I know you likely have many questions like "When's that one book I can't name supposed to come out?" or "Where have you been?" Hopefully, by the end of this post, I will have answered any questions you may have about me, my work, or the status of my projects. PROJECTS First, I have kept both of my ongoing projects. The Bearcat project had to undergo a massive rewrite, and most artists I began with left the project. How to Draw Black People Volume 1 was released on 02/29/24. Yes, I am very late on these projects. It's never my intention to miss a release date or need to push things back. Making these books is what I do, and I feel most at home behind my Cintiq and writing about the world as I see it. Still, I got hit by a car, my face was fractured, and I needed time to heal physically and mentally. I have a child and a co-parent for whom I am responsible. While I love what I do, I love my kid more and have no support circle. No caregivers. I'm also no longer a 25yr old able to grind into the late hours. I can no longer drink caffeine and'll be 40 later this year. So, even under the best circumstances, I need more help than I have to turn around a book in a year. I am not under the best circumstances; thus, finishing up will take me much longer than usual. I am also being evicted and still determining how or where I'll live in the next few months. Despite all that, I want you to know two things. If I go through the trouble of announcing a project, I finish it. I don't quit on things or people unless I must. My fundraising method is to only raise a fraction of the funds I need to make a project work and supply whatever I need independently. When I do a cost analysis at the beginning of a project, I look at how much the entire project would cost to achieve a specific goal. However, I am one person and cannot handle the demands of thousands of preorders, so the scope of my projects is capped by what I can physically and mentally contribute. If I were after profits primarily, I would approach things differently, as I have in the past. That's part of the reason I am so burned out these days. I do this to keep the cost of the books as low as possible but also so that I can handle my workload. Ordinarily, I would be using rideshare to make up the difference. Still, due to my injuries and other issues in my home, I can't return to that type of work. I am looking for freelance and regular jobs, but the process has been arduous, to say the least. Bearcat Wright & The Kayfable Chronicles is not canceled, and it will take me longer than expected to complete it. The new working title is "The Kayfable Chronicles," I'll share more about it once there is more news. Currently, I have things going on that require my attention and focus. I'm dedicated to seeing things through as I have done in the past but facing problems I've never had to deal with on my own. If you lose faith in my ability to finish a project, I can't do anything about it. If you want a refund, I will do my best to make that happen as soon as I can consistently return to my creative projects. Right now, I can only grab an hour or two here and there before I'm pulled away from my work. All I ask is for your patience if you can spare it. Once I am in a stable position, I can show up where I am most needed. ME So, when I started this project, I was conflicted between an Afro-centric cyberpunk epic and what would eventually become "The Kayfable Chronicles." I chose the route that brought me here because since I was a child, I was told he was my grandfather. My family and I are estranged for the most part. It's not an angry or spiteful separation. However, I experienced a lot of trauma going up, and those people represent a lot of harm I still struggle to accept I lived with. I was adopted by my family at a young age, and I don't know how official my adoption was. I was born in 1984, as far as I've found. Many kids were shuffled back then around families, households, cities, and state lines. If there was ever any official paperwork, I would never have seen it. However, I wouldn't expect anyone who hasn't lived in specific spaces in Black communities. Black Muslim families do not always operate on the books, especially during the eras that preceded and succeeded my birth. So, exactly how I came to be in possession of my adoptive mother is knowledge only she knows and is likely unwilling to part with. I've tried asking her several times over the years, and she sticks to the story she told me when I was a child despite all the terrible holes. I have given up on getting honesty from her, nor do I wish to have any from her in the future. We had our time together and it is what it was. If that sounds bitter, I accept it. Some things are painful, and nothing else can be said about it. I don't know who my biological parents are. Still, I have reasons to believe that my mother is one of the daughters of Betty Shabazz and Malcolm X. I am so sure of this that I decided to take up Bearcat as my grandfather, hoping that, in the process, I could prove it to be true. I found more questions that didn't add up or feel right emotionally. Every day I promoted my Kickstarter, I felt wrapped up in a delusion I was writing about myself. When I was run down by a negligent driver near my home, I broke down mentally. The thought of dying the way I was injured and leaving behind a project glorifying the grandfather of the family that traumatized me felt like a sick joke I wanted to wake up from. I did wish to deceive people. I wanted to separate myself from Malcolm X because I believed I had embarrassed him and his legacy while living in ignorance of my heritage and my identity. I also wanted to avoid the idolatry I've seen others practice around his name. It took me a long time to feel I had a right to exist even as a genetic offspring, if not a family. I do not wish to intercede upon his legacy or rewrite history to benefit myself. His is a life I was drawn outside of, and I don't have any faith in the idea that there is a place for me now. What I want you to know unequivocally is that yes, Malcolm X and Betty Shabazz are my grandparents; no, I cannot explain to you how I know; yes, I am okay if you do not believe me; no, I do not wish to replace Malcolm or speak for him from beyond the grave. I apologize for acting incongruent to my character in the belief that a greater good be accomplished. I was wrong. Beyond that? I don't have any connection with the Shabazz estate. If they know about me, they've never attempted to speak directly to me. I'm okay with that. I have no ill will toward anyone who knew me before I knew myself. Regardless, I am unwilling to tiptoe around my DNA moving forward. I don't believe being genetically related to Malcolm and Betty makes me above or below anyone. Still, it's vital to my understanding of myself to acknowledge this part that has been kept from me for most of my life. My Work Lastly, I want to discuss How to Draw Black People in Volume 1, 2nd Edition. I have been working on this off and on for the last year. It's finally complete, and I am very proud of it more than the original. Everything I could not add to the first book because I rushed the release has been entered into this edition. The language has been cleaned up, so it's easier to read, and the new size makes it more portable. There are two versions of the book. The standard edition is the original price of the first edition when it was released (if you buy it on my website). Still, I strongly suggest the deluxe edition if you want a high-quality version. Thinker paper, hardcover, more vibrant colors, etc. If the book's quality is most important, get the deluxe edition. The digital version of the 2nd edition is only available in my shop as well. So, you can get the digital, the physical, and the deluxe edition of How to Draw Black People Volume 1 today in my shop. You can also find it on Amazon, but it costs more there. CLOSING I appreciate everyone who continues to believe in the importance of my work; even if you want to support an artist of your choice, I am thankful you chose me. The next few months may be rough for me so please keep me in your thoughts. I hope you enjoy this book as I envisioned it to be. Most importantly, I hope you learn something about yourself or the people around you that you may not have considered before. Until then.

Creating a book is one of the most challenging things someone can do. It takes passion, dedication, and hard work. I experienced this firsthand when I launched my Kickstarter campaign at the end of 2021. I failed, and the aftermath rolled over into the beginning of 2022. But, after months of hard work, a near-death experience, and with the help of family and total strangers, I barely pulled through in the end and achieved my financial goal. How did I do all that? It started in January as the government began to peel back pandemic protections. Turning a Vision into Reality My initial plan was to develop Cyber/Punk/Funk vol 2. an anthology I had launched in 2017 before How To Draw Black People had taken off behind the scenes while marketing HTDBP volumes 1&2. Crowdfunding would've allowed me to work from home, while sales and conventions would help pay the bills. Unfortunately, despite my best efforts, Volume 2 failed halfway to the goal. Instead of letting this failure define me, I decided to reassess my approach and see what was possible. There were a lot of relationships I needed to rebuild and resources I didn't rely on. Cyber/Punk/Funk was my focus but getting people on board proved difficult. New ideas require completion and admiration for new work to truly have a chance creatively. Too many people tried to lump what I proposed together with something they had already heard of. Not to mention, my previous serious TSIML was already on hiatus. I didn't want to repeat the same mistake of introducing a world I was building as I went. I needed more time to build before asking others to invest their time and energy. I was on Bumble one day, trying to explain to someone what I was working on and, in a spur-of-the-moment elevator pitched The Bearcat Wright story I had been kicking around for a few years. The response was much more enthusiastic than my Afrocentric Sci-Fi saga, and that helped me make up my mind. So, I developed the pitch for Bearcat Wright and the Kayfable Chronicles—an anthology series delivered in a hybrid format. After that, it became a lot easier for other creatives to invest. Once my vision for the project was there, it was time to assemble a team of artists and writers who could help bring this idea to life. This process took me two months because I wanted to ensure that everyone on my team shared my enthusiasm for the project and understood its purpose from start to finish. Once everyone was onboard, we started creating content for our campaign page and promoting it on all our social media channels. Stressful doesn't begin to describe what these months were like. I am still recovering from burnout, and this project has taught me to respect my limits. Although, I can't deny I am proud of what I accomplished in such a short time. The Final Push Bearcat who? Kayfable what? Reaching our financial goal wasn't easy. At first, we had gotten off to a fast start, and it seemed we'd likely blow past our goal. Towards the end, however, it seemed like we weren't going to make it in time. To make matters worse, I was struck by a car while walking across a street near my home during the final stretch. It was a traumatic experience that left my face fractured in multiple places, and my hand and face were permanently scarred. I was surprised to learn, like many Black Americans, nurses and doctors will openly refuse to treat your wounds if you walk in with non-life threatening injuries, no matter how painful. After having tests done, I had to drive down the road to buy a first aid kit and do my best. This was all happening during the last week of my campaign. It was a lot to process and with little time to do it. New Ends, Old Beginnings. Thankfully though, with some perseverance (and sleep deprivation), we pulled through in the end! We raised a little over $9k—far exceeding our original goal of $4k—which freed up enough bandwidth to launch How To Draw Black People volume 1, which will be rereleased on IndieGoGo 2/2/23! We'll be raising funds for the labor and costs associated directly associated with revising and updating the original first volume of the HTDBP series. ICYMI, the first volume of HTDBP, was forced out of print, and I haven't had the resources or time to bring it back. So many of you have asked for this, and I will need your support to make this happen. If 2022 was easy for you and yours, I am happy for you. My year was filled with a lot of loss but some very positive wins and seeds for the future that I am excited to nurture into something worth sharing. By having a clear vision & assembling a great team behind me & focusing on communication - I managed to successfully launch & exceed our financial goal for Bearcat Wright & The Kayfable Chronicles! Now Shabazz Arts is looking forward confidently to 2023 & more amazing projects! Make Sure You Check Out The IndieGoGo Campaign!

Bearcat It's Black History Month, and I usually roll out the pictures of my grandfather and my grandmother and keep their contributions alive, but this year I want to do something different. I never met my grandfather; he died two years before I was born. Recently he was inducted into the WWE hall of fame, and I was shocked to notice that his most notable achievement was left out: first Black wrestler to win a championship in an interracial match. There was some controversy about his win, and the story is that Bearcat refused to relinquish the belt after he won. The WWA blackballed my grandfather. His reasons, the circumstances have all been glossed over if not omitted from the accounts I have read. I have researched about as much as I can, and I fear that the truth is lost. So I figure I'd try this shot in the dark during Black history month and see if anyone can help me piece together the story of Edward "Bearcat" Wright, my grandfather. Any information, verifiable personal accounts, news clippings, anything that you can't find on the internet would be tremendously helpful. I am writing a graphic novel, and I want the truth to be the foundation. In advance, much appreciation to you. TSIML Back in 2013, I started this comic called The sword is my lady. The lady is my sword. I know. After a very long hiatus, I am ready to continue this series again. It will take me some time to update the designs and make the older issues printable in a new format. That said, every chapter will soon be available to purchase in my shop and at other retail outlets in both digital and print formats. I am happy to apply all that I've learned over the years to revamp the series and make improvements in places I felt I was lacking. I'll keep you updated on how that's going. HTDBP update ICYMI The second edition of How to Draw Black people won't be out until June. As I said last month, the later release gives me more time to create a better book. I have made many changes, and each new edition will have a different focus and approach. The second edition is less technical and more anecdotal. I use some of my personal stories to illustrate how the inauthentic expressions of Black people combined with an absence of academic acknowledgment of Black culture translate racism into art. By comparison, the second edition of HTDBP will be a lot more fun. I am excited for people to read this next edition. Personal stuff There is a good chance you are reading this update through Facebook. There is an equally good chance that you may not know about my issues with that platform. I deleted my old accounts, and now I am starting fresh with a new business page focused solely on the content I will be putting out and the artists I am working with at the time. The Shabazz Arts Facebook page serves as an extension of this blog and my store. At this point, it is automated, so please don't try to contact me there. Connect to my Facebook page; you can check it out here. I don't have a content calendar, but I will post about it here when I do. That's it for me this month. I hope you all have a remarkable Black history month. Stay safe when you can, and be careful when you must.

Dispelling myths. Expanding on truths. How to Draw Black People is a dope resource for adapting the African phenotype to your style needs. You can get the ball rolling in your creative workshop with the activities and character prompts found in the theory section. If you are a hobbyist or an independent creator that struggles with physical differences, How to Draw Black People Volume 2 gives you a foundation to stand on. Learn from multiple talented independent Black artists about the tips and tricks across Photoshop , Clip Studio Paint , and Procreate . An interesting education for artists, and anyone looking to overcome implicit bias "This is primarily a work book for illustrators, but I found it incredibly interesting to understand the unconscious bias that literally colors the characters we see in all media forms. It's a great tool to help understand how character traits are expressed in black culture, and distinguish them from the tropes that were born of white supremacy." Billy Knows Best.com A new edition to a new standard in representation How to Draw Black People is a multipurpose learning tool for art teachers, students, independent creators, and hobbyists. Volume 2 expands on the first edition with new tutorials, a new layout and new perspectives . ART AS A LANGUAGE Develop a cultural character prompt that shapes the identity of a character design and learn to navigate the nuances of Black culture. Go beyond diversity and achieve meaningful representation that will resonate with Black people. Volume 2 How to Draw Black People is a dope resource for adapting the African phenotype to your style needs. You can get the ball rolling in your creative workshop with the activities and character prompts found in the theory section. If you are a hobbyist or an independent creator that struggles with physical differences, How to Draw Black People Volume 2 gives you a foundation to stand on. Learn from multiple talented independent Black artists about the tips and tricks across Photoshop, Clip Studio Paint, and Procreate. Best Seller Quick View How To Draw Black People (Digital copy) Price $20.00 Add to Cart Load More Buy Now! Black History Month 2023 , secure your copy of How to Draw Black People Volume 1! SIGN UP NOW Best Seller Quick View How To Draw Black People (Digital copy) Price $20.00 Preorder Quick View HTDBP Volume 2 (Praxis Collection) Price $24.00 New Release Quick View How To Draw Black People Volume 2 (Physical Copy) Price $50.00 New Release Quick View How To Draw Black People Volume 2 Deluxe Price $60.00 Digital Version Quick View How To Draw Black People Volume 2 (Full Digital Version) Price $30.00 Bundle Quick View How To Draw Black People (Teacher Pack) Price $325.00 Power Point Quick View How To Draw Black People Volume 2 Price $45.00 Exclusive Quick View Combo Pack Price $100.00 Preview Quick View How To Draw Black People Volume 2 (Digital Preview) Price $0.00

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About Shabazz Arts Shabazz Arts LLC is a small press publisher that delivers socially conscious visual narratives and materials designed to educate, inform, entertain, or enlighten. Our goal is to facilitate the creation of stories by marginalized people in print and digital mediums.