by SepiaAngel On Sunday, September 26, I battled busy Tampa traffic to get to this photo shoot. I knew that I was ready, but this particular shoot was everything that I didn’t imagine in a good way. Little did I know that this was going to start my manifestation and liberation with a tall, brilliant, humorous man by the name of remy the ECCENTRICsoul. One of the personal struggles that I had going into the shoot was not being blunt about my own sensuality and sexuality. Ironically, I write about these things in my short stories and poetry, but couldn’t be truthful about my own. I listened...

“i usedta live in the world then i moved to HARLEM & my universe is now six blocks when i walked in the pacific i imagined waters ancient from accra/tunis cleansin me/ feedin me now my ankles are coated in grey filth from the puddle neath the hydrant my oceans were life what waters i have here sit stagnant circlin ol men’s bodies shit & broken lil whiskey bottles left to make me bleed…” That is the essence, in my opinion,  of for colored girls who have considered suicide when the rainbow is enuf, the renowned play by Ntozake Shange, first published in 1975 and now about...

Brad Mitchell Joypho Images If I had my way, I’d shoot sistas with natural hair exclusively. It’s not only the natural hairstyle that’s appealing, but it’s the mindset that usually accompanies the external appearance. For a sista to wear her hair as the Creator intended, it requires a certain degree of self-love and an appreciation for the beauty of her blackness. I love to capture images of natural beauty, and there’s something “unnatural” about a woman wearing a weave and with a mountain of makeup. When I first met Kelishia, my initial impression was...

Leon of Leon Photo Werks is a thoughtful visionary. A Brooklyn based photographer Leon’s work spans more than 15 years and his vision is one of the inspirations for the Project. Leon’s works depict the wide array of technique and styles that he brings to his creations. Distinctive, impeccable, professional and thoughtful are all traits that are admirable in his works. Leon is meticulous in his efforts and daring in his endeavors. He got his start doing weddings and while his portfolio now includes fashion, editorial and even commercial work, its his art that is the focus of this set...

Part two of the 3-part series on the EccentricSoul. This time we focus on cool. Dramatic contrasts of shadows and light, splashes of colour and attitude. These are the characteristics that are common in his works and they are not unusual tools for producing images for fashion editorial work and when you look at what Remy does you see the roots of a fashion editorial approach. But then he does that Remy thing. That step of creative discovery and collaboration with his muse where they both stretch, reach and find the inner passion that adds depth, strength and fragility to an expression that is...

Would You Have Your Body Painted at an Art Party AND Would You Want to Paint on a Body ? That was the question we were left with at the end of the set of images from the first part of the Art Part on the Roof! As darkness settled over the city and all of us on the roof at John Glover’s Art Party, folks stepped up to the canvas and painted. Young brothas, cheesed for the camera and worked with the DJ on the music. Periodically, they would cut their eyes over to the earthSistas being airbrushed under the lights. Off in the cut there were spectators who drank, enjoyed the music and curiously...

The other day during this photo shoot, someone told me that not everyone can look at themselves in the mirror naked. Now, please, know that I am not talking about porno, or anything sexual; I am speaking on appreciating the skin that you are in. NO, you may not look like what you see on the cover of the magazines. SHOOT, I DON’T EITHER!!! I see now that we have began to hide our TRUE selves with our clothes and allowing the clothes to speak for us instead of what we truly are! We have become scared of what we are, and allow our clothes to say it, creating a state of not knowing who we are,...

Brad Mitchell Joypho Images Photographers delight in the ability to “paint with light,” to create images that captivate and tantalize the viewer. Like everything else in the universe, this creativity flows in cycles; it waxes and wanes just as the new moon eventually becomes full, then new again. And during those times when we fly upon the wings of creativity, we breathe again, hence the term, “inspire.” Inspiration can come in many ways. For photographers, we are often inspired by the subjects we shoot. Fortunately, I was given the honor to work with KarenAlise. I was entertaining a concept...

He says he’s an EccentricSoul with a vision. And from his imagination he tells stories of the unseen.  Indeed. As an artist of photography, Remy constantly, seeks to elevate himself creatively by stepping outside of his fine art comfort zone and manifesting his style for fashion and couture. And he seeks out women and men who DARE to step outside the box with him. All of his models agree that when they work with him, he definitely takes their ports to another level. Remy employs colours in their vivid and primary forms. He exploits their richness to enhance the passion in his captures....

Sitting at the front desk before last week’s Take a Load Off Tuesday show felt like a prime time spot to catch the Who’s Who of the Atlanta poetry scene.  The incomparable Queen Sheba graced the inaugural stage at our new venue, Studio Clout (shout out to PhysiqueAE1 and Vincent for the connection!) and surprised everybody with a rock song.  Blackchicksrock!  By the way, if you haven’t been to Studio Clout, which also doubles as an art gallery/ jewelry store/sketching school, you need to stop by and be amazed.  Poetry never felt so grown and sexy sitting up between statues...