Soundless Sunday (6th Edition)...My Story In Pixels

~ Mama's Tarko ~ 
{Meaning Head Wrap In Ewe'}

Enjoying My Mama's Tarko....

Tarko is a traditional Liberian head tie/wrap 

that is worn by the women as part of their everyday 

dress up wear. Traditionally, during festivities, the 

Tarko also signifies rank within the community.

They come in many sizes, shapes and texture. Some are 

softer and made with traditional Lapa (Lapa is traditional 

Liberian print cloth used to make dresses, worn as a traditional 

"Lapa Suit" attire and also used to make Tako's.) Some are starched 

(as the one I have on above) and pinned together to form. Once 

starched, the head tie stays to form for years. It is pinned 

together into whatever shape the owner desires and she usually 

has a magnificent Lapa suit to match. This was one made by my dad as 

a present to my mother a few years ago when he went home to visit.

Mama recently moved back home to Liberia to finally be 

with my father for good. She fled here in the late 80's when the civil 

war in Liberia became unbearable and unsafe to continue to live 

home. We where separated for years until reuniting back in 1996. 

My beautiful & Lovely Mother...

We are all much older now (I am one of three from my mother), 

and she dedicated so much of her life taking care of us and being 

apart from my dad here and there to do so. Rightfully so, it was 

time for her to leave and finally go back home for good. "They say 

home is where the heart is" ~ this quote basically sums up all that 

she's felt for years being away from Liberia. She visited Liberia 

many times here and there but never was able to make a home here 

no matter how much she tried. We bid her farewell, although 

bitter sweet mid-last year. .....We ALL miss her so much....

I didn't think it'll hit me as soon as it did that I didn't have 

that comfort a few mins drive away anymore, her cooking, 

her enjoying the children, and most of all holding the family 

together. I miss having her here close by, but I know no matter 

how far she is, a whole continent away or miles, she's always 

close to heart, and my heart remains filled with loving pieces 

of home always...I wear her Tarko when I miss her,it still smells 

like her and simply lights up my heart. I cherish the lil things 

I have of hers that always remind me of her love, how special 

she is and how much I can't wait to visit her soon ;))

**Today's Soundless Sunday 

Is Dedicated To Mommy's**

Although I broke the rule by writing, the story was heartfelt 

and made me smile, so I guess I should be excused.. 

Heheee.. Just this once.. I Promise...Pretty Pweeease..

To enjoy & link with me, the rules are simple, post a picture

 of something that reminds you of your mom, a mother figure, 

or something that you made for a mom you know. OR as a mother, 

post a picture of something that always reminds you of 

how special you are, being a mommy to a little precious one..

Embrace The Joy's Of Motherhood....Enjoy....

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Artsy You..Featuring Thee Eklektik Ekhos

Sharing is Caring.Art.Life.Freedom.Creation.

Please Welcome One Of My Favourite Guests Today 

The Amazing Artist *Ekletik Ekhos*

I am absolutely loving to get a chance to sit with the afroliscious 

& beautiful Ekhos today..She's truly an inspirational, beautiful  and 

eclectic African woman with whom I remain fascinated by constantly.

She joins me today for a brief
preview into her world, and to
introduce you to her dynamic and outstanding line of artistry. 

"Folks - I am super excited----

So lets dive in for some artsy
fun chat with Ekhos..."

AGC: What are you vibing to
right now as we sit through this
interview..? I'm so nervous, yet ecstatic to finally chat with you.

Ekos................ 

I’m listening to some South African house 

          music that I got when I visited the country.

AGC: I have been burning to ask you the classic question of 

       " Who is Eklektikekhos the person vs the artist..??"

Ekos................ 

Nice question! Well, they are
a balance of each other and 
are one in the same. I, myself
 am pretty stand-offish and it
takes a bit of time for me to
open up to and express myself 
to others and when I do,
there’s a direct resemblance
with my work and myself.
My statements can be ‘in
your face,’ and sometimes 
extremely subtle, eccentric, 
and at times loud. 

AGC: I know being focused on a passion can be consuming and a huge part of your everyday life,
how do you decompress & what are some of your
favourite activities to indulge in?

Ekos................

 I’ll take some time to just sit and breathe, meditate, 

remember what I’m working towards, journaling, go to the park 

and take some pictures and just walk around or one of my 

favorite things…lol….Watch The Office.

AGC: A lot of people express that they've always had a 

passion for their creations or craft since they could 

remember, How long have you been creating your line of creative 

art work & expressing yourself via your art since you can remember?

Ekos................ 

This may shock you, maybe not…I’ve been doing this for 

almost a year now. Ever since I was a child, people assumed 

  I was the creative type by my style, my hair, or just the way I 

      carried myself. I didn’t think so at all. I’ve always been told that  

I’ll be an entrepreneur but I didn’t think so.
The universe basically forced me into what
I’m doing now with a car accident. I was 
actually working as an economic development assistant at a nonprofit 
organization implementing recycling and composting programs for
small businesses. I wasn’t happy and had a few opportunities to leave my job and didn’t
take them. One day I was in a car accident 
and that changed everything. I moved out 
of my mom’s house, no money, but wanted
 some decor in my new room. The wall 
hangings at the store were too
expensive and looked cheap so I decided
to buy some bamboo and make my own.
That’s how it all began.What seemed
to be terrible circumstances have 
changed my life and I’m so thankful
for those experiences.

AGC: When did you unveil and first showcase your 

beautiful artistry to the world..?

Ekos................ 

My first showcase was at the Leimert Park Art Walk in Los 

Angeles. I was SO nervous! Leimert Park is a historical 

African American cultural hub for the arts, music, etc.  

and the organizer saw me walking from store to store trying 

to find a place that would just hang my things for exposure. 

He came up to me and was interested in my pieces and asked

 if I wanted to participate. It was a great experience…..

My pieces were hanging next to renowned artists and 

was viewed by some pretty interesting people and a few 

celebrities. The feedback I received from them helped me 

understand that was I was created wasn’t just

 hobby worthy but actual art.

AGC: How did you get your start in jewelry
designing and what is the most unique
thing you've learned over the
course of becoming a designer?

Ekos................ 

I had some extra copper from the
bamboo piecesI was making and I just
decided one day that I would try it
out so I posted a facebook status that I
was making 10 ankh rings for $10
each. I always saw big gaudy rings with

precious stones that were so expensive 
and I felt that I could give it a try
and see what I could come up with.
It worked out pretty well. The 
most unique thing I’ve learned
is to just do you. Don’t compare your work
to others just continue creating what is authentic
to you and do the best you can do and
KEEP WORKING…never stop.

AGC: What do you love most about designing 

and creating your own jewelry?

Ekos................ 

I think the thing I love most is that I have no clue where 

these creations come from and they’re beautiful 

and I can share them with others.

AGC: What are some of your favorite materials to work and create with?

Ekos................ 

Copper, Brass, and Amethyst. Copper is embedded deep in Pan-African 

history from sculpture to ancient medicinal purposes and it’s actually an 

honor that copper has come into my life and allowed me to work with it.

AGC: I can't express how much I admire your art work, the pieces 

are truly one of a kind and nothing i've seen out there in the art 

world recently. What's your inspiration and story behind your art pieces?

Ekos................ 

My inspiration is life. It’s so broad but it’s true.
The bamboo pieces have all been reflections of the people’s
lives that they were made for or the ideas or
issues I was reading or just
thinking about. The jewelry’s
inspiration is a reflection
of my life, consistently 
jumping hurtles, challenging
 “status quo,” the boxes we
were put in as children to
create average, normal

duplicates of a system that
doesn’t really work.

AGC: My favourite piece of
yours is your "Family Tree" 
creation, there's so much
behind the piece that I adore and LOVE, could
you tell us what the inspiration was for 

you that lead to this particular piece?

Ekos................ 

That was actually one of my first pieces. My 
mom saw my work and wanted me to make 
a piece for her, so I decided to put her story 
in bamboo. From her parents to her siblings to 
children, to grand and great grandchildren, 

I wanted to make a visual of the lineage and 

the best way to do it was through a tree.

AGC: What sets Ekhos apart from other

designers out there..? 

Ekos................  

Well I do more than design,
I’m creating. I’m creating 
whatever the universe slips
into my mind and sometimes 
I don’t even have an idea.
I just get some materials
and just work until I’m
done and some dope piece
will be in front of me. So that
may be one thing, I don’t
really design, the universe designs for me
and I just allow my hands to do the work.

AGC: Have you had your work displayed in any galleries 

where anyone can stop in and have "that 

personal" experience with the showcase?

 Ekos................ 

I’m actually going to be featured in a show next week for 

Women’s History Month in New Orleans. As of right 

now, that’s the only shoe I’ll be featuring my 

things for now. I’m looking forward to it.

AGC: Its been such a pleasure to have you here at The 

ArtsyGirl Connection & we will all love to keep up with 

your work and progress often, where can we find you 

around the web or in person per your work.. ?

Ekos................ 

Thank you! Again, I really appreciate 
you taking the time to find out more about me.
You can find my pieces on www.eklektikekhos.com
and any current updates of where I’ll be vending
will me on tumblr.eklektikekhos.com

AGC: Is the any favorite inspiration 
quotes you'd like to leave us with that you
hold close to your heart..?

Ekos................ 

It’s something that I always think of…
from Mandela’s  inaugural speech and one of
Marianne Williamson’s books, it’s pretty long but it’s
a constant reminder of real purpose in life:

“Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond
measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most
frightens us… Your playing small does not serve the world.
There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that
other people won't feel insecure around you". 

We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were
born to make manifest the glory of God that is
within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And
as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give
other people permission to do the same. As we 

are liberated from our own fear, our presence
automatically liberates others.

AG: Its been SO amazing to have you here today, it's truly
been such a pleasure and one of my favourite interviews yet.
I take so much away from this setting and I'm loving
having a chance to connect with you. I'm officially an avid fan,
and will certainly keep us all updated on your journey as
you progress and take on even greater things..

Absolutely hope you enjoyed my "Artsy You" guest today

as much as I did. Please stay tuned and keep up with her

extraordinary and amazing collections.

(Got something in the works you would like me to spotlight..?

Please feel free to email me @t.marilyn@hotmail.com and share

your artsy side with me here at The ArtsyGirl Connection)

This Interview will also be featured at Plush'Afrique.....

Thanks & Stay Artsy...

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