Turkish Delight

I always see my travels as a moment to reflect. My trip to Istanbul, Turkey was no exception. For me this trip was a moment to release control, go with the flow and enjoy the VIBES.

And be with adults because I sure have been in mommy flow for quite some time.

A Birthday In Santorini

Santorini is a place that feeds my love for architecture and nature. It is not even a place I thought I’d be going to in 2023 but I’m so glad and happy for the opportunity of choice. The opportunity to choose what I want to do when I want to do it. The freedom, I guess we can call it that, to do me. Among all of the things I thought about on this trip, I think the concept of adulting is one thing that stood out most.

Adulting can be hard yea, but it can also be so good. Getting to choose the things you want from life, getting to make decisions.

Making all the choices and choosing where you want to go, what you want to do, and who you want to be in this world. As a child, nothing is that freeing sometimes. Proceeding with life as you wish and getting to make your own choices doesn’t often come in childhood.

Anyways that was my little moment of reflection and gratitude for this birthday trip. Santorini was what I needed after celebrating my first year of motherhood which was truly the hardest year of my life. God is good.

-Kofo

A Day At The Museum (Black History Month Edition)

Art to me feels good.

I love how art makes a room feel.

I had the pleasure of viewing two wonderful exhibits at the Houston Museum of Fine Arts on the last day of black history month. Kehinde Wiley’s An Archaeology of Silence and Multiplicity: Blackness in Contemporary American Collage.

As much as Art makes me feel good, it can also be overwheleming. Can you really get a feel for the work of an aritist in one visit? Can you really understand the meaning of the art? Are you taking enough photos of the art to share on social media? Did you get to see each hanging piece? All this floats through my mind at times, some of the thoughts are superficial some a bit anxious in their origin but deep down, I truly desire to understand the work of artists and the thoughts they have as they create.

Walking through the Multiplicity: Blackness in Contemporary American Collage exhibit, I loved to see each artist’s take on collage. It sparked a desire within me to take this art form and try it myself. As the name of the exhibit already stated Blackness is multiplicit so of course Black work would be too. Of course all of the artist would have a beautiful varied take on collage and how Black culture and black experiences could be represented through it. As a lover of color my eyes had a good time seeing all of the pieces that occupied the space and popped off the walls.

Afterwards, I made my way over to experience Kehinde Wiley’s display. I’ve been wanting to experience Wiley’s work for years now. I was able to see his portrait of Obama while it was showcased at the MFAH but to see a full body of work in one place was still my truest desire.

Seeing how Wiley uses everyday people and showcases that black is beautiful in any form was magical. It showcases that everyone is important and everyone and anyone can be art. I’ve never seen an artist use this approach to portraits and sculptures. Most times we see the subjects in portraits of this magnitude dressed up and fancy. Kehinde Wiley’s approach to art is so appreciated. It means so much to me to see ourselves like this.

It’s a reminder that I am art, you are art, and that every day, every moment, and every body can be art.

-Kofo

A Break in Los Angeles

Journal Entry June 26th 2023

First off, I’m writing again.

I love that for myself. I’m proud of taking time for me and getting to my favorite state, California. I do what I say imma do each and every time. Next time I’m out here, I want to be getting paid. I can’t wait to be living in my full creative energy. Writing this on the beach. Santa Monica Beach to be exact. I needed this time away to not only get a [mommy] break but also to remind myself of how capable I am of doing things by myself but I so enjoy doing it with my family. I love you Peter and Amari. Pumping and dumping my milk, missing my boys but so happy to be able to clear my mind and rest my body in nature.

-Kofo