Believe it or not, I can actually draw.
— Jean-Michel Basquiat
Sometimes I reflect upon Jean-Michel Basquiat‘s life and wonder what he would make of his name and his art becoming a famous and lucrative brand now that he’s dead. I also wonder where he and his art would be now if he received more love and encouragement while he was living.
Admiration is currency.
Appreciation is undervalued.
Approval is overrated.
Artificial intelligence is non-negotiable.
Authenticity is priceless.
(Good morning, Good Tea People! What’s steeping? Today I am steeping a Ethiopian black tea that I blended with some select spices. Imagine a cup of tea that’s as aromatic as it is nurturing and supportive. Yes, I drink hot tea in all seasons and for myriad reasons. Welcome to all the new Straight From the Leaf readers, followers and subscribers. Please feel free to pour a fresh cup of something delicious and settle in for the read.)
Genius Defined
A genius is a person who shows rare, exceptional intellectual ability, extreme creativity, or original talent far beyond normal human limits.
Who gets to appraise someone’s “rare, exceptional intellectual ability”? Who possesses the authority to pronounce whether or not someone has “extreme creativity”? Creativity is a precious gift that costs dearly to express it, let alone to live the life of a creative. It is unfathomable to calculate the amount of life invested, the tears shed during the process, and the inevitable hardships encountered by an artist.
No human being should have to die in order to receive recognition and/or compensation. A person’s creative expression, regardless of the genre, is an extension of the artist’s unique creative mind. The resulting offering opens up the artist’s innermost thoughts, puts them on public display, and exposes them to uninvited critique.
While it may sound brave, nothing could be further from the truth. Art is oxygen for the artist and to create is to breathe air.
A writer writes.
A dancer dances.
A creative creates.
A genius is the artist whose art brings life to another human being.
Like Jean-Michel Basquiat, Makeba “KEEBS” Rainey‘s extreme creativity makes me both think and feel inspired. I am grateful for the artist behind the art.
Genius Noticed
KEEBS‘ art and I became acquainted before I ever met Makeba “KEEBS” Rainey in-person. Her art features images of the artists and thinkers I revere. Makeba adds her genius of bold colors, African wax cloth patterns quilted together for the clothing, and crowns them with halos. The artwork and I met in some of my most favorite places and brought a smile at every sighting.
Makeba “KEEBS” Rainey’s cover illustration adorns my Anna Julia Cooper book purchased at Harriett’s Bookshop in Philadelphia.
(Who is Anna Julia Cooper?! Good Tea People, I encourage you to dive deeper and explore this on your own. She is worthy of several in-person tea conversations. In the meantime, please make sure that your tea cup or mug stays full.)
Plant and People, also located in Philadelphia, had to keep a close eye on Frederick Douglass to make sure that someone didn’t try to buy the artwork that graces the plant nursery. Makeba came back to Plant and People to host a free button making workshop for the Freedom NOW Fest.
Harlem’s Red Rooster features a wall honoring Nelson Mandela and one of his quotes. This is Makeba “KEEBS” Rainey’s artwork.
At the Philadelphia International Airport en route to Bahia, I saw Makeba Rainey. Well, I saw her image and her exhibit “Their Eyes Were Watching God”.
We did meet in-person at her “Bringing in Da Spirit” exhibition at Vox Populi Gallery. This exhibition paid homage to the rural Granny Midwives who literally boldly went where no one else would to help mothers bring life into this world.
Genius Supported
We support who and what we appreciate. Artists are not machines used at-will for on-demand consumption. Artists are human beings who deserve to have all their basic needs met (Read: Starving is not an option).
Years ago I started collecting Makeba “KEEBS” Rainey’s artwork whenever and wherever I could find it. My personal collection continues to grow and I find her art always adds an elegant touch to my tea sessions.
(What’s that, Good Tea People? Where is this? It is a peaceful place where art and tea live together in perfect harmony. Please don’t get distracted: find what brings you joy and let it flow. Speaking of flow, please get ready for our raised cup salute.)
Cups Up Conclusion
I raise my tea cup in Makeba “KEEBS” Rainey’s direction: May you live long, live well, and prosper in all you do.
I invite all Good Tea People to:
- Follow her on Instagram @justkeebs
- Visit her online shop at simplyframed.com/store/blacksolstudio
- Purchase Makeba “KEEBS” Rainey art prints and/or commission original work
- Repeat as often as necessary
One more thing: let people know that you appreciate them while they are living.
Cups up to every creative! May your ideas flow and your cups stay abundantly full.
#DrinkTea #AppreciateGenius