"The Birth of the Cool" and the Life of Mrs Davis.

Renowned artist Barkley Hendricks' in conjunction with the Nasher Museum of Art at Duke University is exhibiting "Birth of the Cool" around the nation at select locations. ( see below).

In Hendrick's Exhibit is the 3 foot high image of a shy young girl with a not-so -shy afro holding her arm protectively. It's titled 'Lawdy Mama'. The image is of Atlanta Muralist and cousin to Barkley Hendricks, Kathie Davis. Mrs Davis has painted murals for many Atlanta based celebrities including Ludacris and Dorsey Levens. A little over two months ago Mrs Davis finally succumbed to a long bout with cancer leaving behind her a lifetime of artwork and two talented children.

My friend Atlanta based designer Azure Davis is her daughter. This is a really special post for me because I know how much she went through towards the end of Mrs. Davis life.

When you're young, your emotions are insecure but your body is strong, when you're older your emotions are secure but your body just won't keep up. Life is pretty ironic. So Az yeah...in line with the rest of our convo..that's what I think about when I see your mom's panting. It's got to feel good to see her immortalized like that and by such a talented artist: young and beautiful forever.

Rest in Peace Mrs. Davis.

Kh.

GRAF ARTIST "KET": Maridueña Mean Mugging the World

Convo over Instant Message Around Oct 2007:

Me: Ket! They called you "prolific", Babes! You're on your way!

Ket: Lol!

(or something like that.)

It may be that I added that exclamation point, because in my mind's eye I'd love to believe that Alain "Ket" Maridueña was at his screen Laughing Out Loud for real. Probably not. The truth is I've spent hours around Ket: In business meetings, at his lecture, in my car... and in all of that time I don't have a memory of him smiling. Ever. The only reason I know the man has teeth is because I've seen him chew food. But I'm still not sure: he could have gummed it and swallowed.

So what were we talking about in the I.M. convo, way back when? In 2007 a mutual friend hit me up and led me to an online news article reporting Ket's recent arrest for insane counts of vandalism. The article's writer was tossing around big words like: "master artist" and "prolific vandal". Go Ket! Now, my reaction may seem strange to some, but I knew that the man who labeled his publishing company From Here To Fame would understand . It's every creative's dream to make his or her mark on the world and Ket's arrest and ensuing media frenzy proved he'd done just that.

Years ago I sat next to Ket in a theater watching some performance art. In the dark I looked down at his arms and on it was tatted the phrase " Yo Puedo Mas QueTu". Loosely translated it's: My Will is Stronger Than Yours. Nice. The tattoo made an impression on me. Intensity and focus are the markers in some of my favorite people in this world and Ket has focus pouring off of him like sweat. It's always been my personal belief that every man ( even the deadbeats ) achieves what he truly strives for. Ket's tat shows me he is striving to take over the world and his resume backs him up: Publisher, Writer, Activist, Lecturer, "Prolific" Graf Artist, Founder of Stress Magazine and Complex , Consultant to Marc Ecko's Under Pressure video game, Producer of animation Three Thug Mice. Ket's got a lot on his mind. Maybe that is why he never smiles.

So what is Ket into now? Who knows! I do know he's busy. Do you know how long this article took to get together??! It started in NY, broke for Copenhagen, picked up in Santa Fe and finished up in F*#k-If-I-Know, U.S.A. The last time i "spoke" to Ket he was texting me party directions from Colombia ( Yes, the country!). Ket is running around the world blessing it with his Mean Mug. And I ain't mad at him.

Well, I'm hating a little, but I ain't mad. Go Ket!

TALKING WITH THE ARTIST:

Khia_Rocks: When did you know that this ( art ) would be "what you were about"?

Ket: I am not so sure but in high school I was so fully into it that I could see it being in my future. As I matured I realized that unlike earlier generations of painters that quit when turning 16 because of the legal implications I was just getting started. By the time I started my first business in college and incorporated art into it I knew this was a part of me.

Khia_Rocks: What drives you in your career?

Ket: Wanting to work with friends, on projects that I enjoy, and having to pay bills.

Khia_Rocks: What is biggest misconception people have you you?

Ket: Some people think I am a maniac and violent. Others think I am very unapproachable. I'm just serious about what I do that's all. I like to get things accomplished and have no time for the flim flam.

Khia_Rocks: What is your proudest accomplishment so far?

Ket: Starting and running a respected magazine business that stood for something.

Khia_Rocks: What was the last thing that made you crack a smile?

Ket: My girlfriend photographing me having my favorite dish for dinner today in Santa Fe.

Khia_Rocks: Sigh. I'm going to need you to stop making things up.

www.SupportKet.org www.FromHeretoFame.com www.ThreeThugMice.com

My Public Apology to Esen ( TAKE A RECORD)

 Indie record company Take A Record had their website launch yesterday and I missed it! I didnt' get to support one of my favorite New Yorkers ( D.J. & Rapper Esen ). His beats are nice. I'm so sorry E! I'm all about artist support, esp. my friends. I was all dressed ( i even had on the red and gold DC kicks u like) and, i DID leave my house to go, but things got kind of retarded in queens and I never even made it out of my borough. I know I missed a good time.

I owe you....a jamba...or something, I dunno, we'll talk.  

So, fam, most of the artists are available on Itunes. Check out the Site:

www.takearecord.com

Kh.

They Blogging Me Now, Mayne

I'm the latest in the Nuvany Nice " Grinding " Interview Series. About creatives in NY getting their hustle on. Note that I'm fresh off a flight, poised with my credit card ready to spend ALL my hardworked ends.

Click here to read nuvany-nice.com

While your there check out the site. They're selling some cool stuff.


Also check out my "Chucked" story on the Minus-Five Design Blog.Peace to Portfolio Center Grad Sarah Coffman.

Kh.

Artist YASHUA KLOS & the Anatomy of a Chicago Smack-talker

I met Yashua Klos early February at the Rush Arts Gallery. I had actually gone to see the artwork of talented artist Alexis Peskine who was also showing, and there was Klos flanked by his 2 boys from home. Klos' boys Algenoy and Terrence talk MAD stuff. And in the first few moments of meeting them you wonder where Klos' laid-back personality fits into the mix. 'Oh', you think 'he must by the SHY one'. Don't sleep-Klos is that rare breed of Chicago Style Smack-talker, he just needs a little warming up. Don't give this man an opening; stay on your toes;keep your hands up, because he will come at you with the verbal jabs ( He talked real badly about my grilled cheese sandwich, It was awful). With Yashua it's all in good fun. Klos and his crew are quick to make friends: A full 3 min. after meeting him, my girls and I were invited to hang out with him and his large group of friends for dinner. We spent the night in some of the coolest convo I've had in my 2 yrs in NY.

Months later I followed Yashua's email invite to his April Soho show 'New Finds'. I was impressed by the 8 ft screens, each of which Yashua had painstakingly hand carved ( at size ) from wood, then printed. The pieces were a top perspective of men holding a power fist over their hearts (Banging!). My date and I were picking off who was who: 1 was definitely Martin Luther King & the 2nd was this Bolivian freedom fighter-we thought. We were REALLY wrong. I was actually moved when we were told that they were each actually Yashua's homeboys. Most, if not all, of them were walking around the gallery. One of them, realist artist Kenneth Browne, was standing right behind us. { For the record Kenneth, you kinda do look like the King-smile}. Yashua Klos is obviously a man whose people are important to him, they seem to be with him wherever he goes, that's why I kept them strong in this article.

Kh.

TALKING WITH THE ARTIST:

Khia_Rocks: When did you know that this ( art ) would be "what you were about"?

YK: My momma would tape a piece of paper to my highchair tray and make me draw for my Gerber.That's when I made the connection that I had to do this thing to eat properly. Really, If nothing else, I've always been an artist. Tried many things, but always returned to what I feel most natural doing.

Khia_Rocks: What keeps you awake at night?

YK: Street construction.

Khia_Rocks: Note to Self-Rephrase that last question. lol. How do you describe your personal style?

YK: I dont think I have a 'style' yet- maybe a consistent personality or aesthetic in my work. I'm afraid of 'style' in what I do- because 'style' doesn't always satisfy the work's concept or content.

Khia_Rocks: What moved you to produce the Soho show?

YK: That show at Christopher Henry worked out perfect because his space there really compliments my large scale work. And the 8' tall woodcuts especially work there- since the space used to be a church, it has those high vaulted ceilings so the figures can breathe. Chris is great and we've been in constant communication since I landed in New York three years ago. 'New Finds' was the second group show I've been in there- and I'm sure we'll work together again in the future.

Check out more of the artist's work @ www.yashuaklos.com