"Colooooooor Struuckkkk!"

The title for today's post comes from page 98 of Valerie Boyd's book on the life of Zora Neale Hurston titled, 'Wrapped in Rainbows'.  

I participated in a Florida Humanities Council summer seminar my first full summer living in Florida, I think it was 2010...the focus was Zora's tie to Eatonville, Florida and it was one of the best professional development experiences that I have had.  I spent a week engaged in scholarly discussion, reading about her, reading her writings, visiting the areas that she lived in and that impacted her life...it was a Zorafest indeed.

When I was completing my required readings before the seminar, I just remember being struck by the depiction in the text of how Zora entered a room, truly making herself known as a force to be reckoned with, with the flourish of her colorful scarf. "Colooooooor Struuckkkk!" she announced.  She had arrived.   I wanted to own a moment like that...and I did get a chance to act out that scene in our evening activity one night.  And I did, my heart pounding, but I did, tried to capture my inner Zora.  Which it is what Valerie Boyd meant went she signed my copy of her book. 



But more important to the overall purpose of this blog...which is my artistic ramblings...Zora inspired me to paint.  To create.  To be an artist again.  I think I have blogged on this topic before...who knows...let it just suffice to say that when I came home from this experience I immediately started painting...like...alot.  I started painting over fifteen canvases in various sizes...all at once.  It was exhilarating to start them all at once, working in layers...and I didn't finish them all at once, and some were more resolved than others...but I did starting CREATING.

Later I went on to several of these pieces in art shows.  I wanted to invest more time in my own artisic development...and I did...I have been doing just that, even more so a couple of years later when I committed to making art everyday...and since meeting my art friend Jessie over a sparkly iphone case...

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Crazy me, hyped up on Zora ready to paint! Summer 2010

So...what does this have to do with finishing my April 'Color' series?  Everything.  Nothing.  I just remember that phrase...wanted to tie it in somehow and remind myself that I am waiting for my own Zora moment.  Valerie, Rosanna, Kanene, if you are out there reading this, you know what I mean.

Not sure what the theme for next month is.  I might peek...I might just go to sleep!  I am pooped!  It was a thirteen-hour day at school!  Seriously.  Who am I kidding.  Sleep it is!

I was a BUSY BEE today...teachin'...bejewelin'...helpin' with the talent show...and...artin' my last piece for the series.....zzzzzzz