Gandhi Spiritual Amnesty

We all may or may not know who Mahandi Gandhi was, one thing is for certain he was a human being. Mohandas/Mahatma Gandhi, lead Non-Violent Protesting Great Salt March of 1930 to demonstrate against British oppression Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi was an Indian lawyer, anti-colonial nationalist and political ethicist who employed nonviolent resistance to lead the successful campaign for India's independence from British rule, and to later inspire movements for civil rights and freedom across the world. As recently discovered his earlier indoctrination embodied a racist undertone that has now engendered his entire legacy.

What does forgiveness look like?

What does Spirituality look like?

What does Amnesty look like?

What does Peace look like?

Here are some foot notes and inspirations behind the painting.

"Gandhi Spiritual Amnesty”

Red Cardinals:1. Love 2. Loyalty 3. Fertility 4. Renewal and Life 5. Spiritual Messengers 7. Passion

The Staff: The rod represents God’s discipline and the staff represents God’s guidance. Both are used to protect God’s followers from harm. Rods and staves are also used as symbols of leadership or authority in the Bible.

The Halo: The halo is symbolic of universal energy,

The Triangle: The Triangle is symbolic of the mind, body, and soul. The Father, The Son, and Holy Spirit. Love, compassion, and forgiveness.

Orange Lilies: Orange has always been a color that’s associated with a refreshing sense of confidence and energy. The bright, bold, show stopping color speaks to feelings of warmth and positivity around the world. Orange lilies stand for happiness, love, and warmth. Luke 12-27 Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.

Matthew 6:25-34: “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these..

"Nipsy Blue" -Ascension

“2Pac Of My Generation”

SketchBook Stage 1

SketchBook Stage 2

SketchBook Stage 3 #Ink #ColorPencil #Marker

Transfer to Canvas #Sketch #Graphite

Canvas Painting Stage 1

Canvas Painting Stage 2

Canvas Painting Stage 3

Canvas Painting Stage 4

Mary McLeod Bethune Life Center, Jersey City, NJ.

Artist Talk -Saint Peter’s University, Pope Hall, Jersey City, NJ.

DJI Mavic Pro

          Building on the business I was fortunate enough to make a few purchases this year ranging from lighting, audio equipment , a new printer, a few hard drives, and most excitingly a drone. When most people make investments it is to see a return or profit, on the flip side I like to think that any investments made on my end are essentially tools that helps me create. Although I have not dedicated much time into doing some in depth reviews however, I manage to test out some the new gadgets. I am particularly excited about getting the DJI Mavic Pro because this broadens my horizon opening the door into subjects such as aerial photography, and making some “Kick Ass Work” as photographer Chase Jarvis would say, ultimately increasing my production value. For months I was truly undecided on what to make a purchase on, a drone or stabilizer. 

          The DJI Ronin was another spectacle I wanted to get my hands on.  After reaching out to a couple of friends they were all leaning towards investing in the stabilizer so what did I do, I got the drone and oh my am I happy with my decision lol. I wanted the Mavic Pro so bad I could taste it, but I knew I couldn’t justify spending $1000 especially when I did not have the money. To make a long story short, as a late Christmas gift my wife gave me $500 bucks and said spend it on whatever you want, boy did that make my day. Here’s what officially sold me on getting the Mavic. One day, I headed to my BJ’s Wholes to pick up some groceries after entering the store I noticed as sign in the electronic department that read “DJI Mavic Drone, $589. I thought to myself there is no way, in BJ’s? Boy was I puzzled! Even at the reduced price this drone still retails around $800/900. I inspected it over and over my eagerness got the best of me, I then took the sign over to customer service to inquire. To my surprise not only was it true, but I was informed that it was the very last one in stock. “I’ll Take” was my reply. All I can remember leaving the store calling my good friend and fellow photographer StevieD sounding like a little kid yelling “I got the Drone” I almost forgot the groceries I am partly embarrassed to even share this story but man I was excited. So now that I have shared my story and enthusiasm please enjoy this short clip I put together using the DJI Mavic Pro, “Vertigo Effect” 

Oh yeah, not to mention a few days into flying the drone I crashed it : (

Hackensack River Bridge connecting to Kearny, NJ.

Lincoln Park, Joseph J. Jaroschak Field. 

Liberty State Park, Hudson River.

Shot in Bayonne, NJ, this one image captured more in its horizon than any wide angle lens I've ever owned, as I mentioned this literally broadens my horizon!!!

Black History Exhibition!!!!

Hey Guys, 

Super excited to share with you all, The opening of last nights show was stellar! I will be exhibiting at Jersey City, City Hall, John Meagher, Rotunda Gallery, 3rd floor, I will be displaying "King Malcolm" and "Khalief Browder" The works will be display throughout the remaining month. Please do not be a stranger I welcome the love and support : ) 

Big Thanks to, Kodak Jones, and Greg Brickey

"Shards of Glass"

"Shards of Glass" post coming soon!!!! If you want to read the story and see more images from this amazing shoot please stay tuned. While you are waiting, please feel free to tell me what you liked most  about the "Shards of Glass" video?  Also tell me what inspires you comment below!!!!!!!!

To Be Continued......... #SOG

          How this all came together was simply magical. I have come to the realization it was on God's time, and it is my belief everything perfectly aligned so that this project could happen. A year ago I set out on a quest to creativity combine my "Art" with my “Photography” Initially, I had no direction but I knew I wanted to make something great. The more I pondered the more the visions started to manifest themselves. I started to scribble down little ideas as they came to me, then suddenly my attention shifted to creating a painting. I grabbed up a 30x48in sized canvas of old B&W abstract painting that I disliked and begun to work. It bothered me to even look at that painting, I was so eager to paint over I just threw anything on the canvas and of course that did not work either because I ultimately painted over that as well lol. So after two failed attempts, It was time to go back to the drawing board, the premise of this project was to be expressive and experimental at articulating my story so I wanted to create a mixed media abstract piece that would reflect that. In retrospect, looking back it is my interpretation the primary reason why those other painting I attempted to do on the same exact canvas did not work because the actual art was waiting to be used for something very special to come.

          I have never previously worked with glass, yet I sought it to be the appropriate medium for this piece. It was time to gather some bottles. I found it to be the most accessible ironically I kept coming across "Green" bottles. Boom there was the color scheme, green was also ideal because it is the color of the heart chakra, and it is said to be the color of balance harmony, and growth. Those were the exact qualities I was in search of in my life. I told myself I would take my time and I did just that tediously tinkering every rotating piece of glass. Weeks and weeks went by of me working and curiously scouring the streets for the green jewel. At least that is what I considered them to be mere trash became my treasure, it was such a vital element for the painting. I am sure my friends, family, and on lookers all thought I was going crazy picking up glass from the ground and putting it into my pocket, none the less the craziness served its purpose. Not that I used them all but I guesstimate I collected over 100 bottles for this piece all varying in size and shades of green. After I felt I had an abundance of glass it was time to break bread or glass I should say! The project was gradually coming together but I still had a long journey a head of me.

          It was time search for the jewelry that was a journey in itself. I would come across pieces I thought looked cool but it didn't strike me, and I wanted something that was striking. I visited many customs jewelry stores in the Chelsea area of Manhattan and to no avail. I took the initiative to make the jewelry myself, with that trusty ole bucket of glass and few pieces I somehow managed to gather POOF!!! like a magician waving his wand over a black upside down top hat the jewelry magically appeared. I was pretty satisfied how it turned out, it contained many layers and full of different textures much like the painting. At this point in the project I was feeling very confident because things were coming along smoothly. Being pleased with the progression of the many phases this project undertook, it was time to move on to the next stage, “The Model” And just when I thought things were going to be a walk in the park it all came to a screeching halt! I have to be quite honest this is where I became discourage, If you could see my face it was screaming the word “Nooooooooo” it bothered me because I was so emotionally invested. Instead of going in a dark corner in sobbing over my frustrations, I made a conscious decision to literally put my best foot forward, put my emotions aside and reluctantly work on other projects while I waited I often remind myself that this had to get done.  

          Although I encountered many discouraging setbacks along my journey I remained persistent. Foiled by my failed attempts I reached out to my trusty and most amazing MUA Ariel to give me a hand at casting a model she knew exactly what I was looking for so she was more than eager to assist. Weeks went by and to my surprise she came up empty handed as well. I started to question myself, “What is going on, what am I doing wrong” It felt as if the only people invested in this project was Ariel and myself, no one gave “SOG” a chance, but I believed in it. I could have easily reached out to a modeling agency but I wanted this to be authentic, I was in search of a connection. Moving forward, I can vividly remember being on Instagram one day posting pictures, I noticed this particular user liking a lot of my photos it caught my attention and I wanted to investigate. Immediately upon skimming through her feed, I excitedly blurted out “She’s the girl” At that very moment I intuitively knew I was looking at my muse for the project, she ideally fit every criteria. I tell you this girl was gifted wrapped and handed to me from the universe. The only thing that stood between us was a simple direct message, and boy I was not trying hesitate! I sent her a message that basically said “I would love to make some magic with you, she replied “I love your work, let’s do it”

          I am thinking to myself no way, this is a joke, is she serious, is she going to flake like all of the previous models!!!???? These were some of the many fears that stalked my mind upon conversing with her via Instagram. In the weeks following we communicated more and more through email. Although she showed some interest I still did not feel fully secure on the deal, all that change the moment I sent the Photo Treatment of the shoot to her, that changed everything! After reading the treatment not only did she have a new appreciation for “SOG” it resonated with her so much she felt compelled to participate. I want to add that I am not a believer in coincidence, this is just a term we use to describe the strange occurrences. Ironically, she revealed to me that her dad passed on in 2010, my dad passed in 1995, 15 years prior to her tragic experience, she also told me of a poem she wrote 5 years prior to “SOG” titled “Stained Glass” I do not know if you guys see it, but there was definitely a connection there. She believed in me, and in my vision, she handed over her trust and I can not thank her enough. During the shoot I can recall on a few occasions Noel state "Everything happens on God's time" there was a quiescence in those words that perpetuated in my head.

          In closing,  this photo shoot wildly exceeded any and all expectation I had. I am truly humbled by this entire experience, all of the disappointments, mishaps, what seemed to be failures, were all in preparation for what was to come. All of the indifferent things that took place meant absolutely nothing in comparison to the day of this shoot, it was nothing short of utter bless. I am proof that through undoubtedly believing, hard work, and just being plan old persistent you can reap the fruits of your labor and man did I reap them abundantly!!!!! 

An Intimate conversation with Lorenzo. P. "My uncle was a Soldier"

This is by far one of my most intimate projects to date primarily because it is so personal. An enormous amount of time and energy was spent putting this together. I must admit that I became discourage on many accounts due to the countless road blocks I encountered along the journey. Throughout it all I remained persistent because I knew what my end goal was, and that was to tell my uncle's story. I understand that it is a lengthy video, but I strongly encourage you all to watch it in it's entirety!!! As we transition into this new year I will give the world more of me, I thank God for putting me in the position to do so. Follow me on this Journey people I promise it will be worth it.

For all who do not know the first quarter of 2014 was by far a really rough start for me. On January 1, 2014 my uncle Roger Waddell Pickett Jr. was shot and killed by retired Jersey City police officer James D. Corley, following an alleged dispute between the two men at Moore's Lounge aka Bill and Ruth's in Jersey City, New Jersey. Corley was originally charge with attempted murder and a weapons offense related to a handgun. Given the death of my uncle the charges were later upgraded to murder.

 

An intimate conversation with Lorenzo P. "My uncle was a soldier" PT2

I want to thank you all for your precious time, patience, love and support, I also want to give a huge shout out to @yourhostmartine for seeing me through this entire process, this could have not been possible without her!!!!

NJ.com posting regarding the incident
http://www.nj.com/jjournal-news/index.ssf/2014/01/retired_jersey_city_cop_charge.html
http://www.nj.com/hudson/index.ssf/2014/01/ex-cop_now_charged_with_murder_in_new_years_day_bar_shooting.html