There are several stages to making a book and each stage can be therapeutic in itself. Cutting book spines is a process I enjoy when working on new book projects. Because you need a little dose of patience when binding a book, it can be calming if you’re focused o the task at hand and give it your undivided attention.

It’s that time of the year when we look for comfort foods to warm the body against the cold. As someone with a sweet tooth who happens to like functional eating, I thought, why not combine the naughty and nice foods all on one plate! The result was this french patisserie my friend and I made. A little bit of sugar with nutritional fruits to fuel the body against the winter chills!

Had the opportunity to attend a workshop run by Bermondsey Street Bees to learn the artisinal skill of infusing raw honey. I made some interesting honey infusions with herbs and the first of my infused honey is now ready just in time for the winter months! This lavender-infused honey can be used for baked goods, in teas, in salad dressing, in yoghurts or as a sweetener.

Alexis Peskine’s large portraits looks at African Diaspora. The tones in the portrait were made by hammering gold leaf nails of different sizes with precision into stained wood. His portraits convey images of strength and perseverance which is much needed into today’s world. Other works on display were from renowned artists Romuald Hazoumè, Eddy Kamuanga Ilunga, whose works I’ve previously shared on my blog and new artists I recently discovered such as Cyrus Kabiru, LR Vandy and Cosmo Whyte. There was also works from Zak Ové , whose work I came across at the British museum some years back! The exhibition ends on 23rd November 2019.

What does being Black mean to me?
By Kemi West

You asked, ‘What being black means to me?’
I respond, with a question, so you can understand me;
Do I have red BLOOD running through my veins?
Do I LIVE on this earth like every human being?
Do I ASPIRE to achieve the dreams I have within?
Do I CHALLENGE the status quo and stand up for what is right?
Do I retrain my mind to gain KNOWLEDGE so I can grow?
I know my truth and I know I do.

You ask what being black means to me?
But I ask why a label you created applies to me?
I am first and foremost a human being;
A valuable contributor to the human race;
My past, my present are my heritage and my teacher;
They enhance my humanity and give me vision without borders;

Being Human is to experience the good and ugly side of life;
Whatever our race, there’s a common thread running through our veins;
We breathe the same air;
We live and we die;
We can’t make a life neither can we prevent death;

When you ask the question,
What being black means to me?
I can honestly say, being black means you’re the same as me.

B.L.A.C.K is HuMANity

© 2019 by Kemi West

This beautiully written book by Austin Kleon is ideal for those times when you need inspiration to recharge your batteries be it creatively or in everyday life!

For those Londoners on a budget looking to make the best of the sizzlingly weather today, here’s a quick tip. Pack your own snacks and drinks as you go out and about to avoid spending needless cash. A good example are these oat cookies which can be a great family treat & could distract the kids from the sweet shops whilst you soak up your long awaited vitamin Ds from sun!

Functionality is key in whatever I do, especially in the craft that I make and in my everyday life. So, making this flip box was important to me because I made it for a loved one living with Glaucoma. It is a health condition that causes loss of sight. To find out more on the condition click the Glaucoma link above.

My aim was to make a treasure box for storing things within reach, so that it's easily accessible. I also wanted to inscribe an initial on the box, using a raised cut-out letter for it's owner to recognise it easily if it's misplaced.

Thankfully, the box was well received and has proved useful for it's owner. Which goes to show that art can be a really useful tool when made with a purpose.