Be True, To You

There is something in every one of you that waits and listens for the sound of the genuine in yourself. It is the only true guide you will ever have. And if you cannot hear it, you will all of your life spend your days on the ends of strings that somebody else pulls.

Howard Thurman

MonaMade Design

The first design is the front of a postcard for a fund-raiser. The second design is for a truck magnet and the last design is one of 23 chapter openers for a cookbook.

Creole Crab Burgers

How delicious for a Friday meal, a yummy crab burger. I am so excited to try this. My only ingredient switch would be the iceberg lettuce. This recipe calls for iceberg lettuce, probably for the crunch. Personally, I would much prefer some baby greens of arugula, butterhead and escarole mixed. Gourmet makes this so tempting.

1 lb lump crabmeat, picked over

1/4 cup mayonnaise

3 scallions, thinly sliced

1 large egg, lightly beaten

1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

3/4 teaspoon dry mustard

1/2 teaspoon cayenne

1 3/4 cups fine dry bread crumbs, divided

3/4 cup vegtable oil

4 kaiser rolls or hamburger buns, split and toasted

ACCOMPANIMENTS:

• tartar sauce; iceberg lettuce

• Stir together crabmeat, mayonnaise, scallions, egg, Worcestershire sauce, mustard, cayenne, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and 3/4 cup bread crumbs in a bowl until just combined. Form into 4 (1-inch-thick) patties (3 1/2 inches in diameter; patties will be soft but will firm up when fried). Spread remaining cup bread crumbs on a plate, then dredge patties in crumbs, knocking off excess, and transfer to a platter.
• Heat oil in a 12-inch heavy skillet over medium heat until it shimmers, then fry patties, turning over once, until golden, 5 to 6 minutes total. Transfer to paper towels to drain.
• Assemble burgers with buns and accompaniments.

COOKS’ NOTE: Patties can be formed, without bread-crumb coating, 12 hours ahead and chilled, covered. Dredge in bread crumbs just before frying.

RECIPE BY ALEXIS TOUCHET

PHOTOGRAPH BY ROMULO YANES

The Pursuit of Joy

Sun Moon Child from Pierre Bennu on Vimeo.

The most fabulous video I have seen in awhile. Total joy is what I experience every time I watch this. The concept and editing by Pierre Bennu is brilliant and perfect.  The song, "Sun Moon Child" being sung by Imani Uzuri, is also is the perfect accompaniment to this masterpiece. Imani is a gifted and amazing singer in her own right. You must checkout more of her music, she does not disappoint, just like this video.

MonaMade Design

Graphic insert for a custom CD Love kit. Included: A personalized card, music CD,  poetry and other special souvenirs. It was a huge success.

Make It Funky, It's All JunkPrints

Chanel Kennebrew is the lovely genius behind JunkPrints and is located in New York City. She's a graphic designer, illustrator and product designer extraordinaire. Strong and vivid colors with familiar icons, very reminiscent of the Pop Art movement. Chanel considers JunkPrints, "a creative experiment focusing on using art as a catalyst to explore and maintain local economies through the design, manufacturing, and distribution of clothing and accessories." Her concepts are Fun, Funky and Fabulous.  junkprints.com

Presenting: Janelle Monae Delivering Tightrope

Presenting: Gill Scott-Heron, "Me And The Devil"

Gil Scott-Heron is back, giving us everything we have come to love. A poet and musician who’s music mixes Rhythm and Blues, Jazz and Blues with a black militant activism style and a funky gritty grace. Lyrically always expressing the current social or political issues of now. At the same time living out his demons through his art. The voice is still there, just more life and living added to it. Take a listen.

Our Lives

One of my favorite photographs with type added, spelling out LOVE. Love is also my favorite subject to ink about, and even sing about. Love my muse.