A Month of Anxiety To Get Here ... And Now It's Gone ~
Books & Tattoos Event Report, A Visual Diary
Hey hey legends! Issa anuva Tattoo Tuesday.
And I’m rolling thru these blog streets with BIG BAWSE ENERGY cuz I did the thing that I was meant to do to get the data I need to proceed … with Black Tattoo Anthology, that is.
A while ago I started seeing BIG, I mean f*cking larger than life, nervous-system rocking, core shaking visions about Black Tattoo Anthology. I heard it’s voice. It’s an intimidating one, by the way. And caught wind of it’s mission, vision and goals.
This idea chose ME to bring it forth in all of its glory.
Most challenges I be like … SAY LESS. But my response to this work was an emphatic -
‘You got to be fucking kidding me. You want … Me? ME?!’
And yet.
Here we are ~
The Futuristic Vision
Black Tattoo Anthology at its core, is Black-centered speculative work about how to use tools like tattoo as a way to unlock, access and weird the power of ancient wisdoms in modern times, for wellness and liberation.
As a tattoo storytelling, in its simplest definition, BTA examines the past to curate a method and next steps for the future Black tattoo generations to come. All while addressing the singular issue of the erasure of Black presence, influence and authorship in damn near ANYTHING -
Me? I got time today!
And while I was initially all ‘why me Lord?!’ when the idea came to me, I am excited to lay it all on the line to explore this phenomenon of Black erasure, in tattoo and create a much needed table for Black folk, specifically tattoo artists, creative visionaries and rebellious spirits.
Thus, I say again ~
And yet.
Here we are …
The last pic shared in my last update is a pic of Black Tattoo Anthology’s project alignment - a WORLD of information from the underbelly of the tattoo culture, aligned with 2 complimenting frameworks - the chakra system and dynastic wealth building; transmuted into digital & non-digital curated experiences that well, Black folk jam with. ^.^
A 7-part Book-set:
the realityof it all for my literary and studious folkA 12-episode Docuseries:
a reality-fictionof visual stimuli that focuses on the lives of 9 melanated tattoo shops dedicated to the expressionistic lifestyle, interspersed with interviews from a chorus of Black artists and enthusiasts from throughout the United States.A manga … set, series, one shot (who knows):
a non-fiction fiction escapeinto wellness within the expressionless dystopian world BTA and its characters are set within.A culture convention:
the gatheringof like-spirited minds to continue and deepen the conversation around equity and inclusion in culture industries, like tattoo.
Books & Tattoos Soft Launch
Legit, I have been overtly anxious to get to this super soft launch of Black Tattoo Anthology.
Often, in new spaces of innovation & big dreams it’s best to create ways to feel things out, make your dreams tangible and get a true read on the idea you’re so excited or eagerly overwehelmed to birth. As for me, I’m far more visually and empathically intelligent than I’d ever be linguistically, so we created an experimental event to test the waters.
The event, a soft launch and community-building space for Black Tattooo Anthology, was IS called Books & Tattoos.
The vision was donned and executed by Papi Kymone Freeman - founder of Black Luv Fest, co-founder of We Act Radio, and author of Nineveh: A Conflict Over Water
And before I REALLY dig into this recap, I have to say HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Mason, legacy of Sam the Man Burns (pic with the fam, soon come!)
We had a set playing from the Sam the Man Burns tribute and they came to represent. But I learned that our event night was also his birthday …
AND the young man wants to get a tattoo.
We talked extensively throughout the evening and I’m so happy we did. At some point he asked about how I knew his dad and I told him how kind and thoughtful he was, always peeking his head in the shop when we was Pinz-n-Needlez on U Street. Always lending a hug, a smile, and affirmation for a great day! He smiled and fondly said “Yup! That’s my dad”
Of course we had plenty more moments throughout the event. And many more to come I’m sure cuz he and his family are more than tribe. He’s nephew now ~
I have a dream of having our BTA books listed with them since we couldn’t find many BOOKS (not articles and internet URL’s) on Black tattoo culture - ancient, modern or otherwise. To me … thas WILD AF!
Kymone and his new BFF, Anica flicking it up with their new adinkra tattoos before calling it a night.
The vibe was ON and we got to talk to people personally about why we’ve married books & tattoos into this vibe of making revolution sexy and really got to speak and feel out what’s to come. When I say I started noticing that I was speaking as if BTA was complete and in the world already.
Legit, had me judging myself and clutching my pearls in surprise talking bout some “Harpo, who dis woman?”
Last but not least, the stories told around personal tattoo experiences were awe-inspiring. And I can’t wait to collect more. *uWu*
Sure, the event wasn’t packed to the rafters. We didn’t expect it to be cuz it’s a new concept and well …
PEOPLE BE WEIRD OVER NEW SHIT THEY CAN’T IMAGINE FOR THEMSELVES!
But with an intimate and chatty crowd it did what it was supposed to do.
And after it was all said and done, my anxiety - not the eagerness surrounding the project but tmy for real for real my tummy has a boulder in it, why won’t this fucking headache go away anxiety left. *POOF*
I mean shit vanished into thin air like it never came to torture my soul.
So, merrily I say to you ~
And yet.
Here we are!
Look, once I acknowledged my anxiety and held hands with it, I knew wtf I was doing. I was partnering with fear. Cuz ain’t nobody got time to be moving in the spirit of Ghetto Boys’ Mind Playing Tricks On You, amen.
To keep moving and taking this all one step at a time is comforting and far less shocking to my nervous system.
Somewhere into the my anxiety started packing its bags to move on to its next victim. It suddenly felt less like the devil’s beating his wife again. And the pouring rain sound I hear when I’m highly anxious just stopped. Just like that. *poof* And in my inner world, the clouds parted, the sun started shining brightly and the birds chirped annoyingly LOUD.
All to say to myself …
YOU GOT DIS HEAUX!
Become a Friend of BTA & Get PreSell Access, Today!
Being a Friend of BTA is absolutely free. And I promise to keep you updated on all the project iterations, cool research, ways to participate AND opportunities to share your tattoo story to be a part of BTA’s legacy.
Plus I’ll make sure you get access to the super private, uber exclusive community!
How ya like dat?! ^.^
It’s no joke and also no turning back now, to get Black Tattoo Anthology on shelves, in stores, out to the public and dare I say … in YOUR hands. But as a (non-recovering) perfectionist, I’ll be pruning this work along the way.
But you won’t miss a beat when you join us on the road to LAUNCH and stay up to date on all things Black Tattoo Anthology as we build you’ll want to subscribe and become a friend of BTA.
I filed this under Rants, Rites & Rituals because I TRULY hope this can become a monthly story sharing cocktail hour for the rebelliously grown, sexy and TATTOOED!
Some Next Steps For Yah:
🌸Get tattooed by Imani! Duhhhh ~
🎀 Download the Tattoo Therapy guidebook.
💖 Follow Imani’s tattoo work on Instagram | Facebook
