Jackson Free Press

Daniel MacGregor is an abstract artist and photographer with a studio in Flowood, and one thing I look forward to daily is seeing what painting he will share next on Facebook. HIs Facebook page has hit the 1000-like benchmark for good reason: his paintings are vivid and rememberable. A common theme of his is a landscape of trees with a rainbow sky in the background - my personal favorite. He sometimes asks Facebook visitors to name his painting, so I like this level of interactivity between artist and viewer.

MacGregor also offers acrylic painting classes every Thursday from 7-9 p.m. The classes are only $15, and you get $5 off if you bring your own 11-by-14-inch canvas. More details here. Sounds like a good way to spend an evening!

Mississippians Against Racism is asking everyone to sign a card for Olympic gymnast Gabby Douglas to congratulate her for her gold medal wins, and encourage her after the controversy surrounding how she wore her hair during the competitions. Here is the press release with minor corrections to the dates:

In light of the huge controversy over the natural hair texture, Mississippians Against Racism wanted to tell the exceptional 16 year old, 90 pound, Olympic Gold Medalist, Gabrielle Douglas, that the weight of our race is not on her shoulders. Such is the responsibility of Adults and institutions. In addition, we wanted her to know that we fully understand why her natural hair showed itself during her performance and we happy she was nappy, beautiful like God made her.

Mississippians Against Racism will be inviting others who share these sentiments to express their love for Gabby on a special congratulatory card made in & for Mississippi. Everyone interesting in telling Gabby we love her because we love our daughters, nieces and sisters should jointly visit Marshall’s Music and Book Store, 618 North Farish St. in Jackson, MS to sign this special card. We begin at Noon on Friday, August 10th with this symbolic gesture of love. A special signing will begin on Saturday, August 11th , 2012 at 3:15pm prior to the monthly community forum. The Monthly Sick & Tired and Seeking SOULutions Community Forum will be held at the Afrikan Arts & Cultural Studio, 612 North Farish Street 4 - 5:30pm. After the forum, interested signers can come to Marshall’s Music and Bookstore 10am-5pm Monday and Tuesday.

The "Mississippi Loves Gabby Card" will be mailed to Gabby Douglas on Wednesday, August 15th, 2012. We hope to have at least one thousand signatures on the Mississippi Loves Gabby card, so join us Saturday, August 11th at the Afrikan Arts & Cultural Studio, 612 North Farish Street, 3:15pm to sign the card. Or stop-by Marshall’s Music & Book Store, 618 North Farish Street on Monday or Tuesday to add your love. Bring your daughters, nieces and sisters, because Black Self-Hate affects, effects, and destroys us all and Black Love heals of all.

For more details about this special expression of love for Gabby, call 601.355.5335 or 601.979.1413.

Today marks my last day of online classes at the Art Institute of Pittsburgh, where I've spend the last three years studying graphic design.

The official Great American Grump Out is today, May 2, and participants must vow not to be grumpy for the next 24 hours. Can you handle it?