Spoken Turning Meditation

A collaborative performance and meditation brought a tranquil and inspiring space for the transition to 2017. Sound vibrations by Gbeda Sundries and the energies of my photographic series Spoken saturated us at CAMBIAart gallery on Saturday evening. It was a beautiful group of people who came out and participated, it was an honor to share the space, images, dance and sound with everyone.

Photography by Javier Garcia

Spoken opening statements

“After hearing my footsteps, walking in to where the path is no longer visible, I exhale.  I begin to sense the trees dancing in the rustle of the leaves, the silhouettes of glowing light and the darkness breathing.  The trees begin calling me, in different ways and in manners that bypass my logical brain.  Welcomed to come and visit with them, I bring my large format camera.  I contort optics and make long exposure, allowing for more to imprint than what the eye could see…possibly our intimate encounter, possibly what was spoken.

“When we refer to spirits we usually are referring to those who have come before us, and occasionally those who will be birthed by us, but generally we speak of entities with the assumed shared human experience.  The forest world has been densely growing and cycling for longer than we have been walking this earth.  These spirits, these ancient beings, have wisdoms and perspectives rooted from the time of the core of the earth.  And they see through me, they see through us.

"To walk alone into the forest is the first step to being able to hear the speaking.  It is not immediate, but per individual.  The next step is to hear your presence in the forest, the breaking of sticks beneath your feet.  Then you hear and feel your breath in this airspace, that it is different than that outside of the woods.  It will be silent at first, still, while you acclimate.  And then as your mind is relaxed, your face will relax deeply and, as if your eyes open wider, you will see how very much alive the beings that surround you are.

SPOKEN is a body of portraits; recordings of wisdom shared.

On display at CAMIBAart, Austin, TX until January 7th.  Closing will be 1-4 January 7th.

Video by Justin Humphrey

Recovering Violation of the Feminine

In the darkness and shadow, hidden for many year, a memory. Since 2002 I have known the bump in the night. A night of too much in Washington and an evil hearted cab driver. I was in college then, recently back from living abroad.

At times a flash comes to me, a new part of the memory I have suppressed comes to the surface for me to recognize, to acknowledge so I can let go, forgive and have peace.

My close friend asked if I had been abused.

He wanted to make my person in bronze for a body of work. with Text

 We began with my bottom half. I assumed the posture of my nightmare. Extreme Yoga to hold a pose. This pose. Feel deep into it until my muscles ached and sometimes I lost all blood. As the silicon dried and then the plaster was applied, to harden. The weight growing heavier and I became glued, forced down, to the ground, to the slab bellow me.

 I felt certain that it was my time to process. It is my time to process. Each step up become harder to breath, out. Each leg, then arms bound above my head, the chest plate and lastly, very finally my face.  As each took away a different movement, a capability. At the end I held my heart. I am thankful to have the opportunity to work this way. For my friend to help give me palace to process. My book will be made of Tabacoo. My story i will intertwine with my prayers. In my four part binding and sacred plant I will not hold on any more. He will have no part of me anymore, not even in remnants soon.


I now look at these pictures as I post. I can smile seeing that my Krav Mega (Israel hand to hand combat) tank is what I am wearing while my face is covered. These are memories I have not shared. I think it's important to speak and share. To be strong together.

‎" we could be one word away from a major paradigm shift in consciousness" -Martha Ward

We are biting at a pie campaign, a peace movement, a recording and rejoicing in a communal history of familiar unification s through our taste buds, memorized aromas and unmatchable textures. Our series of round table discussions in the Heath House at Project Row Houses was energetic. A table of pies laid out on the table, our lady "keepers of the flame" images hung large in the air and the walls were chalked up with words from the many people whom have passed through the door to explore in this space. I room of inspiration, discussion and remembering.

Heath House: Apron String Conversations (Round One) April 23rd

Image: Chef Tarsha. March 2011

Houston's Project Row House is where an incredible collaboration is blossoming. Project Hearth House is in its first installation. Luanne Stovall, Toni Tipton-Martin, Meeta Morrison, Ellen Hunt, Chrystal Granger and Myself, a artist/designer, a culinary journalist, three architects and myself.

Todays Event!

HEARTH HOUSE: Apron Strings Conversations

at Project Row Houses. Houston, TX

In conjunction with Round 34: Matter of FOOD, Hearth House (Art House #2515 Holman) will host two roundtable Conversations.

Please join us as Hearth House hosts two roundtable Apron Strings Conversations. “Secret Ingredients” stirs together the memories and secrets of favorite recipes, which warm hearts, bridge generations, and fan the flames of community. “Apron Strings” also explores the unifying relationship between cooking at the hearth and sewing for survival and the way these activities uplift of the soul.

Participants include the women of Lilly Grove Missionary Baptist Church, who are participating in an oral history culinary project with the University of Houston, and a photo documentary project with Tahila Mintz for Hearth House.

Insights also will be shared by quilters from The Jubilee Quilt Circle and members of the 3rd Ward community.

Pie will be served for guests, courtesy of local bakers.

see images of the house set up at http://www.facebook.com/media/set/fbx/?set=a.10150219655300656.352193.526495655&l=84417c16cb

AND MORE at LIKE at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Hearth-House-at-Project-Row-Houses/219908454689905?sk=info#!/pages/Hearth-House-at-Project-Row-Houses/188242797880283