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.

the works and words of Saddi Khali...

"i believe art can change the world. let's make a difference. i'm tryna do work that looks like no other. i've done magazines, album & book covers, but my current passion is fine art."


"i'm currently workin in natural light. god's illumination on Black skin is magnificent 2 me."


"Black people need 2 see images of ourselves w/ humanity. women beautiful regardless of size, shape or complexion. men strong, sensitive & loving. parents & children caring & happy. couples in love in warm intimate moments. us as lovers, sensual & sexy but not nasty even when we're nasty."



"i can b reached @ saddikhali@gmail.com or on facebook"


You can see more on Saddi's works here and here. Saddi and I had an interesting discussion, expect to see the results of it here soon.

a centennial moment to ponder...

Just taking a breath. This is my 101st entry and I was just reflecting on how this all came to me and what its about. It didn't start with the conversation on hair. It was before that and it was at this place. And this model, Xian, was one of the muses.

In a week or so, (ironing out a few technical kinks) the portal will go live and this blog will be a part of it. And it will be as the blog has been, a repository of images of the beauty, glamour & sensuality of EarthSistas, a haven for ideas on the influences of Afrocentricity in art, culture, sexuality, politics, music, family...life. And it will a place where we can, all express ourselves, creatively and admire the efforts of those who have.

Just taking a moment. Catching my breath. Waiting...

Charlisha...a pictorial moment

Charlisha is a model that I've recently spoken to online about joining us in the Garden. A Fashion Merchandising student, Charlisha wants to focus on art and fashion photography as both a model and photographer. Being a lover of art, she wants to use captures to provoke visual stimulations to the mind. She has also ventured into acting. Her beauty has been captured by the likes of Patrick Covington , Kever Conyers III , the KS Collection and B L O P H O T O. You can check out her modeling portfolio here and her photography portfolio here. I look forward to seeing what she chooses to do next.

Mark Gellineau

Mark is a photographer in Trinidad & Tobago. He view his captures an artist's first sketch and says they become art when he's had his way with them in my digital lab.

One model who has worked with him says "He has this way of seeing the artistic side of everything, translating it from his creative eye to picture."

He says he loves vintage and creating black&white images. I say his works speak for themselves. You can see more of his work here.

AFROCHIC by Pantherimage

I found Pantherimage's works to be the definition of striking and provocative and include a sampling of one of his sets here. You can see the works I found here along with his statement on his works that I've included in this entry...



"AFROCHIC concept developed and created by PANTHERIMAGE as a tribute to black models throughout the world. I just love the way the black skin shines under the spot light , i just luv the way my sisters pose with such sensuality and beauty. Each shooting session is a new poem...
Peace to all."



"My name is Shakazz and i'm an African photographer based in France.
Check www.afrochic.book.fr"

rich, colourful and beautiful in the garden...

More inspiration from Naturally Leslie

Jake in blue...

While playing in the kitchen at Mas Camp with Jake, the poet LeiCole interviewed her for a contribution to the Project. Thats coming soon.

As I listen, I am reminded of some of the reasons beyond the look that I am inspired to cature Jake. They are captured in the words and pictures here.

afrocentric sensuality is a movement...

I'm taking a quick break to check out some of the media out there and I am excited by what I see. Specifically, I happened upon a couple of recent entries posted by a couple of my favorite bloggers. I've attached what I liked as well links to their original posts. If you haven't checked out Kiss My Black Ads and Naturally Leslie out for yourselves, you do not know what you've been missing.

The Coil Review

The Coil Review Re Launch from Tricia (T. Mezz) Messeroux on Vimeo.

Naturally Leslie's original post


Design Inspiration: Karcarah
Kiss My Black Ads' original post

Surrender from ShayGon Designs' AfroLady set...

Surrender, originally uploaded by ShayGon Designs.

Melanie "Shay" LaRocque, a South London girl of Trinidadian heritage currently in transit to the British Virgin Islands. She currently pursues her passion and life-dream of running an Art and Design Studio full-time. Check it out HERE.

A quote from the lady Shay on the series:
"When you see her coming down the road, you better make way for that Fro'. Sometimes she's down but definately not out. Sometimes she's stern but her heart is a marshmellow. Never under-estimate the power of Ms Af-Ro!"

Check out the painting in detail along with images of the rest of the series HERE.

the artist model series - xian: moods and monochromes

Always the muse, Xian stands out because of her expressiveness. Working with the artsy environment at Apache Cafe & Lounge, she creates moods with each pose that constantly inspired artists and photographers alike.

maurice and malika...

Maurice Evans is a painter and photographer who marries both skill sets to create some astounding works. Humble 'til the end, he was genuinely surprised when I told him I wanted to feature his works on the blog because I considered him and his works to be influential and inspirational to the vision here. Within a few brief years, Maurice has established himself as one of the best in the field of Black Art and his works has delighted countless collectors of African-American art. No matter the subject or whether the works are executed on paper, wood or canvas - the texture, intense colors, strong emotion and unusual, exaggerated perspectives, are what define a Maurice Evans work.

And Malika
Model. Actress. Dancer.
Malika is the muse.

They have created a LOT of beautiful, provocative and highly imaginative works of art together. Check them out. Malika is a model and you find her here. Check out the works of Maurice here and here.

the artist model series - xian: the first muse in locs & white

Xian was the first.



At Apache, she was the first model I created images of (first as sketches, later as photos). And while I loved the images I captured, there were so many quality concerns with the digital images that I was inspired to solve the problems and get it right. The solutions are technical, having to do with camera sensors and lighting techniques.







But I was inspired to go the next level. Create better images and new ideas. Grow.

I guess that is what a Muse does for you.