lovecandace: dude-relax.com

SIDEBAR from my own foolery and/or fuckery to shout out one of the most special woman I have the pleasure of calling friend.  She is one of the sincere, genuinely nicest people I know (and I know alot of people) and an absolute talent that stepped out on faith to share her talents with the world by creating a wonderful website to display her gift of pencil, pen and charcoal.  She is originally from Oakland, CA but not resides in Atlanta, GA.  My friend is a simple treasure that doesnt have some complex dissertation on her pieces and simply draws because she can and she likes to.  It's that simple and I am not even biased, well maybe alittle bit but she's got real talent. Seriously dude.

I am often amazed what she puts on paper with a pencil, pen and/or charcoal.  I feature her art on many of my post and will be featuring it in my Single In This City (LA) series as it's absolutely relevenat to dating and always seeking some form of love.

When I lived with her in Atlanta, I would watch her draw out the corner of my eye, because she prefers to not be bothered when she is in her zone, and waited her to walk away to sneak a peak.  I would watch her erase constantly to reach her own perfection and not just settle for what didn't feel right.  I would watch her take her time with each stroke/ shade and display absolute integrity in each and every piece. I watched her fall in love and be in love with all of her creative ideas put to paper/canvas.  She is truly awesome and genuinely special.  So here is to her and my desire to share her talent with as many as possible.  I ask that you take the time and check out her artwork, consider purchasing and make a purchase and then buy a tshirt which can also be done at her site www.dude-relax.com   Then share it with a friend.  Check some of her work and some of her inspiration below.

lovecandace

Inspired by the search. Inspired by the effort, the frustration, the wishing, hoping, waiting, praying, Inspired by the time, the energy. Inspired by the physical attraction and the mutual interests, same struggle, common goals. Inspired by late night tears, mid-afternoon laughs,clear thoughts in the morning.

Inspired by the good jeans that show off the curves, the right shoes for the right dress. Inspired by the water plus the gel with the headscarf tied tight. Inspired by the burn on the ear, neck, forehead from the curling iron flat iron pressing comb. Inspired by lip gloss, eyeliner, mascara, glitter and powder. Inspired by pumice stones, wax, razors, tweezers, scissors, nail clippers, and emory boards.Inspired by Vaseline and socks, baby oil and cocoa butter.

Inspired by candles and incense and fabric spray.
Inspired by the trip out of the room to release some air. Inspired by the trip across town in traffic in the rain on an empty tank. Inspired by SportCenter, Baseball Tonight, NBA Today, NFL Pregame Show, College Gameday, and SportCenter, again. Inspired by the beer you keep cold but don’t drink, snacks you don’t eat, movies you don’t watch or don’t want to see.
Inspired by the strange meal he made out of fishsticks and macaroni and cheese, hot dogs and beans, grits and pork roast,bacon toast orange juice and scrambled eggs, Hawaiian Punch and Capri Sun.

Inspired by the friends that have found it and the ones who work so hard to keep it. Inspired by the ones who have lost it and won’t give up on finding it again. Inspired by the ones who have never had it and wonder what it feels like.

Inspired by the ones who are about to find out.


 
Ink Hearts (lovecandace) are $75
(2 for $100)

 

get at her:  Candace@dude-relax.com
                    duderelax@gmail.com

some of her other work and my favorites

 

 

Goodbye Atlanta...for now of course

It is 2:30 AM EST and I am awake.  I am taking up every last minute possible to suck up every last drop of this place.  Diggin my core to feel all that has been home - happiness.  However home is where you make it. I have fallen in love with this city.  It has a feel good vibe to it.  It encouraged alot of growth.  It has been good - not all good but good nonetheless.  3 years ago almost to the day I packed up my car (along with my roomie) and traveled southeast for a change and it has been great!!!  We traveled 4 days and no nights to get to Atlanta.  We survived my frantic all my life is in that car and I am freaking out in El Paso moment. TOTALLY SCARY...  We made it here and built a good life.  As much as we have been through we stayed in this together - I LOVE YOU ROOMIE & ever so thankful for all you have done.  You have been a wonderful friend - though it all - THANK YOU!!!

MOMENTS: Atlanta...Sweetauburn Festival, Spring Polin, polin count, seasons, Mall of Georgia, Perimeter, Greenbriar, Taste of Atlanta, Football Classics, Dinners, Lounges, Clubs, Slice, MBAR, Loca Luna, COI, Paschals, J. Christopher's, intentions to attend Six Flags, 400, 285, 20, 75, 85, Decatur where its greater, Stone Mountain, Goodie Mob, Djangles, Verve, Velvet Room, Taboo 2, Norcoss, Outlets - boring ass buford (lol), Cumberland, Guthries, Vortex, leopard lounge, Sutra, Andre 3000, Jill Scott, Dave Chapelle, Little Five Points, Snapfinger Rd, Lenox, Buckhead Station, North Hills, Chattsworth, Broadstone, 50 cent toll,  Roswell, Zion MBC, Dunwoody, Art Shows and plenty of trips searching for the best shoe possible.

The people that I have met here and built friendships with have been a blessing.  It is so wonderful to have genuine people in my life.  We went to dinner last weekend and it was wonderful.  Just tobe around a group of women that were just happy to be around each other and passing gril compliments.  (my boots were a big hit)  I honestly love the ladies that were there.  Love them and grateful for our paths crossing.  Thank you friends. 

Anway, things around me have changed and there have plenty of good friendships made.  I am so optimistic for the future.  We shall see what happens. I am leaving in the morning.  Well hopefully, its raining outside. So, I hope that the weather lets up so that I can fly out.  All my stuff has already gone and the moving company called and stated that they will be able to deliver my stuff on Monday.  That is very exciting. Everything fell in line today.  We ran some errands and got something to eat at the Vortex (awesome).  Then we sat on the couch and watched movies, mildly silent and realizing the time is drawing near.  I am a little sad at this moment.  I am really leaving.  Bittersweet. It has been great and we shall meet again.

Well, it is 4:37am, I suppose that I should be preparing for the airport.

Hello Change (Los Angeles)

Goodbye Atlanta, I shall miss you for now.

Goodie Mob Reunion Part II

The concert was so fantastic and it was absolutely amazing.  I live in Atlanta but I am from Los Angeles.  I gre up listening to Goodie Mob though.  I always had an appreciation for feel good music.  There were a few moment when I was not completely able to relate to some of the things said around me but I felt the passion people had for their home.  It was beautiful.  Like anyone with childhood memories.  It is a wonderful feeling to go down memory lane.  Me being from LA, I can recall so many things that are directly related with my city that make it be more than hollywood such as cruisin down the shaw on Sundays, Fatburger, the Slauson Swap Meet, Raiders in th Coliseum, Soda Pop Crew and even the original K-DAY.  The list goes on and on.  I imagine that is what it was like Saturday night for the natives that grew up with Organized Noizze, PA, The Dungeon Family as well as Outkast, Goodie Mob and I am sure many others.  It is part of their roots as well as their struggle.  It is the foundation of music in Atlanta and introduced us to the Dirty South.

This concert was amazing on so many levels for me.  It was historical, heart racing, memorable as well as packed.  This concert was outside in the rain (drizzling but nonetheless rain).  It was powerful to see so many people come out in support of the hometown crew.  There was a wide range of ages and people from all walks of life.  A bunch of folks coming together for the feel good, concious, funk music that makes you feel all sorts of emotions.  This music encouraged a travel down memory lane as to when the first time I heard a goodie mob song which was Cell Therapy into Soul Food to beautiful skin and so many more.  It made you feel it however now that I live in Atlanta - I have new appreciation for places called out. It has bit more meaning now that I am bit more familiar.  The time they took to walk you through and bring you back to a place they all call home with live music and complete dedication.  It was all love, completely genuine and hella memorable.  Especially in a time where music is one sided and in my mind's view stagnated.  In my hear there has got to be more to say, more to express, more to share.  I dont relate to the club scene and though some of this current sounds good in the moment.  It doesnt have longevity.  I will not be able to look back in 5-10 years and wanna crand dat anything...  Nothing against anyone's huslte or vibe but it just aint me.  However I will be able to sit back and listen to songs like Still Standing, Thought Process, Fly Away and They Dont Dance No Mo.  Think about it.

Goodie Mob Reunion

I am so fricking excited!!!!

Sharing is caring,

Freckles