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Karmen Simone Brown

@karmsbro

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Artist, writer & performer sharing my work & passion pursuit. Welcome to my insta diary, gallery & stage!✨🤗
📸 ✍🏼 @karmsbro on YouTube & Substack

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New Substack post:

My first haiku (that I know of / potentially since I was a child) and experience with poetic forms…

Took wisteria photos on my phone for inspiration and I love the whimsy of them. Provided a great example of what I was trying to capture in my writing. Been taking / using my own impromptu reference photos whether for art or writing and that’s been a fun journey in itself and has made me be more intentional, also reminds me how much I admire and have missed actual photography / photographing… may pick a camera back up again soon! by @karmsbro

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9 days ago

New Substack post! Link to the publication in my bio 🌱

“I am a girl.” prose poem + it’s origin story

I wrote this piece last year, but it’s been coming up more recently for me and I’ve found myself performing it again at open mics. It’s one I feel deeply connected to and held by every time I read it

This post also peeks into my modeling life and how I’ve gotten where I am now.

Received some feedback to record my voice to go along with my posts, so I tried it out with this one! Don’t like the audio quality, but I was more focused on trying it and getting the work out there. I’ll get a mic and work out the kinks soon…🎙️

Last photo by my bro @totalmedia_ 🙌🏽💫 by @karmsbro

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a month ago

“The Rhythm of Evolution”🌀

I started this painting from a moment of feeling disconnected, disappointed, and discouraged. Allowing myself to sit in those feelings, I felt the urge to paint. No real intentions other than “hm, I feel like releasing through this right now.”😂 Expressing myself with what felt like unorganized color and lines and whatever came up gave me this freedom when I had no words or didn’t wanna use ‘em, when I didn’t wanna replicate a certain image or something that “made sense.” Unexpectedly turned into an act of joy for me, every time I sat down to add another stroke. I started to feel so excited for the ritual. It’s like the piece built its own rhythm throughout being created and I was just following…

I’ve drawn spirals since I was younger. There was never a deep connection or reason that I knew of, just something that would come out of me and was fun. While making this piece I looked into what they symbolize… “evolution and acceptance of changes,” being one meaning. Kinda feels indicative of flowing through what comes (same way these lines flow and create movement), which has been a struggle of mine and a theme that’s been showing up in life here lately. Maybe I was subconsciously drawing spirals for a reason after all…

Prints of this piece and others will be available soon! Original’s also for sale! DM me for price and questions🧡

#guildofcharlotteartists taken in Demhaj Poetry by @karmsbro

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2 months ago

New Substack post (“Just sit down.”)! Find me on Substack @karmsbro to read the full piece! Link to the publication on my page✨🌱

First “What’s Goin On” post, as well.🎉 That’s what I’m calling the newsletter where I share what’s happenin’, and what I’m experiencing or learning…

Was nervous as hell, but we did it. Creating and sharing through the fears… by @karmsbro

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2 months ago

@minttobeclt 🌹🖤

first shot by @ernestobrettdennison 🙌🏽

thank you @alena.bradley and @leiks.irl for the other videos and photos!😘 taken in The Mint Museum by @karmsbro

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3 months ago

She’s finally here!! I’m excited and have so many ideas!🥳

Subscribe to my Substack / newsletter if you haven’t already, link is in my bio! Also can find me @karmsbro

Drop questions and tips about your own Substack struggles and experiences below👇🏽 Making a video and post about it soon!

Shoutout to @4jahmed for encouraging me to get back on😂 by @karmsbro

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3 months ago

Been wanting to experiment with progress time-lapses, so here we gooo…

I used to draw facial features a lot, but never painted them

Giving myself some grace because I do believe we sometimes stop and come back to things later for a reason. This piece is also special to me because it’s a self-portrait based on a more personal/vulnerable poem I wrote, so maybe that’s where the intimidation comes from, struggling with what it’s about and wanting to do it justice

Found myself unexpectedly inspired by some work I did when I was in high school and tapping back into that space. We created projects inspired by Marc Chagall and “Fiddler On The Roof” because our school was putting on the play. Funny I tend to forget all of that time is still a big part of me and what’s allowed me to be the artist I am today, just finding my way back…

#guildofcharlotteartists by @karmsbro

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3 months ago

My piece, “A Halo That Touches The Sun,” will be featured in the Blink of an Eye exhibition as part of the Sixpence Art Series!🌞🤗

The opening reception will be this Friday, April 24th from 6pm-8pm at 104 W Parrish St, Durham. On view from April 24th through the 25th. Saturday, the 25th viewing from 12pm-2:30pm.✨

This piece features words from a previous poem and a journal entry I wrote in celebration of Black hair and inspired by my own natural hair growth journey. I felt drawn to write in ode speaking to our hair with love and gratitude.

I really admire what this exhibition represents and I’m honored to be a part!🫶🏽 I found out about it 2 days before the submission deadline and it challenged me to get out of my comfort zone, trust myself, and release perfectionism. @alwhyssa.artlab and @shotbynori thank you for creating this space and inviting me into it! I’m so excited to see everyone’s creations!! taken in Ella West Gallery by @karmsbro

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3 months ago

“damn good,” another poem I performed for Women Who Wine🍷 @demhajpoetry

This was my 3rd time performing this piece and first time performing with the intentions of interacting with the audience. Thank you again to everyone who attended and was so supportive!🫶🏽

Had the urge to clip the part where I lost my train of thought, but remembered that’s a part of this journey and the process of me growing and getting more comfortable on stage. I’ve always wanted to share all of it, including the hiccups and challenges.

#guildofcharlotteartists taken in Demhaj Poetry by @karmsbro

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3 months ago

“the garden of unknown” painting, inspired by a poem I wrote of the same name.🌻
• Acrylic on canvas
• 18 x 24

Currently not for sale because I’ll be using it in an upcoming show, but prints of this piece will be available soon! Also made a frame inspired by this painting I’ll be sharing soon!

The poem is in a post on my page alongside this piece. Considering sharing a video of me reading the poem alongside a video of the painting. At the Women Who Wine show I was featured in recently, I got to read the poem aloud with this piece hung up beside me, which was super cool!☺️

I really enjoy these painting reveal videos when I stumble upon them, so thought I’d give it a go myself! by @karmsbro

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4 months ago

Post in commemoration of Dreamville Fest🌻🥺 inspired by my cousin @bakari_15 !

This festival has brought me so much inspiration, joy, and many beautiful moments over the years! The music, the culture, the fashion, the people… Sad to not be living it again this year, but thankful for its existence💫

As I said in my story😂 please let me know other spaces / festivals that bring similar vibes because I miss it!

3rd photo by @urbanthug @thug.with.a.camera 📸
Bantu knots by my sissy @brean_12 🫶🏽 taken in Dorothea Dix Park by @karmsbro

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4 months ago

What’s been inspiring me lately…

1. Open mic nights, especially @demhajpoetry ! I’ve learned so much and connected with such cool, talented people. Plus, getting more comfortable on stage! Thank you guys at Demhaj for welcoming me with so much warmth and support🤎

2-3. Taking audio engineering and music production lessons with @nxgxl , plus tapping into and exploring music more in general. Thank you, Nigel! I’ve been feeling really hyped about recording my spoken word. Went to a Guitar Center just because😂 and have been doing this a lot lately, going to places that spark creative energy in me. Also, got to play a drum during performances unexpectedly at Demhaj, which was really fun!🤗 I’ve been interested in creating music, playing instruments, and performing for a while now. It’s encouraging finally taking steps towards that and leaning into it in small ways.

4-7. Nature and bein’ outside, as always!🌳Particularly with the weather shift lately. @totalmedia_ and I did a shoot recently that I’m excited to share photos from and use for building my website!

8-10. I’ve been really inspired by Jaki Shelton Green’s work ( @greenjaki ). I found the recorded version of “i want to undie you” on Apple Music and wildly stumbled across the book @scuppernongbooks as soon as I went in. Seeing it on the page was a whole different experience!

11. Helping paint a mural for work with students to be displayed in our community. What a special experience!

12-13. Download friend dates and walks.✨ Coloring sheet activity inspired by @leiks.irl

14. I’ve been loving rollerskating and though it’s a real challenge,😂 I’m getting more comfortable and confident every time I go. I can’t wait to keep going and get my own skates! If you’re into skating let me know because I’m gonna go a lot more and want to find different spots! by @karmsbro

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4 months ago