I’m grateful for the opportunities and interactions presented to me in this lifetime. The re-invention of ‘self’ is never an easy task, but an ongoing experience which is never truly over. The beginning of this year I was fortunate enough to leave The ATTIE Project in the hands of the fellows over at Smokey Vale concept shop in Brooklyn as I took a moment to recalibrate my mental.

Smokey Vale is new establishment which opened their doors during the pandemic in 2020. Just like all other businesses during this time frame it’s a risky journey, but being located in the revamping neighborhood seems to be having a positive impact on what the Smokey Vale brand brings to the community.

The shop is a black owned business ran by owner Paul; partners Lu, Rommel, and barbers Jason, Rod, and Yuke. Each individual brings their own eclectic persona to give Smokey Vale a genuine “Gentlemen’s Club” feel. As spring continues to set it’s footing in NYC, I came back outside to start the hustle season off with a weekend ATTIE experience and share the moment along with the crew. I was accompanied by my extremely talented friend May Wirtz Racon, who’s currently on holiday in NYC from Paris, and brought her alongside to display some imported art from overseas for the weekend setup.

Here are some moments of how the weekend unfolded…

Photo taken by Louis Paez; @louwillshootyou

This journey of artistry brings me to more crucial realizations in life.

Forget about being an artist…

I’m just a ‘being’.

Being a vessel when necessary.

Being present when it matters most.

Being an example of positivity.

Being a representation of possibilities.

Being more than meets the eye.

Just being the best that I can be.

Most of all, it meant the world to bridge the gap between Paris and Brooklyn. The place where I’m from, to the place where I first had this vision. Having May Wirtz being a part of this experience was grand because when we first met in 2014, I wouldn’t consider myself an artist around that time. May was establishing herself overseas in her art form, and when we met in Brooklyn, our energies were intertwined. A lot has changed since we first met. From friends who are no longer with us, to us being adults and self growth. Sharing this platform only made sense for our work to collide as representation of what solidarity should mean throughout any friendship no matter how much time has changed the course of our lives.