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www.UjimaMagazine.com

July 2022

LYNDA COLEMAN Art From The Heart Be Ready. Art Opens Doors. page 6

“Embrace Your Community”

V I E WPO I N T I love art. When I was growing up I did not know a lot about art. I had coloring books and crayons but my interest was reading books. However, once I became an adult, I discovered art's beauty, creativity, and healing. You can introduce yourself or others to art in many ways, especially for children. Museums are great places to ﬁnd inspiration. But the best way is

to discover what medium you want to do and start building your art style from that place. I enjoy sketching and watercolor and work to improve every sketch. In this issue, our feature is Artist Lynda Coleman. You will learn about her passion for art and teach our children of color about how they can be great artists and follow their passion for creativity.

Embrace Your Community Damita Miller-Shanklin Editor-in-Chief Damita@ujimamagazine.com

Ujima Magazine is a free news publication. For Advertising Opportunities email UjimaMagazine@gmail.com

Do You Celebrate The Fourth of July? By Damita Miller-Shanklin Source: Kandace Redd

rowing up the fourth of July was a day my family went to Fiesta Gardens and ate lunch and spent time together. It was a day of being outside and don’t forget the ﬁreworks. But once I became an adult and read more about the holiday, it was not a celebration of freedom for the black community. Our day of freedom has always been Juneteenth. That’s our freedom day!! At this point in my life, it’s a day off from work because I have already celebrated my freedom. Independence Day is the annual celebration of nationhood. It’s also called the Fourth of July or July 4th. The federal holiday commemorates the passage of the Declaration of Independence by the Continental Congress on July 4, 1776. However, as Christi Ketchum, Founder of Sacramento Sister Circle said, “My people were going through a very traumatic time and the ﬁght p2

for freedom, liberty, and justice for Black people continued. For me, the Fourth of July is a time for my family to come together, get some good food, do ﬁreworks, and make memories with each other. It’s basically a day off. We can celebrate the Fourth of July. But, let's just be honest about what it is and what it is not.” Frederick Douglass both praised and challenged Independence Day. He asked what does the fourth of July mean to a slave? HIs answer was “a day that reveals to him, more than all other days in the year, the gross injustice and cruelty to which he is the constant victim." The question I asked is what does the Fourth of July mean to you and how do you celebrate? UjimaMagazine.com

BEAUTY AND LIFESTYLE

Art? Life? The Connection. By Jacquie ooh Johnson, Contributing Writer

Art is genuinely a gift to the world. It’s a human experience that most crave. It’s something that we should all crave. Art gives meaning to our lives and helps us understand our world. Art to me is like reading a great book! It is an essential part of our culture because it allows us to have a deeper understanding of our emotions; it increases our self-awareness and allows us to be open to new ideas and experiences. Art therefore continues to open our minds and our hearts and shows us what could be possible in our world.

cientific studies have proven that art appreciation improves our quality of life and makes us feel good. When we create art, we elevate our mood, we improve our ability to problem solve, and open our minds to new ideas. Art allows us to see further possible solutions to creative problems. The art connection… Art can transform our lives. When we connect with art, we are ultimately connecting with our inner selves. Art enables us to look within and to listen to ourselves, realize who we are, and what we care about. It connects us to our thoughts, feelings, perceptions, and our outer realities and experiences. Studies have shown that it is essential to surround ourselves with art created by others. Art introduces us to a whole new set of experiences and ideas that we may have never witnessed before. These experiences allow us to look within because as people, we decide what we’re seeing and feeling based on the emotional connection that we have with that work of art. As people, we tend to make emotional choices that are passionate to us, which allows us to realize what we care about and what we stand for. When we are aware of this, we tend to be happier and healthier as individuals because we are able to figure out our purpose in life. Appreciation for what we have… When we give ourselves the opportunities to connect with art, we are able to take a step back, reflect on what's going on in our world, evaluate our lives and reflect. That is why I believe it is so important to gift yourself with opportunities to incorporate art into your life daily. This could be through visiting an artist's studio, a museum, seeing a live show, watching a movie, or even reading a great book. Here are some resources and places to visit to help you incorporate art into your lives. UjimaMagazine.com

Devotional Journal and Books to Read • Glow Through It: 21 Day Devotional Journal for Women by Jacqueline Johnson | Purchase Amazon • I Am Because We Are: An African Mother’s Fight for the Soul of a Nation by Chidiogo Akunyili-Parr | Purchase Amazon • Purposeful Perspectives: Empowering Black Women Towards Spiritual Alignment, Self-Mastery & Joy by Nichomi Higgins | Purchase Amazon

Places to Visit The UMLAUF Sculpture Garden + Museum 605 Azie Morton Road Austin, Texas 78704 | https://www.umlaufsculpture.org Mexic-Arte’s Museum 419 Congress Ave Austin, Texas 78701 | https://mexic-artemuseum.org SIX SQUARE: Austin’s Black Cultural District | https://www.sixsquare.org Art for the People Gallery 1711 S. 1st Street Austin, Texas 78704 | https://www.artforthepeoplegallery.com Women & Their Work 1311 E Cesar Chavez Street Austin, Texas 78702 | https://womenandtheirwork.org Contributing Writer, Jacquie Johnson Jacquie Johnson is a native Texan and founder of Jacquie ooh an online resource hub for women helping them to live healthy and peaceful lives. She is the creator of the Glow Collection by Jacquie ooh, an organic skincare line. And a new author to two books: Glow Through It 21 Day Devotional Journal for Women and Dare to Sparkle Entrepreneur Startup Guide+Dream Big 4 Day Devotional. p3

She Speaks Wellness –

Walk with Your Head Up! As a kid, my mom would say, "Stop slouching, sit up straight, walk with your back straight and head up. Slouching is bad for your back and your body.” According to the American Posture Institute, “Your (physical) posture has a positive or negative impact on our daily activities. Good posture demonstrates conﬁdence, balance, and pain-free movement. Whereas poor posture causes additional stress to the body, spinal degeneration, misalignment, and imbalance.” As I become older, my muscles weaken, and walking is slower. In a transparent moment, there are times my thoughts are misaligned. I snap out of it How dare you allow the enemy

to take away the best times in your life? “And do not be conformed to this world [any longer with its superﬁcial values and customs], but be transformed and progressively changed [as you mature spiritually] by the renewing of your mind [focusing on godly values and ethical attitudes], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His plan and purpose for you].” Romans 12:2 AMP Spiritual posture is a mental or spiritual attitude (boldness, assertiveness, conﬁdence). It reminds us of the Spirit of God within us and our alignment in him through faith. What is your posture? Are you

well within your soul? Regardless of where you are in life, invite God into the most profound part of your spirit where your soul resides - the core of who we are. 2 Corinthians 5:17 – “Therefore if any man is in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things have become new.” Stop slouching, sit up straight, walk with your back straight, and put your head up. Minister Sonya Hosey, Founder Iron Sharpens Iron – 4MySisters Network #SheSpeaksWelness Ironsharpensiron4mysisters.com

The Love of Art!! By Damita Miller-Shanklin

I probably should say my love of art. My retirement plan is to paint in my She Shed. It’s no telling what my art may look like, but it will be my expression of the world around me. There are many, many artists of all types that I just couldn’t get into this short article, but I love many artists in and around Austin. I wanted to share with you the artist I met and or want to meet and I enjoy their art. These are my recommendations to start with and from here you can open your mind to other artists. I would love for you to read this, p4

1. Rex Hamilton - Rex Hamilton Art 2. Kemi Yemi-Ese - Kemisart 3. Deborah Roberts - Deborah Roberts 4. Bydee - BYDEE Art Gallery 5. Cornelius Carter - Cornelius Carter 6. Kel Brown - KEL BROWN

and share some of the artists you would like me to know. I would like for you to visit these artists I recommend to you.

Art is creativity, freedom, and healing to me. I hope you enjoy the art around Austin because there are many great artists around town.

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Feature Story

Lynda Coleman

BE READY! ART OPENS DOORS By Damita MIller-Shanklin

I met Lynda Coleman back in 2008 when I did the first story on her. I wanted to catch up with her work with children and art through her company Art From the Heart.

oleman is an Austinite born and raised. She attended Pecan Springs Elementary and Blanton Elementary growing up. Her early memory of beginning her art journey happened at Pecan Springs. She was tickled because her teacher during art time wanted to know what the other students were doing gathering around her. She picked up Coleman’s art piece and asked, “did you trace this?” There was a look of being dumbfounded because there was not anything to trace let alone her second question, “did you UjimaMagazine.com

trace this?” She could not Art From the Heart started understand that her art piece with the mission of creating came from her mind and art and craft workshops to expression. This was a allow children to just great moment. A create. For changing moment. Coleman, the [Coleman] As she moves ﬁrst workshop forward, she began during provided the could see the Vacation Bible tools [the children] difference needed to create and School in between her 1996. It so take their time to drawing and happens the paint what they others and kids were wanted. realize this is what waiting and to she was supposed keep them busy to do. And her art life she pulled out art and mission started. While in supplies and the children school, she entered an art started coloring and painting contest and won and she made the Pecan Springs newspaper. Feature Story continues on p6 p5

Feature Story continued from p5

that piece works well when they are selling.

really enjoying themselves. The children did not want to leave the classroom. In 2018, she held the 15th Anniversary conference because she wanted to get back to the root of why she was doing her Art From the Heart project. She provided the tools they needed to create and take their time to paint what they wanted. The children were encouraged to color outside the lines! They worked hard even through lunch because the next day, their work would be a part of a Live Auction. The live auction was a success. They were told how to sell their work and speak with possible buyers. The parents were shocked to see their child had a piece of their art being sold and they make money. They realized their child was gifted and talented. The bidding wars made the children’s day even more exciting. This was just the beginning for the children and their parents. Coleman wanted to keep the momentum going. With that seed being planted, their art lead them to an awesome invitation. Coleman received an invite to bring the young artist to visit USAA design studio. The group felt they were “moving up like The Jeffersons.” They went from the silent auction to the design studio program. The kids got to see and hear stories of how the designers made their art talent successful. It also showed art is an option. Many of the parents p6

and young artists had not been to the West Side of Austin.

Let me double back for a minute about how Coleman used her networking skills to get the young artist This is how the door was open. It was initially a conversation asking if they had a mentor program where the artist could learn and participate in the festival. They did not have a program but asked if she wanted to do the festival. That’s how it all started. Since that time she met one of the board members who invited her and the young artist to be a part of the future Pecan Festival. You have to be ready for every opportunity that is presented to you.

There is another way, Lynda Coleman is which is big for the an inspiration to young artist, that many people, The young Coleman opened especially artist she has the door. We are young artists. touched now believe all familiar with Her in their own creativity workshops the Pecan Street Festival. and their ability to are known Because of around town share their work Colemans' and it’s a with others. networking, the place for artists young artist got a to just create booth at Pecan Street nothing more. The Festival. The parents and the young artist she has artist worked 2-hour shifts to touched now believe in their sell their art. Using the own creativity and their ability education they received from to share their work with Coleman and the art mentors others. Their art opened doors from the General Artist and they were ready for all the Collective XYZ, they knew how opportunities that have come to sell to a much larger their way. Coleman’s Art from audience and demographic. the Heart is a true blessing to Again, they made money on our community. their art pieces and learn how to sell them to people. Telling the story of why they created UjimaMagazine.com

active LIVING Tips to Stay Safe in Summer Months Source: Landmark Health

Mary Linnen Editor

1. Stay Cool. Stay in air-conditioned locations as much as possible. ... 2. Stay Hydrated. Drink plenty of ﬂuids, even if you don't feel thirsty. ... 3. Stay Protected. Avoid strenuous or high-energy activities. ... 4. Watch for Signs of Heat Stress.

Hydration ~ Why It’s So Important Source: Familydoctor.org

THE PURPOSE OF ART Your body depends on water to survive. Every cell, tissue, and organ in your body needs water to work properly. For example, your body uses water to maintain its temperature, remove waste, and lubricate your joints. Water is needed for overall good health.

Art can be used to communicate ideas and thoughts; it can be used as a tool for self-expression, used as a form of therapy, or even as a means to ﬁnd beauty in life. Art can also be an expression of love. One of my favorite gifts is the art pieces l get from my granddaughter Tia. My favorite is what l see every morning when l wake up. It inspires me to get up every day and keep praying no matter what. Art is something we can all do because there in no right or wrong it’s what we feel. Get a pad and give it a try!

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Air Fryer Bacon

Time Well Spent

Source: Well plated by Erin

By Damita Miller-Shanklin

Tantalizingly crisp, dangerously easy to make, and smelling of the heavens, bacon in the air fryer is hands-down the best bacon I’ve ever had.

This month I met with my Urban Sketches Group at the Green Gate Farms. I’m not an outdoors person but I loved being on this farm in the City. We were able to sketch and purchase fresh vegetables from the farm as well. They even had my favorite flowersSunflowers. I sketched the big red barn and enjoyed the fresh air. It had rained earlier and it left a nice wind that blew and you could smell the soil and the trees. Being able to freely sketch and paint made my day. Sketching is my happy place and I was able to be in that space with animals, trees, flowers, earth, and fresh air. Art By Damita

Cut the bacon slices in half then lay them in air fryer basket in a single layer. Add black pepper (if using). Air fry the bacon at 350 degrees F. How long to air fry bacon depends upon the thickness of your bacon, but I found somewhere between 5 to 9 minutes was perfect. (Use a Clean oven ) Place on a paper towel-lined plate. Repeat steps with remaining batches. DIG IN!

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