I recently did an interview with Vitiello Communications to talk about my process, inspirations and motivation as an artist and business woman.
Big Mouth On View
This body of work is a collection of one sided conversations. As a woman, I find it is often easier to make my way in the world by keeping my mouth shut. To simply grin and bare it when haters, well meaning friends or co-workers say or do something incorrect or insensitive.
As a child, my father would say to me, “Better to be thought a fool than open your mouth and remove all doubtâ€. So in keeping my mouth shut, I learned, to be seen, and selectively heard.
With ‘Big Mouth’, I am all of it. The sass, the crass, the erudite and more than that, aware. Aware of the language used to quiet me down. To remind me of what is and most importantly, what isn’t being said.
Digital Big Mouths- New Metallic Photo Prints
My status as “other†does not always grant the luxury to say what is truly there for me, to correct a slight or present an alternative point of view. I have to be vigilantly self aware, and know the right time to speak up or how to frame my words so that they can be received in the best possible light. Sharing my uncensored opinion can quickly get me labeled as being “too big in a room†or worse an “Angry Black Womanâ€. When that happens, full stop. My opinion is dismissed outright. Somewhere along the way, I’ve even stopped correcting people who mispronounce my name. It’s Thee-duh if you are interested.
11″x14″ print in frame, 20″x16″ total size.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dn9-v0sgPIw&w=560&h=315]
An Experiment…
What if i let my mind wander and see where my hands lead me…
These abstract figurative self portraits where made over the course of 5 weekends using the fine print from my MS medication, Tysbari and other recycled paper scrapes Ive been hoarding all year.
Acrylic paint, Sharpie, colored pencils, pastels, Distress Stain, mica spray, Tysabri newsprint, hand printed deli paper, construction paper, recycled Tazo tea box, tulle, glitter stars, glitter glue and rhinestones on 12″x9″Canson paper.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=videoseries?list=PLk2jgVFOoq2h3bpqr0i8_RGq5v_WZWzw5&w=560&h=315]
New Mixed Media Big Mouths
As a woman of color, I find It is often easier to make my way in the world by keeping my mouth shut. To simply grin and bare it when haters, well meaning friends or co-workers say or do something incorrect or insensitive. As a child, my father would say to me, “Better to be thought a fool than open your mouth and remove all doubt†So I learned to keep my mouth shut, to be seen, and selectively heard.
My status as “other†does not always grant the luxury to say what is truly there for me, to correct a slight or present an alternative point of view. I have to be vigilantly self aware, and know the right time to speak up or how to frame my words so that they can be received in the best possible light. Sharing my uncensored opinion can quickly get me labeled as being “too big in a room†or worse an “angry black womanâ€. When that happens, full stop. My opinion is dismissed outright. Somewhere along the way, I’ve even stopped correcting people who mispronounce my name. It’s Thee-duh if you are interested.
It can be frustrating to constantly edit myself for the sake of others but thank goodness I have my art as a vehicle for my voice to be heard, long after I’m gone. This body of work is a collection of one sided conversations. The things I wish I said or could say, the things I say under my breath or the affirmations I use to remind myself that my voice is relevant even when no one is listening.
Thanks to Big Mouth… look who has the last word now.
Look How Nice Selfie Joy Looks
One of collectors, Michelle Stevens on did such a lovely job framing her Selfie Joy print. I had just had to share!
You can get your own print of Selfie Joy in my Shopify store.
Sneak Peak At New Small Works
Late Summer I started working on an edition of linocut mixed media self portrait collaged prints on paper. I used the fine print from my Tysabri infusion and boarding passes from my travels this year to mark the passage of time.
All works are 7″x5″ in a 10″x8″ mat ready to be framed. These works are priced to move on my Shopify store at $75 each. A steal for an original piece of art, if you ask me. So if you have been meaning to get little something for yourself click here.
Hamilco white card stock, Speedball block printing ink, Golden fluid acrylic, Sharpie, paper boarding passes, Mulberry paper, construction paper flower, glitter glue, glitter and sparkle.
My Wonder Women Video Playlist
Curious about the inspiration behind the body of work Women of Wonder? Watch…
Body Glitch
DATE: October 18th, 2018
TIME: 6:00pm-8:00pm
LOCATION: 54 Halsey Street, 3rd Floor | Newark, NJ 07102
Monday-Wednesday, 12pm-5pm
Thursday, 12pm-8pm
Saturday, 12pm-5pm
Wonder Women Install
The opening of the Fall Exhibition Season at the Visual Arts Center of New Jersey is this Friday September 28th from 6:30-8:30pm. I hope you can make it.
RSVP
My 10’x 8′ tapestry was installed last Friday. Here is a sneak peak of the process…