Diversity Archives - Got Joy Creations

Beauty Close Up Vol 1

October 21, 2023

Hey everyone. I have something a little different on the blog today. Since I was a child I loved coloring books. My mother would purchase them and the large Crayola crayons and my sisters and I would be in heaven. Back then I didn’t see any images to color that represented me. Through the years things didn’t change much. I moved on from coloring books and crayons to stamps and Copic markers. But today…this book has changed it all.

The Beauty Close Up Vol 1 author is Ebony Brown. Ebony is an exceptional African American illustrator whose creations illuminate the rich tapestry of diversity and beauty of black women, hails from the artistic enclave of Pasadena, California. Immersed in Pasadena’s thriving creative scene, Ebony’s journey as an artist began as she drew inspiration from the city’s eclectic culture and artistic heritage.

The opus Beauty Close Up: Vol. 1 serves as a testament to Ebony’s commitment to empowerment and self-celebration. With meticulous grayscale renderings, she masterfully conveys the intricacies of emotion, strength, and individuality that define black women. Every page of her coloring book invites color and makeup enthusiasts to embark on a journey of self-expression, meditation, and appreciation for their own unique beauty.The opus Beauty Close Up: Vol. 1 serves as a testament to Ebony’s commitment to empowerment and self-celebration. With meticulous grayscale renderings, she masterfully conveys the intricacies of emotion, strength, and individuality that define black women. Every page of her coloring book invites color and makeup enthusiasts to embark on a journey of self-expression, meditation, and appreciation for their own unique beauty.

Founded in 2023, Unity Ink Press LLC is 100% BIPOC and majority women-owned, reflecting a rich tapestry of cultures, experiences, and perspectives. At Unity Ink Press LLC, we exist to ignite creativity, foster understanding, and challenge norms; creating spaces where diverse communities can see themselves reflected, where identities, interests, and cultures can be expressed without restraint.

Umoja Ink Press, a Unity Ink Press LLC brand, is a publishing company that prides itself on championing black voices in art and literature. Umoja Ink Press’ mission is to foster a sense of pride, empowerment, and connection among its readers, one page at a time.

Beauty Close Up: Vol. 1 is a unique and engaging adult coloring book designed to provide hours of relaxation and creativity for people of all ages. Featuring 34 full-page grayscale portrait illustrations, this book showcases the distinctive facial features and intricate details that highlight the radiance of black beauty. This grayscale coloring book is perfect for colorists of all backgrounds and provides the foundation for using techniques and styles that embrace the diverse beauty of black women. Whether you’re a color enthusiast with a passion for makeup, or someone who finds comfort and relaxation in the act of coloring, Beauty Close Up: Vol. 1 is sure to captivate your imagination.

Key Features:

34 full-page grayscale portrait illustrations showcasing the distinctive facial features, diverse hairstyles, and generational beauty of black women
Intricately designed illustrations that highlight the details of makeup application
A diverse representation of black women portraits and poses
High-quality paper suitable for various coloring mediums, from colored pencils to markers
A gateway to relaxation therapy and mindfulness, perfect for unwinding after a long day

Book Details:

Paper Texture: Uncoated
Binding: Perfect Bound
Paper weight: 70 lb / 104 GSM
Printing: BW Interior
Size: 8.5 x 11 inches

I had the opportunity to color one of the images in the book. Using Olo markers I created this piece. The coloring process was super easy and the paper works well with alcohol markers. Make sure to place a thick piece of cardstock or even cardboard behind the image you are coloring to protect the next image.

With the shading already in place on the images, achieving highlights and shadows is a breeze. Not having a chance yet to color with pencils, I believe the coloring process should be flawless as well. I totally would recommend this book to any color enthusiast. To make it even better, I believe that you can skip the coloring and frame these pages as artwork in your home.

Availability Beauty Close Up: Vol 1 is available for pre-sale now on Amazon.com and Bookshop.org. Available at select bookstores on October 10, 2023.

Social Media Links: ● https://www.instagram.com/umojainkpress/ ● https://www.youtube.com/@UmojaInkPress ● https://www.tiktok.com/@umojainkpress ● https://www.pinterest.com/unityinkpress/ ● https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61550817189866

Grab your copy today. Thank you to Michelle for allowing me the opportunity to review this book. It’s really amazing.

Diversity=Inclusion

July 23, 2020

What does diversity=inclusion mean to you? Do you see yourself as part of a community? Do you see yourself being supported? It’s a loaded question I know however a conversation needs to be had.

When you see the need to look deeper into what you see in your community it helps to see people that look like you. You feel that you are included in the conversation. Seeing diversity is a beautiful sight. You get to see the lives of others and the strength that can bring. Let’s take a look at my card.

I chose to repeatedly stamp the sentiment over and over again to create a statement card. The simple repetitive nature of the sentiment in different shades of brown inks show that all shades of skin tone need to be included. Diversity=inclusion. Don’t sit by and watch when you can speak up and make a difference when you don’t see yourself being included.

There are times when diversity needs to be brought to someone’s attention because they don’t see it. That’s a teaching moment. Express yourself first with love and understanding. Sometimes it’s hard when people are uncomfortable with talking about diversity. Lean in and learn about another race. Yes there are differences however their are so shared experiences. You can agree to disagree but do it with kindness. United should be the goal.

Thanks so much for stopping by today. All products used for this card are linked below. You can see cards from this stamp set all week here on my blog. Have a great day and I’ll see you back here tomorrow for another card.

Pocono Pam and Guest Designers

July 22, 2020

Good morning everyone. Today Pocono Pam and her guest designers are featuring the United As One stamp set on their social media platforms. Each designer has a special card for you today.

Please make sure to stop by each of the links to show your support for Pocono Pam and the guest designers. Here is Pam’s beautiful card. You an find all the details on how this was created on the Hero Arts blog as well as Pam’s blog.

Pocono Pam
Lameka Alston
Scherolyn Leggett
Amador Bustamante

The United As One stamp set is available for purchase on the Hero Arts website.

United As One Tutorial

July 21, 2020

Good morning everyone. I’m back today sharing another card using the new United As One stamp set. This is a partnership stamp set with Pocono Pam, Hero Arts and myself. If you missed my card for yesterday, click here.

I’m sharing a video with you today to show two ways you can use the United As One stamp set. The sentiments in this stamp set are so important to me. This set was inspired to be used for all occasions where solidarity needs to be the main focus especially in the black communities. Here’s a peak at the cards I made for this tutorial.

United As One Tutorial

The tutorial is to help you see yourself in this stamp set. To visualize that you are important, loved, respected and needed. You can also view the tutorial on my Youtube channel mzdanajoy

But wait there’s more. Please make sure to visit our guest designers for today. They are also featuring a project made with the stamp set.

Mitsyana Wright
Mary Polanco
Tenia Nelson

These woman has supported me in my crafting life as well as my personal life and I am so honored to have them on this first release with us. All products used on in the tutorial are listed below for your shopping convenience. Have a great day everyone and I’ll see you back here tomorrow for more inspiration.

Hero Arts/Dana Joy/ Pocono Pam United As One Stamp Set

July 20, 2020

I have no words that can express my excitement today. Pocono Pam and I have partnered with Hero Arts and our first unity collection stamp set has been created. The United As One stamp set was born out of a need for our voices to be heard. Aaron Leventahl (owner of Hero Arts) and Jennifer McGuire have been instrumental in making this stamp set come to life. Often Pam and I have had conversations about how we felt black woman and men don’t really have a voice in the industry that we love. Today that has changed.

We have a dynamic blog hop going on today to celebrate the new release. Please see the list below after my post so you can hop around and see what the creative team has in store for you today.

First, let me say thank you to the Hero Arts design team for their tremendous work in helping this stamp set come to life in our vision. What’s the United As One stamp set about? It recognizes the need for diversity and inclusion in the crafting community. It symbolizes the struggles we are currently dealing with all over the world. It’s time to embrace the change and move forward in unity not division. My card today features the main image of two hands to show that this industry (and others) can unite. The hearts symbol the love I share with all my friends regardless of skin tone.

The sentiment is a pledge that we all can make a difference in what we need to see and hear in this community. I’ve been a part of this community for over 20 years and I’m disheartened by tone of some crafters. We don’t have to agree with everyone however we need to be respectful to everyone. You can have your voice heard. Make your statements and kindly do it with understanding and a solid purpose of needing to unite and not divide. Let’s take a look at the stamp set.

Here is a closeup of the packaging and information on the partnership.

Dana Joy, Pocono Pam and Hero Arts are excited to partner in a conscious effort to be intentionally diverse and inclusive. Crafters and cardmakers of color need to feel support, appreciation, and respect when expressing their values, experiences and skin tone in their work. We are celebrating this spirit through unity, and this collaboration is a pathway for everyone to see themselves in their art. We hope the United As One stamp set will encourage makers to become interested and committed to listening and learning from and about each other, and recognize we are all one, united creative community. 100% of net profits from this 6″ x 8″ stamp set will go to Racial Justice charities.

My hope is you will see this stamp set as the beginning of a movement not a moment of solidarity and respect. We can all do better so let’s be the change we want to see in this world. The stamp set is now available for purchase on Hero Arts. #unitedasone

Here is the list of participants.