N’Dambi Siva is an emerging photographer that received the first camera as a gift from a close personal friend at age twenty-two during a road trip from California to Texas.  With that chance that was available, this just happened to be every day.  To this day, Siva still owns and actively uses that camera, and draws great inspiration from James Van Der Zee, Roy Decarava and Carla Williams. Ukweli (Swahili for “Fact”) is the first semi-nude/nude series of Siva’s young career, which focuses on the raw imperfections of people’s perfect selves. Shot with digital and film cameras (And even...

A word to the wise:  Never, ever tell 34 year-old model/actress Jay Faabulousone that she cannot do certain genres in modeling or acting because of her size.  She will make you eat your words by showing you that she can and will take it to the next level.  Jay makes it known that she is unapologetically proud of the skin she is in and her full-figure will not deter her from her goals. The 5’10” curvaceous Philly stunner is a chameleon when it comes to her modeling.   Artistic nudes, beauty, erotic, fashion, runway, commercial…this lady does it all and with a smile on her lovely mocha...

Playfully exuberant, earthSista MoreEssence (MoEss for short) gleefully marveled at the exquisite hand-crafted artistry of Moebanga bangles. MoEss started this photo shoot in her favorite HarvestGirl design. And as the late morning sun bounced brightly off the white Egyptian cotton sheets, she laughed and smiled in awe of the creative variety that artist-photographer-cinematographer (an all-around creative) Maurice Evans had spawned. MoEss was sassy, provocative and beguiling. She was also delightfully mischievous and frankly lighthearted; a true free-spirit. When we created these images, I was...

Amazones, a project born in 2001 between PACO “Iron Man” RABANNE and photographer, Thierry Le Gouès, is a collection of reflections with the light and metal and skin that sparks concepts of futuristic imagery. Thierry “armed” the Amazones with the Paco’s creations for an imaginative set of shoots on the volcanic island of Lanzarote, cliffs of Etretat, Brazilian beaches of Nordeste, the desert of the Sahara. In union and homage to his first book “Soul” (first published in 1998,) Thierry Le Gouès’ Amazones are rising generation of black fashion divas: Nina Keita, Kadija,...

Jirard: I’ve been shooting a nude series for a little over 5 years & I want to to publish a collection of coffeetable books derived from the work. My “Velvet Painting Series” is designed to be beautifully arousing… celebrating the sexual potency and freedom of wonderfully diverse women. “The Velvet Painting” started as one book… but has evolved into a series of books. After submitting my books to some art book publishers, I was told that they were unable to find a place for these types of projects in their book schedule. And the closing of many bookstores...

Thinking of a new way to rock those old fashions? Have some clothes, shoes or accessories that could use some sprucing up? Here’s an idea for the CCCreatively Conscious individual who knows that with a little cccreavity, what was once old can be made new again. R U R.A.R.E.? Creative Culture Collective and House of Blended Ink Yadiyda Present… A R.A.R.E. Experience : R.AW A.RTISTIC R.ADICAL E.CCLECTIC: Interactive FashionArt Experience Featuring… CCCustom Apparel & Jewelry With: Jeffrie St James & AsHaUnTi ThOmPsOn of Amore Kreative & Asante Wa Designs. Live CCCollage...

Adebonojo on himself: “Filmmaker, photographer and long time New York City resident. “I am a director of photography in a hotly competitive market engaged mainly in commercial productions and promotions for major cable networks and affiliates, as well as a documentary filmmaker and camera operator on movies and television projects. “My body of work is extensive and has involved a lot of travel over the years. I am also an active photographer who shoots portraits, personalities, live music, fashion, sports and chronicles of day to day life and travel.” Adebonojo’s...

Some weeks back we featured another story from Vogue Italia; it’s Tribute to Black Beauties. Featuring the photographic works of Ellen von Unwerth, it was modern, irreverent look at the beauty and glamour of fashion’s black models. Its tongue-in-cheek humor and appeal was upbeat and adorable. However, a few months before, Vogue Italia featured the works of Emma Summerton. This feature was called Black Allure and it was opposite of Tribute. It was 1920s vintage, elegant, moody and very high class. From the article in Vogue Italia:  The black allure photographed by Emma Summerton...

Collective inspiration… the sum is far greater than the individual contributions. “I am not going to say much here; the creators of this collection have their own statements. I will say that these images are the culmination of Chi-town artists inspired by an earthSista as their muse. The collective experience is, at times, humorous and tense and always real as they all come together to make it happen. Artist and filmmaker Paul Branton, Photographer Tracy Lynn Deis and earthSista Queen Hadassah Esther share a colorful experience with the rest of us….” –Vincent “I...

On July 29th Art, Beats + Lyrics in Atlanta GA!! Gentleman Jack Art, Beats + Lyrics breezed through the ATL recently. Touring the country with larger than life visual art pieces, nationally renowned deejays and some of the hottest dancers around, AB+L has become the insiders guide through the evolution of Hip Hop culture. Originally born in Atlanta, the event was held at The Compound, featuring live performances by Sore Losers, 8Ball & MJG. DJ Lord of Public Enemy was on the turntables as well as several other DeeJays. What began as a themed art show has quickly grown to become the hottest...