DISCLAIMER: This Blog Post contains images that will show you that I am a supporter of the Black Lives Matter Movement. Some might think of it as totally inappropriate to post, hate me for it, think this has no place on an art related blog or social media. If you have a problem with this, you might be better off looking at something else . Don’t email me to complain, don’t visit my blog or facebook anymore because I might post things like this again and that might get you in a grumpy mood..
Strolls through my hood get me out of my studio, they help me get unstuck and often I get inspired by what I see and get new ideas to create something. It is part of my philosophy about Artful Adventures in Mixed Media – which is the subject of my book. Here are some photos that I gathered in the last couple weeks – as New Jersey and New York are slowly going to Phase one and now to Phase 2 after the lockdown.
The first time I walked from uptown to downtown again after months of lockdown was weird and felt as if I would see things anew. I noticed all those “Give Up” graffitis and love how different versions of “never” appeared on top of them.
This spoke “untold story” to me.
I love all those little messages on the stoops – I wish we had a stoop – our house apparently used to have one as we could see from old tax pictures but in the 40s it was taken down from most of the houses in our streets.
On our bike rides during the lockdown my friends Cindy, Paula and I had discussed how going back to using the Path and Subway to go to NYC for work and other things made us quite nervous and so we decided to actually do it while things were still very quiet to ease ourselves back into it. It was good to figure out how much you actually touch etc. before everything is cramped again. It took about half an hour before I could find my subway card as I had totally forgotten which bag I had carried 3 months ago when I last rode the subway.
This is the WTC station – which is usually packed on a Monday at 10 am …pretty eerie. Now I am sure it is way fuller again as Phase 2 is of the reopening in NYC started and a lot of people from Jersey City as well are going back to work. I am not using the Path or subway unless I absolutely have to …like for a doctor’s appointment but at least I have thought about how to tackle this.
Just a couple days after the horrible the murder of George Floyd by Policemen this mural popped up in my neighborhood. It is really powerful.
I have thought long about breaking with the lockdown to go to the protests here in Jersey City, but I have made up my mind that and decided I would make sure to stay on the edges, distanced, with a mask and go if it would get too crowded.
After the protests I made sure to get tested each time and stay home until I received the test results.
The protests in Jersey City and all over New Jersey were peaceful and businesses would hand out masks, hand sanitizer and water. One of the protests to which 4000 people came, was organized by a local High School. It was amazing to hear the young organizers speak for hours about the issues. It made me hopeful for our future.
And they have a lot of humor too ;)
One of our little cafes , Crema, in the neighborhood created this clever booth in front of their window. It makes it easy to order and receive pastries, ice cream and coffee contactless . So clever. We are hoping that most of the small businesses here will make it …what a tough time this was and still is.
New Kicks – I thought I would have some custom made with my painting for my Stroll through the Hoods :)
Mingus has a new hangout spot …lol- he cracks us up.
Loved this message and the font on the plywood of a construction side.
Two beautiful houses – the one on the left beautifully restored, the one on the right falling apart and abandoned.
I love this building – it is also empty.
This is the original wallpaper in a dessert place that just opened up , all these storefronts that haven*t been used for ages, have amazing hidden treasures. I am so happy that the new place kept this.
Detail of a beautiful Art Deco Entrance – love the weathered colors that are still visible and isn’t it just amazing?
Little bike ride along this mural.
I hope you are all well – sending you Love!!! Until next month with hopefully more strolls through the hood.
Comments (5)
susan
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Nathalie,
i always enjoy your strolls and it is great that you share them with us. some of us don’t get much scenery on our own strolls. i adore your brutally honest disclaimer! the birthday balloons and flowers made me tear up … great grief comes from great love. i love the chalk messages on the steps. someone has chalked loving and supportive messages in our grocery store parking lot. i enjoy your architecture and kitty pictures. your shoes! your shoes!!! i do believe this is my favorite stroll yet.
many thanks!!!
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Vee Zellers
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I love your strolls through your hood. you have made me much more aware
of the beautiful architecture around in ‘my hood’. Your view of the surrounding is
so interesting and makes me THINK!
LOVE you shoes!!
Please continue being safe and keep STROLLING.
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rebeccavt
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I always enjoy your ‘stroll through the hood’ photos, but today’s post really touched my heart. Thank you for marching! And thank you for your care to test, etc. after each one (a testament to your care for others)–it brought tears to my eyes. Thank you, too, for sharing about the UnMuted series on Instagram–still checking out all of those amazing artists. Last, but not least, always love seeing pictures of sweet Mingus. Wishing you many, many more happy and safe strolls!
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Sue Clarke
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Great new kicks!
The “we can’t breathe” is incredible and beyond sad into angry for sure!
The pics of the two houses is sad, yet hopeful. I wish that the house on the right would get redone as well.
I wonder if it was hard for the owners of the house on
the left to make the decision to fix their home when the one next door is falling down? I wonder if that reflects on humankind.
Peace and wishing you well Nat.
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Deb
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Loved your post. Really poignant. Really enjoyed the photos. Loved Mingus and your new shoes are Amazing! Enjoy many more strolls in them!
Deb
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