We are preparing for an interview with NPR next week about the art exhibit. This has been quite the adventure up to this point. We just finished up a magazine interview yesterday as well. We bought this from the ground up. I stand proud. In my thoughts, I now have a new understanding of patience, confidence, trust and selflessness. I can even draw a conclusion to how these things can be the true recipe of love. There's something to be said about facing your biggest fears head on. I've face down my fear many times. I've even faced my own mortality. In bringing you guys this show, its not about fame. This is about something much larger than myself. This art and design is a platform, a voice to those who lack certain understanding. Love is the true demonstration to exhibit patience in the time it took to put this together. Love is the confidence to be solid in my ideas and skills to aid my message. Love is the courage to chase and capture the dream and turning it into reality. Love is trusting myself to stay focused and letting go and keeping my faith, even when times are at their toughest. Love is the selflessness of not doing it for myself, but making sure this message goes far & beyond to reach others. This is progression. Progression in my journey to become eternal. Intergalactic Soul yall.
Almost home
The past year has been one of my toughest but they say either you're going into a storm, you're in it or you're coming out of one.. a year ago we put these intergalactic soul plans into action for the year 2015 and in another month the show opens. It's good to put your ideas into motion and see them actually come together. I had a bunch of critics, a bunch naysayers and just people thinking it couldn't be done the kiser corp way, even people that are suppose to be in your corner, but its done. I rely on my experience. It hasn't been easy and there have been so many outside obstacles a brother had to go through to get here, but I'm here... still standing. I'm a bit more broken yet still the most complete I've ever been. I'm going into new career directions now, taking on more consulting & teaching rolls. I'm more accepting of the changes that are happening around me and in my life. I'm becoming alot better at seeing these upcoming road bumps in my journey to liberation. So once this show goes up, I'll be able to breathe easy. I may even shed a tear or two, because this journey to get to this point has been insane. The people only know the finished product they don't know about what you go through or what it costs you. Our first major exhibit.. and better yet its all graphic design based. I always wanted to be one of those fancy graphic designers who's work could simply be viewed as visual art. Instead of selling some pointless product, lets sell the idea of equality and peace and make the world a better place. I fall back on our old god city slogan: educate, assist and entertain the people through artistic expression. Pops I made it and I know mom would be proud.
It doesnt affect me, so it's not my problem, problems.
2 conversations I had this week made me ask this question. Why do certain people choose to be silent about injustices or certain issues that plague us as society? ( I know that's a loaded question, because people have different ideas of rights & wrongs) When did it become ok to NOT know whats going on & to never know what always has been going on? How many people have to die before we step up & say "that's not right"? Why is it cool to follow religion but not have any consciousness about your surroundings or history, better yet, to have no knowledge of the most high that you follow & even worse, no knowledge of self. What have these people been fed? When has it ever been ok to be selfish enough to only worry about yourself while others suffer? It's never been in my nature to rock with these ideas, (its hard not to have compassion or empathy for fellow man, especially when those people suffering look just like me, I don't have to know them personally) but it's in my nature to let these people know.
The idea of a most high doesn't come in the form of pointless materialistic offerings, but in the gift of your third eye, your mind, the gift of knowledge & the gift of unconditional love. I thought love was universal. I just wrapped up the astronaut food packaging designs for the show... for those that like to be fed nonsense free of independent thought. Have another bowl & take another sip.
We have a Q & A lecture session that will accompany this art show. I say again, my 25 pieces are all based off of real life conversations and situations I've been in... I could do 50 more.. easy.
Imagination x consciousness
First and foremost, I'm extremely proud of how we've put this idea together (thanks to Jason Woodberry & Quentin Talley). The upcoming intergalactic soul art exhibit, I've created a series of posters to assist with the story telling of the show... another form of visual communication using some graphic design skill. Here's one of those poster designs that will also translate into t-shirt design with the tagline to the show, imagination x consciousness. I think we're onto something here, from the work, to the brand, to the musical score and we have already captured the ears & eyes of some heavy hitter international art buyers. Im no artist, just a designer that can illustrate. We've finished up all the art and we're wrapping up the performance piece now. I'm really thinking of turning this into a graphic novel.
Chasing Forever
Let me preface this entry by saying that February 12th will mark 20 years since my mom passed away. It makes me realize how thankful I am of the 16 years that i had with her. I hope that I can enrich lives as she did, as some others that have passed on that were close to me as well.
Nothing comes easy in this art & design world, however I try to make it look as flawless & easy as possible. That gives people a misconception that I haven't been at this everyday for the past 13 years of my life. I'll never be satisfied... never. I'm chasing forever. I don't even know what I am anymore... some sick hybrid of a designer/artist type being. As long as I'm able to execute these concepts that spring from my mind though, I'm happy. At the ripe age of 36, I'm starting to realize the blessing of this talent that I have. A realization of self worth & an unconditional love for who I am and what I'm about. I hope everyone gets the chance to find that happy place, whatever it may be. Lets strive to be positive & remembered forever. Lets make the world a better place & for those of us lucky enough to be deemed as "artist", whether it be, visual performing or whatever, lets speak with our creativity and inspire greatness in others, because this here, is a blessing...
I've just finished up the latest "off the wall" poster for the j dilla tribute.
Intergalactic 2015
As we step into this new year of 2015, we will embark on the intergalactic soul missions, to do what it takes to bring awareness of issues that plague this world and the universe through our art... Using our graphic design, illustration and multimedia talents to make bold statements about equality for mankind & alien kind.
With two pieces that debuted in the Art Basel cosmic connections exhibition of 2014, fellow artist and friend, Jason Woodberry and I will introduce the intergalactic soul art exhibition. Below is a sneak peek of the space patch designs that will be introduced and printed for the show
Icarus Branding
I'm going to be a featured commissioned artist for the upcoming Icarus exhibit for UNC-Charlotte in October, sharing the stage with a few big time industry professionals such as Damien Hirst, Nicholas Kahn & Richard Selesnick. I was asked to create a few branding pieces for the show along with 2 poster designs to be on display in the exhibition. I will also be creating a small run of limited edition t-shirts as well. Here are my Icarus branding ideas,
