Life of the CREATIVE GEEK

"Birmingham--the world rather, lost a true pioneer. An indomitable spirit that paved many a path for us 'colored' folks. He was the fire, that the movement needed. Thank you Reverend Fred Shuttlesworth " for all that you contributed. --mj  Photograph/graphics by Marika N. Johnson//original Shuttlesworth photo by S. Schapiro TROUBLE IN BIRMINGHAM (CLICK FOR FULL ARTICLE WRITTEN BY NPR) A 1961 CBS documentary called Shuttlesworth the "man most feared by Southern racists." It was Shuttlesworth who asked Attorney General Robert Kennedy to protect freedom riders, and the last thing Connor wanted was federal intervention. And trouble was coming. Shuttlesworth was laying the groundwork for something bigger. In 1963, he persuaded the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. to bring the civil rights movement to Birmingham after a dispirited campaign in Albany, Ga. Shuttlesworth told  Eyes on the Prize  he thought Birmingham could make a difference."You k

       As an artist, there are many things that I would like to share about shooting this guy... Bill Gunnz of Murc Camp is one of those people who anyone could shoot with ease. No pulling teeth here! The attitude comes through this ONE image. Confidence-- that "whatever, I'm in f--- it mode".        He reminded me of Travis McCoy, all tatted up, but more Lil Wayne persona (no disrespect). So I was fairly thrilled at the thought of shooting something different. I don't want to shoot the "same ole"... so it was fun. Good for me! -mj

These photographs of the beautiful Karen "Jazz" Harris were taken not for her looks alone-- but for the arresting HOTNESS of her earrings!! Those large eagle wings gracing her earlobes were headturners! I thought they were a unique find... I call this pic "An Ode to Ear Jewelry--and Karen Harris" Real Life/Sunni Patterson Show/10.15.11 --mj

Sunni Patterson by Marika Johnson I took this photo of Sunni Patterson during Birmingham's Real Life Poets fundraising event.  Its been photoshopped... a little added to the background, but overall its her intrinsic beauty shining through. This sister really has a way with words. Righteous artistic verbiage. -mj