So......
We thought we'd seen the last of it. Unfortunately, mother nature has other plans for NYC.
Luckily, New Yorkers are well equipped. This morning I saw some of the most stylishly cold people ever.
I gotta start walking around with all of my cameras so I can share what I see.
In the meantime, I will art.
Turtlecks and topknots are my favorite.
:)
Every time I pass this tree I think "This is insane" He's a pretty interesting guy... don't you think?
I finally stopped and spent some time with him. I can only imagine the things he's seen.
Sitting there reminded me of two tales I'd heard about trees. One was regarding the tree's behavior and the other was an alternative purport to a well known story.
The first was told to me by a sadhu (sanksrit word for holy man) as told to him by an older sadhu.
He said to me "When the tree is barren and dry... empty, it stands tall. It is not weighed down by anything; but when the tree is adorned with delicious ripened fruits, when it is in full bloom with beautiful leaves and fragrant flowers, when it is truly at the height of it's potential and purpose, it hangs low. This is a symbolic representation of how we are. When we are empty and no where near our full potential, we stand tall, proud. When we are filled with the fruits of wisdom, when we are approaching our potential, we begin to humble ourselves. The trees hang low so that you can better experience what they have for you. We must be humble to serve."
Really deep... like... really!!!
The other story I'd heard was an alternate story behind the tale of Moses and the burning bush.
This tale was told to a friend of mine by an old rabbi. He said that there was some sort of discrepancy in translation in this story. The word that was used for bush was something like "sneh" (please forgive me if I am spelling/telling this incorrectly). It was very uncommon and that the word that was actually used was more like "elchghchg" pronounced similarly. It literally means what you would think, "YUCK" or something of that nature.
As the story goes, Moses had been trying to find a way to help his people. He truly wanted to do God's work and in that endeavor he was travelling deep within himself to be a true servant. As he was wandering in this mindset, he came upon a burning... bush, of sorts. It was at this time he hear the voice of the Lord. He was overwhelmed. One could only imagine what that would be like. But, what the Lord told him was most amazing. According to this version of the story, the burning bush was NOT the Lord. The Lord was however speaking to Moses and explained to him, "This burning bush is your resentment. You have been harboring this resentment for so long and it has been keeping you from hearing me. I have been speaking to you all along, every day. It was not until you gave up this resentment, toward your family, the world, the oppressors, that you were able to hear me."
This resonates so deeply with me. We have to be as "transparent" as possible if we are going to be used as a conduit for a greater purpose. To contaminate that work with personal agenda is as dangerous as misleading or working as an opposition to the greater purpose.
It's a constant battle... but there are reminders all over the place.
If you can see them.
All this from a visit with a tree. :)
One of many... of the series that I am working on. It is funny how the brain works. I am constantly in need of something to occupy my crazy mind.
You know what they say of the Idle mind....
Anyway, these mini doodles have started to become my faves.
I will try to post at least three or four a week.
I am pretty positive a few of these will be at the art show.
Hope you love them!!!
There is really no such thing as good or bad karma; it's what you do with the issues you're dealt.
Hitting the Lottery can be your worst moment.
Learn to see everything as an opportunity and a blessing.
I'm pretty much overwhelmed and immensely grateful for all of the people that have been supported & continue to support The New Black. I can't thank you all enough.
I wholeheartedly believe we can make a place where people are happy and inspired!
I am excited to share all that is to come!
Learning the art of minimalism. I had always been fascinated with minimalist art and culture. It wasn't until I decided to try my hand at recreating an image of a photograph of Rihanna that I started to really understand.
It is truly about ascertaining the essential details and highlighting them.
It takes a tremendous amount of practice. It's a challenge for the wandering brain. I spent the greater part of my life consumed with details and it has been quite beneficial, but the way to truly apply that skill, is to focus on the essential details and discard the clutter.
If nothing else it's a metaphor for living life.
ART IMITATING LIFE!!!!
Learn everyday.
ART everyday.
So easy to take for granted.
Eyes for the blind.
Communicator for the deaf.
Trained to make art.
Trained to make music.
Used to save lives.
simultaneously power, precision and gentle.
LaBellaMornenita!
Spent some time talking with Pana this weekend. It was refreshing as usual. We spoke about... well, everything. The desire to help people, learning to help ourselves and most of all establishing the true meaning of success. She is a very "old world" soul. If you tell her you like her necklace she just may take it off and give it to you. These people are quite rare nowadays but we definitely need them. Not to exploit them, but because there ARE so many people that exploit one another. This latest iteration of "Black's Journal" is all about highlighting the good, the great in people. It wasn't even the slightest bit difficult with Pana.
Please check out LaBellaMorenita.com
We appreciate you P :)
In the inaugural issue Jess and Rene, beauty/lifestyle influencers, talk about internal and external beauty.
COMING SOON.
for all the details,
PLEASE SUBSCRIBE IF YOU HAVEN'T ALREADY.
SNEAK PREVIEW OF WHAT'S TO COME INSPIRE! INSPIRE! INSPIRE!
I can't begin to tell you how excited I am to tell you about this new venture.
I am working with a new team, both internally and extended, to bring a lot of content to the site.
The goal is to highlight our favorite inspirational people.
Photographers, models, musicians, designers, writers, artists, etc. that make us feel compelled to be great.
We must challenge ourselves, demand more and reject mediocrity.
We are going to be celebrating those people that bring us there.
I am so proud of this project and I can't wait to share my friends with you all.
Blk.
NYC.... in December. Where I wear shorts... and it's 70 degrees. And uber foggy at night.
ugh, but YES, but uggggh.
shooting Jenn...
We toned it down and kept it very simple, and it all started to make sense.
It was refreshing. Just beauty and nothing else.
Made me remember how much I love portraits.
I never made the transition.... not until I had a child.
There is a transition that one makes (hopefully) when they realize the sacrifice their parents made for them. When you can see the extraordinary things your parents did for you. You realize how unreal the task of a mother is and you realize, there is no greater superhero than a mother.
Moms are rockstars. It is just that simple. Kerry came in for her maternity images I made sure to tell her. Please make sure to let a mother know today. They need to hear it.
It was 9am on a Saturday, very few people can be amazing that early.
Rene is that one percent. We decided to shoot outside because it was really just an awesome day. We drove around to find the perfect setting. This is where I found out that she has an amazing singing voice. (I've got videos to prove it)
The most amazing thing was how easily we fell into a rhythm. We would walk, talk, shoot and repeat. It was infectious. So many people stopped and watched... and talked to us... and filmed us for Spike Lee's upcoming short.
Phenomenal imagery comes from amazing energy. It is something that is really hard to fake. This was one of my favorite shoots, it was truly genuine. When I find people like that, I have to share.
LIVE LAUGH LOVE!
