2.09.2010

lesson learned #52

unwrap the present.

1.31.2010

jersey boy

it snowed last night and into this morning in charlotte, nc.

i may be from new jersey, but i've always believed that any temperature below 50 degrees is unreasonably cold. however, my girlfriend khalilah was really enthused about the snow

and convinced me to get out for a walk in it. we took a walk down the street to sedgefield park for the first time since we've moved to this neighborhood, so that was cool. but while i had my camera around my neck, i focused keenly on keeping my hands in my pockets. i took them out only long enough to capture this.

1.26.2010

man stuff...


1.24.2010

CHD:WCK! in Africa

two things i must do this year are see THE ROOTS live in concert, and spend a month in Africa. i have no idea how i am going to make my Africa trip happen, but i decided to create a collage to keep my goal in front of me.

1.23.2010

lesson learned # 43:

the reason you don't adjust your prices for people is because the people you adjust your prices for, won't buy your stuff anyway.

1.21.2010

still kewl azhel

still kewl azhel, photographer and muse, e.lisha covington keeps me wanting to hone my craft as a photographer. her eye is incredible, and since she's never without her camera, she's always ready to capture the most interesting images.
a few days ago charlotte had freakishly gorgeous weather, so we went out and caught some shots of the qc, then we captured each other on the wrong side of the lens. check out her blog. it's required viewing.





start the new year off... right?

new years day seemed like a good day to wander around the neighborhood and see if there was some new beauty to capture. the expedition found moderate success.





1.19.2010

comforting (...at least to me)

as i get older, lengthy periods of time seem to get shorter and shorter - months blow by like days, and years like a few months. but no matter how fast time may fly by, a day always feels like a day. each new day gives me ample time to accomplish what i'm supposed to accomplish that day.

1.17.2010

hey my man... what it look like

one of my biggest problems in life is i tend to think TOO much. i always want to know what something is going to look like before i get into it. instead of jumping into the project, the fear that it won't look or end up "right" is paralyzing. at the end of the day when nothing new is done, and i have nothing to look back on as progress, i feel defeated, my energy drained, and my momentum lost.

one thing i'm learning and trying to embrace, is that the vision is enough. just the fact that something MOVES me to create is sufficient reason to jump into it. the net will appear. there's no need to ask myself, "hey my man... what it look like?" when i jump into it, the resources will become abundant. people will cooperate. and when the door opens, everything will come out just the way it should. the final product will be amazing.

1.14.2010

jelissa mone



1.04.2010

random

1.01.2010

growing... content with progress.

after a much needed conversation with Catherine, i realized i need to count my blessings before i craft what the new year will look like.
so here's my review...

JANUARY 09: i found that the path less traveled led me to find inspiration in texture




FEBRUARY: i came to the realization that sometimes you just have to do what you got to do. it doesn't take much to get where you want to go. just clean underwear, a few dollars, a bus pass, a camera, and a memory card. only good things can happen from there.

MARCH: i launched CHDWCK.com. not much more satisfying than having a place on the web where people can specifically go to see your work.

APRIL: i participated in my first group show: Gentrify Me - a show about community change and gentrification.




in regards to photography, i discoverd my interest in capturing people doing what they do best or enjoy doing most.

i took a trip back home to new jersey/new york and met some amazing artist, including liz marotti and nakeya brown.




MAY: i found an approach to portrait photography that i was comfortable with






JUNE: did an internship at Center Of The Earth Gallery through the summer. a HUGE learning experience. in my spare time, had some fun with my muse, jasiatic.


SEPTEMBER: i particpated in the show, Texture, Dreams, and Rustic Pinwheels with de'Angelo Dia'Bethune, Elisha Covington, and Shanthony Exum.



OCTOBER: i had more fun with jasiatic and shot in a supermarket



DECEMBER: i participated in the NoDaRioty All Arts Market, sold and traded tons of artwork

and i shot for Rheba James Baby Clothier

AphroWoman: Attributes got accepted to be part of the Lodi Projects' LETTERS Exhibition in Raleigh, NC in january.


i learned and accomplished quite in bit in '09. but i got A LOT of work to do in new year. thanks to everyone who has supported my growth. KEEP IT WRANGLER in 2010.

12.29.2009

AphroWoman: Native Tongues (extremely tentative title)

apparently this is still in progress... i'll say more about it when it's done.



PUNCH CLOCK PROMISE series



this is not AphroWoman... but i made it. part of the PUNCH CLOCK PROMISE series. the series is based on lyrics in Lupe Fiasco's song, "Gold Watch": "Might not go to college/but my street smart polished.../Firm disbeliever in your punch clock promise."
i don't feel like typing right now, so i'll explain more when i post up the rest.

12.04.2009

so inspired!!!



this picture so perfectly captures how i feel right now. i feel like i jumped to get the goodies on the table, and while on my first attempt i didn't actually make it - if i can just hold on a little longer, i'll be able to pull myself up and get the reward.

i participated in NoDaRioty, a local art market featuring all kinds of artist. i sold an AphroWoman piece that i wasn't really expecting would sell that night, but a couple walked in, saw it, and immediately responded to it. and though i didn't sell much photography (though i was able to grow my art collection with some trades), i got so much positive feedback on it! it feels strange to do something so personal and people like it - not only do they like it, but they are truly affected by it!

i put all of me in my art, but i don't give nearly enough time to creating. i can accomplish so much more! thank you mr. cat. your persistance is my inspiration this coming four day weekend!