Letters from the Garden: Dear Marvin

dear Marvin,
happy birthday.  we miss you.



special shout out to my super dope friend who put me on to this rehearsal vid of my favorite Marvin song...

be.  fly.
rhythm

related garden reading:

Brother Story: Ernie Barnes

i saw a segment of a show on TV-One last spring.  the segment was about artist Ernie Barnes.  and i've been fascinated by him ever since.  i learned a few weeks ago that he passed away not too long after that segment aired.  i didn't hear about it when it happened, but i was caught up in a whirlwind of crisis and trauma at the time, so i don't know if i missed the news due to that or due to a lack of media acknowledgement.

at any rate, he has inspired me so much lately.  and something he has been quoted as saying strikes me at the core.  he said that he tended to paint people with their eyes closed because we fail to see the humanity in one another.  i've been carrying that sentiment with me since the first time i read it.

most people are familiar with mr. barnes' most famous piece, "Sugar Shack," which was feautred during the closing credits of Good Times and on Marvin Gaye's I Want You album.  but Barnes has a vast collection of soulful, engaging pieces that have inspired so many people.  in fact, in response to one of my random twitter posts (is "random twitter post" redundant?), artist tuki carter said ernie barnes was his favorite artist and inspired him to become one.  i'm a big proponent of learning about my influences' influences, that is, learning who inspired the people who inspire me and whom i respect as artists and people.  so that tidbit made my exploration of ernie barnes even sweeter.

i also learned he supposedly died of a "rare blood disease."  as did dilla.  and as a line in my tribute poem to dilla says, "rare blood, indeed."





*pictured: "My Miss America" (top) and "Song of Myself" (bottom)

We Pour Libations

for the past year and a half or so, i've been working on a very special project with an awesome artist by the name of willis nomo (google the man). he's an amazing painter, graphic designer, muralist, and [insert art form here; i bet he can do it]. when i first saw his work, i knew he would be perfect for the vision i had for this project. he, on the other hand, needed a little convincing. but ever since he's been on board, we've been creating beautiful things together. the major project is Libations Vol. 1: Black Artists Who Died Young, a collection of poetry and paintings dedicated to artists including marvin gaye, billie holiday, phyllis hyman, and tupac shakur.

a promo poster with an excerpt from Libations:

i can't wait to release this book. i'm still working on getting an agent or publisher to support our efforts, but if we must self-publish, i'm prepared to go that route (again). so send plenty of good vibes, prayers, and omens our way (feel free to include agent/publisher-friends' info with those as well).

if you're in the philadelphia area (or will be on april 17th), check us out at the gallerie isada (3320 collins street, philadelphia, pa) for "elevator: uplifting the masses," a multi-media event featuring the paintings of willis nomo, the sounds of hezekiah, and the poetry of yours truly. it's just $10 with an rsvp, and who knows...there may even be some live art...definitely a one-of-a-kind experience. 4-17-09 8pm.

be. fly.

rhythm