Memorial Day

First off and foremost my family has served in the Armed Forces since I can remember. My grandfather was in the Korean War and one of my uncles was in Vietnam. I RESPECT the men and women who defend me from the people that would want to cause us harm for whatever insane reason it may be. So this tale is coming from a place of showing respect to them and all the other soldiers out there. THANK YOU!!!!

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So I'm sitting in Bomba. (My favorite place to people watch here in Asheville NC) I'm carrying a American flag and a idea strikes me. Show how we are all one community by having people of all races stand and wrap the flag around them. I like to just jump on ideas sometimes. I do believe in planning out everything now thanks to some very talented helpful folks I surround myself with, but that day I wanted to just dive right in. So I did!

As always something else happened that I was not expecting. 

  You want to make a guess at who came up to me the most? Let me put it this way. What made up this country from the beginning? Foreigners. All smiling, All friendly and All open with the eyes of ,'This is New and I like it!.' A High majority folks. I did have some of my friends see me an come over for a snap shot. Very Cool and I DO appreciate it a lot! I would randomly pic people out by how they looked at me sometimes. The ,'What are you up to faces.' got me the most! I wanted to see a Rich Man and a Poor Man standing side by side. Alas, it is downtown Asheville,where I have spent more time than ANY place in Asheville, So there were few and far between a black man downtown, besides myself. I'm not rich so...Maybe I should've take  a selfie with a rich guy! Shown here by this buzzfeed video. A couple of things BUZZFEED. 1)Drinking your own weight in beer. NEVER in the history of History has been a good thing. Just ask Freddy 'Drank he's own weight in Beer' Godlumpski. You can't, you know why? He's dead. 2) I'm pretty sure we lost our title last year of Beer City. 3) Your number 5 should be Number 1 on that list. People USED to come here for the Art. The beer thing has been in recent years.(Not taking anything away from these amazing breweries* it's just Not the truth of Asheville. 4) Most important to me. It's not all white. I have plenty of friends of ALL colors. Your video is one sided. END RANT.

 I RAMBLE....A LOT! :)

 Anyway, I enjoyed my time with the folks that came up to me or that I approached to be in this showing of community. It filled me with hope and despair. Why?,Sadly I was denied by a few black folks. Apparently saying, 'Excuse me ma'am or sir.' means "Hey!!! I'm about to ask for some change." It slightly broke my heart. (I get it from all sides, one more than others. I'm just trying to be creative folks!) Surprisingly the first person to come up to me was a sweet Chinese girl of the age of 12. She was with her family and wanted to show her patriotism by draping the flag around her. A hour later I had what I was looking for in the time I had there. Love and Understanding! Some of the couples sat and watched me from the porch of Bomba and all of them got up and came over to me afterwards. I loved your smiles and our interactions together. I just wish more people saw that we are all in this together. A shift needs to be made in our mindsets in order for us to survive on this rock. To watch it all and how it plays out is like watching the scariest horror film of all time called Man. I can promise you that me personally. I am not here to destroy you. I am here to help build you up. Period.

MAD MAX TRIBUTE SHOOT

“What are the roots that clutch, what branches grow
Out of this stony rubbish? Son of man,
You cannot say, or guess, for you know only
A heap of broken images, where the sun beats,
And the dead tree gives no shelter, the cricket no relief,
And the dry stone no sound of water. Only
There is shadow under this red rock,
(Come in under the shadow of this red rock),
And I will show you something different from either
Your shadow at morning striding behind you
Or your shadow at evening rising to meet you;
I will show you fear in a handful of dust.”

— T. S. Eliot

Finding myself running into the fantasy of this story as a child was easy for me! Mesmerizing!

 The scene was something I have never imagined. Wheels turned like the gears on some of those classic cars brawling around and bashing each other in fire and death! I loved it! 

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“Remember: no matter where you go, there you are.”

— PIG KILLER

I was entertained of the idea of a lost world. MAD MAX was the first time I saw the world for what it could be. How close to that reality are we? Scary how it is all so plausible and destined. Not for me in my head. I choose to see a thriving and surpassing land for those we leave behind. Using fossil fuels as if they just appeared. Sometimes living on this earth feels foreign. Alas, it is not the enchanted green utopia that I dreamt of.  MAD MAX was so out there it just felt natural to put myself into that creation.

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So I can not help the urge, the force that is in me to create. It's mostly what the engine runs on. So when I tell my friends the idea, they come together! So powerful the force. My right hand Tracie Mackenzie Simpson, my wife, my rock, My Love! She is able to tell me what I am thinking when I think in colors and textures. She is my Art Google! Amy L. Neill (OX+CO), Co-Creative Director and second eye of this shoot. Thankful for the direction and input on this shoot. I do not doubt your words! Danielle Miller was stylist and provided the wardrobe by Royal Peasantry. Your works are always different and so flattering to the female form! Thank you for bringing Sophie and Gyan to the set to help me see the vision!  Bailey Townley was the model for this shoot! This was our first shoot...No, It will not be the last! Amy Day Dougherty was the Lead hairstylist and owner of Nebula Beauty Lab, I have worked with Amy before and her OUT IF THIS WORLD Daughter Veda! PHENOMS Folks!!! They are so fun to be around with them just being themselves. When you say,"Go!" They Get it!. Eric France second camera. I love Eric's works! The man goes dark and it looks good! So it was a no brainer to have him along with me on this shoot.  Koa is the boy in mud. He came through like a champ! This was he's first shoot and he was slightly nervous! Sir!, You are a rockstar!!! Michelle Ford provided some of the head pieces.  Want to see beauty. Check out her works! Olympia LeHota thank you being such a gracious and gorgeous model!  Jonathan Higgins was videographer for this shoot. So professional it makes no sense! Thank you for capturing this Amazing Day in my back yard! You are one talented MF!  Yes Folks, All of it was shot in my backyard. You look at it and you don't really see anything special...but I did. An Idea became reality really quick and I'm so THANKFUL for all of you that helped me execute this idea with the timing it needed! 

Micah Mackenzie-Creative Director/Director of Photography

Tracie Mackenzie Simpson-Producer/Assisting Director/Set design

Amy L. Neill-Co Creative Director/OX+CO/@oxandco/#oxandco

Danielle Miller-Wardrobe/Model/Stylist    

Amy Day Dougherty- Hair

Eric France-Second Camera

Michelle Ford-Head Pieces

Bailey Townley-Model

Olympia LeHota-Model

Johnathan  Higgins- Videographer 

Veda,Koa, Sophie,Gyan - Children Models

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Damn. I love Australia!

PLEASE LEAVE COMMENTS! I'd like to know what you think :)

Transformations

“First comes thought; then organization of that thought, into ideas and plans; then transformation of those plans into reality. The beginning, as you will observe, is in your imagination.”

— Napoleon Hill

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To be apart of a ritual where you are allowed to witness a transformation was a recent honor of mine. I always appreciate the creation of new works. When something is not understood it makes me want to know more about it. There is no bigger or more profound power than the power within ourselves. Own your time here! Hesitate and you will not know what life is. Run right at it like your know you will win even when you are slipping just to get up! Powerful Session!

There will be a shift in all of our old processes or we shall not evolve. Period.

CHILDREN OF THE GHETTO

KLONDYKE HOMES, HILLCREST APARTMENTS and PISGAH VIEW APARMENTS MODELS! All in One day!~

A few weeks ago I was fortunate enough to go with Jen Mayer to these 3 complexes to hand out flyers for Charlotte Street Computers Easter Egg Hunt. Jen has been putting this event for 7 years now and It brings faces of joy to all that attend. It's a very special feeling to sit there and relax with the matirach of Klondyke. Mrs Bunn! I remember her from my childhood here in Ashevile.

It's always so nice to go there to Hillcrest,PVA and Klondyke Apartments. Talk about perspective! I used to play with my cousins on many beautiful nights in Hillcrest. I felt safe then. Everyone knew everyone and where you were at all times.

Things have changed so much there.

It broke my heart when one of kids said,
"Don't step in the dark places on the grass. That's where needles are sometimes."

"What?!!!"

Some of us are born into oppurtunity and some of us have to work for it. I pray to All GODS that these kids believe in themselves! It makes me feel good to know I made them smile for a sec~

Photography teaches me to see without using my eyes.

Nina Simone Photoshoot

Right place at the right time.

I truly believe while we are here we are able to connect to certain people...Animals...Hell! I have plant friends! I went to Tryon to to see a firend's art installation at the Upstairs Gallery. Before we went to see the installation we stopped to see a documentary about her. I got there late so I stood in the back and just listened to her talk. Tones, I feel tones folks. Even recorded I hear and feel them. I felt a glimpse of her pain and confusion. Powerfully sad until her death I do believe. Her voice stops me. Whatever I'm doing...Like it's taking me forever to WRITE THIS! Lol

“I think the rich will eventually have to cave in too, because the economic situation around the world is not gonna tolerate the United States being on top forever.
”

— Nina Simone

You know what I find extremely disturbing and sad about that statement. It's true! The virus that is human life was born from wanting to survive at any means and that stayed in our DNA. We will not be able to survive this planet if we do not change our mindsets. It still like the competition to be on top. People living in the woods far away from man are the ones that get it. Take only what you need. Feels like they took more than they needed from Nina. There should be way more out here to honor her. I sway from the story. Sorry. I'm a passionate man. Back to the story...

'Black Classical Music". I love that. 

So we are just walking around the property being present. I was looking for spots in the worn ground to see where she may have played as a child. Tracie found it near the side of the house where they played under the house. Her vibration is still there for sure. Floats through all these galaxies. Aliens come here to seek her voice! They also are looking for me, but that's a whole different encounter. 
I like to see what she may have seen. I hear her brothers and sisters running around. I feel the sun and hear the breeze and want to join in. The sun hits her face, warms her soul, she sings. Birds stop chirping to hear her.

I like to walk in others shoes in my mind sometimes. Beautifully deep, loving, scary, lonely, vain, pure and absolute existence we live. 

The house is to say the least in sad condition. Been rode hard and put up wet. Taking nothing away from how honored I was feeling just being there. I just wish the foolish wish people respecting their neighbors more on this planet. Breaks my heart daily.
We were outside for at least 20 minutes just exploring. Did we find treasure? You darn tootin' we did!!! A 1976 rusty penny on heads! Boom.

Time was drawing near and we were about to leave. I just wanted to peek inside through a small hole in the door. I could barely see anythi..."Wait." It was unlocked. I looked around for the No Tresspassing sign and being a black man in Tryon I wasn't going to be breaking in Shiznast! No sign. So I walk in. I FEEL her vibration. Powerful!!!

I don't think anything original to the house was in there. This made me even more sad for her. Remembered but so forgotten.The whole place is no bigger than the room you are in right now. Looks like it was divided by a wall. Almost 9 people lived in this house. The room you are in plus 8 people living together for years. It would make me want to see the world too. The kitchen was the second biggest room. Cooking, Cleaning, Washing Laundry, Bathing all in there, sometimes, all at the same time. Busy house in those days.

Born Eunice Kathleen Waymon in Tryon, North Carolina on February 21st, 1933. I see the beautiful little black girl sitting and playing music and it just filling the valley with her voice. Nina learned to play early in life at age 3 and playing in her family church choir. I bet this pedal organ gave this home some of the most beautiful notes ever sung on this earth. So we sat with Nina and I have to say, I was truly honored to be there on her Birthday. No one else came there today. So I felt even more honored. 
I could see her smiling that someone came to her party! I brought a heart full of joy for her! I think she liked it. I think she unlocked the door. It was a padlock and I swear I looked there first.

Thank you Nina Simone for allowing me to be in your presence today! A piece of you is in me now. It was always there. Journeys take you to where you need to be so you can find out where you are going. 
So thankful for my journey. It has not been all sunshine and unicorns. I stumbled..I have lost the path...I have built my own obstacles...I have gotten up...I made a new path...I will build a better life for myself. Thank you for your presence today Nina~

Happy Birthday Nina Simone! It was a beautiful party!
MM

PS. YES, I locked it back when I left 

PART 2

Then this happened...

“I’m a real rebel with a cause.
”

— Nina Simone

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Like I have said before I enjoy working with other open artist. Yeye Siju Osunyemi is something no where near this planet open! I have never been where her mind is and I am thankful she took me with her on this trip. Tryon NC is a  quiet little town. Of course I knew about Nina, but I was about to be educated.  

  To see how so many people used her for her talents and not acknowledge the love she had for her home was sad to see. She spoke up when something was wrong while still fighting the demons inside of her. That's powerful! We all should be so brave and powerful to leave a mark on this world. You know what's crazy...What she spoke/sang about is still happening today if not worse. So today I wish we would do what we could as a community(earth) and do what is obviously right.  To be on this ride and watch it catch fire and not enough stand up is madness!  To watch how we treat or neighbors, our brother and sisters, our families is unlike any horror film I have ever watched. I don't understand people that are more negative than anything.  Life began because of a reaction that took place from many other forms. That's how I see it. That's how I want to live my life. Being surrounded by light beings and helping out with all when I can. Even in my small town of Asheville there are still those that look to step on others in order to get ahead. Not I. There is a better way...A better path...a better Life! 

Seeing Nina's house and how she lived her Life inspired us to go back and shoot in her house. To make her feel beautiful and special again~

“You know that? OK, as a robot get’s itself together and we do it, and we get to the middle, where we have forgotten our feelings of love — you will help me huh?
”

— Nina Simone

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I know without question we are one. I want to feel your bliss and tenderness. I try not to dwell into negativism in any shape or form. It will come and I will try to be prepared. The pain that this beautiful woman went through is still so true and green to me. It lingers even in that room to this day. More compelling than that...Her spirit! Some of the greatest beings I have known on this planet have been wild and free souls! To understand that minute we are here and take full advantage of it. I saw her seeing herself in pretty gowns and placing herself in Paris. Being Loved, Adored, Worshipped if you will allow her young mind. Why not?! Dream big and she did~

When I process my photos I never do it the same way twice. I want to learn and forget it. This is my process to continually grow. Going inside Nina's space I tried to show her life as it were in her many stages. When I receive my gifts from my camera it's only half the story. Street and Fashion is where my hearts lays. I look to contact with everyone every time I shoot my subjects. Leigha Beck (model), was able to conjure up some added magic to the shoot by being herself and being open to allowing something to flow through her...So thankful!

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Model: Leigha Beck

Wardrobe:    Yeye Siju Osonyemiu

Photographer: Micah Mackenzie

Location: Nina Simone's Childhood Home, Tryon Nc