My little Mamiya is pretty unpredictable and it seems to have a mind of its own more often than not. After the first few rolls of film and some advice (way back when…), I decided that it was better to get multiple photos of my subject just in case.

These two photos illustrate how I may get something totally useable and something a little interesting and or fun.

The image below has the same affect as one of my favorite shots from the series seen here.

This brown beauty was captured after leaving Korto Momolu’s 2012 F/W fashion presentation at The Bryant Park Hotel. It was a fun event with lots of great people watching and flowing cocktails….

Check here to view more of my NYC Analog Street Portrait series.

Digging through my NYC Analog Street Portrait Series archive, I found a few gems that I’ve neglected far too long. Time is getting the best of me….

New York fashion stylist: Elena Moussa - The hair, the glasses and the Aztec influenced sequined dress make for a fun day on the Lincoln Center Promenade.

Check here to view more of my NYC Analog Street Portrait series.

I know I say each & every flower is my favorite but I honestly have to say that peonies are my favorite late summer bloom aside from Dutch Irises.

When I was a kid growing up in Detroit, I always looked forward to our 3 peony bushes blooming in the late spring. The big floppy blooms always cheered me up & the fragrance made me wonder if heaven had the same smell but that was then & this is now.

“I think it pisses God off if you walk by the color purple in a field somewhere and don’t notice it.”

~ Alice Walker, The Color Purple

I always go for the window seat so that I can take photos like these and daydream.

What’s been going on with me? Well, quite a bit. Here are a few quick snippets. I have more good news to share in June. Stay tuned because it’s really gonna be awesome to share out!

My little sister Sade turned 16 years old last week. I sent her a serious care package with some Detroit love, Better Made potato chips along with some other stuff that I thought a 16 year old would find interesting, (not easy to do for an almost 40 year old guy) but she was quite happy.

She’s been so strong over the past year and has been working hard on making all things positive in her life. She recently became a member of the Alpha Kappa Omega Hearts sorority, A flag girl in her high school band, a member of the school gospel choir and all while maintaining good grades (not counting math but that’s another story).

She makes me happy and I admire her courage! And damn, I can’t believe she’s 16.

I recently started going back to the gym to work my husky body. My goal is to drop at least 20 pounds by my birthday in September. I’ve done it before and I’m about to do it again.  I have to look hot when I hit the beaches of Cancun.

I’ve been crazy busy with work, all kinds of work and I’m enjoying using my talents, skill and abilities to make others happy.

Now, keep in mind that I’m an artist and I’m sensitive about my shit!

I’ll be in DC this weekend visiting and celebrating with friends and I cannot wait. I haven’t been on a trip since February and it’s time to get the hell out of dodge!

I could go on and on about myself but I’ll stop here.

My little sweet baby, Tongi laid an egg today. I noticed her building a nest over the last few days and then today I came home to her little white surprise.

This is her 4th egg in a year. The last time, she laid 3 eggs in the course of a few weeks. I wonder what will happen this time.

I view her egg laying and timing as a good omen because every time it’s happened, I received some great news. Today was no exception and I’m grateful for the Birmingham Family Court for honoring my family and doing the right thing!

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BTW, can you tell which image here was taken with an SLR or which with an iPhone????

My mother, Stella and I around 1986, maybe 1987.

My cousin recently sent me this photo and it put such a smile on my face. I haven’t seen it in YEARS! And looking at the photo, I see my youngest daughter, Amelia in my face, my little beautiful twin.

My momma is my one true friend and I love everything about her, even when she’s driving me nuts. She’s beautiful, smart, inspiring, a survivor, my biggest cheerleader, and probably one of the funniest people in my life. And… I’m not sure who talks more stuff, her or I.

My momma, my boo!

A good pair of church shoes is a necessity in my life. I wouldn’t consider myself obsessed with shoes but I spend a fair amount of time searching for styles and looking at trends.

My research is aided by having Pinterest to host a collection of some of the hottest kicks that I stunble upon.

One of these days, I will own them all!

If you’re into shoes like I am, check out and follow my “Shoegasm” board on Pinterest.

Today was interesting. Made some moves. Made some decisions. At the end of the day, I was feeling some kind of way. Not bad. Not good. Just… Kinda like the weather lately.

Then I came home and chilled on my deck reflecting when I looked over and saw these bright blue robin eggs.  They totally made me smile while offering a moment of random clarity.

Pinto beans are my FAVORITE beans!!! Growing up beans were a constant in my diet and I grew to hate them. All beans. Pinto beans, lima beans, navy beans, baked beans, kidney beans, pork & beans…. YUCK….

A few years a go, I opened myself back up to beans and enjoy differently from how my momma prepared them, which usually involved a nasty looking ham hock bobbing up and down in a steaming pot. I think I just had a real bad flashback.

The other day, I made a pot of pinto beans and called my momma to brag. She was like, OK, baby.

Ingredients:

- 1lb Dried Pinto Beans
- 1lb Fresh Chorizo (Mexican sausage)
- 1 Medium Yellow Onion (diced)
- 1 Jalapeño (seeded and diced)
- 1/2 Red Bell Pepper (diced)
- 4 Garlic Cloves (minced)
- 1 Tsp Cumin
- Sea Salt
- Fresh Cracked Black Pepper
- 6 Cups Chicken Stock (Homemade or store-bought (if you’re basic))
- 3 Tbsp Olive Oil

The Jump Off:

Soak your dried beans in water over night. Be sure to cover the beans fully. After soaking, drain and rinse your beans. You will notice they have softened a bit. Go through the beans and check for small rocks. Set beans aside to continue your prep.

In a large heated pot (medium heat), add your olive oil & toss in your chorizo. Stir and break up the chorizo as it browns for about 3-5 minutes. The toss your veggies in and cook until the onions become translucent.

Toss your beans into the browned chorizo and veggies and stir to coat the beans then add your chicken stock in. The six cups should cover all of the ingredients fully.

Add your cumin and bring the pot to a good boil, which should take about 5-8 minutes. Once you have a boil, bring the heat down a bit and cover the pot for an hour making sure to stir occasionally.

After an hour, uncover your pot and let the beans cook for another thirty minutes to thicken the beans a bit. Salt & pepper to taste.

I garnished my beans with fresh scallions and served them with yellow rice and an avocado salad…

This morning, I found out that Hugh Masekela, one of my art heroes is coming to Detroit next week for a performance. I actually screamed in my head a little.

His music, sociopolitical voice, & background are so inspiring.

“We Are One” by  South African DJ, Black Coffee featuring Hugh Masekela is one of my favorite soul-house songs.

When Hugh says “Wake up Africa, the time is now. Wake up Africa, the time is now,” I hear it as a rally cry for Blacks across the Diaspora to unite and fight for the changes we want to see in our people, communities, and selves.

Art Credit: Brett Rubin

This year, the start of spring is feeling more like the middle of winter. That damn groundhog pulled a bait & switch on the nation!