But That Art Tho

    Hey 👋🏾 Hope all is well in your world. It’s the first of the month and officially the second half of the year. Happy July! The battle of the heat, mosquitoes, weather, and free kids is here along with summer. I wanted to connect with the community, namely the youth, in the form of an art event. Three (3) days ago in the prime heat of summer at an amazing community space for creatives in Lafayette, Parc Village, I was able to do just that. That’s what this particular post is going to touch on.

   Two(2) years ago I would have never imagined that as my world was crumbling around me, I would be painting my first collection that included four (4) small paintings that would spark the ongoing theme for my literal art career thus far. I wanted to connect with a younger me that held the the game controller. The pre teen fanny that would race home from school to hop on the PS2 and play crash or the even smaller me that would argue with my cousins over who was next to play Mario bros. A simpler time before plans crashing could land you in unimaginable places. Art became my escape. The first piece of art I ever sold was from that collection; it was well received and it made me feel good painting it. I named it A Fancy Nostalgia and it’s viewable below ⬇️

[My first art sale at The Black Girl Art Show in HTX 09/2023]

       The idea of painting components of my childhood continues to be a theme in my art and in my healing. The first opportunity for my art to be viewed in an outside establishment was given because someone appreciated my unique style of painting, and connected with the imagery. The owner of Loc’d & Loaded Beauty Salon that specializes in loc care and maintenance has housed them for about a year now and that was such a pivotal point for me. The point in my artistic career that I realized that what I was creating resonated with other people around me, and made them feel good as well. When it came to my peers, the 90s babies, what I was leaving behind on the canvases hit different and brought up fond childhood memories. I could not have known that what I began to do as a form of processing what was going on around me, more like separating from it, would spark conversations and opportunities that have continuously carried me.

[My art on the walls in Locd & Loaded in Lafayette, La 07/2023]

The biggest canvas art I have ever done to date is currently visible at a community hub for creatives of all ages, Parc Village. The possibility to create a large scale exhibition was presented to me during a time in which I was doing okay in life and the feat seemed insurmountable. I didn’t have a clue of the concept I wanted to lay down or if I would be able to complete it in the 6 (six) months allotted. My participation was literally tentative until 7 (seven) weeks before I was to hang those paintings on the wall. I thought of the concept to dedicate it to my mom’s debutante as time got close to the deadline to finish it all up. Once I get past the planning stage of things, I can usually execute the rest swiftly. Before I could share further details with her outside of getting this amazing opportunity, I spoke to my mom for the last time on my birthday November 30th & she passed 11 (eleven) days later. I was left with a hole so big in my heart that all I could really think to do was pour myself into the work that was laid out to be completed, and I did. That loss drove me to explore parts of my childhood and unlock happy memories any way possible and leave them ALL on a canvas. I used that project to heal as best as possible from a pain I couldn’t have imagined. My first unveiling was completely dedicated to my mother’s memory. The exhibit was dedicated to my family & all of the amazing times we shared amongst the chaos.

   My art exhibit will be coming down at the end of this month, (July) and I wanted to take this moment to give anyone that hasn’t seen the pieces an opportunity to do so with the description tags.

Essential Elements

Acrylic on Canvas 2024

   Within the the craft of sewing and the very essence of existing, there is body.  Numerically based on the stature of the painter at the time of its creation, this limelight view of the essential elements to begin a sewing project and the figurative idea of measuring and keeping it all together despite tough exteriors, gold outlined details, and tarnishing exteriors are whats displayed. You can place the picture either way you want and it just……works.

 Fancy Feelings

Acrylic on Canvas 2024

Action painting is a technique that rose in popularity during the abstract expressionist art movement which began in the 1940s. On a random Wednesday, with cups of water at various levels, and acrylic paints with colors chosen strictly on emotion, a young woman processed the loss of her mother outside in the front yard as her dog watched. What you have in front of you is the result of feelings being poured on a canvas, literally. How do you feel looking at it?

Magnolias & Magnalites

Acrylic on Canvas 2024

The late Clara Belle Cormier was lovingly known as “mom” by way more than the 7 (seven) individuals she birthed but I called her ‘Grandma’. An amazing Christian woman; she embodied strength, love, fearlessness, truth, and healthy boundaries.

My earliest and fondest memories revolve around seeing her beautiful face standing over those pots preparing meals, calling to us, stirring, putting together the perfect amount of seasonings to meals to fill the stomach of anyone wanting to be fed. A large magnolia tree grew in the front yard and the smell the flowers produced in the spring is such a fond memory for me. Breaking off the flowers at the stem, running up the steps with my sister and cousin, and bringing them to her. As soon as we would cross the threshold the smell of a meal would mix with that smell. She poured into every dream I ever wanted to chase  I love and miss her dearly because of her I am.

Outta Obstacles:

Acrylic on Canvas 2024

A colorful visual designed to tell the story of a kid staying out of trouble amongst unimaginable worldly trouble. Each splat is an extra curricular activity enjoyed through the years and some have carried into adulthood. A lack of income never stopped experiences; from Future Farmers of America to being in band as soon as the option was given, a way was made by the family. I never lacked love. Ever.

Upward Utopia

Acrylic on Canvas 2024

When there is not much around and man’s best friend is the only company to be found, peace is on the other side of the sky. The fun is usually on the journey and the main components can be interchangeable with something more earthly if you look in depth at this particular piece. The physical road traveled is tough and textured but no one sees the true details. Enjoy the colorful views and hues. Essentially in the end of it all, there is just a girl and her dog looking to transcend.

Crawfish and Crown:

Acrylic and watercolor on canvas 2024

This visual representation of Louisiana culture was painted with the intention to show a good time and be an expression of love to a special crawfish lover in my life, a beautiful, strong, and funny, little “red” auntie, Beulah Cormier-Jones. I’ve enjoyed most moments of her presence throughout my life, and literally waited for her to come and share  with me. I’d like to compare those  feelings to those of most of Louisiana waiting for crawfish.  As far back as I can remember Mardi Gras and months after were filled with sunshine, family gatherings, and mountains of crawfish with the mix ins. It’s a scene that is witnessed all across Creole culture, my culture. My aunt spearheaded most of the crawfish boils for my family and they were beautiful; the music, the dancing,the vibe. Unmatched. I’ve been many places in my life, there is no place like home.

Cartoons and Cereal x Cormiers:

Acrylic on Canvas 2024

This view is from a child growing up in the 90s watching some of the best cartoons, with a terribly ugly  and depressing background that caught right on to the end of the Ronald Reagan era and followed suit. A closer look will give you a few references to the amazing Keith Haring. When the television screen came on the noise, chaos, and destruction in the background seemed to fade away a little. All of the commotion in the background got close and invaded space at times, but comfort came in sitting with a lovely bowl of cereal to watch my favorite cartoons with my favorite people. What each character stands for in the cartoon is significant in stance to the family member they represent and some of them directly represent me as the adolescent I was watching them. This piece crosses over so many eras; from the cartoons,to the networks, to the very fact that although my nephew was not in the initial picture he helped with the background. I put a lot into this one.

Cleo’s Canvas

This piece is dedicated to my mother Cleopatra. I wasn’t able to share a lot of normalcies with her, but I poured everything on this canvas. She left me with a memorable face and a lot of questions but with the help of the community I was able to find a few answers. My grandmother handmade a beautiful white debutante gown in the 1970s for her and I couldn’t get a hold of the pictures after a house fire. The community helped raise me and continues to in her absence but her presence is forever felt. I couldn’t have found the pictures without social media. I hand stitched the fabric and recreated a custom pattern designed by my grandmother. the gold dress is representative of many creations I’ve made over the years. Sewing connects me to so many of the ancestors and I’m grateful for that talent.

Every few months l paint things I like in small sets

and go to art shows with more paintings when it’s financially achievable. I love that you get to connect with people and like minded artists that tend to actually care about what you put out. No competition, fittings, callbacks, models, etc. Art events are much different than the fashion shows I’m used to maneuvering in, but I manage. Let me correct that and say, I am managing.

Below is a visual of the last art event I did share that included a different component that went over pretty well. I took 2 of the most well received pieces and turned them into color sheets for all ages to enjoy. The kids engaged really well with it all and that was such a pleasure to see.

In art, you put yourself out into the world and there are people that will naturally gravitate to what you put out. I’m so grateful for all of the individuals that appreciate all of the things I am leaving behind artistically. It’s truly uplifting. I want to overall show and be proof that you can come from a dark place and still be a light to everything around you. Until next time 🫶🏾….