A Darker Side of the Garden...

It was an exploration for me.

A curiosity if you will.

I wanted to do a set of captures from a darker perspective. Something bleak and struggling. Not necessarily beautiful but still emotional and passionate. Captures that were intense and, hopefully, told a story.

What struck me more was that Sista Khadeshia was down for this, somewhat radical, idea on my part. She pulls out the make-up and the wardrobe and we did the damn thing.

A damsel in distress.

Check it out. Do you follow it? Is it too harsh or unflattering? Or do you really get the point? Let me know what you think.

Headshots...locs & ideas...

As I've worked on my images, I have been tossing around the idea of building a portal for the images and the influences...something that reflects the beauty and sensuality of the aesthetic and the cultural influences that it affects and that, in turn, affect it.


It would be a place for forums, maybe some interviews, beautiful photos and art. It could feature gear and products that are important to the look. I've talked to a few friends who are excited about what we could do with it. Some want to really push the envelope a bit more on the images and I have to admit I am interested in that myself. Others are really full of ideas on who we could interview for the site and some of the models, here, really want their products included in the gear talked about. I am interested creating forums for discussion too.


But what about you? Do you have any ideas on what you might want to see? Any ideas on what you might want to see in the blog, here?


I am also looking for more models. For the portal and the blog; Earth Sistas who are natural and sensual. Are you interested? Or do you know a woman who might be?

Natural Curves...

I can't empower anyone, but myself.


As a traditional artist, I did a show at the Apache Cafe & Lounge with another photographer a couple of years ago. I titled my series of pastel works "Real Beauty Has Curves" and it was a companion set with the photographers images. On the night of the opening show, curvaceous models, representing the aesthetic of the show posed for the artists and photographers that attended and during the course of the evening we hosted an Artist's Talk about the works and it was quite provocative.


During the course of the discussion, the photographer made the statement that one of the reasons he produced his work was to empower the women whom he had focused his work on. And the question I had was 'who are we to empower anyone BUT ourselves?'


I didn't confront him on this. He did the work he did with the motivations that moved him and a confrontation doesn't change that. My motivations for my works were, in part, an act of homage; paying respect for alternative images of beauty. I wanted to create images that were based on what had inspired me, seduced me, taught me, shared with me and lived with me. And I continue to create works as an homage to this aesthetic, today.


But I believe empowerment comes from within. You can't give it to me and vice versa. Here in the Garden, I think we should know that. But I can...we can... pay homage; cultivate a space where the innate beauty of the Earth Sista, empowered, can be artfully, sensuously, romantically displayed and this alternative choice of beauty can be appreciated.

Are you empowered? Do you empower you?

nobella of new orleans...

I met her on my birthday a few years ago...smiling & sassy.


She's a youngun' who never took me seriously but she could tell me stories, just about her life, that inspired me to create new myths and art of my own. Talented in her own right she's always been great muse.

She creative (always making things) and she loves life. I am always uplifted when I'm around her.

I wanted to capture her surrounded by her creations and I asked her to say something about herself and work. Took her FOREVER. And then she sent me this...

"I am Patricia Nobella of New Orleans. I'm very creative and enjoy dancing ,singing, painting and I LOVE to make jewelry . If you like my work or have any questions about my pieces you can contact me at pnobella504@yahoo.com"

What do y'all think?