I work as a museum security guard and along with my co-workers most of us are musicians, artists, painters, and photographers. All very gifted and talented people but as you said there must be a market for your calling, passion and genre of artworks. To survive in this country you need a regular steady paycheck plus health and dental benefits, especially if you have children to support. Very few people are “discovered” or make it to the big time. As for me I’m happy just being able to showcase my photography on my separate Photography blog. I can truly say I take photos that catch my eye and speak to me. Now it would be nice if I could get paid for my photos but I must be realistic as rent and bills must be paid. Until a rich patron comes along I’ll be doing my night shift at the museum.
There was a fellow photographer whose work I discovered on Flickr and really liked. I gave a few comments on his work and he responded back favorably. He asked me for some advice, as he was going through a tough period finding the time to shoot, and working through issues both personally and photographically. I responded with some advice, and with some of my story, as someone “older” and “experienced” could. He wrote back thanking me, but was surprised to hear that I had a job. I asked him what he meant? He said, “I thought you were a pro, just shooting all the time.”. I posed a question to him, “Do you think one can make a living shooting the way we shoot? What kind of market is out there that can supply us with a steady income to support one’s habit, food, shelter, medicine, and family?…
Would you rather live where it is always hot or always cold?
Always Hot!! My Ancestors were from Africa and I suffer during the cold, freezing icy New York winters.
Some of my neighbors do not believe in either shoveling the snow or salting the ice. Falling is a real issue. Many of my co-workers have fallen and broken bones resulting in them missing several weeks from the job.
Skin was actually peeling off my arms and legs last winter. It was extremely painful. Until I discovered the benefits of Coconut Oil for my hair, scalp and skin my hair actually broke off and fell out of my head!! Therefore I need heat full-time. My skin is now back to normal and my hair grows faster in hot weather.
Do you prefer long hair or short hair for yourself?
Personally I think I look better with long hair. The photo you see as my Avatar is my College Graduation photo. At that time my hair was in locs that were waist length. I could actually sit on my hair. Added bonus: Guys like long hair. Got lots of compliments from men.
2002 Graduation Marymount Manhattan College
However Long hair requires more grooming and care so in recent years I’ve kept my Afro either cut short or allowed it to grow only to Medium length. I would still like it to grow longer. Perhaps shoulder length just so I could get a variety of styles. Wearing my hair natural I still get compliments from the Brothers. Most Black Men prefer Women to wear their hair natural.
Since I’m on vacation this week I’m wearing more of a Free Form Afro. Kind of a Wash ‘N’ Go. The less one manipulates Afro hair the faster it will grow. Also as I stated in a previous Blog Post I take lots of Vitamins and keep my hair moisturized at all times.
What is your favorite month of the year? That’s a toss up between February which is my Birth Month and June which is the start of my Favorite Season Summer!!
What is the easiest way for your to learn something new? By reading, by seeing and doing, in a classroom?
I can read about something or have someone explain the process to me but unless I perform the task hands on it won’t stick. As for the Classroom which seems eons ago I would say I did well in every subject except Math. I have a math block. No amount of doing or explaining ever helped me. College was a different story. I excelled in College. I made the Deans List in 1999 and Graduated with a 3.6 GPA in May 2002.
Optional Bonus question: What are you grateful for from last week, and what are you looking forward to in the week coming up?
I’m on vacation and my brother Stephen is with me. Stephen’s Birthday is May 3rd and he will turn 56.
Today we went to see the movie Fate of the Furious. Good movie with lots of action, car chases, stuff blowing up and fights. Stephen Loved it. This is the first film in the Fast and Furious chain without Paul Walker who sadly passed away. There is a new Member of the F & F crew, a Black British Woman. We both enjoyed this film. Tomorrow will probably be a Dinosaur Day. We will visit the American Museum of Natural History and say Greet our Dino Buddies.
I return to work next week then I go back on vacation again!! That’s the great thing about gaining Union Seniority. As the years pass I earn/accrue more vacation time plus I carried over vacation days from last year. There are benefits to being a Union Member! DC 37 Union Proud!!
Espiritu en Fuego/A Fiery Spirit 