Arts and Entertainment

Interview: Artist Mickalene Thomas On Her HBO Documentary ‘Happy Birthday To A Beautiful Woman’

February 24, 2014

Ever since seeing Mickalene Thomas‘ eye-catching portraits and colorful collages a few years ago, I’ve been captivated by her work.

That’s why I was surprised, yet thrilled to learn that the acclaimed visual artist’s latest masterpiece wouldn’t be adorned with her signature sparkly rhinestones or vibrant patterns affixed on wood panels, but instead would be a heartfelt story told through film.

Photo via www.mickalenethomas.com

“Happy Birthday To A Beautiful Woman,” is Mickalene’s first film project and will premiere tonight on HBO. The docu-short is a touching, semi-sad, celebratory ode to her mother,”Mama Bush,” who is also the subject and inspiration behind many of her portraits.

Mickalene’s undeniable creativity is showcased throughout the film as she allows photographs, music and cinematography to serve as powerful storytellers alongside her mother’s gripping recounts of dreams deferred, abuse, and addiction. Her story of struggle and overcoming adversity is universal, which is why this piece is sure to resonate with everyone, especially women.

“Happy Birthday to a Beautiful Woman,” premieres tonight, February 24 on HBO at 9PM EST.

I had the pleasure and privilege to speak with Mickalene about the film, her mother and more. Check out the interview below:

BGG: “Happy Birthday to a Beautiful Woman,” was excellent. I was so sorry to learn that your beautiful muse/mom passed away. What was it like working with her on this project?

Mickalene Thomas: My mother is such an elegant and charismatic person. I think that was one of the reasons why I was always inspired by her…with her strength and resolve despite the difficulties (health issues, addiction and abuse) throughout her life. Doing this film allowed me to really see that person and love that person, which is why I wanted to make this film. Using her as a subject for this film was actually quite easy. Initially it was going to be an art show/project. But, after I conceived the idea and talked to friends about it they suggested that I use film as a way to tell the story.

BGG: What do you want viewers to take from watching this film?

MT: I’d like for them to know what a great opportunity it was for me or anyone to create a great tribute to their mother. I think that’s something that we all hope to do in our own way in our lives no matter what we’re doing in the world. That’s why the title for me is so important. “Happy Birthday to a Beautiful Woman,” is a title that signifies celebrating motherhood and womanhood. I think my mother putting that on her cake for her 50th birthday was a mantra for her because that’s the time when her health declined. It was the inspiration that she needed in order for her to persevere.

BGG: So it was easy for you to decide on “Happy Birthday to a Beautiful Woman,” as the title, right?
MT: It was really easy because as I mentioned, she put it on her cake for her 50th birthday party. During her party, I had taken a photograph of the cake. When I was filming her at her house, I saw that she had it framed and put it on her nightstand. It was then that I realized that the title was already there for me to use.

BGG: Do you plan on doing more films?

MT: Absolutely! I do plan on doing more films. I am really interested in filmmaking as a means to tell a story as an artist. I’m actually interested in doing a semi-autobiographical feature film that deals with love (a love story).

BGG: Has your daughter (18-month-old Junya Rei) changed your approach to your craft? Will you incorporate her into your artwork?

MT: Yes, she actually has! My new body of work that I’m doing a preview of on March 6th (Brand New Gallery in Milan, Italy) is a tribute to that. It is very much childlike and free in dealing with geometric and formal aspects of painting. I think it has a lot to do with that child’s play of how kids see the world and them grabbing at things and having a response to what’s right in front of them. The portraits that I’m making are all untitled pieces because I want the viewers to have their own experience of the work; unlike my others that have titles that acts as a way of how it should be perceived.

BGG: The juxtaposition of patterns and the women in your paintings is so eclectic and beautiful, from where do you draw that inspiration?

MT: I was always looking at African textiles and photographs from African photographers from the 1970s and was just really inspired by those patterns. I also drew inspiration from my own family (my grandmother) and started bringing them into the work to create environments for my portraits.

BGG: How has fashion influenced your aesthetic?

MT: For me, fashion has always been a part of my aesthetic. The patterns I use, the fabrics that I’m interested in, and juxtaposing them with what the women are wearing in my portraits is very important. I look at fashion spreads for composition and how some of the women are posed, as well as historical art compositions. And, I like fashion myself.

BGG: I know that rhinestones are prominently used in your work, tell me about that decision.

MT: Rhinestones are sort of a primary fashion aesthetic that’s used in a lot of fantastic dresses and garments throughout the world. They have always been a part of my process. One of the reasons why I’m interested in using them is because they come from very high to low quality. They’re these pieces that you put on to embellish or to make something more beautiful or to stand out. So these notions of beauty signify the same sort of thing in relationship to how a young girl emulates her mother by learning how to dress. So those are transformed through the relationship of young girls and how they see themselves through their mothers. And I think that’s why I use my mother a lot in my work.

I really want people to hold on to this title (“Happy Birthday to a Beautiful Woman”) because it’s not just about the woman being beautiful on the outside, it’s the whole woman and what we represent in the world: what we go through, how we persevere, how we give life, how we struggle, how we uphold families and how we persevere and the tenacity of what a woman is from the inside out.

BGG: What has been your proudest moment thus far in your career?

MT: At this moment I would say that this documentary is one of my proudest moment because it has transcended beyond the boundaries of my own work of only being in art galleries and museums . It’s reaching a larger public audience of people that I don’t think I’ve ever imagined to reach. There are very few creations in the world that break the barriers where it allows for a larger audience. I think film, music, and literature do that where more people can see it and be inspired by it.

Will you be tuning in “Happy Birthday to a Beautiful Woman” tonight?

Category: Arts and Entertainment, Featured, Features, Interviews | 1 Comment

Must-See: Bob Marley’s “Three Little Birds”

February 10, 2014

This past Saturday, Ava and I had the pleasure of seeing Bob Marley’s “Three Little Birds” at the New Victory Theater in Times Square.

Thanks to Chic Busy Mom, we were given press passes to the new stage play, as well as the opportunity to attend the exclusive meet-and-greet with the cast after the show.

Adapted from the late musical legend’s daughter, Cedella Marley’s book of the same title, the vibrant play is inspired by Marley’s soul-stirring music. It tells the story of a young boy named Ziggy (Jobari Parker-Namdar) who is fixated on television and unwilling to go out and explore his rich Jamaican island much to the chagrin of his mother and friends. In addition, the antagonist Duppy played brilliantly by S. Lewis Feemster covets the young boy’s beautiful locs and tries his best to get them.

As the story unfolds with the help of upbeat, feel-good songs such as, “Lively Up Yourself,” “Brown Girl In The Ring,” and “One Love,” Ziggy finally comes to the realization that there is more to life than sitting in front of the TV; all while managing to outwit and escape Duppy’s hair-stealing grip.

The colorful costumes, catchy reggae tunes and cute storyline make it a must-see for kids and adults! Plus, it’s the perfect outing to celebrate Black History Month.

The play opened Feb. 7 , 2014 and runs until Feb. 23, 2014. Visit www.newvictory.org for tickets and more information.

How are you celebrating Black History Month?

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GIVEAWAY: Terrence J’s New Book ‘The Wealth of My Mother’s Wisdom’

September 25, 2013

Terrence Jenkins, better known as Terrence J has proven that he’s no one-trick pony.

Known mostly for his stint as the co-host of BET’s “106 & Park” back in 2006 (until earlier this year), Jenkins has gone on to act on the big and small screens while currently co-anchoring “E!’ News.” The popular television personality and actor can now add “author” to his growing résumé.

Jenkins’ book, The Wealth of My Mother’s Wisdom: Lessons That Made My Life Rich, is set to be released Oct 1st. Not quite a memoir, but still very telling of his upbringing/life; Jenkins provides readers with advice and inspiring personal stories that will encourage them to follow their dreams. He credits his mother, Lisa, for all of his success and dedicates this book to her as a gift of gratitude for all of the valuable life lessons she instilled in him.

In addition to sharing his own stories, the book also encouraging stories from T.I, Kevin Hart, Laz Alonso and Ludacris.

On sale October 1st here, $19.99

**Two lucky readers will win a copy of Terrence J’s The Wealth of My Mother’s Wisdom: The Lessons That Made My Life Rich. Simply leave a comment sharing one of the most valuable lessons that either your mom or dad gave to you or that you will give to your child. The winner will be randomly selected and announced on Oct. 1st.

Category: Arts and Entertainment, Book, Book Reviews, Books, Gumbo Mix, Misc. | 7 Comments

In Case You Missed It: Fabulous Celebrity TwitPics of the Week!

September 20, 2013

Check out this week’s fabulous Twitter and Instagram photos from some of our fave celebs!

Regina Hall, Gabrielle Union, Nia Long and Sanaa Lathan

Regina Hall, Gabrielle Union and Nia Long with Sanaa Lathan celebrating her birthday.

Kevin Hart

Savannah and LeBron James on their honeymoon in Rome.

Beyonce in Brazil

R. Kelly

Laz Alonso and Charli Baltimore

Young Jeezy, Snoop and Usher

What’s your favorite photo of the bunch?

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Must-See TV: Queen Latifah’s New Daytime Talk Show Premieres Today!

September 16, 2013

Back in 2011 when I interviewed Queen Latifah, I didn’ think it was humanly possible for the her to add one more job to her resume. Boy was I wrong!

The multi-talented entertainer, 43, is not only back with a brand new daytime talk show debuting today (check your local listings for times), but she’s also recently been named the new face of Pantene’s popular Relaxed & Natural haircare brand. Already a Grammy-award winning rapper/singer, Oscar-nominated actress, host, author, film/TV/web producer, and CoverGirl, Latifah is quickly becoming the queen of all entertainment.

Photo: QueenLatifahShow.com

Although this isn’t her first ride on the daytime talk show rodeo, Latifah will surely bring a fresh perspective to the new “Queen Latifah Show,” that gained fans back in the 90s.

Check out a clip here:

Will you tune in today? Did you watch “The Queen Latifah Show” back in the day?

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First Look: Tia Mowry-Hardrict’s New Scripted TV Series ‘Instant Mom’

September 9, 2013

If you’ve missed seeing Tia Mowry-Hardrict aka “Melanie” on “The Game,” well the famous twin is coming back to scripted TV this month!

The mom, author and entrepreneur, 35, will star in NickMom’s brand new half-hour series, “Instant Mom,” premiering Sunday, September 29 at 8:30PM EST on Nick at Nite.

Mowry-Hardrict will portray “Stephanie,” a former party girl who now has to embark upon the unchartered territory of parenting as she is thrust into step-motherhood. Michael Boatman co-stars as her husband, ” Charlie,” who is the father to their three kids. Throughout the series, “Stephanie,” is constantly trying to balance parenthood while maintaining a sense of her former free-spirited and fun-loving self.

TV sitcom veteran Sheryl Lee Ralph rounds out the cast as “Stephanie’s” mother.

Check out the trailer below:

Are you a fan of Tia Mowry-Hardrict? If so, be sure to catch her on the hit reality series, “Tia & Tamera” Sundays on the Style Network and in the upcoming Fox Searchlight film, Baggage Claim later this month!

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Kerry Washington Graces Glamour

September 3, 2013

Attention all gladiators!

One of our favorite BGs, Kerry Washington, is gracing the October issue of Glamour. The newlywed and star of ABC’s runaway hit, “Scandal,” looks nothing less than stunning on the cover of the popular glossy. Photographed by Peggy Sirota, Washington beams with radiance while wearing some of the season’s hottest fashions.

Kerry Washington on the cover of Glamour, October 2013. Photos by: Peggy Sirota

In the issue, the Bronx-born beauty chats it up with Glamour’s editor-in-chief, Cindi Leive to discuss balancing her many hats: wife, actress, political activist, and more!

Check out this excerpt:

CINDI LEIVE: You’re so close to your parents. Were they OK with your career choice?
KERRY WASHINGTON: When I said that this is what I wanted to do, my mother literally cried. She didn’t want me to experience all that rejection. They both would have preferred me to have been a lawyer.… [After college] I gave myself a year to make it in acting and was living in my parents’ house teaching beginner’s yoga when I got my first part, in Our Song. Then I got Save the Last Dance.… Now they’re really behind me. And I’m always working. My cousins call me the longshoreman of actors.

CL: [Laughs.] I want to ask about fashion too. At what point did it start to be fun, or is it still kind of something you do because it’s part of the job?
KW: It started out as, like, Good-Student Kerry. OK, I’m going to admit this: There were a couple of actresses whom I felt were having the upper hand careerwise—because they knew how to work that red carpet. I was like, “I’m missing a really important tool. If I am the CEO of the Kerry Washington Corporation, my marketing department is really lax.” So I sort of developed a new character: Red-Carpet Kerry

CL: I love that.

KW: And I researched her like any other character. I actually called Tracee Ellis Ross [the actress and Diana Ross’s daughter], who’s a good friend, and literally asked, “How do you pronounce Hermès?” Red-Carpet Kerry needed to know.

CL: The longshoreman kicked in.

KW: Exactly. The professor’s daughter kicked in. I was doing library hours on fashion. And then it happened—I was in love.

CL: And the fashion on Scandal is a whole other story. All that white! Did that come from you?
KW: From me and the costume designer Lyn Paolo. And the pants—that Olivia wears pants—that was mine, because I really wanted her to wear the pants in that relationship.

CL: I’ve heard that people have been walking into Prada and asking for the Olivia Pope purse.
KW: And Movado for the Olivia Pope watch. My mother was like, “I think I want an Olivia Pope watch for Mother’s Day.”

CL: Your mom is shopping off “Scandal?” I think your parents are officially OK with your job. So what’s in the Prada bag?
KW: [Laughs.] Usually folders, pens, the phone on the show, and often a bottle of water to add a nice weight to the bag. And some panties in one episode!

CL: I love the whole idea of “gladiators” [Olivia’s term for her employees and, now, what fans of the show call themselves.] So who are your gladiators?
KW: My closest girlfriends from college, and I’m really close to the girls on the show. It’s a sisterhood.… That’s the big thing that really differentiates me from Olivia: She compartmentalizes her relationships. I really try to let my friends into all of my life. They know that Red-Carpet Kerry is a version of Kerry, and they know that DNC Speaker Kerry is me.

CL: OK, so relationships. In interview after interview, you always use the samephrase: “I don’t talk about my personal life.” I’m curious about the discipline that it requires to be so tight-lipped.
KW: I learned through experience that it doesn’t work for me to talk about my personal life. I’ve had earlier times in my career when I did talk about it. I was on the cover of a bridal magazine [InStyle Weddings, in 2005, when Washington was engaged to actor David Moscow]. But I couldn’t just turn around and say, “I only want to talk about the good stuff, but not the bad stuff.” So I just thought, “OK, no more.”

CL: You even managed to get married in June without anyone knowing.
KW: Absolutely! I’m walking around in the world with my ring. And when people say congratulations, I say thank you. But I’m going to continue to not talk about it and just let it unfold.

CL: It must have been satisfying to pull off a wedding with no press around.
KW: [Laughs.]I don’t want to sound smug about it…but the point is to do what’s best for me. I have girlfriends in this business who talk about their personal lives, and it works for them, and I love it. But not for me.

Click here for more photos and fashion credits: http://glmr.me/1duJRvR

Click here for behind-the-scenes video from the cover shoot: http://glmr.me/17p9J54

Are you excited for the season three premiere of “Scandal?” If so, be sure to tune in to ABC on Thursday, Oct 3, 10PM EST.

Category: Arts and Entertainment, Featured | 1 Comment