I'M BACK!!! Recent Images- April 2007

It's good t be back online! I'm all settled in to my new place and already having fun, snapping away. A whole new environment and neighborhood to explore. Creatively, this is going to be my year of EXPLOSION...Lot's of GREAT things lie ahead!

In the meantime, below are some photos I took from inside my apartment. Enjoy! I'm back, so be sure to check back at this blog regularly to journey with me. Don't forget to peruse the archives also!

Peace!
Ocean

Self-portrait in kitchen window.


My best friend in the whole world, Bill Harmon.


Bill focused on Sedoku.


Mexican dreams: Cornona Extra and Avacado.


Pansy, from newly planted container on my fire-escape garden.


Cinematic self-portrait in the hallway at sunset.


Bed-Stuy moody skies.

Transitioning...

Wow! I've been away from the blog close to a month! Well the reason being that i moved into a new one-bedroom apartment in Bed-Stuy, and haven't had internet service--that is, not till this coming Monday. So don't fret, I'm still alive and well and getting settled into my new sun-drenched apartment, which now affords me the opportunity to also have a daylight studio! Needless to say, keep checking back at this blog for new and ecxiting work and projects. I've been inspired to try many new things with photography, as well, as continued growth in the other arenas of my work (photojournalism, fine art nudes, still life, etc...)!
I'm totally excited and can't wait to get back to posting here at BROTHALUVACAFE!

Peace!
OCEAN

New York City Anti-War Protest, March 18, 2007

Photos from todays Anti-war protest march. I'm always intrigued by protesters...people that come together from all walks of life around one common cause. In this case, to protest the war in Iraq. The protest was as peaceful as could be expected. It is after all, the day after St. Patty's day, and most of the city was indoors with the shades drawn, nursing hangovers! :-D

Enjoy the slideshow, and be sure to turn your volume UP! :-) Click the arrow button to begin playing.

Make a Free Flash Slideshow

"The Art of the Nude" Book Project 2007

The images that appear below are a very small sampling of the 400 pictures I shot yesterday for a forthcoming book, being published out of London, England. The 200-plus page hardcover coffee table book will feature ten photographers from around the world (I've been selected to represent the USA) showcasing our nude photography. Additionally, there will be sections that include biography, artist statement and an essay about the days shoot. There will also be reportage photographs of each photographer "in action" showing how they work, from the time the model arrives, through post production. This is a VERY exciting opportunity for me, as I get to really test the European market with my work. I can expect lots of exposure as the first run of books will be somewhere around 40,000 copies! Subsequent copies will be printed in various other languages. More about the book when it's finally printed in May and distributed in the fall of this year.

In the meantime, click each photo thumbnail to ENLARGE the image for your viewing pleasure. :-) These are a sample of my very latest nude work, and the model featured is HERCULES. Obviously, I won't post the images I've selected for the book (you'll have to wait for those), so i guess you can see these are the "outtakes". Enjoy!

Recent Images March 2007

On the journey... just shootin; stuff.

Looking around,
being aware of my self,
and the beauty around me,
never once minding,
that all that I see,
is carried with me.

Shadow Sculptures


Lobby, Turner Towers


"Levees, Not War"


Bust


Plant and shadows

Flea Market Vendor-Musician


"Black Opulence"


Capoeira, First Saturday at the Brooklyn Museum

"I know the face of AIDS"

Photo taken to remember all of our brothers and sisters who have passed on, and for those who continue the fight.

2nd ANNIVERSARY CANDLELIGHT VIGIL FOR RASHAWN BRAZELL, Brooklyn, N.Y. FEB. 17, 2007

On a bitter cold February night, family and friends of Rashawn Brazell gathered at the corner of Fulton and Nostrand Avenues in Brooklyn, NY to mourn the loss of 19-year old Brazell and to pray that 2007 will bring with it the answers, the justice and the closure that the Brazell family has sought since his February 2005 murder.



Nostrand Avenue Train Station, Brooklyn. One of the places where parts of Rashawn's dismembered body were found.




Volunteers hand out leaflets to the community.




Desire Brazell, Rashawn's mom speaks to the crowd.


The Gay and Lesbian Anti-Violence Project.


Friends embrace.


Crowd begins to gather at the corner of Nostrand Avenue and Fulton street.


Unty Fellowship's Bishop Zachary Jones and GMHC Executive Director, Dr. Marjorie Hill exchange warm smiles on a cold winter night.


Candles for Rashawn.




Rashawn's father.


Desire Brazell, Rashawn's mom lights candles for her son.



Community comes together for Rashawn.




Reward for Rashawn: $22,000


Candles for Rashawn.




Dr. Marjorie Hill.


Candles for Rashawn.






Bill, Big Rod, and Boris Powell, Program Director for GMAD. Adodi brothers unite for Rashawn.


Candle and glow for Rashawn.


Bill helps Rashawn's sister light a candle for her brother.


Crowd.


Desire Brazell gets a warm hug from a supporter.


Rashawn Brazell (1985-2005).
Rest in Peace.


For more info and to see how you can help, please visit rashawnbrazell.com.

"Hurricane Tina" Exhibition!

February is a busy exhibition month for me. Three exhibitions in a three week period is a lot to prepare for, especially with a day job in the way! Oh well, it does pay the bills, but I relish any opportunity to show my work to the public, and this year is presenting itself with many opportunities. As each one comes to fruition, I'll post the info on this blog.

In the meantime, below is an invitation to my solo exhibition, 'Hurricane Tina'. The Gay Men's Health Crisis, Inc. (www.gmhc.org) hired me to work on this ad campaign that reflects the realities of gay and bisexual men of color in the age of Chrystal Meth. With my photography, and writer Khary Polk's "realness", GMHC has produced a book and video PSA. The launch of this campaign will feature larger than life size images from the book and the video will run throughout. And what's an opening without a hot DJ pumping fierce music to set the tone just right?!

Check it out! HURRICANE TINA opening Thursday February 15, 2007 at the LGBT Center, NYC from 6pm-8pm. FREE and open to the public. Exhibition runs through April 28th.

Hope to see you there!
--Ocean

Photography Exhibition! "Mother Earth-Urban Child"

This is the next exhibition I'll be in coming up on February 9th. I will be exhibiting amongst the fine photographers of the Fort Greene Photography Organization, a photo collective I founded in January 2001. Hope to see you there! --Ocean




FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Fort Greene Photography Organization
Brooklyn, New York



Mother Earth – Urban Child
An Exhibition of The Fort Greene Photography Organization

The Fort Greene Photography Organization (FGPO) in association with curator Empress Modupe Olufunmi of the The Magnolia Tree Earth Center announces the photographic exhibition “Mother Earth- Urban Child”. As part of it's commitment to bring photographic fine art to the Brooklyn community, this exhibit will be on display at The George Washington Carver Gallery at 677 Lafayette Avenue, Brooklyn, NY.

The exhibit opens February 9, 2007, and continues every Saturday and Sunday thru March 4, 2007. Works can be viewed during the weekend from 11am and 6pm. The exhibit can also be seen by appointment.

A reception will take place at the gallery on the evening of February 9th from 6pm – 9pm.

The initial FGPO event for 2007, this exhibition includes the works of Pavan Carter, Clay Horne, Ocean Morisset, Tom Govia, Syreeta McFadden, Bill Harmon, Geralyn Shukwit, Robert Marvin, and Philippe Dollo.

On display will be a variety photographic interpretations of man's relationship to both his environment and himself. Images will showcase the talent of these artists by presenting images that are imaginative, emotional, as well as thought provoking. The dedication demonstrated by the photographers this exhibit continues to show that FPGO is one of the premier community based artists organizations.

Fort Greene Photography Organization is a photography-inspired membership organization that was founded in January of 2001. With a membership of thirty individuals, FGPO’s mission is to advance public interest in photography, to expose the public to the works of emerging photographers through exhibitions and other events, and to provide emerging photographers with a forum to expose their work to the public.

FGPO aims to organize, sponsor, and present exhibitions, forums, lectures and discussions related to photography in order to foster a greater appreciation and understanding of photography by the general public to make it accessible to all.

For further information, please contact: Empress Modupe Olufunmi
The Magnolia Tree Earth Center
677 Lafayette Avenue Brooklyn, NY
718-387-2116