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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

Quench Winter-Ridden Skin

February 21, 2014

With one of the coldest, snowiest winters on record in recent years, my skin has fallen victim to the harsh conditions.

Applying thick creams and luxe lotions usually do the trick, but this Polar Vortex has my skin begging for more moisture. Good thing I discovered Jergens Shea Beauty Oil.

This lightweight oil is my new go-to for tackling dry, winter-ridden skin. It conditions and seals in moisture leaving behind a non-greasy sheen. I put it on immediately after showering and let it soak in before leaving the bathroom. After a minute or two, my skin feels soft and virtually glows with hydration. Plus, the easy spray bottle prevents messy spills and leaks.

If your skin could use some TLC thanks to this woeful winter, then this oil a must-have.

Jergens Shea Beauty Oil (5 oz) available here, $9

What products are you using to keep skin hydrated this winter?

Category: Beauty | Leave a 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?

Category: Arts and Entertainment | Leave a Comment

GIVEAWAY: Vaseline Wants to Make Your Valentine’s Day Rosy

February 7, 2014

Whether you’re single, married or dating, Vaseline wants to make your Valentine’s Day rosy and sweet.

The popular household brand is giving away a jar of their Lip Therapy Rosy Lips along with a box of chocolates in honor of the romantic holiday. The slightly tinted, sheer lip treatment will leave pouts super soft and totally kissable in case Cupid comes calling.

Due to its cute compact size, it easily fits into a purse or clutch much like a small pot of gloss. And after Valentine’s Day, this small wonder will keep lips moisturized all winter long.

Vaseline Lip Therapy Rosy Lips available at food, drug and retailers nationwide, $2.29

Plus, the winner will also receive an array of decadent chocolates from MarieBelle, a boutique chocolatier here in New York City.

MarieBelle chocolates

Simply visit their Facebook page here to enter for a chance to win. The contest ends February 12th at 3pm EST.

Not only can you have a shot of winning on the Vaseline FB page, one lucky reader (US residents only) will have a chance to win right here on BGG! Just leave a comment telling me if you celebrate Valentine’s Day or simply see it as a Hallmark holiday. The winner will be randomly selected and notified via email by 2/13.

Category: Beauty, Giveaway | 4 Comments

Warner’s and Olga New Bras Banish Side Bulge

February 5, 2014

Lately, my evenings have been filled with baby feedings and finding new ways to keep my 4-year-old busy before bedtime. But, thanks to Warner’s and Olga I was given the opportunity to take a much-needed mommy break to learn about their latest launch and have my first bra fitting.

Although I was unfamiliar with the bra brand prior to the event, I was excited to have a professional take my measurements and reveal my true size. To be honest, I have been buying a 34B since high school. While my weight hasn’t fluctuated that much throughout the years, my breasts have changed since having two children.

Since I am nursing, I figured that my size would be much bigger than normal. I was right and wrong. The width I have been purchasing all these years have been off a size (I’m actually a 32) and the cup size was one size larger (due to nursing).

Warner’s “No Side Effects” bras are available mid-February at retailers nationwide including Kohls.com, $38

Warner’s new “No Side Effects” (Olga has the “On Your Side” plus-size offering) bra provides excellent coverage which prevents that unsightly “sleevage” that we women suffer from no matter our size. There’s a swath of extra fabric that smooths the area that tends to bulge while wearing sleeveless tops creating a sleek look. Plus, these bras have cushy padding on the straps for a comfy fit.

Not only did I learn my actual bra size, I was also able to try out the new bra under two super cute vegan leather Sanctuary tops that were gifted at the end of the event:

Initially I thought this top was dark brown, but it’s really a deep wine color.

I love that the sides of this top are stretchy.

Have you ever been professionally bra-fitted? Do you ever suffer from “sleevage?”

Category: Fashions, Featured, Features, Style | 2 Comments

The Body Shop Re-Introduces Classic Blueberry Body Butter

January 27, 2014

With frigid temps sticking around for a couple more months, now’s a good time to bring a bit of summer into your bathroom with the fresh and fruity scent of blueberries.

Thanks to The Body Shop, you can treat your body to the brand’s re-introduction of their Special-Edition Blueberry Body Butter for an indulgent pampering fix. The bath & body brand has been tantalizing our senses with their luxe line of rich and creamy body butters (a variety of 20+ flavors/scents) for over two decades and this decadent, blueberry-infused classic is no different.

The Body Shop Special-Edition Blueberry Body Butter available here, $20

Packed with moisturizing agents that hydrate and nourish the skin, this body butter contains Shea butter and oil from 500 blueberries! Plus, it’s rich in Vitamin E and other fatty acids that leave skin smooth and silky.

I am totally obsessed with this scent. It makes you want to sniff your hands just to get a whiff of the refreshingly sweet smell.

If the reintroduction of the Blueberry Body Butter wasn’t enough, there’s also an entire blueberry collection (Body Lotion, Lip Butter, Jam Scrub and a Blueberry Sponge) to make you long for summer even more. However, don’t wait until summer to purchase this berry good collection, it’s only available for a limited time!

What’s your favorite body butter scent?

Category: Beauty, Featured, Features | 4 Comments

New Year, New Workout

January 6, 2014

Happy New Year, I hope you guys had a wonderful holiday!

Although I didn’t go to Chicago (my hometown) for Christmas or NYE, I had a fantastic time here in New York with my family. And, when I tell you that I took advantage of the season (since Thanksgiving) to indulge in some of my favorite treats, I REALLY did.

From countless bags of gummy bears to bite-size marshmallow bliss, I had my fair share (and then some) of sugary snacks. Now I’m left with those dreaded, pesky post-holiday pounds. Plus, I still haven’t completely shed my pregnancy weight.

Needless to say, since mid-December I’ve been hitting the gym harder than ever. Well, I actually really never worked out before, but that’s not the point! Thanks to Beyoncé’s surprise HOT release, it’s kept me moving and motivated to melt these pounds away by March.

I’ll keep you guys posted on my progress!

Did you overindulge during the holidays? Did you make a New Year’s resolution? I know it’s been out for nearly a month, but what do you think of Beyoncé‘s new CD/DVD?

Category: Wellness | 1 Comment