Everyday Blackness:
Celebrating Exceptional Women
Everyday Blackness: Celebrating Exceptional Women is my new art documentary photography book, a series of 25 portraits of Black women with supporting quotes and text. The women are of diverse ages and backgrounds, who defy stereotypes, forge unique paths and are exemplars of courage, tenacity, and resilience. Their roles include author, educator, entrepreneur, doctor, attorney – and more. This work dispels any reason to fear the "other” and reminds us that we are all connected on a deeper level, having more in common than not. These photos and stories offer upliftment, insight, and inspiration.
Purchase The Book Here!
Good news! There has been increased interest by bookstores and other organizations to feature and promote my book! As such I am using a new printing company, which will help widen my distribution and I can now offer the book at a reduced price! To order, click here!
Also, I will be donating 10% of all book sales to charity organizations. First up, The Black Fairy Godmother Foundation, headed by Simone Gordon, one of the women featured in the book, which helps women in immediate dire need. Thanks for your kind support!
Book Launch Virtual Reception
To view a video recording of the Virtual Reception held on March 7, please click here! Over 80 people from across the US, Canada, England and Denmark attended for a joyful and inspiring discussion! Moderated by Dr. April Robinson, 14 out of the 25 women featured in the book were also there to share their stories and experiences! They walked right off the pages!
Exhibits featuring my portraits!
Unprecedented: Art Responds to 2020
June 12 - August 1
View Center for Arts & Culture
3273 State Route 28, Old Forge NY 13420
In 2020 the world experienced a global pandemic and its disruption to our daily lives, along with heightened racism and sexism that provoked major unrest and upheaval. Artists help focus our attention on matters that need to be addressed in society. This exhibit is of art created during and stimulated by such global crises when artists may have had limited materials but much more time, and showcases the ways in which expression and imagination are manifested in a novel time. I'm so honored to have my portrait of T'Anna Kimbrough from my Everyday Blackness project be selected for this exhibit.
The View Center is a premier multi-arts facility located in the beautiful Central Adirondacks of New York State.
Art Against Racism
Art Against Racism is a non-profit that uses the power of art to serve justice and equality. I'm honored to be part of their 2021 "Memorial. Monument. Movement" online international exhibition of art inspired and influenced by the Black Lives Matter movement, especially after the murders of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and countless other people of color by law enforcement.
Ten photos taken from my recent project "Everyday Blackness: Celebrating Exceptional Women" have been included. The portraits are part of the Movement Photography Gallery, a collection of artistic images documenting expressions of humanity, love and resistance to injustice and oppression in countless ways.
By and About Women
The Regional Center for Women in the Arts, West Chester, PA
When Alice Oh juried this virtual exhibition, she had one question in mind: "What does it mean to be a woman in the 21st century and making art?" I'm happy to have one of the portraits from my "Everyday Blackness" project included in this online exhibit honoring women - though all the images in my book are in sepia, I submitted the image for this online exhibit in the original color format.
Black Visuals Collective (Black Superwoman Chronicles)
Created by DeLisha Sylvester, Black Superwoman Chronicles is a platform that curates, nurtures, and supports the voices of Black womxn. It is a space to address issues and connect Black womxn to resources for mental, physical and emotional growth. In short, BSW Chronicles highlight the voices of black womxn in the hopes of showcasing their value to the world.
The platform showcases the artistic and cultural expressions of Black womxn, through written work (poetry, essays, editorials) and the visual arts, and as part of their Black Visuals Collective. I am honored that 14 of my portraits from my recent project “Everyday Blackness” are featured!! It’s a truly beautiful website and design, and I’m proud that the stories of these exceptional Black womxn can be shared to inspire. Please check it out here!!!
2020 Vision: Seeing Ourselves Through Challenging Times
Cabrillo Gallery, Aptos, California
2020 was like no other, a year of stress, uncertainty, isolation, loss, grief, fear, outrage and more as we grappled with challenges in our daily lives and in the world around us. It was also a year of finding ways to cope with these challenges, a year of insight and revelations, of finding new ways to connect, of using our strength to push back against personal difficulties and larger problems in the world... The "2020 Vision" exhibit shows how artists responded to these past 12 months, in various manifested creative acts. Curated by Eleanor Harwood, she selected 75 artworks out of almost 600 entries, and I'm delighted that my portrait of Annette Scott is featured! This online exhibit is available on the gallery website.
Elevate
Webster Arts, St. Louis, Missouri
Two images from my project have been selected to be in this national juried virtual exhibit presented by Webster Arts, in St. Louis, MO! Out of 541 submissions of various media, 64 were selected, and two are mine! This show focuses on art that inspires, uplifts and elevates us. Juror Cbabi Bayoc is an internationally-known visual artist and illustrator residing in St. Louis, Missouri. His subjects include family, children, music and other work designed with line, bold color and phunk! All the work is available on their website via EXHIBBIT, a virtual gallery that allows you to “walk” through the show!
Wreck-oning
Cade Art Gallery
Anne Arundel Community College, Arnold, MD
This national online mixed media art show, juried by Ms. Rai Arthur-Mensah, will be featuring one artwork each weekday on their Instagram page, starting March 10. I'm thrilled to have my portrait of Ingrid Alexander featured! Please check it out herealong with amazing art work by other artists from across the country.
The theme: There has been a shift, a reckoning of sorts in the past year. As a nation we've been forced to simplify our lives, while also dealing with complex issues brought on by the shifts, everything from confronting our fragility as a human race to dealing with the cancer of racial injustice. This show will explore how we have confronted these complex issues as individuals and then as a nation. What have we learned? How do we think and act differently? Where do we go from here?
Celebrating Black History Through Photography
Rutgers 4-H-From-Home Workshop Series
I was invited to present a webinar on 2/23 about my project and photo-book making experience. The entire talk can be viewed here.
Black History Month Juried Exhibition
Hammond Gallery
Jacksonville State University, Jacksonville, Alabama
My portrait of Simone Gordon and book were featured in this beautiful juried mixed media exhibit. It showcased unbelievable artwork on African American Heritage, life, and experiences.
Celebrating Harlem Renaissance! Inspired by Black Achievements in the Arts
Medford Arts Center, Medford, NJ
This online exhibit features work inspired by the Harlem Renaissance honoring all black lives, past and present. It expresses and showcases Black History and Culture through many mediums of art. Three portraits from my series are included. There is also a short video version of all the work here (my 3 pieces appear at 0:42).
If Not Now, When?
Gallery 18, The Riverdale Y, The Bronx, NY
This virtual juried mixed media art show addresses the historic moment we have, brought in urgency by the Black Lives Matter protests, to close the American racial divide. I’m honored to have had three of my portraits in this show. The video of the virtual opening reception can be viewed here - my segment starts at 1:33:30! Please check it out!
HerStory
The Leadership and Arts Coalition based in MD hosted “HerStory”, curated by artist Jahne Brown. The event celebrates Black women through various art forms focusing on Black women today. Several of my portraits were featured in this event. Please view the video here - my part starts at 37:03 and includes an audio recording of me describing my work.