feeling of being connected in a more deeper way to the African Diaspora. The feeling of being free and not so mentally stressed. Waking up every day and learning something new about the Ifa-Orisa tradition.
The Orishas that I wanted to spend time first, except for Eleggua, were all connected to the water element in some way (Yemaya, Olokun, Oshun, Nana, Aje, Oya, Oshumare).
Modupe and deep thanks to Iya Nedra and Justice from @blackaugustdesigns for connecting me with the Ase Ire community. There is a beautiful interview, “Conjuring Art Interview” with Iya Nedra and Yeye Luisah Teish that is full of gems on listening to spirit. If you are interested in learning more about all tings related to the orishas, the yoruba language, ancestor reverence, please follow @iyafunlayo and tap in some of these workshops and meditations. Soooo gooood.
I want to keep spending time with the orishas via the medium of painting. They are becoming more and more like personal oracles and I would love to create some for those who are feeling drawn to their energy. Take a peak at my commission page if you’d like to explore a custom painting.
Name_Your_Self
Lovecraft Country. Misha. Aunjanue Ellis. Hippolyta. I Am.
Being able to see Hippolyta journey of naming herself over and over again, coming into to greater understanding of the self, the body, and spirit over and over again, was a type of healing that I didn’t know i needed. So desperately crave.
I want Black mamas to be free. I want Black mamas to be supported. I want Black mamas to know they are not alone. I want Black mamas to know that it is ok to pause. I want Black mamas to know that their seeds need them.
The Power of the Dahomey Womxn LIVES - read: “Meet the Dahomey Amazons”. The Power of the ORishas LIves. This episode was all about that sacred DIVINE BLACK VENUS ENERGY.
“Somewhere in the other side of nowhere is a place in space beyond time where the Gods of mythology dwell. ... These gods dwell in their mythocracies as opposed to your theocracies, democracies, and monocracies. They dwell in a magic world. These Gods can even offer you immortality.” - Sun Ra
“I do not come to you as a reality, but as a myth. Because that’s what Black people are. Myths. I am a dream that the Black man dreams long ago. I’m actually a present sent to you by your ancestors.” - Sun Ra
The Name_Your_Self zine is a little bit of fan art, a little bit of self help, a little bit of medicine making in the form of affirmations. Check it out here.