AWARDS & PRESS

MORTAR is a resource hub for urban entrepreneurs across Cincinnati. They exist to invest in the people and solutions that will change our city; encouraging these empowered entrepreneurs to use their imaginations and creativity to not simply earn money, but to also make a difference in their communities. 

I was a part of their 13 week program back in 2017.  I love this organization! I wish they were around 15 years ago, I would've made a lot of different decisions. Anyways, my friend Lox Lane had suggested this group to me in 2016 and after I submitted my application I was accepted into the program.

MORTAR and it's guest speakers are full of valuable information compacted and presented into a format that is easy to understand and follow.  The experience will reveal to you your inner strengths and weaknesses so that you can fully prepare for what's involved with operating a business for the long haul.

Running a business can be very complex and contain a lot of "moving parts" that help to keep it a functioning and profitable venture.

At one of our group sessions I met Christine Luken, The Financial Lifeguard who later interviewed me and placed me at the beginning of her new book Manage Money Like A BO$$: A Financial Guide For Creative Entrepreneurs.

I came across the flyer inside the foyer of Prince Art & Framing one day as I was buying supplies.

I like doing artwork for charity when I can and I needed to reach out and meet new people, expose my work to new people, a win-win. I reached out for more information and submission guidelines. I met with the director of the event and had a good conversation. I was devoting my bricks to the memory of my Grandmother Dollie Mae Munlin-Kidd who had passed away from breast cancer in 1980. 

The first brick “Memorial” is a solid structure where a single candle is placed on the top and burned all the way down with another candle, of a different color can be added. Over time, the entire brick is covered in layers of colored wax becoming itself a giant candle. 

The second brick “Perseverance” is one brick broken up into three pieces. The parts can then be reconstructed into different forms. Surviving, adapting and moving on with life despite it's hardships and being different.

I do not know who won the silent auction for my bricks. Though cordial, I was distant this whole event. I even remember sitting at a table to myself, thinking of my grandma holding back tears the whole time. I was surprised when my photo appeared in the paper when there were several other Artists that had participated. 

Thank you for publishing the photo with my sculptures!

This happened when I responded to an online photo contest for submissions. I feel that portraits and abstracts are my strong suit in photography. 

At this time in 2004 though, I was just branching out into Portraits and had more abstract photography under my belt. Lately, I’ve been slacking on the contest end. I should enter more of them for exposure but with some having submission fees, it can quickly add up entering into a bunch of contests each year.

I don’t remember if there was an entrance fee, but I do remember that the winners would be published in a book that would be cataloged within the International Library of Photography. I think I was being cheap back then and didn’t order the book with my photo in it.

The photo “Galaxy One Dk” was taken in 1999 with the Nikon CoolPix 950, the 1st digital camera that I had ever used. It is part of a series that I was working on taken one night after work hanging out at the Levylighting headquarters in Manhattan. 

Though some pictures are a little blurry, this is still one of my favorites that I’ve shot. I need to experiment with my current cellphone and take more pictures for future contests.