Day One:
2 p.m. I vividly remember my mother saying “beauty costs” when I was a child. She spent the better half of my life working as a cosmetologist (she’s now a therapist and a pastor). Getting my hair done was always a day-long event. My sisters and I had to fit into her schedule with the other clients or wait until the end of the day, after she’d have 10 to 15 clients back to back.
Sitting under the dryer was never my favorite pastime, but here I am, sitting under the dryer. Thankful for my stylist at Dyvine Locs and Styles because I always have to do something at a moment’s notice. My parents come to town today, and I have three art installations I need to drop off, but here I am under the dryer, because beauty costs.
Day Two:
11:04 a.m. Today’s the day. I’m looking for a parking spot near the Indiana Statehouse. This is the second year I’m honored as Women Hoosier Artist by Indiana Lieutenant Governor Suzanne Crouch. Of course, the reception started promptly at 11. I walk two blocks and run up a flight of stairs. In the back of my mind, I’m thinking that as a Black person we sometimes are faced with the burden of representing All Black People, so I don’t want to be “the late one” — most importantly, I don’t want to be the only Black woman in the room.
11:15 a.m. When I walk in, I see a diverse group of women of color being honored, maybe five or six (don’t quote me).
Noon: It was a wonderful experience. My mom and dad showed up as the best support I could imagine, but little do they know we have three more stops. We’re off to The Cabaret for the rehearsal of the Art & Soul opening.
3 p.m. We head to the Cummins building downtown, where I’ve been invited to attend the opening reception for their Black History Month exhibition and celebration.
6 p.m. I’m very excited for my solo show, “The Women in Between” at the Madam CJ Walker Theatre. Today has been a busy day, but these are the days I’ve prayed for. I’m feeling gratitude.
Day Three:
5:03 p.m. Setting up the Art & Soul kickoff event at The Cabaret. The space is dark but beautiful. Life is always interesting as a visual artist, but I often feel like I’m in show business. My journey has brought me into some amazing spaces, all in the name of art.
5:15 p.m. I set-up my easel and bring in my canvas for “live painting with a twist” — the community will be painting with me. I ask the bartender to fill my cup with water for my brushes, and assure her I’m not going to drink it (that’s my joke for when I’m instructing, telling people not to drink the paint water).
5:30 p.m. I head to the green room before I take the stage and can hear the presenter play my intro video. Even though I work in solitude, somehow my gift often brings me to take the stage. I’m never nervous with public speaking, I just remember to be myself. I spend the next 45 minutes painting.
Day Four:
2:45 p.m. I sleep in. Most people look forward to the weekend, but every day feels like a weekend to me and I’m grateful for that. Sometimes, though, I lose track of days. Without my calendar acting as my pocket assistant, I wouldn’t know what to do. Today is a day of rest because my calendar is clear.
5 p.m. My parents stop by before leaving town. After they leave, I get back in bed where I find myself thinking about a question someone asked at my solo show: “Tell us about your first art piece.” Luckily for me, my best friend owns it. Still, I go down the rabbit hole of looking up all my earlier art pieces — I never thought to take pictures. I see the imperfections in my earlier work as very beautiful, reflecting who I was then.
Day Five:
1:56 p.m. I’m sleeping in as long as I can today. Even though I have a workshop at the studio for emerging artists, I take advantage of my mornings and keep them for myself if I can. I don’t often go to church, but I try to log in to church online because, well, my mom is the pastor.
I like to keep odes in my pocket. Thich Nhat Hahn once said, “The religion of your ancestors is your home.” I don’t consider myself religious, but I’m spiritual, and I enjoy insight and perspective from the only home I’ve ever known. Thank “home” for the one-hour time difference.
Day Six:
11:12 a.m. I start my day thinking I should go to the studio, but I left the studio after midnight. I then proceed to decompress with friends. I usually start my day with my green water, tea, watering my plants and telling my brother to take my dog, Beans, outside. And then, emails, emails, emails. Sometimes, if I don’t start my day in routine, I’ll start with emails and then they take over my day.
11:30 a.m. Not all is bad in the emails — I get some amazing news in regards to my film project. A celebration is in order, which means I will stay in bed.
Day Seven:
11:38 a.m. I’ve been finding myself waking up earlier around 8 or 9. There’s a lot I want to do today, but I caution myself because I have another event tomorrow at the Jazz Kitchen — pretty much act II for Art & Soul. When I know I’m going to be around a lot of people, socializing and networking, I try to take advantage of every moment that I have to be alone. Today I will stay in bed because I need the energy tomorrow.
Boxx The Artist is a contributing author for Mirror Indy. Contact them at boxxtheartist@gmail.com
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