INKTOBER 2018 IS FINALLY COMPLETED

Whew! Inktober (at least for me) is finally over. October is always a challenge for me because of Inktober. I work so hard on this challenge, but I always feel like I never get any where professionally and all of this work just sits on the internet or in my sketchbook. However, this year is about change for me. I’ve decided to create some prints from my work and an Inktober art zine to sell at my booth. I’m particularly excited about the Art Zine idea because in that format I can share all the cool stuff that I learned about African witchcraft along the way. This is something that I’ve never done before (mostly because I hated showing people my work) but when I sell my art, my artist booth is looking a little sparse with only two coloring books. Feel free to check out my gallery below to see all the pictures in case you missed one on my FB/IG/Twitter pages. Stay tuned for updates!!

INKTOBER 2018 ( CLICK THE PICS TO SEE THEM ALL)

What I Learned About Hoodoo

For Inktober this year I decided to look into African witch lore. Goal was to make 31 ink drawings featuring African inspired witches.  When I started I was more looking at witches and witch doctors in Africa, but then I stumbled across something that shocked me.  African Americans have their own brand of witchcraft lore called Hoodoo right here in the United States!!

“Finding out where all this comes from gives me such a strange feeling of connection to my “blackness” that I can’t really put into words.”

Now let me be clear about this, I do not practice Hoodoo.  I’m from a VERY christian family north of the Mason/Dixon line, so my family never told me about any of this.  But I find it fascinating that our ancestors practiced this type of spirituality right here in the States. Slaves in the U.S. have a remarkable way of combining African and American styles/music/art to create something new for ourselves and Hoodoo is one of those creations.  I learned that there are MANY folk magic practices just like Hoodoo. Many of the slaves that were captured had a mix of religions and spirits that they believed in only to all be thrown together and have Christianity pushed on them.

All of these folk magic practices were used as a way for slaves to keep some sort of identity for themselves.  Many of these practices remind me of modern day black baptists, whether it’s spiritual dancing (happy dancing), possession (speaking in tongues), singing, chanting, or praying to ancestors ( our focus on black history).  Even something as simple as pouring some beverage on the ground “for the ones that passed” ( something that my mother used to do with us) is heavily steeped in these African spiritual traditions. Finding out where all this comes from gives me such a strange feeling of connection to my “blackness” that I can’t really put into words.  I guess I just don’t want this to fade into the background and be something that we forget about ourselves. So read a book, check out the wiki page, and share what you learn about this enchanting part of our history. You might find out you know a lot more witchy black people than you thought lol.

Buy Local. Buy Multicultural. Buy Books

Not too long ago, one of my first clients (Naturally Niecy) launched their natural hair care product line in Kokomo Indiana. I love promoting independent businesses, especially when my art is on their labels he he.  When I found out about her launch I just had to check it out, so I made the 1 ½ hour drive to Kokomo Indiana to support her. In the process I stumbled upon a treasure hiding in the form of Beyond Barcodes Bookstore or BBB.

As a person that loves to read, I am always willing to stop and browse with any Independent bookseller.  I love the environment that it inspires (something that starbucks made popular). I love the light jazz music ( or silence), the smell of paper, the taste of tea, and of course the sight of people reading.  Going out and seeing people educating themselves or getting lost in world of fiction outside of a college campus feels so rare to me now. I miss that a lot actually.

I think that’s what I like so much about BBB, it makes me remember when I was kid wanting to live in the downtown library.  When you look on their Facebook Page, you see simply that they are “A Multicultural Bookstore selling a variety of books and learning materials.  Fair Trade books are also available.” This book store is so much more than that. BBB sells local art, jewelry, and now hair care products. I just love that there are a host of books on prominent display that would normally be hidden on a shelf in any other store.  From poetry and fiction, to non-fiction, to even children’s books, all the literature is diverse in its own way. The space is also large enough to hold events and a cafe.

DeAndra Beard, the owner of the bookstore, uses her bookstore as a space in inspire her local community.  Not only does she run multiple book clubs including a “Read Around the World Book Club” where people gather around to read books translated into English, she also holds events for local authors and recently hosted a movie night addressing mental health in the African American community.  Her bookstore is a local spot for school field trips and is a spot for the local chess club. Basically, her space is what I’ve dreamed of making “my spot” when it comes to just hanging out. I wish that there was a spot like hers in my local area. Tea’s Me Cafe ( another local shop that I might write about later) comes close, but they don’t have shelves of books for me to go (sigh).

And if the books, environment and Cafe don’t entice you to come in, DeAndra surely will!  I only got to meet her for a short time during the First Friday this month, but she seems like just a ray of sunshine!  This bookstore has been around now for around two years and it seems to be going strong. I hope DeAndra all the success in the world.    

Beyond Borders Bookstore is located at 108 N. Main Street, Kokomo IN