3May
A good friend and colleague Amber McZeal reached out to me and asked if I needed any more artists, explaining that her friend Jack wished to be included in the show. Well, I didn’t really need anymore artists, because between both Project Elefont & Local 365, two Bay Area Artist Collectives, there were already well over 30 artists filling two levels of wall space. Also, I had recruited a few photographers and artists on my own, so I didn’t know how I could fit one more into the gig. Unless… I decided I could use a live artist to top things off and entertain guests above the second story where the bands would play. So, I asked Amber, “Does he do live artwork?”. She promised to find out, and have Jack give me a call. And so, Jack called me the following day explaining that he had done live artwork before and that he would show up with a large canvas and paint in the space I designated for him, above the live performance space on the second floor.
We were set! However, I didn’t know until a few years later that Jack had never done live artwork and that he was doing it for the first time!
Jack, nonetheless, took a chance and made a leap into being the center of attention for the entire evening, as people were in awe of his work.
(below is a photo of Jack’s finished work on 2/27/10)
Since 2010, Jack has continued to support my projects with his artistic consultation and design. He’s been instrumental in my branding for my 2014 album release, Aspectz Of Me (http://R3NP.bancamp.com), and with my newest band project FatheR BrotheR Sun‘s branding and logo design for our web-presence and promotions. Besides supporting my organization A Thousand WordZ, he’s been my ‘go to’ art designer for all of my marketing collateral needs.
It’s been an absolute pleasure working with Jack. Since his marriage to the beautiful and equally talented Alise Rand Eastgate, the two have teamed up to both own and opperate EastRand Studios (http://EastRandStudios.com). Since our first meeting, I’ve purchased at least two of Jack’s original pieces, which I proudly hang in my office and in my home. I am consistently seeking ways to involve EastRand Studios in supporting my creative endeavors, besides stopping by to have Kava and an old fashioned home cooked meal (vegan island style) from time to time.
1. (2010 ATW): http://interviewz.blogspot.com/2010/02/artist-bio-jack-eastgate.html
2. (2014 ATW): http://interviewz.blogspot.com/2014/03/oakland-drops-beats-jack-alise-eastgate.html
16May
Hello, ladies and gentlemen.
I was chosen to participate in a photo-documentary of Oakland, by photographer, Stephen Texeira, who’s started a movement to document the REAL faces of Oakland. After reading an article this last Sunday (5/11/14), at my best friend’s house, while sipping coffee, she showed me an article from the San Francisco Chronicle and SFGate.com; a publishing from Sunday April 27th, 2014. I was intrigued by the article, written by Chip Johnson, which stated,”Texeira wants to capture Oakland’s good side, but not like in one of his modeling shoots. – He’s not looking for the prettiest, most alluring face he can find. Instead, he wants to capture the essence of Oakland neighborhoods in faces that tell the story of a city with vast and diverse immigrant population; a long, proud history of African American residents; and a city of triumph and tragedy…” (http://www.sfgate.com/default/article/Stephen-Texeira-gets-Oakland-picture-perfect-5393789.php)
I thought to myself, “Well, I am from Oakland, and I care for the health of Oakland, and… I’m going to call him, and see if he is interested in interviewing me, an activist, organizer, entertainer, educator, and marriage and family therapist…” I thanked my best friend, found Stephen on Facebook, and emailed him my thoughts. Twenty minutes later, Stephen responded, and from there we set a date for a shoot. I am now one of the documented photo-stories of Oakland, and, because I now have lived and have worked in my studio in the Golden Gate District of Oakland for ten years, my story will too be told, as one of the “good” sides of Oakland’s history.
He isn’t done yet, as there are 150 different and unique neighborhoods in Oakland. I have also asked if I can help him find other stories to tell, as in, other individuals, families, and couples, and he agreed to utilize my support. His project is projected to take 12-18 months to complete, and after his story in the paper/website of SFGate.com, he is now becoming overwhelmed with responses.
He and I chit chatted about Oakland, took pictures, and shared our perspectives and history on and in Oakland, and I have to say, he is a very humble, intelligent, and personable gentleman. After reading many articles on Oakland, especially from the New York Times, about Oakland being the new Brooklyn, I think, instead of likening Oakland to other cities in preparation for more gentrification, or for trying to find ways to articulate what it actually is, Stephen is setting out on a journey that documents what Oakland was, is, and will be. One thing Stephen said, while we chatted, was, “Photography = Light Writing, so I am, essentially writing a story using light, about Oakland.”
Here is my Instagram photo of Chip Johnson & the San Francisco Chronicle’s April 27th, 2014 article: http://instagram.com/p/oCrKYAt8Ky/