Mz.Icar made me do it

May we all have the audacity to take up space. Meet Invisible Man. Our latest mural in Oklahoma City for @plazawalls that honors Ralph Ellison and his infamous book Invisible Man. (at Plaza Walls) https://www.instagram.com/p/CjL4CsaLzsg/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Studio Thots: we still out in these streets. Day..we'll, night 2 New mural in the works for @plazawalls For this piece we decided to honor an author from OKC. Can y'all guess who? Here's a hint, He's most known for his book Invisible Man. #mural #portrait #color #streeart #painting (at Plaza Walls) https://www.instagram.com/p/CjGJ-qZrcb_/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Perspectives: We had the pleasure of experiencing Walnut Hill from a ‘people’s first perspective’. It was eye-opening to learn about the history of the area, the legacy of the people, and the hopes for the future that people have. We sat down and chatted with people who are vested in Walnut Hill and learned about their hopes and dreams and aspirations for the future. ----doc coming soon---- One of the things that all the people have in common is this graceful way of pushing walls, moving boundaries, and widening the worlds in which they live. We tried to depict this and mirror it through composition and placement. People are creating enriching experiences for themselves as well as the people around them and that’s something that we saw throughout the Cincinnati visit. The use of geometric shapes, black with splashes of spectrum color represent a rhythm and flow. It is to depict movement, as nothing stays the same. These changes can be stewarded by people with vested interests in being of service to one another and perhaps that’s something that Walnut Hill is moving towards. (at Charles E. Dillard Center) https://www.instagram.com/p/CiXaQUMuUZJ/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Hey Denver! Catch our projected work this evening at Art RiNo Picnic on the Park x Luminade 6pm-10pm Denver CO. There will be live Music, food trucks and art. We will be projecting around 7:30pm:  and @irlart__ will  do an artist Tour Walk and and Talk. Peep their IG for more info #art, #denver #light #projectionmapping (at RiNo ArtPark) https://www.instagram.com/p/CiSU8ASrkAQ/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Studio Thots: Gratitude Exhaustion Excitement Jet lagged In awe Inspired Held #artist #travel #life #muralart (at Flöha) https://www.instagram.com/p/Chjl-98OM4k/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Studio Thots: Germany Edition The Protectors. Of course we had to bring our people with us. This is an iteration of our piece called the 'Protectors'. There are a couple figures in the collage that are images from the US archives of people who were sharecroppers and/or former enslaved people. We incorporate these figures into this collage because it's important for them to be dignified and there's something incredibly satisfying about bringing them all over the world to see what we see. I'm glad we brought them. As much as we enjoyed ourselves, being 'othered' is exhausting. Speaking of dignity, taking responsibility...and all things that come with making amends, here is an observation. It's seems way easier to be apologetic when you don't have to live/deal with/see the folks you are apologizing too. It's like apologizing to relics. This is all intersectional. The lesson: the people who have been the victims of the atrocities are the ones who determine if amends have been made/proper reconsolidation have been put into place. It is never determined by those that have inflicted the atrocities. They were never qualified to do that, thus the atrocious acts. Simple and with love Mz.Icar, the collective and the high horse she rolled in on. https://www.instagram.com/p/Chg6MOmMe4A/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

This is a detailed image of our outdoor mural at this year's ibug festival. Of course we had to bring our people with us. This is an iteration of our piece called the 'Protectors'. There are a couple figures in the collage that are images from the US archives of people who were sharecroppers and/or former enslaved people. We incorporate these figures into this collage because it's important for them to be dignified and there's something incredibly satisfying about bringing them all over the world to see what we see. (at Flöha) https://www.instagram.com/p/CheeV61Og2v/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Home stretch...finishing up new growth today. @sunnydayzmuralfest antics (at Edmond, Oklahoma) https://www.instagram.com/p/Cg6yhrmLQnb/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Studio Thots: It's as hot as it looks triple digit highs...and we are so here for it. We are in Edmond OK, soaking up all of summer and banging out this massive mural for @sunnydayzmuralfest 🥰 This festival is lovely 🥰 #new #mural #artist #summer #sunnydays https://www.instagram.com/p/Cg4r37yLUGC/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

It's called Legacy- Legacy represents a future leaning collective ethos of blackness. We are channeling call and response. We are channeling 'throw it back'. We are channeling raising the vibration through a collective consciousness. This piece is a love letter saying, ' I see you. We see you. We see us.' The green on the bottom represents foundational growth. The fluorescent colors on the top represent possibility and vibrancy the faces blend into one another because our existence requires us to do so in a radically, empathetic and collective manner. The limited edition bag is available at https://www.snacks.com/doritossolidblack/ As part of the SOLID BLACK initiative, Doritos is donating $125,000 to five non-profit organizations that support the next generation of black changemakers. This includes @4oakcliff a Dallas black lead non-profit located just a few miles from where the solid black bags were made. #solidblack #doritos #art https://www.instagram.com/p/CfHBhvKLbgv/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

We decided to incorporate AR technology into this new work. Here's a lil dump of behind the screens and details. Process: Layers on layers on layers We recently completed a piece called CommonWealth in honor of Bahamadia. CommonWealth 14"x 18"in Come check it out in person this Sunday. Black Music City: Juneteenth Celebration World Cafe live 3025 Walnut St. Philadelphia , PA 19107 Sun, Jun 19•1:00 PM This piece was generously supported by a grant from  @recphilly, @wrtimusic, & @wxpnfm https://www.instagram.com/p/Ce0yqm1rLRc/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Studio Thots: "Air like energy draws air like energy.." Wisdom from @queenbahamadia We recently completed a piece called CommonWealth. CommonWealth 14"x 18"in Medium: Mixed media painting on wood panel This piece is an ode to Bahamadia's lyricism and contribution to music. Her song 'CommonWealth' may have been the first hip-hop track that I ever heard that spoke to the culture of just how resourceful, creative, and innovative the average chick around the way is. I wanted to mirror that energy back into this piece in an imaginative way. We decided to incorporate AR technology into this new work. Come check it out in person this Sunday. Black Music City: Juneteenth Celebration World Cafe live 3025 Walnut St. Philadelphia , PA 19107 Sun, Jun 19•1:00 PM This piece was generously supported by a grant from  @recphilly, @wrtimusic, & @wxpnfm  https://www.instagram.com/p/Ce0osfiAfi1/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Very Limited edition prints available. Because you need some art in your home/office/work/life...and it should be fly Peep our Collab w/ @1xrun Link in profile #art #blackartist #edition #collector #artcollector https://www.instagram.com/p/CenpxtoO_gF/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Studio Thots: Raising the vibrations is in order. #stayup #portrait #mzicar (at Your Daddy's House) https://www.instagram.com/p/Cd-hMhTuU3a/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

And it wraps around the building! 'Relief' around the sides 'Together' in the front The mural is a combination of spray paint and vinyl. This new work can be seen at the Boston Engagement Center 26 Atkinson st. Boston MA. 📷 @leehopkins_ and @streettheorygallery Thots: CONTEXT: The Engagement Center is located in an area of Boston referred to as methadone mile. The sidewalks are home to many. Tents fill the sidewalks, bleed out to the streets and little orange caps are everywhere…so many little orange caps. We were advised to be mindful of touching anything because it may have fentanyl on it. There is a homeless shelter on one end of the block, the engagement tent behind the shelter, and a police department one block over. Most major US cities have areas like this because addiction is real, capitalism and lack of affordable housing is real and our society struggles with meeting people where they are at. THE AWARD The Engagement Center has a new building, and we were asked to put some magic on the exterior. When we were initially awarded the project, the one thing we noted early on was the manner in which folks described the area and constantly gauged our comfort level with creating and engaging with the community…we just don’t have language that fully acknowledges and dignifies people that suffer from addiction and homelessness…so we hear the apologetic tone in which we (ourselves included) describe the community….one that we are inherently connected to. IN SERVICE TO EACH OTHER Here’s the long and short, people are people…all people. Folks go through stuff, some get luck, and various privileges that afford them a ‘good look’ but at the end of the day none of that matters cuz if one suffers we all will suffer. Folks are out here doing the work tho. We met poets, witnessed bonds, dedicated outreach, and love…all in what has a surface appearance of chaos. We were honored and humbled to be able to use art to be in service. Mario, Sabrina, Natalie, and the whole Engagement Center staff are modeling what it is like to just show up for folks…over and over again...read more about this project on our site #mural #publicart (at Boston, Massachusetts) https://www.instagram.com/p/CXgLPz9lfBJ/?utm_medium=tumblr

Hi Philly! What chu up to today? Come out to @thedeaconphl We are exhibiting 3 new works as part of @deb0nair 's new art fair CADO. CADO is an experiential art fair and makers market, highlighting the Philadelphia region’s Black artists, small businesses, and makers. All ticket proceeds will be donated to 2 charitable organizations: @yasprojectphilly and VM Haiti. This will be taking place at @thedeaconphl, a space that has cultivated community for Black people in Philadelphia since it’s time as the First African Baptist Church. I do have a few tickets up for grabs if you'd like to stop by. DM me. And we are in excellent company. Peep the other movers and shakers showcasing work. @lovesickartgallery @marcus.xoxo @JordanPlain @shaninadionna @mz.icar @bydorianadiaz @nazeersabree @olwfm & shopping from brands: @papa_boko @Womanlymag @jambruferments @pointblanklimited @riveriswild @weloveyousis @Paidforpot @brianbeautyofficial @ourvillageacc @b.roseau @darnelscakes @stuffnotherthings @baebeautyboutique @Misscellanea___ @blacksoulvintage @TheWovenSoul @shop.goddessgoods @intutivecrystalhealer @GlammedGypsy__ (at The Deacon) https://www.instagram.com/mz.icar/p/CXZJqVKFhUp/?utm_medium=tumblr