That secret saucy smile of a Caribbean woman who knows that some of her juiciest secrets will always be a secret captured in vibrant heavy-body acrylics.
It started with restlessness.
It was time for CHANGE.
It was time to make my art scream for me.
It’s time to notice that while Caribbean women are still standing strong and powerful and beautiful after generations and generations of violence and abuse, we ALL need to stop jammin’ still and deal with it.
While pregnant, I created this painting for my unborn daughter. I poured all my hopes and dreams for her onto this canvas.
Love – You are always worthy of my love, no matter what you do or don’t do.
Hope – Please take only the best aspects of all who went before you.
Nurture – Curiosity, critical thinking and spiritual strength.
Dream – Create your own dreams and have fun realising that which joyously fits your passion, purpose and personality.
Almost everyone who’s seen this painting has tentatively asked me… “Is that sperm?” The answer is Yes! This painting is in fact a lot of sperm, each carrying different shades of black skin and different ethnic mixes that result in a veritable pantone chart from the palest pink to the richest dark brown.
Don't forget to take a minute
to breath
to think
to reflect
to remember
to love
to laugh
to lay back
to be curious
to be silly
to swap stories
to hug
to be mischievous
to play
to enjoy being you.
Midnight Robber is one of the most popular and recognisable traditional mas' characters of Trinidad & Tobago Carnival, and as a child, just hearing their whistles terrified me! The Midnight Robber speaks vengeance upon the corrupt, the greedy, the immoral (e.g. aristocracy, politicians, criminals, et al) with the wickedest spoken word street performance you'll ever see. In this way, the Robber is reminiscent of the African Griot. Easily spotted by his broad brimmed black hat, skulls, coffin and weaponry, the thing that makes any true Midnight Robber really stand out is the quality of his lyrics and the terror-inducing capabilities of his costume and accessories. Lyrics featured are from the song "Calypso Music" by David Michael Rudder
Sailor Mas is a traditional Carnival costume and street performance that evolved in response to the presence of American sailors in Trinidad & Tobago during war times. To play this mas properly you have to do the dance that looks like a sailor drifting across the deck either to counter the rolling waves or the amount of rum he drank!
The Moko Jumbie was regarded as a protector whose towering height made it easier to see evil before ordinary men and warn the village of impending danger. In T&T Carnival Moko Jumbie often played to Carnival spectators watching from balconies and second story windows as the parade passed by. There's so much more to tell. Definitely go look these Jumbies up!
I’m from Trinidad & Tobago so when I think about independence, I think about slave rebellions, rough sea waters, angular structures trying to contain a transplanted people. But the fight applies to every country and every person that has ever sought to be recognised as independent. So whether it’s 4th of July, Bastille Day, or a first time mum ditching her mum’s parenting advice, we all pace the walls of the angular structures that hem us in and decide whether we’re happy with the space we’ve been given or if we need to blow the walls out, or make a small hole to slip through and escape. Whether it’s mental, emotional, political, physical… whatever or whomever we seek independence from, there is a fight.
One of Trinidad and Tobago's traditional carnival characters, the Moko Jumbie is a masquerader on stilts. Are you brave enough to try? I must confess, I never was, but I love to see them move!
Tags:
jumbie, history, culture, trinidad-and-tobago, traditional
Inspired by Trinidad & Tobago Carnival and Machel Montano's 2016 Soca hit because I know what it feels like to be on the road playing mas in full costume and finally reach the stage only to be held back by security while you wait for the section before yours to move off. The anticipation of bouncing on the balls of your feet, saving your big energy burst and best dance moves for the stage... getting wound up and excited knowing that soon the security will clear the way and it will be your turn to prance all over the stage, show off your costume, dance yuh heart out to the music, and play yuh mas like it's the only thing that will ever matter in the universe. Pure ecstasy!!
Inspired by Trinidad & Tobago Carnival and Machel Montano's 2016 Soca hit because I know what it feels like to be on the road playing mas in full costume and finally reach the stage only to be held back by security while you wait for the section before yours to move off. The anticipation of bouncing on the balls of your feet, saving your big energy burst and best dance moves for the stage... getting wound up and excited knowing that soon the security will clear the way and it will be your turn to prance all over the stage, show off your costume, dance yuh heart out to the music, and play yuh mas like it's the only thing that will ever matter in the universe. Pure ecstasy!!
In Trinidad & Tobago, one of the best things is the multicultural population. My friends came from so many different religions, races, ethnic origins, cultures and it was spectacular. I will never forget the first time I attended an Indian wedding in T&T - the pomp, the majesty, the clothing
Tags:
line-drawing, traditional, asian, woman, hindu
In Trinidad & Tobago, one of the best things is the multicultural population. My friends came from so many different religions, races, ethnic origins, cultures and it was spectacular. I will never forget the first time I attended an Indian wedding in T&T - the pomp, the majesty, the clothing
Tags:
jewellery, henna, woman, bejewelled, bollywood
Originally created for author Jovee Winters who loves fairy tales, Alice in Wonderland, romance, flowers, and tea. Where does your imagination take you?
