ARTS // body art
Azha Tattoos: Helping Others Tell Their Stories through Body Art // by Jenna Gibson
Y
AZHA TATTOOS
ou have decided to add a little art to your bodily canvas. You have researched and chosen a tattoo shop and artist, and you’ve decided on a design, style and placement. Once the paperwork is complete, you relax in an often dentist-style chair, and the artist sanitizes the area and transfers the stencil. Tattoo machine in hand, the focused artist traces the design and fine-tunes the linework before adding shading and maybe a splash or two of color. A protective layer of ointment is applied to the completed tattoo to avoid bacterial infection, and a transparent bandage seals the area from the open air. Once the tattoo has healed, you’re ready to show off the artist’s hard work. Azha Sanders has worked as a licensed tattoo artist for 11 years and currently works at Forged True Tattoo in Brookhaven. The Kosciusko, Miss., native moved to Jackson when she was 13 years old, and she has held a passion for art her whole life. “I’ve been doing art for as long as I can remember,” Sanders says. “It’s always been my number-one hobby. It’s my safe place. Fortunately, my family encouraged creating
AZHA TATTOOS
Azha Sanders sits in front of the 10foot-by-12-foot mural she painted at Kirksey Middle School in partnership with City Heart Church in Jackson. The mural’s theme, “royal,” is meant to inspire strength and worthiness.
art. I just always loved to draw and paint on things, and when I started tattooing, it was
WINTER EVENTS PREVIEW
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Winter Barn Painting on Pallet Board Dec. 1, 6-8:30 p.m., at Market House (5647 Highway 80 E., Suite 1, Pearl). The mercantile and DIY studio offers the class teaching pallet knife painting techniques to paint a winter barn and landscape. All supplies are included in admission. No refunds. $55 admission; call 769-233-
// Looking for something great to do in Jackson? Visit JFPEVENTS.COM for more.
8739; email markethousediystudio@gmail. com; find it on Facebook.
PHOTO BY ANNA KOLOSYUK ON UNSPLASH
November 25 - December 8, 2020 • jfp.ms
discount on any purchases made in the store on the day of the class. $45 fee, participants get 20% off in-store purchases day of; call 601-7241347; email downtown_giftery@yahoo.com; find it on Facebook.
Ceramic Lighted Christmas Camper Dec. 1, 6-8 p.m., at The Stompin’ Grounds (310 Airport Road S., Pearl). The local craft store offers the class in designing and making a decorative ceramic Christmas camper, complete with Christmas lights. All paints and supplies included. Must have ticket to attend. $38 fee includes all supplies; call 601-487-8081; email thestompingrounds@yahoo.com; find it on Facebook.
my truth and to speak my language. I can really a lightning-bolt kind of moment.” At the onset of COVID-19 in Mis- show what I care about and put it out in sissippi, Forged True Tattoo had to shut the world and inspire someone,” Sanders down, but it has since opened its doors, says. “And through tattooing, I get to help another person do that. I get to collaborate maintaining health-safety guidelines. Beyond tattooing, Sanders creates with someone else and tell their story. To murals, portraits and paintings, and she me, that’s so incredible. Being able to estaboften enjoys using watercolor and markers. lish that connection is priceless.” Sanders manages an online store Some of Sanders’ more notable works include 7-foot-tall panels of Oprah Winfrey where patrons can purchase prints, stickand Elvis Presley in the Jackson-Medgar ers, magnets, clothes or accessories featuring her artwork, depicting Wiley Evers International both original and existing Airport; two portraits fictional characters. for the characters GrizaThe 32-year-old artbella and Mungo Jerrie ist spends the bulk of her from “Cats the Musical, spare time with her huswhich were auctioned off at Thalia Mara Hall band, Josh, and their two to benefit the Mississippi cats, although she also Spay and Neuter Clinic; a enjoys going outdoors and mural at Kirksey Middle patroning her local gym. School; and a mural for For more information the recent “#ArtofVoting” or to view her artwork, visit series that Eli Childers Sanders’ tattoo of the azhatattoos.com, find her organized. on Facebook, or follow her “Art is a way for Spring Sprite character on Instagram at @azha. me to be able to speak from Disney’s “Fantasia.”
Christmas Tree Platter Pottery Workshop Dec. 5, 10:30 a.m., at The Stompin’ Grounds (310 Airport Road, Pearl). Melinda Palmer of Mo Pottery leads the class in making a holidaythemed platter. $45 fee; call 601-487-8081; email thestompingrounds@yahoo.com; find it on Facebook. Lemon Bowl Transfer & Paint Workshop Dec. 8, 6 p.m., at Market House (5647 Highway 80 E., Suite 1, Pearl). The DIY studio offers the workshop teaching techniques for applying IOD transfers and embellishing with paints. $55 fee; call 769-233-8739; email markethousediystudio@gmail.com; find it on Facebook. Cactus canvas class Dec. 11, 6:30-8 p.m., at Fat Cat Art Cafe (5352 Highway 25, Suite 1700, Flowood). The Flowood art cafe offers the class teaching participants to make a cactus painting. Class limited to 12 participants. Ages 16 and up. Face masks required. Social distancing observed. $22 early registration, $26 after 12/9, $10 to reserve spot; call 601-992-6553; find it on Facebook. Blythe Doll Customization Panel Dec. 12, Jan. 12, Feb. 12, 8-9 a.m., at Blythe Doll House (3630 Saint Clair St.). The monthly creativity workshop allows attendees to learn how to customize Blythe dolls. The group shares information regarding topics such as sewing doll clothes, photographing dolls and more. Free admission; call 662-598-8115; email info@thisisblythe.com; thisisblythe.com.
PROFESSIONAL & BIZ
ARTS & EXHIBITS
601-672-0755; email dyowell@aol.com; find it on Facebook.
Curator Tour | Leonardo Drew: City in the Grass Nov. 28, Dec. 7, 1 p.m., at Mississippi Museum of Art (380 S. Lamar St.). Chief curator Ryan Dennis leads guests on a tour of the interactive art installation. Free event; call 601-9601515; email ywilliams@msmuseumart. org; msmuseumart.org.
Virtual Job Fair Dec. 10, 8 a.m.-5 p.m., at Virtual (Online). The career event offers opportunities for job seekers to virtually meet recruiters, hiring managers, and others who are hiring now. Participants should have an electronic copy of their resume and should be prepared to interview with recruiters. Professional attire required. Free event; call 678-787-1632; email info@fcacareerfairs. com; eventbrite.com.
Museum After Hours Dec. 17, 5:30-8 p.m., at Virtual (Zoom, Facebook Live). Evening event at the art museum includes one-night pop-up exhibitions, live music, films, interactive games and activities, and specialty mocktails. Free online; call 601960-1515; email ywilliams@msmuseumart. org; find it on Facebook. Piercing the Inner Wall: The Art of Dusti Bongé Feb. 20, 11 a.m., at Mississippi Museum of Art (380 S. Lamar St.). The exhibit features works by the artist widely considered to be the first Mississippi artist to work consistently in a Modernist style. Admission price TBA, free to members; call 601-960-1515; msmuseumart.org.
Tulip Tuesday Dec. 1, Dec. 15, 10 a.m.-noon, at Virtual (Zoom). The Flower Growers of Mississippi invite fellow gardeners to a Zoom webinar every other Tuesday with the goal of educating Mississippi growers in growing cut flowers for business-to-business or business-toconsumer sales. Experience in commercial flower growing not necessary. Free registration; call
BE THE CHANGE Infertility Support Group Dec. 1, Dec. 15, Jan. 5, 6-7:30 p.m., at M7 Coffee House (111 N. Wheatley St., Ridgeland). Parryscope & Positive Steps Fertility and Mississippi Baby Company offer the group for people struggling with issues surrounding infertility. Participants can join for an informal, safe space to talk with others who can relate. Adults only, please. Free support group, food and drink available for sale; call 833-767-7837; email fertility@parryscope.com; find it on Facebook. 3rd annual Burnout Human Trafficking Car Show Dec. 5, 7 a.m., at Burnout Trafficking Car Show (101 Parkway Road, Brandon). The open car show benefits Say Something School Assemblies, a non-profit organization raising awareness of human trafficking. Classes in show include pre-’49 cars and trucks, ‘49-’72 cars and trucks, ‘73-current cars and trucks, modern muscle, import, motorcycles, rat rod, and more. Trailer parking area available. Concessions available. Vendors welcome. Awards presented at 2 p.m. $20 vehicle registration
