Missed Connection
Since the time I was a teenager, Detroit has always looked up to Big Meech for his lifestyle and principles and influence in hip hop, which are overshadowed by his criminal mob-style history. In this country, we celebrate crime bosses like Gotti, Pablo Escobar, and Al Capone. So I, too, as a youth fell under the spell, feeling the awe and glamour of that lifestyle.
I had dreams of being the first person to tell the Big Meech story by film. I thought that dream was crushed when a series based on his life was produced and came out a few years ago. I posted a few years back stating how impactful and important it was for me to find a way to be a cameraman on set. Someone saw it and I was given a chance to an actor/extra instead.
By that time I had begun painting and was living in a hotel paying for each night stay day-by-day in Detroit. I couldn't get right onto the set when they offered due to not having the shots needed to prevent covid. Something I didn't believe in, I did anyway for my dream. Meanwhile, I was posting all kinds of arts and farts online to raise money for my hotel stay, trying to chase a dream and figure out my living situation at the same time.
Eventually I caught the attention of Raub Welch who extended an offer of art residency at his place in Chicago! The production was moving then to Atlanta and I told Raub I would, too, once I was ready. Instead a new love for painting took over and day by day.
I began painting pieces from the show and of Big Meech in preparation of the day I returned to Detroit. I was hoping maybe I could meet Big Meech, because a few collectors who began collecting my work knew him and said they would orchestrate a meeting whenever I returned. The dream in me was revived once more.
But as you know, sadly, house fire.
I painted Big Meech and his son as one of the first pieces I did after the fire to conquer my mindset of losing it all. I learnt of the times Big Meech lost it all, and painted his son because I wanted to see what was still possible for me. (His son plays him in the biopic show, by the way.) That piece ended up selling in Hyde Park, although it was originally going to be gifted to him.
Fast forward to today: Big Meech is finally released from prison and reunited with his son who played him. I painted the selfie and wrote in this newsletter about knowing the feeling of following, in my case, my uncle's legacy. Now Big Meech always has the best parties, and it's basically a amazing networking opportunity as well.
So, when I saw the flyer for his welcome home party on my birthday, I literally jumped at the opportunity! Someone kindly gifted me a flight to Detroit. I didn't notice the flyer was for a show in Florida. I just assumed it’d be Detroit with Big Meech being from there. Once I realized, my heart sunk to my butt. I felt so silly and stupid.
Not only didn't notice the party was in Florida, but sadly, recently the show has been cancelled due to the producers 50 CENT brand spanking new beef with Big Meech. Crushed about all this, I just felt maybe it is time to let go of this dream. Quitting for me is absolutely worse than anything. But I was left just wallowing and painting and thinking how can I put this into art....
These new works pay homage to the writers and directors of the show. These paintings have allowed me to say thank you to their talent and for allowing me to see what it would even look like if I had filmed his story. They honestly did a perfect job, from the writing to cinematography to the historical facts, and even better they made sure to put meaningful messages in every episode.
(Writers are The Soul of a Film, by Courtney Jolliff)
They took responsibility and displayed the culture of our city and the people so perfectly without glamorizing the criminal life. They made sure to say these are the real consequences of the criminal life while giving sooo many wonderful and good facts about the city and culture.
(From left to right, "Gotta Know The Feeling", "The Family" , "Big Meech", "Writers are the Soul of film" 1 & 2 by Courtney Jolliff)
So I sent the writers some paintings of them and the crew giving them their roses and letting go of a dream. I can say I did try my all and I'm satisfied with that, but I don't ever want to drop everything for a dream again. I think it's best to instead think everything through and, cough cough, pay attention to detail lol.
(Writers are the Soul of a Film, by Courtney Jolliff )