Balinese Legong Dance

Pillow Talk

Title:  Pillow Talk
Story:  This is another one of my romance paintings.  Instead of having them eye to eye, I wanted to try something a little different.  What do you think?
Materials:  18X24 Cotton duck canvas and tempera paint.

*This is one of my pieces that can be flipped in any direction. 

Shadowboxer

Title:  Shadowboxer
Story:  In order to be a great fighter, you have to be fearless and strong, otherwise your biggest opponent is only yourself.
Materials:  16x20 cotton duck canvas and tempera paint.

Little Fairy

Title:  Little Fairy
Story:  Malina the Magic Fairy stepped on the scene to let you know that Tinkerbelle ain't got nothin on her!
Materials:  Water color and 11x14 water color paper.

SaMaa

Title:  Samaa
Story:  This painting was inspired by and created for a really good friend of mine.  She's super cool and she is about to make the Carolinas super cool too! :)
Materials:  Water color and 11x14 water color paper

SoRHOr

Title:  SoRHOr!
Story:  Wouldn't you like to know ;-)
Materials:  16x20 cotton duck canvas, tempera paint

Up For a Midnight Swim (Black Mermaid series #7)

Title:  Up For a Midnight Swim (Black Mermaid Series #7) Story:  While some mermaids come out for a little sun, she loves to bask in the moonlight.
Materials:  14x16 canvas board, tempera paint


*This painting in the Black Mermaid Series was just as much of a challenge for me as LOLA.  This is the first time in paint or drawings that I've created a piece with a night setting.

Untitled

Title: Untitled
Story: N/A
Materials:  11x14 pastel paper and oil pastels

Just trying to exercise several mediums here.  I started out drawing an eye, just to test the stokes of the pastels, and it turned out to be the wide-eyed lady staring at you!  :)

The Union of the King and Queen

Title:  The Union of the King and Queen
Story:  By the laws of the sea, the King presents the Queen with something special as a celebration of the union, and he can't go wrong with a pearl!
Materials:  18x24 canvas, tempera paint

Forever - The Floacist (featuring Musiq Soulchild)

SESAME STREET: I LOVE MY HAIR! AWESOME!!!

Son, Let Me Tell You

Title:  Son, Let Me Tell You

Story:  While taking a walk along the beach with his son, he wants to teach him the essentials of life and he's getting an early start.

Materials used:  Charcoal/dry pastels and paper

Self Portrait

Last Friday, I decided to do something that most artists do, attempt to do a self-portrait of themselves.  I used a mugshot that I snapped myself for reference and here's how it turned out.

Thoughts?

The House of Simply D

In this photo:  Ms. Harrison is sporting a design from the Dres Collection

A Conversation with Andrea Harrison

By Demel Baber (Poetic D)

In the African-American community, it isn’t hard to find a superwoman- a woman who does it all, managing a career and taking care of home.  I happened to catch up with one of them recently, Ms. Andrea Harrison.  Aside from parenting, being an active member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. and working full-time, Andrea is the chief visionary officer of The House of Simply D. 

The name of the company was inspired by Harrison’s late mother, Jacqueline Harrison .  She considers the organization to be just like her “mother’s house” because it seemed to have a little bit of everything in it.  The House of Simply D serves as an umbrella company to 4 subsidiaries.   There’s Dres (named after Ms. Harrison herself), which is a clothing line of elegant wear suitable for formal events and as business attire.  Also in the fashion department there is another clothing line called F³ that she considers to be more along the lines of urban casual wear.  She was inspired to do a clothing line recalling how difficult it is to shop for someone of her build, which is tall and slender.  Though the clothing line was inspired by her experience shopping for her body type, she does have something for everyone.  In addition, Crazy Crafty Designs by Andrea, an invitation, scrapbooking and custom greeting card subsidiary company and Simply Publishing, which is a small publishing company that Andrea has implemented, top off the makings of The House of Simply D.  Harrison’s own book was published through Simply Publishing and she looks forward to publishing the works of other writers.

Aside from the obvious, The House of Simply D is a unique and promising business because of it’s specific outreach to children who have be a victim of violent crimes and those who were just like her and her older sister- children who have lost parents to violent crimes.  At the age of three, Andrea’s mother, Jacqueline Harrison was murdered.  The House of Simply D has raised enough money to award its first scholarship to a child in a situation similar.  It is by far the biggest event on their calendar.     

In regards to working full-time, being an active member of her sorority (which does further outreach to communities on a national level) and living out her dreams, Ms. Harrison leaves her advice to doing so as a single mother.  She wants single parents to know that it is possible through the power of prayer, even when it gets rough.  It is safe to say that her mother is looking down from the heavens and is proud. 

For more information of Andrea Harrison and The House of Simply D, please visit the website at www.thehouseofsimplyd.webs.com

LOLA (#4 Black Mermaid Series)

Title: Lola (#4 Black Mermaid Series)
Story:  Unlike her peers, this little mermaid likes to live life on the edge, literally!  She enjoys swimming up to watch the sunset.

Materials:  Canvas board and tempera paint.

Fly Above it All

Dasia has always dreamed of being a dancer, one of the best and she won't let the projects she came from determine where she was going.  The concept of this painting was inspired by my dad.  (Thanks Daddy!)

Materials:  Watercolors and watercolor paper

Surrender

If you are alive and breathing, it is never too late for you to surrender.  Does this picture not speak for itself?

Materials:  Canvas board and tempera paint

Under (Black Mermaid series #3)

Just like Sula, this little mermaid LOVES jewelry and pearls!  And she'll dive to the bottom of the sea to get them.

Anniversary Night

After a lovely night out celebrating their anniversary, the Mister and Misses come home to relax...or at least that's what he thinks!  The Misses has something else in store.  :)

A Q&A Session with Malcolm Smith

 Malcolm L. Smith, MBA

Delta Phi Upsilon Fraternity Inc.

www.dphiu.org

PD: Why did you want to be a member of DPHIU? 

MS: Let me first begin by giving you a brief history of Delta Phi Upsilon fraternity, Inc. (DPhiU), America’s first intercollegiate fraternity for gay men of color, founded in 1985 at Florida State University.

 DPHIU was founded to unite young gay men of color on college campuses. Our founding came about because many young gay men were being rejected from the traditional Greek-Letter organizations due to their alleged sexuality. The reason I say “alleged” is because at that time, many of us were what we now call “on the DL or down low”. However, due to our articulation and/or effeminate mannerisms and maybe attire, we were denied membership into these organizations.  On the other hand, those of us who managed to slip through often talk about not having a voice in their organizations when asked about their experience. 

I became a member of Delta Phi Upsilon because I was one of those young gay men who were denied membership even though considered a “legacy” (a family member belonged to an organization). Upon graduation, I was later invited to join but refused because I was never given a meaningful explanation for my denial after meeting the given criteria.  Joining DPhiU meant that I could be myself while at the same time having a voice in an organization that was comprised of men like myself.        

PD: What makes this organization different from any other organization?

MS: DPhiU is no different than any other community service organization. Although most of our work and service is in the gay community, we believe in and stand up for the same issues that affect all people (e.g. economy, education, and healthcare).  I would prefer if you asked what makes us “unique” and my answer would be our tenacity, loyalty and brotherhood despite the misconceptions people have about our founding.  

    

PD: What is your position with the fraternity?  

MS: I am currently a general member and  co-chair of the fraternity’s inaugural GOLD-TIE Gayla. The GOLD-TIE Gayla is a fundraiser and awards ceremony that honors the accomplishments of men, women and organizations who have significantly contributed to the enhancement of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender LGBT community. The Gayla will be held July 16, 2011 in Miami, Florida www.goldtiegayla.org

PD: What have been the fraternity’s most notable contributions to society in its history and since you’ve been members? 

PD: I believe the fraternity’s most notable contribution to society is our founding. Since our arrival, approximately 30 other LGBT sororities and fraternities now exist on college campuses around the country. Young gay men and women can join organizations comprised of people like themselves while attaining an education.

The GOLD-TIE Gayla, in which I co-chair, will be our inaugural fundraising event.  We plan to make this an annual event.  Proceeds earned from this event will grant college scholarships to young LGBT people.

PD: What current projects is DPhiU working on in the D.C. Metropolitan area?   

MS: The DC Metro community is comprised of two chapters “Morgan State University and the Baltimore-Washington Colony”. Each month the chapters choose a different community service project and provide services through volunteerism (e.g.  Foods and Friends, Whitman-Walker AIDS walk, AVON Breast Cancer).  Each Fall the chapters also host a”College Readiness Workshop” for students who are interested in attending college.

PD: What are the primary future goals? 

MS: The organization has many goals for the future.  Currently we are promoting our five national programs of Education, Political Empowerment, Health and Awareness, History and Heritage and National Expansion.  We will meet next year in Miami Florida for our 6^th International convention to determine our future.

PD: As a member at Strayer University, did the members face any obstacles in the chapter’s progression that they might not have otherwise at another institution? 

MS: I attended Florida A&M and Strayer University.  Strayer, however, is a non-traditional university geared towards working adults. Unlike traditional colleges, there are few Greek-letter organizations, only honor societies. However, I plan to return to the university in the near future to start a chapter with hopes of facing no obstacles.  AKA and SGHRO do have chapters at the university.

To answer your question, the only obstacles that many of our chapters are facing is meeting the criteria for establishing organizations set by the college or university (e.g. faculty advisor and membership number)  

PD: Do you see any changes in yourself since you’ve become a member?

MS: Yes, I have seen a change in me. I can sum it up with two words, Community Service.  I am now more active and passionate about the issues that affect the LGBT and Black Community specifically, HIV/AIDS and its spread among black women.  Before pledging DPHIU, I never spoke outwardly about this issue nor was I concerned about those statistics that stated an increase in the spread of the disease.  I now spend every opportunity I have talking about the topic when a group of black women are gathered.  

PD: There have been several cases within the last few months where teenagers and pre-teens have resorted to suicide to rid themselves of the torment of being bullied because they are gay and/or because they are different.  Has your organization reached out to or made any statements on a national or local level in regards to situations like these?

MS: Yes, through our program “Project Image” we reach out to young gay men monthly hosting seminars on issues that young gay men face today including suicide.  Through these programs we build self esteem, promote positive images and provide support services for those who may need help.  We research, participate, and provide information about other LBGT organizations that provide the same services but on a weekly basis. 

PD: What advice do you have for any young gay men of color pursuing higher education in this era?

MS: Education is extremely important in today’s society. Statistics show that regardless of race, creed or sexual orientation, those who pursue higher education have a better life. They get higher paying jobs which in turn build wealth and believe it or not they have less health issues.

*For more information on Delta Phi Upsilon, please visit www.dphiu.org

Saturday Morning

Title:  Saturday Morning

Story:  This painting was inspired by my ideal Saturday morning.  Who wouldn’t want to be at home, butterball naked, lying around with the morning sun beaming right on your…moon?

Materials:  Water color paint and paper



Just a Lady

Title:  Just a Lady

Story:  My brother said she looked like a "ghetto Cleopatra"...I'm just going to leave that alone ;-)

Materials:  Drawing paper and woodless color pencils

Just in My Grasp

Title:  Just in My Grasp!

Materials:  Drawing paper and woodless color pencils

All the Pretty Things

Title:  All the Pretty Things (The Black Mermaid series #2)

Story:  Sula can spot jewelry floating in the sea from miles away and when she does, she calls first dibs!  It is her treasure and she could sit at the bottom of the see and admire it for days.

Materials:  Drawing paper and woodless color pencils

Face Value

Title:  Face Value

Story:  In this case, I think the picture says it all.

Materials:  Pastel paper and charcoal pastel

Taking the Day Off

Title:  Taking the Day Off



Story:  During a stressful week, sometimes you just want to come home, snatch off all of your clothes and jump right into the waterfall…but for now,  the shower will do!

Materials:  Colored pastel paper and charcoal pastel

Love on a 2 Way St.

Title:  Love on a 2 Way St.

Story:  They love each other and both want the same thing, which is great.  However what’s perfect timing for her is not perfect timing for him but instead of having a lover’s quarrel, they choose to just love in the moment.

Materials:  Colored pastel paper and oil pastel

Rescue

Title:  Rescue (The Black Mermaid series #1)

Story:  Mylo has an overactive imagination that always land’s him in trouble.  He loves playing in the backyard which is close to the lake.  His mom always tells him not to go to far out but at 6 years old that’s a bit of a challenge.  So he twirls around, running and skipping through the tall country grass and before he can catch himself, he stumbles into the lake and though he can’t swim, he finds himself breathing underwater and is eventually brought afloat by the powers of the mermaid.

Materials:  16 x 20 cotton duck canvas & tempura paints