Island Colors and Infancy Dreams…
By: Osage Dior
Born to Pamela Jean Lewis and Clarence Benjamin Shields in San Franciso, Brandy would grow to lead an extraordinary life were her creation of art would keep her centered amongst the struggles of the world. Her parents met in Kansas City, Missouri and went to the University of Berkeley California; both were active in the Black Panthers Movement and National Black United Front. Also, they equally became educators. The black conscious child was raised to have a great sense of oneself. During a time were racial oppression and poverty were high in the States, her mother and father decided they couldn’t risk raising a child in America. Selling all they had, leaving everyone they knew behind-they moved to St. Thomas in the Caribbean.
By: Osage Dior
Born to Pamela Jean Lewis and Clarence Benjamin Shields in San Franciso, Brandy would grow to lead an extraordinary life were her creation of art would keep her centered amongst the struggles of the world. Her parents met in Kansas City, Missouri and went to the University of Berkeley California; both were active in the Black Panthers Movement and National Black United Front. Also, they equally became educators. The black conscious child was raised to have a great sense of oneself. During a time were racial oppression and poverty were high in the States, her mother and father decided they couldn’t risk raising a child in America. Selling all they had, leaving everyone they knew behind-they moved to St. Thomas in the Caribbean.
The colorful little girl grew under the golden sun, in a place that provided her with temporary paradise. During her childhood she was encompassed in the artistic world doing calligraphy, paper mache, paint, drawing, dance, theatre, and more. However, as she grew older, she became bored with the island life. At the age of 19 during the mid 90s-she decided to seek something unfamiliar-Miami! Transition Into Hard Times…
Going back and forth to St. Thomas would soon become a routine. Miami proved to be a hard life for her. This was the first time the sheltered pearl experienced homelessness, and slept in the lonely bus station. She stayed in a homeless shelter that took a percentage of her little income for housing. Realizing this life was too difficult, the island girl moved back to St. Thomas at 19 after working at Edden Rock Resort in Miami. However, after her short stay in St. Thomas, she relocated to Orlando, Florida. Pursuing a career as an exotic dancer, her fate would change when she realized that she was pregnant with her first son Prince. During this time she began a relationship with another man who became abusive towards her…Leaving him, this disoriented woman went back again to the shelter in the habitual manner. Weary, with no other place to go; she headed back to the palm trees in St. Thomas.
Resuming the island life for several years, she reunited with her baby’s daddy and had a little girl named Asia. However, that did not work out for long-his unpredictable ways caused much pain in the relationship-So at 29, Ms. Resistance divorced him. He refused to help her with anything, so she found solace in some aunts who said they would assist her in Denver, Colorado-fleeing once more to America. After moving to Denver, Brandy soon found out that the family only wanted to use her for governmental benefits that she would receive for having children. When she would not comply with their wishes, she was put out-entering another women’s shelter. Tears in the women’s shelter brought her back to her childhood artistic passion, starting with making beaded necklaces, earrings, bracelets, and even dabbing in medal work as a form of therapy.
Yet, when this artist got a traditional job, she pushed her artwork to the side. Living in Denver for 6 years, the lady with the contagious smile remarried a Carribbean man with dreams of creating a family. Conversely, she recognized the same cycle again-depending on someone to help take care of her, who only wanted to physically and verbally abuse her. Pregnant with her last son Miles, she left that relationship when her then husband hit her one time and became verbally abusive…Recognizing the need for a fresh beginning, this new model of courage shaved all her hair as a step towards restoration…
Nam-myoho-renge-kyo…
Through her ongoing practice of Nicheren Buddhism also known as Soka Gakkai International (SGI), she came to the conclusion that she was the cause of the negative things coming her way and she could change it. With the help of her faith and Buddhist members, she gained the strength to live her 2nd husband in Denver. Her mother who then lived in Hawaii even came to be by her side in her time of need. The St. Thomas diamond used the money she secretly saved without her ex-husband knowing to stay in cheap motels. Momma Shields soon went back to Hawaii, but peace would not last long with the stalking tendencies of her ex-husband continuing. It was so awful that Brandy had to leave her bartending job. It was her Nicheren Buddhist members who helped her walk away. She found another shelter in Denver, however for one and a half year-she couldn’t go anywhere because of her insane ex-husband. The women’s shelter was forced to send her to Houston, Texas for the protection of her life and children where she stayed with a Buddhist friend.
I Am Royalty…
Brandy has been in Houston, Texas now for 4 years and has found a peace of mind. She is actively pursuing her love of creating art-and you can find her quietly knitting some earrings at the SHAPE Center on Live Oak. She loves it in Houston, and now she is more dedicated to her work. For the first time in 6 years she stated that she feels at home at the SHAPE Center that provides her with mental, spiritual, physical, and emotional support. She is reminded of the KWANZAA principle’s she was raised on every time she steps foot on the ancestral ground of the SHAPE Center.
Her business name is Urban Goddess. The name is derived from the idea that black women are displaced goddesses…so why not confess that I am a goddess and wear things that make me feel like royalty?
Osage Dior’s Q and A
1. What is your definition of art?
Art is anything. Art is everything. Art is anything from a leaf, to trash on the ground; it is how you perceive it.
2. When did you realize you wanted to be an artist?
I don’t think it was ever realized, I always enjoyed creating, so I do so.
3. How would you describe your art?
Eclectic…I use everything from cloths, hangers, beads, and trash, whatever I see I can do something with. One man’s trash is another man’s treasure.
4. How does your art explain the black woman’s experience?
Whatever I’m feeling shows up in my design or pattern. It shows the different sides of me. For example, I did a festive heart painting based on a dream I had…the colors exhibited happiness and dancing.
5. Where do you envision your art going?
I just want my art to bring people joy; rather they are wearing a piece or looking at a piece on display. I just want them to enjoy it.
6. What are some of your challenges as an artist?
I don’t really look at challenges…Everything that happens, makes me want to create. Some of the greatest artists create out of emotion, if they don’t have that emotion-their art suffers.
7. How is your work spiritual?
I feel at peace ©NEEMA
Going back and forth to St. Thomas would soon become a routine. Miami proved to be a hard life for her. This was the first time the sheltered pearl experienced homelessness, and slept in the lonely bus station. She stayed in a homeless shelter that took a percentage of her little income for housing. Realizing this life was too difficult, the island girl moved back to St. Thomas at 19 after working at Edden Rock Resort in Miami. However, after her short stay in St. Thomas, she relocated to Orlando, Florida. Pursuing a career as an exotic dancer, her fate would change when she realized that she was pregnant with her first son Prince. During this time she began a relationship with another man who became abusive towards her…Leaving him, this disoriented woman went back again to the shelter in the habitual manner. Weary, with no other place to go; she headed back to the palm trees in St. Thomas.
Resuming the island life for several years, she reunited with her baby’s daddy and had a little girl named Asia. However, that did not work out for long-his unpredictable ways caused much pain in the relationship-So at 29, Ms. Resistance divorced him. He refused to help her with anything, so she found solace in some aunts who said they would assist her in Denver, Colorado-fleeing once more to America. After moving to Denver, Brandy soon found out that the family only wanted to use her for governmental benefits that she would receive for having children. When she would not comply with their wishes, she was put out-entering another women’s shelter. Tears in the women’s shelter brought her back to her childhood artistic passion, starting with making beaded necklaces, earrings, bracelets, and even dabbing in medal work as a form of therapy.
Yet, when this artist got a traditional job, she pushed her artwork to the side. Living in Denver for 6 years, the lady with the contagious smile remarried a Carribbean man with dreams of creating a family. Conversely, she recognized the same cycle again-depending on someone to help take care of her, who only wanted to physically and verbally abuse her. Pregnant with her last son Miles, she left that relationship when her then husband hit her one time and became verbally abusive…Recognizing the need for a fresh beginning, this new model of courage shaved all her hair as a step towards restoration…
Nam-myoho-renge-kyo…
Through her ongoing practice of Nicheren Buddhism also known as Soka Gakkai International (SGI), she came to the conclusion that she was the cause of the negative things coming her way and she could change it. With the help of her faith and Buddhist members, she gained the strength to live her 2nd husband in Denver. Her mother who then lived in Hawaii even came to be by her side in her time of need. The St. Thomas diamond used the money she secretly saved without her ex-husband knowing to stay in cheap motels. Momma Shields soon went back to Hawaii, but peace would not last long with the stalking tendencies of her ex-husband continuing. It was so awful that Brandy had to leave her bartending job. It was her Nicheren Buddhist members who helped her walk away. She found another shelter in Denver, however for one and a half year-she couldn’t go anywhere because of her insane ex-husband. The women’s shelter was forced to send her to Houston, Texas for the protection of her life and children where she stayed with a Buddhist friend.
I Am Royalty…
Brandy has been in Houston, Texas now for 4 years and has found a peace of mind. She is actively pursuing her love of creating art-and you can find her quietly knitting some earrings at the SHAPE Center on Live Oak. She loves it in Houston, and now she is more dedicated to her work. For the first time in 6 years she stated that she feels at home at the SHAPE Center that provides her with mental, spiritual, physical, and emotional support. She is reminded of the KWANZAA principle’s she was raised on every time she steps foot on the ancestral ground of the SHAPE Center.
Her business name is Urban Goddess. The name is derived from the idea that black women are displaced goddesses…so why not confess that I am a goddess and wear things that make me feel like royalty?
Osage Dior’s Q and A
1. What is your definition of art?
Art is anything. Art is everything. Art is anything from a leaf, to trash on the ground; it is how you perceive it.
2. When did you realize you wanted to be an artist?
I don’t think it was ever realized, I always enjoyed creating, so I do so.
3. How would you describe your art?
Eclectic…I use everything from cloths, hangers, beads, and trash, whatever I see I can do something with. One man’s trash is another man’s treasure.
4. How does your art explain the black woman’s experience?
Whatever I’m feeling shows up in my design or pattern. It shows the different sides of me. For example, I did a festive heart painting based on a dream I had…the colors exhibited happiness and dancing.
5. Where do you envision your art going?
I just want my art to bring people joy; rather they are wearing a piece or looking at a piece on display. I just want them to enjoy it.
6. What are some of your challenges as an artist?
I don’t really look at challenges…Everything that happens, makes me want to create. Some of the greatest artists create out of emotion, if they don’t have that emotion-their art suffers.
7. How is your work spiritual?
I feel at peace ©NEEMA
If you want to buy from Urban Goddess…Please e-mail Brandy Shields at [email protected] or leave a comment below and I can get back to you
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