The Debuts are just the beginning....

The past six weeks have been like a dream! It has taken me five years to get nine photographs on a wall, but every single moment of those five years was worth it! Being able to finally debut the first stories from the reImagining - on both the east and west coasts - has only made me more determined to make sure all 100 stories are told! Although I could not physically be there for the Women in Art - HerStories exhibit, the exhibition pictures tell a story of an amazing exhibition at the LH Horton Jr. Art Gallery at San Joaquin Delta College in Stockton, CA. I have to give a special thanks to Yolanda Rodriguez of the BxArts Factory  for her inclusion of the reImagining in the amazing Innuendos exhibition held at the Andrew Freedman Home in the Bronx. It was so amazing to have my work shown with so many inspiring female artists from the Bronx. The artist panel discussion for the reImagining at Innuendos definitely got heated - but in a good way! A special thanks to the models that sat on the panel with me to tell their stories! Finally, the closing reception for Innuendos allowed us to hear from the all of the artist that participated in the exhibition with art performances that blew my mind! The reImagining is just getting started! I was so fortunate to be able to participate in these two exhibitions and so happy to have the narratives of the models brought forth for discussion. We are just getting started, so please continue to support the effort and continue to keep an out for more exhibitions!

Thanks for the flowers Brian and Andy!

Thanks for the flowers Elizabeth!

Thanks for the flowers Elvira!

Dispatches from Awesome?

I have mixed feelings coming out of the Kara Walker exhibit at the Domino Sugae Factory. The work was particularly amazing. It was all strongly executed and amazing to behold. The only sticking point, the mass consumption atmospher of the crowds. It was a sugary delight for a Friday evening. I am sure the history behind the pieces was lost to 99% of the audience. What did they really wait in line for?

And so it has begun...

model #22 Ameria Lennard, hair and make up by Jose L. Lopez 

an outtake from the very first reImagining shoot! here's to the next 99! 

Dispatches from Awesome....Belletrix at ImageNation

I just braved the cold for the most amazing exhibition in Harlem - the Belletrix exhibit currently showing at ImageNation!

These amazing artists created a beautiful multi-media exhibition that expressed the diversity of the Black female artist's work. 

And it was wonderfully received! Make sure to catch it before it closes May 1st!

Art in the everyday underground

Can you feel the history embedded in every nook and cranny of these tiles?  They have born witness to so much of the theater that is New York City!

idiStudios is in Curate NYC 2013!

Image Untitled #01 from the Manipulated Light and Power Series has been chosen for the online exhibition curated by Wim van Sinderen - Senior Curator for the Hauge Museum of Photography. Take a look at my entry and leave a comment! Thanks!

Our very first reImagining Salon!

Honestly words can not describe how amazing this night was for me - so I will let our resident genius videographer Aulistar Mark demonstrate his skills with this amazing recap of an extraordinary night:

A huge thank you to BFB Architect and Balance Integration for letting us meet in your beautiful office space!

idiStudios teams up with Colloquy Collective to realize images for the new production of Wine in the Wilderness

“Like snowflakes, the human pattern is never cast twice. We are uncommonly and marvelously intricate in thought and action, our problems are most complex and, too often, silently borne." - Alice Childress

I have had the ultimate collaboration! Imagine being able to translate into images the text of an amazing Black female playwright for the production of one of her most amazing plays dealing with the topics of the misrepresentation of the Black female image for a Black female producer and director! I know it's a run on sentence, but run with me on this one guys! I was more than thrilled to lend my camera skills to Courtney Harge of Colloquy Collective for their new production of Wine in the Wilderness. Harge created the collective because " We at Colloquy Collective feel it is important to mine existing work for jewels that create new contexts for our present conditions." The play, which runs from March 7th through March 17th at JACK, is the company’s inaugural production. Directed by Harge, Wine in the Wilderness examines the issues of racial identity, class striation, art’s purpose, and male/female power dynamics. Originally presented in 1969, it tells the story of a Black male artist as he paints a triptych on Black womanhood, and the Black woman who causes him to reexamine his approach. This play remains poignant and relevant over four decades after its first production. Above is one of the two images I produced for the play - you have to come out and see the play to see the second image! The play opens Thursday March 7th with a great reception afterwards! If you can't make one of the shows - then support the project's funding campaign and support the major tenant of the reImagining - creating new paths for the real voices of Black women!

The reImagining Speaks: Model #27 Daralyn Jay

The reImagining Speaks is a video series that gives voice to the women lending their images to the reImagining. This series allows you to hear for yourself why this project is so important to me and these 100 women. Listen closely:  

A versatile actor, vocalist and writer, Daralyn Jay has worked in theater, film, commercials and voiceover. She is also a regular performer on the New York jazz scene and contributes to lifestyle/arts publications VEVLYN’S PEN and NeoBlack Cinema. http://www.Daralyn.net Twitter:@DaralynJay

The reImagining Speaks: Model #57 Shonda Brown

The reImagining Speaks is a video series that gives voice to the women lending their images to the reImagining. This series allows you to hear for yourself why this project is so important to me and these 100 women. Listen closely:

Shonda is a 42 y/o single mother of three. She is a LPN working in home care for the last 5 years who hopes to earn her RN within the next year. I spend most of my time supporting my children's endeavors  ( cheer leading coach , Girl Scout leader , gymnastics team mom for football , basketball and track ). I no longer want to be judged by my title or what appears upon first impression rough no nonsense exterior. I am a fun loving extrovert who enjoys making people laugh and loving life with all it's ebbs and flows.

The reImagining Speaks: Model #25 Melissa Mendez

The reImagining Speaks is a video series that gives voice to the women lending their images to the reImagining. This series allows you to hear for yourself why this project is so important to me and these 100 women. Listen closely:

Hi my name is Melissa, I want to be known as someone who is hard working, Intelligent and Strong willed to say the least. I am human and neither my hair nor race will define me! Let my efforts and abilities shine through. Founder of The Bronx Naturals LLC An All Natural Soy Candle Company.

The reImagining Speaks: Model #50 LaTonia Phipps

The reImagining Speaks is a video series that gives voice to the women lending their images to the reImagining. This series allows you to hear for yourself why this project is so important to me and these 100 women. Listen closely:

Solo Artist. Writer. And New York Times and New York Post Reviewed actress. Phipps is a woman in charge of her career having created her very own solo show infusing 27 characters and slam poetry. Following a young actress turned writer who finds herself through the spirit of her deceased mother. Phipps is gearing up for a 2013 college tour of this show. More info below. She will also be premiering her new project entitled, "She Who Struggles," a one act that follows two woman (one black the other white) as the tackle the issues of Gentrified harlem through love and poetry. Twitter: @latoniaphipps Facebook: Latonia Phipps (Like and stay updated on upcoming shows) Website: www.latoniaphipps.com

The reImagining Speaks: Model #14 Wendy Petties

The reImagining Speaks is a video series that gives voice to the women lending their images to the reImagining. This series allows you to hear for yourself why this project is so important to me and these 100 women. Listen closely:

Wendy Petties, Native New Yorker, and powerful hot pink woman is the Founder and Owner of Simmer, LLC. a relationship and sex coaching practice based in NYC.  An advocate of pleasure and free choice she is concerned with the way Black women's sexuality is portrayed in the media and in our own minds.   In both cases Black women are seen as either hoes or just shy of nuns and through her work she certainly has seen all types of women along that spectrum.   Visit Simmer, LLC on Facebook to learn more or reach Wendy.

The reImagining Speaks: Model #11 Francina Connors

The reImagining Speaks is a video series that gives voice to the women lending their images to the reImagining. This series allows you to hear for yourself why this project is so important to me and these 100 women. Listen closely:

The reImagining Speaks: Model #13 Dionne Grayman

The reImagining Speaks is a video series that gives voice to the women lending their images to the reImagining. This series allows you to hear for yourself why this project is so important to me and these 100 women. Listen closely:

Dionne Grayman. Mother. Daughter. Sister. Educator. Blogger. Conversation Starter. Community Engagement Specialist. Co-Founder, Mothers Empowered. Chief Creative Officer, Power Mama Academy. Helping women to embrace the potential of who they can become by celebrating who they already are. The Movement is Mother'Hood Power-Full. Twitter: @MEmpowered

The reImagining Speaks: Model #32 Jeniere Bailey

The reImagining Speaks is a video series that gives voice to the women lending their images to the reImagining. This series allows you to hear for yourself why this project is so important to me and these 100 women. Listen closely:

Jeniere Danyelle Bailey is a healer-intuitive, entrepreneur, stand-up comic looking to be a catalyst for change and inspiration in not only in her community but the world at large. In 2013 she will be debuting an natural spa/skincare line containing exotic ingredients sourced from Africa, Central America & South America. She is hoping the reImagining project will inspire and create a platform to discuss the problems of  racial/ethnic stereotypes in the media and how to heal from the burden.

The reImagining Speaks: Model #47 Chicava HoneyChild

The reImagining Speaks is a video series that gives voice to the women lending their images to the reImagining. This series allows you to hear for yourself why this project is so important to me and these 100 women. Listen closely:

Chicava HoneyChild is a burlesque danseur, actor and producer.  She is the Creative Producer of New York City's Brown Girls Burlesque and teacher at BGB's Broad Squad. She received her MFA in Interdisciplinary Art from Goddard College her areas of interest being performance art, women of color in burlesque heritage, and sacred sexuality and spirituality. She is currently working on a documentary on the legacy of Women of Color in burlesque. www.chicavahoneychild.com and www.browngirlsburlesque.com

The reImagining Speaks: Model #48 Bianca Bernardez

The reImagining Speaks is a video series that gives voice to the women lending their images to the reImagining. This series allows you to hear for yourself why this project is so important to me and these 100 women. Listen closely:

The reImagining Speaks: Model #1 Ayana Case

The reImagining Speaks is a video series that gives voice to the women lending their images to the reImagining. This series allows you to hear for yourself why this project is so important to me and these 100 women. Listen closely:

Ayana is a young "rock star" recruiter forging  a career within human resources.  While trying to "fool folks" with her so called "non traditional corporate" appearance she is quietly organizing her future HR consulting firm.  In the mean and in between time she is supporting dynamic productions like the reImagining project and blogging here and there for one of the coolest, independent artistic sites, societyhae.com.

The reImagining Speaks: Model #22 Ameria Lennard

 The reImagining Speaks is a video series that gives voice to the women lending their images to the reImagining. This series allows you to hear for yourself why this project is so important to me and these 100 women. Listen closely:

Ameria is a writer/poet, an open spirit, educator and is in the process of starting her own tutoring and editing papers  business. Ameria is defined by her mind and experiences and continues to take a path of growth, learning and positivity. In this light she knows the need and significance of dialogue as a transformative tool to change. She is also looking to capture the love within people through her small photography project: Intimacy (a 3 part series). You can follow her tweets @trinipoetess or look her up on Facebook if you would like to learn more about her various moving ventures.