Bearden Juxtaposed with Dunbar

Romare Bearden, The Prevalence of Ritual: Mysteries, 1964

We went over this artwork today in class, and it reminded me of We Wear the Mask by Paul Laurence Dunbar (1872-1906)

  WE wear the mask that grins and lies,
    It hides our cheeks and shades our eyes,—
    This debt we pay to human guile;
    With torn and bleeding hearts we smile,
    And mouth with myriad subtleties.

    Why should the world be over-wise,
    In counting all our tears and sighs?
    Nay, let them only see us, while
            We wear the mask.

    We smile, but, O great Christ, our cries
    To thee from tortured souls arise.
    We sing, but oh the clay is vile
    Beneath our feet, and long the mile;
    But let the world dream otherwise,
            We wear the mask!

FINALLY DONE APPLYING.........to grad school that is =)

Today I used UPS to mail off my supplementary materials to NYU, which means I am OFFICIALLY done with applications to graduate school. As mentioned 2 posts ago, I applied to NYU and GW; however, at the last minute I applied to Drexel. They sent me an email that waived the fee so I said what the hey, why not? It's free! So now I just W A I T.............................................................and wait. lol

While I was having another moment today where I was freaking out, I felt God reassuring me that everything is in His hands. Now, I'm pretty calm and at peace about it--besides I did my best. Regardless that my future at any of those schools is being decided by admissions based on my transcript, GRE scores, personal statement, recommendations, resume and digital portfolio, God knows me. Even if they don't know me, God knows what I want. I have been delighting myself in Him, and He's given me this desire. What I want to do now I cannot with a BA--I need an MA. PLUS *drum roll* I LOVE SCHOOL!!! Of course, we cannot be students forever, and the whole purpose of being such is to better ourselves and possibly the world in some sort of capacity.

Well I'm about to begin Friday festivities--but this blog post is NOT done........I just wanna get somethin FRESH upppppp, and let everyone know that we're waiting on my acceptance letters--which will come after the letters for an invitation for an interviewwwwww. (By "we" I mean family, friends, mentors, professors, former employers ie everyone who wants to see me succeed--THANK YOU & many thanks for waiting with me.) ((If it seems like you constantly ask if I have heard back yet--I PROMISE it will NOT get on my nerves, it just let's me know you care or ur curious or both))

Sooooo BACK to this entry!!! I am just proud of the fact that I have been trying my best and finishing the applications b/c some people don't even try. I don't want to be the person who wonders, "what if?" Also, so many of my ancestors who have gone before me and my grandparents who are still living didn't even have the opportunity to finish high school--so you best believe I am getting as much education as I can. Plus I can see myself with really long locks someday in a classroom at some university teaching undergraduate students. My sister said she pictures me as a professor with an African walking stick that I will acquire on one of my sabbaticals or something like that... (?) =) All I know is, I cannot wait for 05-08-2011 b/c graduating with a Bachelor's is a big deal in and of itself. Worst case scenario, in the event I do get rejected from everywhere, I'll look for a job. My "plan C" is AmeriCorps lol. However, according to everyone I talk to, they say, "You'll get in!" or, "If they don't let you, they're crazy!" or (my favorite actually lol) "Of course you'll get in--you're AMAZING!" Anywho, I am just babbling now....until next time ;)

KAY RICH OUTTTTT (I'M SOO EXCITEEDDDD---ABOUT LIFE) LOL

Meredith College Annual Holiday Art Sale

Time: Friday, November 19 at 2:00pm - November 20 at 4:00pm

Location: Meredith College, 1st Floor Gaddy-Hamrick Art Building, 3800 Hillsborough Street, Raleigh, NC

Looking for scarves, pottery, jewelry, prints, drawings, paintings, ornaments, and more?

Come check out (and buy!) AWESOME artwork created by Meredith College art students and professors at the second annual Holiday Art Sale!

The sale will be open during the following times--
Friday, November 19th from 2pm - 7pm
Saturday, November 20th from 11am - 4pm

Take advantage of this great opportunity to buy unique pieces by local artists!

INVITE YOUR ARTSY FRIENDS! :)

GRE, Grad School Apps & Scholarship Apps OH MY ! ! !

Soooo

It's been a couple of months since I have blogged about anything, for my avid follower(s) [[lol I doubt many people read this--if you are, thanks!]] I apologize. Basically the only thing going on in my life besides school is...well...applying to more school. Towards the end of my junior year, I felt that I would be in school for quote on quote FORREEVVERRR, but Fall semester of my senior year has flown by like none other....in a couple of weeks I will be blogging about Thanksgiving for crying out loud. I digress *sigh*

For obtaining my M.A. in Art Therapy, I am applying to both The GW Columbian College of Arts and Sciences and NYU, Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development. Both programs are extremely competitive; both are far away from home.

In a nutshell, my GRE scores suck. NYU doesn't require the GRE for the art therapy program, but GW requires it for strictly admissions into the Columbia College, not the art therapy program itself.

Right now I'm praying for wisdom. The right words to use in my essays, both admissions and scholarships, and for the right works of art to select to include in my digital portfolio. If invited for an interview I get to have fun hauling my work around from NC to DC and NC to NY. Thank God for SUVs.

So hopefully, next Fall I will still be in school, enrolled in an accredited Art Therapy program. As far as "Plan B," I do not know where I will end up. I guess I could apply to random "starter" jobs and hope for the best. Honestly, after all of the internships and jobs I have worked, there has not really been anything I have fallen in love with. The whole 9-5 thing is a real joy-kill for me.  Don't get me wrong, I am a very hard worker, but I hate being stuck at a desk. I understand the necessity of paperwork, but I don't want paperwork to be my job. I love research enough, but there's not much I am able to really do without any credentials.  I really, really LIKED working in the Meredith Autism Program (MAP), but there was something missing--art! The only job I absolutely LOVED[[/will LOVE (God-willing I will have time to volunteer next semester)]] is when I was at SeeSaw Studio. I blogged about my summer job here: iSketchMyHeartOut.

Anywho, my heart's desire is to be an art therapist. I will be sure to put updates later about where I'll end up.

12th Annual Raleigh Street Painting Fest

For the 12th Annual Raleigh Street Painting Festival apart of artSpark my friend Shonta and I decided to work together.  Between busy class schedules and getting ready for graduation, neither one of us really had the time to sit down and come up with a design.  I did not get an idea as to what we should do concept wise until late Thursday night, so I wrote it down to make sure I didn't forget my idea in the morning.

Along the lines of being fed up with constantly having to be PC (politically correct) when around others and certain individuals refusing to talk about current issues, I came up with the idea of juxtaposing the common phrase, "see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil," with the three taboo dinner conversation topics of race, religion and politics.

I thought "see no evil" should go with race because in the United States, race is a construct based on appearance.  I thought "hear no evil" should go with religion because people set in one religion rarely want to hear about another religion's viewpoint.  I thought "speak no evil" should go with politics because it seems people constantly run their mouths about political beliefs but rarely know enough for an intelligent conversation or have all the facts.

A couple of hours out of Friday afternoon I looked up various symbols and images that would best represent the concept.  Friday night, I met with Shonta, and she was key in finalizing and putting the design together.  She pointed out that without text, we would have to make sure that the image would have to be clear and concise in communicating the concept.  Initially, when I showed Shonta the images I came up with, she jokingly said, "Now Katelyn, don't get us shot!" (lol) I told her we should be fine, but as the night went on, I really began to question if even in the context of our design, would the Swastika next to the Star of David be offensive no matter what.  I did research the KKK symbol, but theirs is actually less recognizable, and current skinheads are against everyone the KKK is against, which includes all people of color.  I decided to call a classmate of mine, Alissa, who I remembered had mentioned in class that she is Jewish by heritage.  In a nutshell she told me it should be fine as long as we were willing to stop and explain our concept to people.

The next day on Saturday morning, when I got started on mapping the design out, a lady, unbeknown to me who was Jewish, as she was walking by smirked and commented, "You're putting the swastika next to the Jewish star?" *snorty fake laugh* I stopped her, explained my concept, and asked should I change it while I "still had the chance" (it was a little before 9am at this point--not too many people were there.) She explained to me that she was actually Jewish herself and was not offended, but of course everyone is different.  Then she jokingly said that it was the first day of Yom Kippur so not too many Jews would be out anyway.  She was a funny lady! (lol) Apparently during our unnecessarily long lunch break due to bad service at The Big Easy a high school kid came by and was ticked off and ranted how one of his teammates is Jewish.  After a classmate chalking out a square next to ours explained our concept for us he said it was ok. (lol) I'm glad I wasn't there, me sit through a high schooler going off on me??? For all intent purposes we are grown women *please*

anywho...

Shonta and I worked really well together! We also had a lot of fun :) Plus, we won BEST IN SHOW: DESIGN in the college category!!!!

**Extras:
Click to see photograph taken by Simonae Williams of newsobserver.com @ www.triangle.com. And other photos in the album...

Don't eat at The Big Easy!!! The service was horrible TWO YEARS in a row!!! (we ate there last year for lunch--same story, but the food was delicious though lol)

Shout out to Alissa & Mary who got an HONORABLE MENTION!!! MC Represented w/ 5 squares btw--Angels in the house :)

Katelyn Richelle Site Is Coming Along!!!

My NEW website Katelyn Richelle is coming along great!!! I'm uBeR eXciteD ! ! ! So far I pretty much have everything except the gallery :( (such a drag right?!?!?!?) Most pictures I had of some of my artwork are LONG gone b/c apparently only have the files got backed up--that i know of--from when my household got a new fam computer :/.........UNLESS they are on a cd somewhere in my parents' house :) BUT either way I have to start taking pics of all my artwork to get some stuff up there AND i still need to research PayPal and whoever(???) their competition is--which says a lot that i don't even know lol

i do like PayPal A LOT b/c they take the money out of the buyer's account and NOT the seller directly--which makes me feel better about the sale and have more trust about the whole process of putting in my personal info to buy something i.e. account #'s, card holder's address, gov't name lol, etc.

until then, check it out!!! www.KatelynRichelle.com !!! Deuces

Kay Rich

My Website Coming Soon!!!

OMG I'm so excited!!! Me dad made a business investment in me, and for that I'm soooooo grateful and thankful b/c I can finally do what I've been waiting to do for A WHILE now!!!! =))

Katelyn Richelle: Coming Soon

Soooo, as an artist, I have decided to go by Katelyn Richelle--catchy right??? Besides, I've yet to start marketing myself so the name at this point really doesn't matter. I already go by Kay Rich on my original (this) blog and now on Twitter/Youtube/Spoken Word and whatever else, so it only seems right I go by the names that Kay Rich is derived from as a studio artist.

But I will be giving updates about the sites, my experience fiddling with code, and what not on Twizzlerz.....so STAY TUNED :-))

Excerpt from my Environmental Art, Ethics, & Spirituality Final

     The creative processes of making art in and from nature have influenced my ethics.  I now view nature as another way to connect with God. After all, He did take the time to create it, so I figure I at least owe Him getting outside more and appreciating it, as opposed to being even more severed from it through manmade technology.  I believe that nature was designed for man to take care of and cultivate, not to be destroyed and further pushed aside.  In western culture, people and nations that live directly in nature, as opposed buildings like we do, are thought of as “uncivilized.”  Well, I think that western culture has the most ungodly people ever.  I think this just from seeing people’s reactions from the state of the United States economy and watching the stock market comes near crashing yet again.  Also, seeing in the headlines people practically “selling their souls” and having no sense of integrity all for money tells me that people in western society put their faith in money.  If we were to be in a society of barter and trade, and lived very simply, none of that would be an issue.

In the Bible, the Garden of Eden was not ready until God created Adam and Eve to live there.  Moreover, the servant of God who prepared the way for Jesus, John the Baptist, lived in the wilderness and ate locusts and honey.  Most Buddhist monks go away to live in monasteries that are right in the middle of nature.  In Buddhism, the world is in four parts: existentially, morally, cosmologically, and ontologically (http://fore.research.yale.edu/religion/index.html).  Existentially, Buddhism teaches that all sentient beings share in suffering as well as its cause and cessation (James, p. 62).  According to Buddhism, a person should alleviate suffering and develop empathy for all creatures (James, p. 79).  Buddhists have the concepts of karma, rebirth, and Nirvana.  Karma and rebirth is what connects all sentient beings and humans because it is the continuous cycle until they reach Nirvana.  As evident through a story similar to the Garden of Eden in the Pali canon, Buddhists believe that the human environmental impact is a direct result or human morality, and therefore humans have the greatest responsibility in taking care of nature (http://fore.research.yale.edu/religion/index.html).  Finally, Buddha is always portrayed in nature and under the tree of enlightenment, and today’s Buddhists point out that trees are always present in the major events of his life.  This is the reason why many Buddhists create their religious institutions in remote areas in the forests.  I believe that I am missing out on a lot of experiences from God just from being so out of touch with nature.  Furthermore, I think that nature and every type of life has an intrinsic value (James, p. 83).  If God took the time to create something, living or not, I think is has a purpose in and of itself, regardless if it can serve me, humans, or anything else.  I think that something’s presence determines whether or not it is worth something, not what its capabilities of serving something else.  If anything, I think everything is serving God, or otherwise He would have not created it.

            The creative processes of making art in and from nature define my outlook on life and on art.  I think that all life should be respected because it is, in fact, life.  Some people are constantly concerned about the “quality” of life, but I think life itself is enough.  With all the people and beings that are currently fighting for life, how can I not think there is something to be had in life itself if so many creatures are fighting just to live?  I have more appreciation for at that has been created in and from nature as well.

Additionally, I believe that nature and the whole cosmos and universe is the original artwork created by God.  So in essence, we as humans are borrowing what Our Creator has made to make our own artwork.  I believe that my inner beauty, my soul’s expression, and my spirit’s mirror can be seen in my artwork.  Art gives me the opportunity to have a connection with God: creativity.  I believe I, a human, am a piece of art because God thought about how he wants my eyes, nose, mouth, hair, and the rest of features to look.  When I create a piece of art I think about how do I want something to look, what emotion am I trying to convey, what style I want to use, and the reaction I want viewers to have to my artwork.  I also think of the purpose for it.  I believe that God has a purpose for me, and every artwork that I create is made purposefully.  Therefore I believe art is anything that has some sort of higher level thinking, logic, or thought process behind it.  I also think that God was the first sculptor because according to the Judeo-Christian Bible Adam was made from the clay in the earth.  Depending on the artwork, I have felt connected to God while creating a work of art.  I think that I would like to go out and nature, and create a persona piece of art for myself as opposed to using manmade materials while working inside of a studio.  By the end of the course, this class not only revealed to me how removed I am from nature, but it also showed me where I want to be in terms of my relationship to nature.

From the Archives: My Philosophy of Art 04/10/2007

Art is my nurturer. I have never received anything more beautiful. I use art as a language. When I am unable to explain certain emotions or feelings with words, I sketch my heart out.  When I am going through something difficult, my artwork allows me to find the strength that is within me to get though.  Art gives me the comfort in knowing it is okay to feel what I feel.  I believe art reminds everyone that we are only human. Some sort of connection is there to be made between the viewer and the artwork for the simple reason that only humans are able to create art and not animals.

            Art is my first love. I have never been with anything more beautiful.  Art has always been there, is always here, and will always be thus creating a sense of stability.  For better or for worse, it’s not going anywhere.  From angry to pleased or ugliness to beauty, art is able to tug and bring out any of my emotions.

            Art is my first-born. I have never seen anything more beautiful.  It is my passion.  My inner beauty, my soul’s expression, and my spirit’s mirror are seen in my artwork.  Art gives me the opportunity to have a connection with God: creativity.  I believe I, a human, am a piece of art because God thought about how he wants my eyes, nose, mouth, hair, and the rest of features to look.  When I create a piece of art I think about how do I want something to look, what emotion am I trying to convey, what style I want to use, and the reaction I want viewers to have to my artwork.  I also think of the purpose for it.  I believe that God has a purpose for me, and every artwork that I create is made purposefully.  Therefore I believe art is anything that has some sort of higher level thinking, logic, or thought process behind it.

Disney's First Black Princess: The Princess and the Frog

LOOKING INTO THE MIRROR, THE BLACK WOMAN ASKS,

“MIRROR, MIRROR ON THE WALL, WHO’S THE FAIREST OF THEM ALL?”

THE MIRROR SAYS, “SNOW WHITE, YOU BLACK BITCH,

AND DON’T YOU FORGET IT!!”

Carrie Mae Weems, Ain’t Jokin’ series, 1987-1988

           I encountered this Weems’ photograph during the second to last lecture of my History of Photography class, the class right before Thanksgiving break.  Of course everyone being antsy with anticipation of being on a break—no matter how small—and eating all of the wonderful good America food we would be eating, people, including myself, were hardly paying attention.  However, when the slide containing this photograph came up, I had to stop and stare.  My ears all of a sudden honed in on the professor’s lecture—his voice was no longer just a drone in the background.  How he treated the subject matter was really important to me.  He even briefly referenced the movie that were to come out later when he mentioned, “Yeah, I think Disney’s FIRST black princess is FINALLY coming out this year, and it IS a big deal—even though I think it’s WAY past due.”  Even though he had moved onto another series done by Weems, my brain had not…I thought about all those times when I was little favoring princess Jasmine just because her skin was slightly tan but nevertheless darker than the other Disney princesses.  Although, Jasmine really isn’t a big deal though because prior to 9/11, Middle easterners bubbled in “white” just like white Americans—go figure.  Additionally, I remember never having a Disney princess doll because my parents made it a point for my sister and I to always have black baby dolls…so we wouldn’t grow up with a complex I suppose.  I am so glad the “youngions” in my family will have a black princess and black prince to watch for their entertainment.  Too bad throughout the history of America, in both White and Black communities, being the darkest, most ebony, never equated with being the “fairest of them all.”  In fact, when I was little, I used to want to be darker—and look at me now with dreads and all…I joked around with my family and said maybe Disney got its act together so Obama’s little girls could have something relatable to watch.  I have not seen the movie yet—I don’t like the crowds of opening weekend, but when I do see it, I will be putting another post.  It’s been a long time coming, George Washington and Thomas Jefferson are rolling over in their graves, and I am glad.

 

Power of the Tongue Open Mic Night!!!! Each year it's such a blessing!!!! :)

My sister and I will be ministering through dance and spoken word respectively. Come out, lift the name of Jesus and speak life!!!

Meredith College 1st Annual Art Sale--Come Out & Support!!!!

I will be selling holiday greeting cards as well as a few prints! :) Facebook Event Page

Street Fest '09

This past weekend i participated in Raleigh's groundspark Street Painting Festival and had a blast! The always find ways to make it better each year, and the weather on Saturday was absolutely awesome! The competition started on Friday afternoon, but I had a prior engagement to do spoken word so I could not start until that Saturday morning. I started chalking around 8:30 and actually finished up a little bit before lunch time :)

while i was working on the fist (black power fist) sketch in my square, this light skinned dude (lighter than Barack to give an idea) comes up to me and convo as follows: **let's call him LSD for short** (cuz he was def on somethin....)

LSD: oooh black power fist, huh?
Me: Yes
LSD: how old are you?
Me: 20
LSD: school?
Me: Meredith College
LSD: you go to MEREDITH COLLEGE, and YOU'RE doing a BLACK POWER FIST???
Me: Yes? Is there a problem?
LSD: why are YOU doing a black power fist?
Me: Oh, so if i went to an HBC there would be no problem?
LSD: if you're not going to a HBC you're not supporting the black community
Me: (i basically read him the riot act)
LSD: *silence* *walks away*

PLEASE comment and tell me what ya think.......


anywho, back to the street painting fest:

I actually won the grand prize for the college category of best in show! It was amazing and very ironic! As it goes, I was not even supposed to do the street fest this year, in fact I had never planned on it. In August I said nah I'm not doing it this year. (lol) However, the prez of a club at Meredith I'm in called Artist Alliance approached me and asked me to fill in for these freshmen who (for all intent purposes) bailed on her. So I said sure I can, and she scratched their names out and put mine in on Friday. I had no idea what I was going to do alllll weeek long. I asked my sister the Friday night before what I should do. She first suggested civil rights then and now but I don't like faces (I was going to attempt Angela Davis and Barack Obama.) I told her since I was a half-day shorter on time, I did not want to have to grid my square and worry about proportions. Then she suggested the black power fist. I did a mini-sketch in my sketchbook but had to think of colors, so I googled pan african colors, which are: green, yellow and red. And bada-boom bada-bang I had a design that most everyone liked. Apparently there were some trash talkers but they weren't near my ears and I don't care, cuz who is gettin that check and certificate in the mail???? why me of course! :) hate on haters lol hate on, and thanks to all my friends who supported me by coming or in spirit!!!!

Inflow @ the Pour House

My homegurls Brit, Whit, & Hina went to go see Inflowential aka Inflow in concert at the Pour House.
They had special guests Blount Harvey and HaLo who was also fly. The main lead singer of Blount Harvey was looking kind of pissed because of some balding dude who was in charge of the sound, but other than that, everything was off the hook.
The energy, the show, the performance, just amazing. Brit and I had been plannin on the concert for a minute ever since we saw Inflow at NC State for Obama support,(I may have blogged about it earlier, way back when, I honestly don't remember.) Anywho, I just loved the band, the vibe, the soul--Inflow.

Kay Rich, out

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Street Painting Festival

Well the groundSpark Street Painting Festival was this past weekend, and man did I have fun! My teammate Amber and I had a blast even though we didn't win anything. Amber wants to do it again next year to win--she's really, really competitive. Our concept was restoration and not forgetting about the past, but somewhere along the way, we failed to communicate that. What people were getting out of it though was the hands of time, and I think that's pretty cool, too. There were a few things going on Friday night, but Saturday was when the real fun began for spectators. There were vendors selling some of everything, there were free workshops, there were graffiti artists competing against each other, and there were break dancers. There was also some stuff going on that night for Spark After Dark, but I didn't stay... Sunday had a few events going on as well. Downtown Raleigh is stepping up, and lately, it's been stepping up big.