It is crazy times for everyone, Health, the great equalizer is effecting us all.

The same but in different ways, I live in Miami and in Pittsburgh, and in very different places in both as far as socio-economically, racially, culturally and geographically. In Miami I live in a penthouse in North Bay village, the view is amazing every morning as I wake, the sun shines almost everyday. I heard somewhere that when the sun hits off of the water and you see it, serotonin is formed in your brain making you feel happier. I believe it. My balcony provides views of the ocean, the dolphins, sting rays and manatees seem un effected by this virus. The Pelicans, sun conures fly around (I know about sun conures as they were my daughters gift when she was seven for her Birthday, she chose them over having a party as they were $750 a piece). In Miami Sun Conures fly around free, at least in my part of Miami.

I left quarantine to paint a mural of my favorite “new” rapper. I mean I’m a Tupac fan , Biggy is great, UGK, Top Authority, you know the 90’s…but out of the new rappers I likes Nipsey, I think being a “real” gang member like myself growing up made me appreciate some of the details he speaks of, especially when talking about transitioning to business and speaking about the Black community and America as a whole. So I wanted to do a mural for him in Homewood that is Historically Crips in Pittsburgh (since the late 80’s) and I wanted to do it as a representation of transitioning from gangs to business/negative to positive (although not all of each are 100% negative or positive).

The plan was to commemorate him on the one year anniversary of his death like I did my lil Homie Mac in September. Malcom (Mac Miller) I knew and had his number and we stayed in contact for years every now and then but I never met Nipsey. Through his music I had a connection, similar to the hundreds of people who came and contributed their thoughts on the Mac mural. Many people were in tears. I wanted to do something to bring people in Homewood together, were people could create it together, if you know me you know the art has always been a vehicle for me to accomplish larger goals than just the aesthetics. The Nipsey Mural was slated to be painted on the Community Empowerment building, in speaking with Brotha Rashaad we decided to go forward with the project as it may provide a glimpse of hope/beauty/inspiration during these times, I don’t know… It was certainly a different vibe in Pittsburgh, my friends (the ones who are alive, I lost over 45, yes forty five, it never seems like a little amount, never feels normal to say)..but yes my living friends who are all good people but most have spend nearly a decade behind bars, have been through it all. They had strippers come and entertain, of course I didn’t go..during Covid?

The sky was grey and it was cold everyday I was in Pittsburgh were I stay in Homewood. Stock market has been crazy for weeks, everyone been loosing jobs and money but for those have-nots its just another day. I saw someone buy their first car they were proud of, their nearly 40, during Covid and they seemed to feel more accomplished than ever. I think the reality of the situation came more clear in the second part of the week I spent in my hometown as restrictions were increased. Maybe that’s part of the reason as the second weekend no one had any plans. I think that me being in town may have effected as it had been half a year and like I said the remaining friends and I have a bond, a super deep bond. We did survive the countries first Rico act on a street gang, several shoot outs together, lost friends and family..but with them I didn’t feel sad, depressed, I felt like we can overcome anything.

Having traveled this world I know that as Americans and humans we can overcome anything. In Pittsburgh, I also spend a lot of time with a great cousin and saw my daughter/family, that’s what is most important, your loved ones. Now back in Miami, hearing my friends father has died due to this virus, paying my super expensive bills with no money coming in… I remember a quote I heard about when the Chinese were translating the english languages with their symbols. They combined two symbols for the english word “Crisis”, one of disaster and the other of opportunity. Of Course health and loved ones health is most important but otherwise there may be some kind of opportunity.

I think my opportunity is; I am writing more and painting more, doing paintings and completing a body of work I have been trying to do (but blessed to be busy painting murals) for the last 17 years since my last solo show. Also after 11 years of work my first film finally got released on Amazon, I am trying to see the silver lining I hope in some way you can all do the same. Bless you all!

_ Artworld …

https://www.amazon.com/Art-Life-Mac-Miller/dp/B086M9H5TG/ref=sr_1_3?crid=9FMLCOQT5JLX&dchild=1&keywords=art+of+life&qid=1586371871&s=instant-video&sprefix=art+of+life%2Cinstant-video%2C221&sr=1-3