Disney's subliminal messages

10 months locing

N.B.I have more pictures but forgot to upload them on my flashdrive. I'll post them up later but Yay 10 months.

I'm so glad I documented my journey because lately my locs been getting a lot of attention. I wasn't sure what all the fuss was about, until I looked at earlier photos.

 My babies are growing up *tears tears*.

They've been getting so many positive attention even from loc haters. My aunt (queen of loc haterade) who stated that I will cut them once I find a man, are now enchanted by them and say "Wow they grew a lot and getting thick T. You think dreads will look good on me?"
Funny how that works. 

Baby starter locer are now asking me about my hair regimen and that makes me smile because I used to be like that. I used to stalk (still do) people who's locs are matured and say the I-need-to-know-every-little-details-about-how-you-maintain-your-locs-and-don't-leave-out-any-information-please. This one woman who's in her 2nd month said, "I can't wait til my locs are like yours" meanwhile I look at other's who are in their 4th year or so and reinterate the same desire.

But back to the attention my locs been getting. Ever since I started locing I've been more confident and sure about myself. I've been chased down by men in the mall who merely wants to say "Miss! I like your hair" instead or "Damn you got a fatty". Maybe it's because it's obvious that I'm comfortable with my natural beauty and have no shame of going against the groupthink of society's standard of beauty, but whatever it is, I'm treated with more respect and people want to know what's in my mind, my passion, inspiration behind my art, and if I burn incense (funny), rather than what's in my pants and if I got it from my mama.

I'm not trying to knock down people who decide to relax their hair or front lace wig it...this is just my way of showing that because I feel comfortable enough to express my individuality and being true to myself, I now act in a certain way that demands respect. I get harassed a lot especially by family members and xenophobic, but because they see that I don't give two rats arse if I'm not considered beautiful by popular vote, they're forced to accept that this is who I am and I love who I be. I only trust my own vision and listen to my own thoughts anyhow, and the harassers I encounter on a daily basis realize I'm not fixing to run back to wigs or "Just for Me".

I'm not in a ranting mood today though, so I'll extract more on this thought, observation, and experience on my 1 year locing anniversary  hehe 

Like I said before, I'll add more pictures to this post when I remember to do so.

Happy locing!


Ok here's more pictures


First ponytail?

Malcolm X

Today is Malcolm X's birthday.
*Moment of silence*

Quotes

"Don't be in a hurry to condemn because he doesn't do what you do or think as you think or as fast. There was a time when you didn't know what you know today."

"Stumbling is not falling."

"There is no better than adversity. Every defeat, every heartbreak, every loss, contains its own seed, its own lesson on how to improve your performance next time."

"You don't have to be a man to fight for freedom. All you have to do is to be an intelligent human being."

I listened to "The ArchAndroid"

Janelle Monae blew me into outer space with this cinema production. I saw myself tap dancing on the moon, skating on Saturn's ring, feeling liberate once I arrived in Venus... I don't have a favorite song yet but I love the war zone in "Cold War", the opera Jimi Hendrix foreign wave of "Neon Gumbo", the hippieness of "Mushroom & Roses", the retro Mario Super Bros nintendo sonic in "Make the Bus", and  I wanted to join her in "Wondaland" wearing my 80s outfit with a futuristic robotic twist...Oh and let's not forget "Dance or Die" Yo it was HAWT. Especially how it blended into "Faster" (that's where I was skating and tap dancing on Saturn's ring) Not sure if any of that even makes sense but it was geniusly DOPE.
I highly recommend y'all to support her.

Here's a description of the film by another blogger


This Title is no Accident. Anyone that has Surrendered their Ears to all Eighteen Tracks of Janelle Monae’s masterful debut album “The ArchAndroid” knows that the Audio Experience is so Optimal, it becomes a Visual Experience, a Thought-Provoking Experience, and most importantly an Emotion-Evoking Experience. It is clear that Janelle Monae cultivated this Album with a Message bigger than any Award, any Accolade, or any Monetary Reward. She’s giving us the Gift of Stimulating our Hearts and Minds.

Despite how many Associate her with the “Wierd,” Janelle masterfully uses her Quirks and Differences as “Superpowers,” and guides you through a Story of Self-Discovery. We’re reunited with our Heroine of the Chase Suite, the Android named Cindi Mayweather, as she continues her Frantic Escape from a Vicious Monolithic Government pursuing her and attempting to Disassemble her for Loving a Human. And though her Vessel is full of Left-Field Idiosyncrasies, she still manages to Connect with her Audience, locking into Emotions we all feel: Fear, Doubt, Desperation, that eventually blossoms into Vision, Purpose, and Self-Confidence. The Album itself is a Proclamation that we should Celebrate our Differences. Janelle proves with the ArchAndroid that no Matter how “Wierd” or against Social Doctrine we are, we all feel at the Core, and we’re capable of having Life-changing Experiences if you Embrace each other.

Photo

The Arch Android

Get your new Janelle Monae'a album today.
I got mine :)

Picture of the Day

Georgie Badiel

I don't really do shout outs to up and coming models, but this woman blew me away in Essence April 2010 edition. No words to describe the way she fiercely flawlessly modeled those African clothings.... ooooooo wiiii  no words

9 months locing review

I forgot to make a formal review of my 9 months locing experience. I've been so busy lately so this will be a quick one. So I've been having thoughts of combing out my locs. Not because I don't like them anymore, but because I'm a huge fan of afros.

The only reason why I haven't combed out my locs yet is because I constantly remind myself of how hard it was for me to take care of my fro. I hate combing my hair, I really do and that's why I decided to loc my hair. I just thought that it'd fit my lifestyle much better and it has. Maybe I'm just going through a phase for the moment, but the thoughts are recurring.

I started styling them more as you can see, but the fuzziness is still aqui. I've been getting compliments by strangers everyday. For instance, I was in the mall minding my own business when this young lad called out "Excuse me Miss! I like your hair" I smiled and said "Thank You". I've even inspired some women to get locs themselves and it's been quite fun talking about my loc journey with others.

The routine is still the usual. Been twisting my hair less often now (every 4 weeks). Not sure if i'll be able to free-form considering that I will be looking for new employment after I get my Masters. You know how that goes. It sucks that one has to debate whether or not they should conform to society's norm in regards to rocking natural hair. I really don't understand why locs are such a taboo in the workforce...

Anyhoo, that's it for now. Will be back with 10 months locing update.

First interview

Hello world! So I was fortunate enough to have some show some interest in my art creations and decided to interview me
Yay!


If you wish to check it out, here's the link


http://womanofcolour.blogspot.com/2010/05/introducing-artist-tarra-louis-charles.html  

Thanks!

Pic of the Day

Poem of the Day

After awhile you learn the subtle difference                
Between holding a hand and chaining a soul,

And you learn that love doesn’t mean leaning

And company doesn’t mean security,

And you begin to learn that kisses aren’t contracts

And presents aren’t promises,

And you begin to accept your defeats

With your head up and your eyes open,
And learn to build all your roads

 

On today because tomorrow’s ground

Is too uncertain for plans, and futures have
A way of falling down in mid-flight.

After awhile you learn that even sunshine

Burns if you get too much.

So you plant your own garden and decorate

Your own soul, instead of waiting

For someone to bring you flowers.

 

And you learn that you really can endure…
that you really are strong

And you really do have worth.

And you learn and learn.. .

With every goodbye you learn. 

— Veronica Shoffstall

Beautiful!

Changing blog address

Hello World! I don't know what affect/effect this will have, but I'm changing my blog address to 

http://tarralu.blogspot.com

Thanks

"Unconscious"

I created this piece when I was unconscious...

I don't get sick often, actually I rarely get sick.

Back in 2007, there were these flyer's circulating on campus suggesting that we all get a flu shot. Since I rarely get sick I don't know what motivated me to do so, but I took the flu shot and never had I ever been so sick in my either life until I took that flu shot. I stayed in my dorm room for an entire week with no food, money, or phone to call my momma.
I was a broke college student.
I was so sick, that my roommate decided to "move out" for that particular week and well I don't blame her. I had no phone, no money, no food, no energy, couldn't move, and no voice.

Luckily I had friends who noticed I've been missing for quite some time. Five of them banged on my door screaming my name frantically and asked my RA and hall mates if they've seen me. It took a good 20 minutes to get up and let them in (lack of energy). When I opened the door, they screamed as if they've seen crypt keeper's spawn and quickly went to the campus's convenient store to buy me some medicine. They came back with Sudafed, Zicam, Alka Seltzer, Nyquil, Dayquil, and masks.


I don't know which one of those FDA approved drugs knocked me out, I'm sure it was Sudafed but I hallucinated. I started creating cinemas EN VIVO, LIVE, in my mind, but it all felt and seemed real. I was told I walked down the hallway talking to imaginary people, took a stroll in the men's restroom, ahhh I was a complete mess.

The next morning I woke up feeling much better. Praise the Lord for sending over my dear friends! I was cold though. I looked around and realized that in my FDA approved drugs state of mind, I decided to abandon my bed and sleep on the freezing floor. I also decided I wanted to paint and voila! "Unconscious".

I don't remember doing any of this AT ALL and that's why I call it "unconscious" because I have no clue when this came about and what it meant. The only clue my unconsciousness provided me, were the medium I used, and proof that I in fact drew this, (since my signature was on it and my hands were stained with pastel). Based on what was resting on the floor besides me, I crushed soft pastel to make it turn into watercolor. That's all I could decipher. Actually I'm lying. I knew what it meant. There used to be sentences and words surrounding the subject, but I quickly painted over them in black ink because I was so insecure back then, and didn't want anyone to read them.

Now, I wish I left the words and sentences intact...

I rarely share this piece because my unconscious part of my psyche wanted to express itself, and I felt the need to protect it. I'm a totally different person now...and after 3 years locked in my hiding space, I present you once again "Unconscious".

Name changes

I changed some of my titles to something a bit more personal. These 8 were the only "Behind the Story" I've done on my blog and wanted everyone to know what they are now

"ChaOs" is now "Truth" (2008)

"Byen Vag" is now "Gliding with Pride" (2008)

"Lu'maYna" is now "Coconette" (2008)

"Afro Disqo" is now "Fro'lushes" (2009)

"Divizyon" is now "different paths...moving on" (2009)

"Fenix" is now "Introspection/Wake Up" (2009)

"Ble" is now "x-traterrestrial" (2009)

End of hiatus beginning of something new

A lot of changes has been happening in my life lately. However, the change that I want to write about is my art. I'm creating again. For those who follow my blog knows that my journey been super frustrating. I compared myself to others way too much and tried to imitate others style just to be "in". I don't have any formal training and my reasoning was that my art was too amateurish and not worth exposing. Well that was Miss Fear speaking, and she had to pack her bags and get the get.

It all started when I went over a friend's place and saw her nude walls. I asked her if she planned on doing anything about the nudity, and she reciprocated if I wanted to do something about it for her. I knew what she meant and said "I'll think of something".
Two days and13 hours of creating, "I'll think of something" turned into this.  
Look below

Yes. I present you "Nu'vo" (oil & acrylic on 28x30 canvas).

I called it Nu'vo (which is the French pronunciation of nouveau 'new') because it's the beginning of something new: appreciating my rawness. I mean, as much as I say I would like to take some art classes, it will never happen because I'm a devout nonconformist. Ever since I was a little person I realized that following the norm drives me insane. I have my own conceptions when it comes to art, and I rather be my own professor thank you very much.


I don't know the real definition of art or what it is, but all I know is that primal emotions is what guides me and my world. I view my art in terms of stories, personal experiences, and emotions. So when I draw women with wide hips and big behinds look above, don't think I got pencil happy or somthing of that sort,  it's just that I grew up seeing big bumbums.
Simple as that.

So this was actually my first time using paintbrushes, oil & acrylic paint, and a canvas. I normally draw on paper so this was a really good experience and I'm quite proud of myself. This was based solely on expressions rendered from my brain, without conscious preparation or any calculation about future critique. I now know that I create my true work when I dig deep and let it flow with no worries of technique. I know my work will not be appreciated by many, but that's ok. Maybe my art is meant for people who don't relate to what's mainstream. If so, then I'm glad to be part of the 'outcast' audience.

Sidenote: I'll be moving out of Boston into a new city I'll be specific when I'm established into this new city I'm moving to. One of my goals is to live somewhere that doesn't hinder my creativity artsy and have my own workplace. This will definitely happen this Summer/Fall.  For now, I can only draw when someone lets me use their floor.
*Kanye shrug*

However, I'm working on a website through weebly. I haven't published the site yet but when I do, you'll know. Also, my brushname is now my real name. Tarra Lu. This will be permanent considering it's my real name and God knows how much me gusta mi nombre. Anyhoo, everything (twitter, facebook, website, online portfolio, art) will just be Tarra Lu written as T'arr.a Lu. I'm also changing this blog's name to Tarra Lu. I don't know if that's possible but we'll see.


Tata for now :)

9 months locing

I have a busy day ahead of me, so I'll only post pictures for this update and will blog about it later.

9 months wooohoooo!!! Love. It!

Where was this poem when I needed it!

Ode to a Shitty Friend

Dear shitty friend,
You used to be my closest friend~
But now , after years of friendship thrown down the toilet by you~
You are indeed the shittiest of friends!
We used to be like sisters~
Where there was one, there was the other.
I shared in your happiness,
I was your biggest cheerleader!
Your friendship was more valuable to me than anything else in the world.
Then, the time came when we had to grow up.
The friendship could have evolved, it could have survived, it could have flourished~
But you chose to cut me out of your life.
Returning only on occasions when you felt especially shitty about yourself and you needed me in your cheering section.
You were like some crazy friend version of a booty call.
You'd call when you needed a friend and disappear when you didn't need it.
But when I needed my cheerleader, you were no where to be found.
When I needed guidance, sisterhood, love,support and friendship,
You turned your back on me;stopped answering your phone.
I kept waiting, even coming back for more.
I figured, you needed my friendship more than I needed my dignity.
Now, the calls have become few and far between.
Maybe once every year or so, you check in~
Just to make sure that I am not perfectly happy, you like to drop in and infuse my life with a little misery.
It's OK. I don't get upset and cry anymore,
I barely even care.
In sad reality, I expect nothing of you
And there lies our friendship, on the floor in a million pieces.
I don't worry about you ever reading this,
I know that you wouldn't afford yourself the inconvenience.
There is no benefit in it for you.
Thanks for the lifetime, but lets move forward.
I have children of my own now and I can't keep stroking your ego,
And feeding your narcissism.
I am too tired, too old, and even less interested.
Please don't call me inebriated, professing love and friendship
and making promises that you have no intentions of keeping in the light of day.
I have endured my last frustration and worry over you.
I wish you nothing but happiness in your life~
But I refuse to any longer try to resuscitate a friendship that is so long dead.

Yours truly,

Someone who is finally coming to their senses

Interview with Janelle Monae

In this theBVX exclusive, Janelle Monae talks about her signature tuxedo style and why going pantless à la Rihanna and Beyonce isn't an option.

Ever since she hit the scene as a member of OutKast's posse in 2006, singer Janelle Monae has stood out not only for her unique voice and James Brown-like dancing skills, but her afro-pompadour hairstyle and masculine tuxedo-focused style. TheBVX caught up with the 24-year old Kansas native, whose album The ArchAndroid is out May 18th, to discuss the style that has landed her in Vogue on multiple occasions.

You grew up in Kansas, which isn't exactly the fashion capital of the U.S. Did you stick out like a sore thumb?

Oh yeah! I was always told that. I didn't try to and it wasn't like I wanted to be different. But there were times when I thought people were trying to get me to conform and it made me define myself more. I think that's always been in me. When I see so much of the same thing, it bothers me. Growing up, that did push me to define my own look.

Your style today is focused solely on tuxedos and oxford flats — even though you're 5-feet-tall. Do you have style icons you look to?

I love Katharine Hepburn. She's definitely one of my inspirations. I also love designer Thom Browne. His little cropped tuxedos, I love those. I actually wore one in GQ a couple of years back. I just love the cut. And I love Alfred Hitchcock, I loved how he dressed and his attitude. It's more about the person, not everyone can get away with wearing tuxedos. It's a lifestyle for me. I like people I can look to like Karl Lagerfeld. He wears the same thing all the time.

You've been wearing the pompadour hairstyle for a while now. But at the moment, it's actually becoming a huge trend, especially on male runway models and people like Mark Ronson. What do you think of that?

Well, it's called the "Monae" and it's a lifestyle thing. I'm not just doing it because it's a trend. It's like my superhero uniform. When I'm working and performing and even in my off time, this is how I like to wear my hair. It's just transcendent. You can wear it anytime and it works. It's like a retro-futuristic feel. I've seen people trying to wear it, and that's fine. I just know it's a trend for some people. I like Mark Ronson, he's a supporter of mine. People mean well and I didn't invent the pompadour, but only one person can wear this particular hairstyle and that's Janelle Monae.

When most young female performers start their careers, they put their sex appeal front and center. You don't do that. Your style is more masculine and you don't even wear heels!

Well, I love heels but they just have to be the right heels. They can't be heels that everybody is wearing. They have to really have to make me want to hurt because they are so cute. But I love saddle oxfords because they have a clean, classic, transcendent look. I want to look at my photos and I don't want to know that that was the Nineties. I want to keep it very classic. It can be [the year] 2719 or 1950 and it works. And I don't really believe in "masculine wear" and all of that. Because just knowing fashion history, there was a time when men wore tunics and women were wearing the trousers. For me, I'm just attracted to this cut.


So we shouldn't expect you to go the pantless route a la Beyonce, Lady Gaga and Rihanna and strip down anytime soon?

I'm naked at home. I paint naked and I love my body and appreciate it. But at the same time, I think my music is most important. My body is really nice and I would hate for it to upstage my art. Especially because I think my art can motivate change more than my body can. As a woman, [stripping down] is the easy way. I love all the artists you just mentioned. But for me, I like to keep my focus on my music, my art, my voice. And I don't want to be distracting people with how beautiful my body is. It's not about that right now.