Logos Festival in West End

Saturday and Sunday at the West End Mall was wonderful. The Logos Festival is an exciting FREE event featuring great food, top authors and international entertainers. This is a 3-day event is a "Celebration of Life Through Reading and Knowledge" and is one of the few major book festivals in the city of Atlanta that will feature diverse writers and artists from all genres. National and local authors, spoken word artists and world-acclaimed poets will give lectures and sign their work. For more info: alogosfest.yolasite.com/

The festival continues this Saturday, November 12, 2011. Opening at 10am

New Art Quilt Calendar

I feel like I have been negligent in writing on this blog. I console myself with the idea that everyone is busy too and will still be here when I write something. So for that I say thank you for still being here.

I really haven't been negligent though. It takes a lot to produce this calendar. As soon as I finish one year I start on the next year. So all this year I have been making quilts and planning photo shoots. As soon as one photo shoot is done, we are off to the next one. It sounds so easy now, but trying to schedule my time, the photographers time and the venue's time was very challenging.

This year I added a framer into the mix. Since the glass on the frame reflects back with a glaring flash from the camera, I had some of the work framed without the glass. Rushed to take the pictures and then back to the framer to have the glass put in. Did I mention that when the quilt is big, there is at least a two week wait for ordering glass and mats to fit? I wasn't expecting this to be so time consuming.

When I started on this journey last September I was sure that I would make my deadline. I didn't. I pledged to the photographer that we will do better this time. He reminded me that we did better this year than we did last year. That should give me some consolation.

I spent countless hours on the computer. I set up all the number date pages and watched my son organize the photo pages. I learned to make a PDF document. Then the moment came when I thought I would just upload the file to the printer. At first it looked like my computer security was attacking the file, that was when I called the security company and chatted online; to no avail. Then I called the printer and got someone who obviously didn't know anything about technology. At least he was honest when he said, "I don't know what to tell you." So I called my daughter, my son, my brother. They all made some good suggestions.

Then I called the printer again. I got someone different. He said did you flatten all the documents first. I remembered that my son did that for me last year. He also added that I should load it in Acrobat 4. Wow, he had some solid answers. Tried all of that. Stayed up until midnight trying to send it. I called the printer again. Got the same person. He suggested that I reduce the size of everything. Still didn't work. They were telling me the file was just too big. Too big? It's a big calendar, 12"x12" and I want the highest quality photos that I can get. I was thinking, if you are a printer, how could you not have the capabilities to handle large files.

Frustrated to death, I called again. I got someone else. I asked for the previous helpers. I think the other helpers I had been calling were waving their hands saying, "no no, I don't want to talk to her again." The new person asked me the million dollar question. "Are you on a computer that is using wifi or is it a hard line?" He explained that the wifi connection was not strong enough to carry such a big file. I plugged in and it loaded.

I texted my son, "And the heavens opened wide. The sun peeked through and painted a rainbow across the sky." He knew that the storm had finally passed and I had Finally uploaded that monster of a file.

Now you can own one of these lovely calendars. They make great gifts. Own some today. Go to http://www.obaquilts.com/

Sankofa: Photography by Sue Ross

Sankofa: Looking Back to Move Forward. July 15-August 26, 2011. This beautiful exhibit by Sue Ross is a most see. Sue has documented the National Black Arts Festival from 1988 at the inception to present. I missed the Opening Reception but was there for the First Thursdays Downtown ArtsWalk. I was so happy that I went.

The pictures are phenomenal. "I wait on that moment to catch the picture that shows a little of their personality," Ms. Ross says. I spent time with each photo and felt transported to the moment. She has pictures of Cicely Tyson, Gladys Knight, Max Roach, Maya Angelou, Sonia Sanchez, Aaron Neville, Toni Cade Bambara, Dr. Richard Long, Cassandra Wilson, Rachelle Farrell, Philadanco Dance Company!, Elizabeth Catlett and many many more. Be sure to go by and see it before it leaves at the end of the month.

The exhibit is at the Rialto Center for the Arts in downtown Atlanta. In the fall 1916, a 926 seat theater opened in Atlanta. It was named the Rialto. which is defined as an exchange or marketplace. The Rialto operated through the Depression and at one time boasted the largest electric sign above the marquee in the south. The original building was torn down in 1962, and a new 1200 seat theater was erected on the same site. It was the first movie theater to be constructed in downtown Atlanta in 35 years and stayed open until 1989 before falling victim to the declining economy. Georgia State University bought it in 1996 and re-opened a 833 seat performing arts center.

It is fitting to that Sankofa is exhibited at the Rialto. We can "look back" to a time when African Americans had to sit in the balcony (segregated) to view the movies at the Rialto. Now as we "move forward", the Rialto is hosting an African American Art Photography Exhibit. Sankofa!

Praise the Postal Service

I mailed two bed sized quilts about a month ago. One was queen sized and the other was king sized. I mailed them on Saturday just before the post office closed by Priority mail. On Monday the black and white one called Soul Sisters had arrived in Washington, DC. I was so surprised and happy that it got there so fast.

Both quilts were meant to be surprises for the new owners. The quilt arrived in DC so fast and I just knew the other one had made it home to New Orleans just as fast. Since I mailed the New Orleans quilt called Sharing the Love to a Post Office box, I figured it may take the recipient a couple of days to check the post box. I waited and waited and still no wonderful surprised call.

After two weeks I sent a text that said "check your post office box for a surprise." Which totally ruined the surprise but by then I was just concerned that the quilt might be lost in the mail. The responding text said, "did you send it to this address?" I was downstairs working and that address did not look the same. I ran up the stairs and searched for the address. I quickly texted back, "no I sent it to P.O. Box XXXX, New Orleans, LA with a totally different zip code." By then I was breathing pretty heavily and trying hard not to panic. I was slowly thinking how dumb it was to try to surprise her and how dumb it was that I didn't put a confirmation on it. The next text said, "This is my new address. I changed my post office box." My heart sunk. Oh no, I mailed it to the wrong address.

Panic was breathing down my neck. I remembered that Aunt Annie said, "If you pray don't worry, but if you worry don't bother to pray." So I switched to prayer mode. I found my receipt and considered going to the post office to find out what ever little they could tell me. When my mail man came by, I asked him what he thought the chances were of getting the box back. He said, "two weeks, I don't know. You might have something to worry about. Somebody might be excited about a nice gift in the mail." Not the right answer but he is still my favorite mail person.

The post office has gotten a lot of bad press of late, but I want to go on record to say that there are some wonderful people who work for the postal service. They always take good care of me. So I settled into a vision of the postman bringing the box back to me. Every time worry tried to slip into my mind, I visualized the postman and my box.

Long story short. I thought I would sleep late Saturday morning. Everybody knows that I get up early. So my friend called at 7:30am on Saturday with the wonderful surprise in her voice. Thank you for the quilt, she said. God is good and so is the postal service!

Superwoman

I used to be Superwoman. I searched in every drawer and throughout the closet. I know it is here somewhere. I had it. I had a blouse with a "S" on it and a cape. Yes, I had a cape.

I used to wake up in the morning and bound out of bed. I could throw a baby on my back and work all day. I could juggle three children, work a job, come home cook dinner, help with homework and still have energy to spare. Now I have to coax myself out of bed. I tell myself that I need to exercise. Gone are the days when I could take my shape for granted. I have to work hard to look this good.

I could jump from one building to another in a single bound. All I had to do was bend down a little and leap. Now if I bend down someone has to help me up. I could have been gardening in my younger days. I could have grown food for us to eat. But NO, I was too busy out saving the world and making it free of villains and rascality. I had my ideas about how to help people, but I found out much later that they had different ideas.

Yep, I used to be Superwoman but I am passing that job on. I'm taking it easier and slower. I'm making quilts and loving it. No hurry. I love the idea of taking a few months to finish a project. I know that suit is here somewhere.

I found it. I think I'll make a quilt with a picture of me wearing it to commemorate the old days. What will I do with this outfit? Maybe I will give it to some unsuspecting young person [like I used to be], who doesn't have a clue. Not a clue.

Otherness

I attended a book signing party on Saturday night. I was pleasantly surprised to know that the physical book has not died the final death. People who actually want the feel and comfort of a real book in their hands still exist.

The Apex Museum on Auburn Ave. was packed with fans of M. Ayodele Heath. In case you haven't heard of it, the Apex museum is entirely devoted to African American history in order to promote cultural awareness and societal contributions by African Americans in Georgia.

I was impressed with the crowd and Ayodele himself. Good company, good performances and good food always make for a pleasant experience. Let me first say that Ayodele's entire family was there to support him. That alone was impressive and I know how much it means to an artist to have that support. Then a multitude of friends and one of his professors. I found some friends of mine in the crowd.

The MC Chezon Jackson was just what you would want: funny, informative, articulate and gracious. I walked in just as Gypsee Yo, a native of Albania, was opening up with some of her great poems. She has received standing ovations on multiple continents, having competed in slams worldwide, including National Poetry Slam 2006 and 2007, Individual World Poetry Slam 2006, and the first ever Women of the World Poetry Slam 2008. She fired the whole crowd up and brought us to our feet.

Gypsee Yo was followed by Emmy Nominee Jon Goode. Jon represents a refreshing change-up to traditional performance poetry, and has established himself as one of the most influential and positive voices in the African American community. Jon's laid back blend of humor and levity have propelled his career and made him one of the most sought after talents of our generation. I wasn't ready. I had not been forewarned. Not only did he have a satirical humor but also slipped up behind you to surprise you with a double meaning in every word. Gypsee Yo and Jon Goode stirred up the crowd for Ayodele.

Then Ayodele burst onto center stage. He performed many poems from his book. He was awesome. I think my favorite was the poem about the Bird family name. If you have the opportunity to see him perform, don't miss it. I was so happy that I made the effort to make it.

M. Ayodele Heath, an Atlanta native, is the recipient of an Emerging Artist grant from the Atlanta Bureau for Cultural Affairs. A performance poet who holds an MFA from New England College, Ayodele has been awarded fellowships from Cave Canem and the Caversham Centre for Artists in South Africa. His first book, Otherness, is available on Brick Road Poetry Press.

http://www.facebook.com/l/4b61e8GO3cakYatq5-Mn6JGtvyw/www.ayospeaks.com

A Visual Tribute to Oprah Winfrey

The other day I received an email with a title called, "The Book Is Ready!" It seemed to have happened so fast. It was just last fall when the call went out to artists. I set out to make my quilt in a two month window. Finding just the right look on Oprah's face and then on Gayle's face was a challenge. The image I had in my mind didn't exist, at least not in public pictures. I wanted my piece to tell the story of close friends sharing a secret, a story, a laugh together. Of course I couldn't find that picture because it would have to be a private moment and I wanted to capture a private moment between friends. I happen to know what that is like. I have been blessed with some really good friends in my life and have shared some really good laughter, secrets, stories and just plain fun.

I have to admit that I had some help finding just the right look. But when I did, I knew it was right. The hair for both ladies turned out to be much more involved than I thought it would be. At first I layered the colors of fabrics in. Although it is difficult to see on the picture, I did a lot of thread painting on the hair. Then building the faces was next. I achieved a really good reproduction of Oprah's mouth but had a lot of trouble with Gayle's. I just have to keep working at it.

After I finished the faces and hair, I decided on the color of their dresses. Then I worked on the background. I asked my son and daughter for help. I love asking them because they give me such honest opinions. Finally I hand dyed some fabric in order to keep the background from being so stark.

Making this piece gave me a chance to express my idea about Gayle and Oprah's friendship, but it also gave me a chance to pay homage to some of the great best friends I have had through several stages of my life. People come into your life just as you need them and stay as long as you need them and they need you.

Which brings me to my second piece, where my first real friendship started with my sister. This quilt is about friendship, Easter Sunday, and bangs. We all remember the bangs. So many people have told me how closely they can relate to this quilt. The baby doll socks and patent leather shoes, the frilly dresses and the hair experience. I made the hair on this quilt with braided yarn. It took me a good amount of time to braid it and an even longer time to sew each braid to the quilt. The dresses were fun. It took me back to making doll clothes as a little girl with all the skill I have as an accomplished seamstress. Many people have asked me where did I have the little dresses.

I sent the pictures in and waited. It seemed like time really flew after that. The next thing I knew I was accepted into the book. That alone was a tremendous honor. I feel so blessed to have been one of the few artist accepted into this book.

Now the book is ready. I am proud and honored to have three pieces in the book. Click here and peruse the book www.blurb.com/bookstore/detail/1964832. You can order your own copy today.