My Creative Journey 2018-2020

It's 2021 already! Wow! It has been such a long a time since I posted on this blog page. While I still create and display my original art, my main focus has been on expanding the art education division of our business, which you can explore by clicking this link. Nevertheless, I'm still on a creative journey and wanted to share  some of the highlights we experienced from the last few years.

2018

I had the pleasure of publishing a new children's picture book in 2018 entitled, Jamal's Creative Inspiration. This book is a companion piece to our other children's picture book, Jamilah Loves to Talk About Art . Both books help to introduce readers to important Black visual artists.

I had so much fun facilitaing/teaching creative events and traveling in 2018. I went home to Detroit, MI to host a joy-filled coloring party with my best fiend. We also went to the Dominican Republic and had one of the best cultural experiences of our lives so far.  The art, nature, music and food are incredible.

Beautiful Flower in the Dominican Republic

Charle H. Wright Museum of African-American History, Detroit, MI

We ended 2018 and began 2019 by observing Kwanzaa.

2019

W enjoyed partnering with Hope and Faith Rivers,  the amazing business owners of Moazen Jewelry and Majestic Hue, to host  fine art exhibitions and events throughout 2019-2020. The community support has been wonderful. We also attended a great African textile exhibition at the Mint Museum in the Spring.

African Textile Exhibition at the Mint Museum in Charlotte, NC

Student Art, 2nd Grade

Stained Glass Window at First Baptist Church-West in Charlotte, NC

Again, we had the pleasure of facilitating summer art camps/classes. One one of our favorite art camp locations was at The First Baptist Church-West  in Charlotte, NC where they have amazing stained glass windows. One of our art lessons was inspired by the spectacular windows.

We were blessed to visit family in Jackson, MS and also experience the phenomenal island of Aruba. Both trips  were fantastic. We were also fortunate to see these original paintings by Aaron Douglas as well as an exhibition of Frida Kahlo's original paintings  at the North Carolina Museum of Art in Raleigh, NC in the latter part of the year.

2020

We began 2020 by publishing a new coloring book; African Print Inspired Home Decor Coloring Book. Coloring is a great way to promote mindfulness and relaxation. We also continued to teach/facilitate art classes around the Metro Charlotte, NC community.

Right before the world shut down as result of Covid-19, we had the privilege to travel to and experience the wonderful country of Costa Rica. The culture in Costa Rica is filled with color and beauty.

Even though we were quarantined throughout 2020, it gave us an opportunity to create new creative content like our Art For the Creative Soul Virtual Art Academy. We created this course to teach adults of all ages how to enrich their educational curriculum by creating art lessons inspired by Black visual artists. 

We closed the year by hosting a safe and socially distant Kwanzaa inspired event with Faith and Hope Rivers. Even though 2020 was very challenging, it was also filled with blessings. We hope that you enjoyed seeing some of our creative highlights and that you all are safe and healthy.