Beyonce Unveiled

February 16, 2013 at 9pm on HBO

Tattoo Artist Spotlight: Dow of YMCMB

Tatted Up

It’s been about 4 years since Dow started working with Young Money and it’s changed her life. The 47-year-old artist has only been in the game for nearly 8 years but her vision and drive led her to follow a passion that she just couldn't shake. “I was raising two kids as a single mom so I took a good government job to raise them with everything they would need and as soon as my youngest hit 18 I retired and started tattooing full-time.” Even though she really loved her first job, she knew it was temporary and was insistent on moving from her beautifully stable life in Portland to the crazy life she found herself wrapped up in on Miami’s coast. Her daughter envisioned the dream exactly, as if she were a golden child telling a dream that was destined to come true. “Mom,” she said, “you’re going to become a famous tattoo artist and we’re going to totally know Lil Wayne.” Her daughter, Jess, was only 18 at the time but she predicted it like a friend from the psychic hotline network and it did indeed come to pass.

No one back in Portland would have ever guessed that Dow would turn out to be the woman she is today. At the time she was tattoo free and an animal control and field operations supervisor with no tattoos. That’s not to say she wasn't hyperactive and full of energy she just didn't quite reflect the look of an artist. “Three of my friends had to hold me down on my 30^th birthday for my first tattoo and it was an itty bitty Grateful Dead flag on my ankle.” She has since moved on to cover her face, sleeves, legs and chest in ink. Very much like her own clients, Dow is very picky when it comes to letting someone work on her so she’s only let a few artists lay ink to skin but if she can reach the skin herself, she prefers to do the work. It was her skill and an awesome referral that led to her being the exclusive artist for the Young Money crew.

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Boom La - a short story

Missing you

It’s not that you’re unattainable or hard to reach it’s just that you aren’t here. Aren’t really mine. Don’t really have to be around. But I miss you still. The last time we spoke you were cordial and I guess I was crazy. Crazy enough to think that your love would extend the way mine had. Even though we were years removed from a relationship my love was securely planted in the hope that there would one day be an “us” all over again. A better us, 2012 us – but you were cordial and then, as fast as it began, the conversation was over.

I was still in a soggy relationship. It was drenched in bad decisions and hurt ego, but he was there, upstairs painting the bathroom, singing along with some of our favorite Sunday afternoon classics. So today, I commence to being the bad guy, though his turn was surely less than a couple hours away. He didn’t fill your spot, didn’t stroke your wall with his brush or paint your pleasure across my face the way you once did. Instead he maintained gentle assurance in his consistency. He was there every morning to take out our trash and he paid the bills on time, but you made me happy. I know happiness is not the most important thing in a relationship but it is the most sought after quality in life. Everyone wants to be happy and I was happy with you. Before you get into how my black womanhood should partially take on my internal happiness, let me clarify. My happiness stands alone. With you it was pleasantly partnered, doubled, given and received. That’s not easy to attract.

I hug him anyway and fill his lips with the taste of my love. He relaxes in my arms. I’m glad to have done that for him at least. “Let me get back to this bathroom before it gets too late baby,” He pats me on the butt and does a little bop to the O’Jays beat. I smile and agree. “You want to order Chinese and get a bottle of wine for dinner,” he winks and hands me some cash. “You know what I like.” I do, so I order his massuman curry and chicken, no vegetables, extra cashews and my combination fried rice, no beef, extra shrimp from our favorite place.

I want to forget his favorite things and replace them with the memory of our favorite things. With the days we spent in my bed

Chit Chat with Blair Sloane (an oldie but goodie)

Basic Mathematics - A Short Story

The moon was full and bright with possibility as Amos strolled down Marietta Street with his son’s hand stuffed in his glove. “Why are we leaving dad?” Joshua kept asking but there was no response. Amos was so fixed on the journey he could barely appreciate the beauty of the night. Leaves blew in front of them. Green, yellow, orange and brown. Amos tugged for Joshua to speed up, as he counted their steps. When he lost count he would sigh deeply in exhaustion and start again. “Joshua, have you been counting like I told you to?” he turned to look into his five-year-old’s face. “I forgot,” Josh replied embarrassed and ashamed. Even at five he knew it was important to make his dad proud. Amos stopped and lifted his boy. “It’s ok. I forget too. I want you to remember the importance of counting. It’s the best way to learn the basics of math.” Josh was tired now and didn’t want to understand his dad’s crazy rhetoric. He wanted to be home with his mom and his sisters. “But dad,” he whined, “I know how to count all the way up to 300 already.” He saw the gas station up ahead and picked up his speed. Joshua started crying. “Dad, you said we were learning a math lesson.” His tears fell heavy on Amos’ cheek. The wind blew strong drying them just as quickly as they landed. “Stop crying and keep counting, the lesson is on its way.” 

You in the Hood Now Baby!

Bird Man's Born Stunna Single feat. Rick Ross, Nicki Minaj & Lil Wayne

Sidenote: Since the Hot 97 Summer Jam concert incident between Nicki and the NY radio station, caused such a funk with fans, Nicki decided to host a free concert with special YMCMB acts and friends of the crew.

Thoughts?

Age Appropriate Chic

I love this video interview of Kiernan Shipka with Harper Bazaar's Laura Brown. The witty, 12-year-old, Mad Men star is smart as a button with fashion forward taste that is age appropriate and full of vintage fun. Take a look at the in-demand YouTube video, share your thoughts, and pics of your preteens in their fashion-forward looks!