Thoughts behind Shells...

So I'm at Apache Cafe and Lounge and I am talking to some of the patrons about the portal and the types of images I think we should capture. Artistic...sexy...provocative, most of the things we say are typically used for almost every other venue that focuses on creating beautiful images of women. But no matter how sexy or revealing, there is some aspect to the content that has to be considered.

Now not all of what is posted to the portal will be for everyone's taste. And I personally feel that I walk a line when I consider what I want to create for the Garden. And this is the conversation I am having with the artists and patrons of the Lounge when I am looking at Shells...


Shells was born in Honduras and she worked in a circus before she ended up in Atlanta. She is currently working on a performance art piece and I hope to feature it in some way in the Garden. Her history is rich and textured and it is reflected in the poses she takes in the Lounge; relaxed, provocative, cool & dramatic, proud.


Her head is never down.

And that was it. Artistic...sexy...nude...provocative...proud. Glamourous, naughty, humorous, intense, dramatic and passionate...yes. Never degrading...never pornographic...never disrespectful.


Pangea's Garden is the place that celebrates the pride in the beauty that broadens the perspective and gives voice to the rich, textured, soulful environment that creates it.



My thoughts behind Shells is that her head is never down. And before I knew who she was and what she was doing, she was beautiful to me in that way.

Click.

Behind the scenes with PrettyBlak & Maurice...

A while back, I created an entry where I mentioned that I was impressed by the works of the artist Maurice Evans and his muse PrettyBlak. So impressed that I asked them if they would be interested in participating in the Garden. They said yes and proceeded to create a fabulous collection of images that are works of art in themselves. They will be a part of the launch of the portal slated for later this month. In the meantime check out these images of from behind the scene.

PrettyBlak is a model and you find her here. Check out the works of Maurice here and here.

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?