Gg the Artist

I am grateful that somewhere inside of me, there is an artist. In my tenth year in high school, I chose to write and I laid my artistic ability in art by the curb. I am passionate about writing and it is a joy for me to do so. And you know what, I am living the dream of diving into art and my writing today. Who knows, I may write another book and do my own illustrations.

In 2006,  I wrote, ‘Ghetto Gospel’s Diary:30 days 2 faith’, and I was looking for an artist. I found Lisa Michelle Garrett, a fantastic artist diva who eventually did the illustrations for my book. She is amazing as an artist I must say. I’ve watched her grow as an artist as well.

In the early stages of my book, I would give her an ideal of how I wanted my character, Ghetto Gospel, to coincide with my poems. When I realized how great she was, I started drawing stick figures and setting them in position for her to create the scene. I would draw a circle and write, ‘a swing’, ‘the wind’, and ‘backstabbers’ on a piece of paper, here, here and here. She created it all. She made my words come to life.

We made a good team putting that book together. She definitely was the right artist for my book project. She could see I had some skills in drawing and she used to tell me all the time, “you’re an artist”. I was really just focused on my writing at that time, so I wasn’t tapped into what she was saying at that time.

In 2008, I started a podcast and a blog at the same time and writing became practice for me. When I read some of my earlier stuff, I cringe, but it quickly goes away. Because of  that practice writing for each show every week, I got a little better. I’ve learned to slow down when I writing. It’s like girl, go back and read that line. My mind would quickly move and my typing fingers, would be like what the hell are you saying.

Having my first blog put me on the path of critical thinking. I stopped blindly accepting the information that polluted my brain. I found myself on a different path, so I thought. I believe my family and friends thought I was even more strange when I shared this not new information. I was a truthseeker, and what they felt about me was ok with me because whatever I learned on my quest for knowledge has brought me to a perfect peace.

On my journey, I’ve learned the early writers of these books we read, will take a truth and build lies to keep us all in control.  I’ve written so many articles on the ghetto truth magazine about the truth or a truth and I see people can’t handle the truth and sadly, nor do they want the truth. There is so much information out here since 2008 and frankly as far as the ghetto truth is concerned, the masses are on their own. The technology is here and there is no excuse for anyone to not  read for yourself. All I have to say,  if something doesn’t seem right to you, go in search of that for your own truth.

My mic is on a pause and I’m into art now. It is therapeutic for my soul now.

I love painting on large canvases. I have some good pieces out there, but I had to stop because I was running out of space in my small apartment. I have a plan about that and I will reveal that later.

Before my artist explosion, Lisa Michelle would tell me that I was an artist, but it wasn’t until I knew it for myself and realized I can  create amazing abstract art. If I ever thought writing poems or dropping lyrics off the top of my head was freeing, painting in abstract has done that for me. Some people don’t get abstract, so they won’t get me. I’m used to that. I’ve been accused of using too many colors and this comes by other artists, go figure. I like color. so I will reflect that in my paintings.

In a way I am still telling a story or stories through my art.

In the past 2 years, my artwork has taken a place at Legacy Commons for Active Seniors in Palmdale, The Palmdale Playhouse, and AV Community Art Gallery also in Palmdale and when people stand around in their conversations about my art, they see many stories in it too. It may or may not be the same story I have, It’s abstract, it’s good, it’s creative and it’s me at 64.