The Topshelf ARTistry by NiSi painting, “Loc’d on my Reflection” was created to reflect the sun of Chocolate Femininity. Seeing an orange moon represents new love, decisions may be made. In all things, reflect on self and love self first. There are times when you need someone to talk to. There are times when there’s so much going on in your head and you just have to find a way to get it out. This Daily Self-Expression journal allows you to put your feelings on paper. Even if you can’t get out the words, there’s space for you to doodle, draw or just allow your tears to hit the paper. Each page provides you with a small space to write down highlights of the day or those things that are providing you stress.

The Daily Self-Expression: Loc’d on my Reflection features artwork from Topshelf ARTistry by NiSi and a motivational poem; along with daily inspirational quotes.

SAME CONTENT, 3 COVER OPTIONS TO CHOOSE FROM

I began working on “Kiswana Brown” in June of 2023. I put her down and picked her back up in October 2023.
When I was a little girl, my mom always had VHS tapes of movies and shows with black casts. One of my favorite movies to this day is “Women of Brewster Place.” I love the strength of these women, through the many trials and tribulations they went through. I always loved Robin Givens characters name, Kiswana, also known as Melanie Browne. She was authentically herself, and was about community, and spoke up for herself and what she believed. I have found multiple ways to express myself, and one way is through my art.
There are times when you need someone to talk to. There are times when there’s so much going on in your head and you just have to find a way to get it out. This Daily Self-Expression journal allows you to put your feelings on paper. Even if you can’t get out the words, there’s space for you to doodle, draw or just allow your tears to hit the paper. Each page provides you with a small space to write down highlights of the day or those things that are providing you stress. NiSi’s Eyes Daily Self-Expression Journal: Kiswana Brown features artwork from Topshelf ARTistry by NiSi and a motivational poem; along with daily inspirational quotes.

As women, as black women, we are sometimes considered Strong Black Women; this carries a lot of weight. A lot of times, the weight that we carry isn’t just from food. We have been broken in so many different ways but we find ways to pick ourselves up and hide the tears. Whether it be talking to a therapist, removing self from situations, or loving on ourselves more. We mend ourselves and change our mindset, choose happy and celebrate the lessons we’ve learned and our next journey. Kintsugi, which roughly translates to “golden joinery,” is the Japanese philosophy that the value of an object is not in its beauty, but in its imperfections, and that these imperfections are something to celebrate, not hide. In Japan, there is a traditional repair method known as kintsugi, where broken pieces of pottery are stuck back together with a Japanese lacquer (urushi), the joints are painted and decorated with gold or silver powder, and the pottery continues to be used.Kintsugi teaches us that in life we can turn adversity into something that is beautiful and resilient. Kintsugi shows us that in time, we can heal from our wounds, embrace our imperfections, and become stronger. Kintsugi reminds us that no matter our difficulties, we can find a way to reframe and find meaning in life.
There are times when you need someone to talk to. There are times when there’s so much going on in your head and you just have to find a way to get it out. This Daily Self-Expression journal allows you to put your feelings on paper. Even if you can’t get out the words, there’s space for you to doodle, draw or just allow your tears to hit the paper. Each page provides you with a small space to write down highlights of the day or those things that are providing you stress. NiSi’s Eyes Daily Self-Expression Journal: Kiswana Brown features artwork from Topshelf ARTistry by NiSi and a motivational poem; along with daily inspirational quotes.

Yonitry is about finding our voices again, telling our stories with inspiration from source– the womb, or as we so endearingly call it, the yoni. We are women and artists, and this work is a representation of our stories expressed through poetry and illustration, yet these stories are the same relatable, captivating, heavy, and insightful stories that so many women around the world live every single day. Here, we find peace in knowing that we’re not alone.
We gain the confidence to remember how phenomenal we are. We’re inspired, heard, empowered, understood, healed, and supported. This is sisterhood. This is Yonitry.

Yoni is the Sanskrit word that is interpreted to mean “the womb,” containing all the female sexual organs. It is the source and the origin of all things and revered as a sacred space. “Yonitry” is the amalgamation of poetry and a desire to impact women positively.

Yonitry: Volume 2 resumes the mission of the first anthology by highlighting resilient women through their journeys with empowerment and healing. In Volume 1, we were vulnerable enough to address our traumas and insecurities.

Here, in Volume 2, we put our growth on display, and we step into our power as the true goddesses we were always meant to be. 

We are the type of women who use our voices and experiences to transform the lives of others. We are artists. We are entrepreneurs. We are spiritual guides. We are women making a difference in our communities. We are humanitarians.

We are women of God. We are wives. We are mothers. We are activists and advocates for good change. We are women of light. In this work, we explore the intricacies and intimacies of being a woman.

Through this sisterhood, you will dive into our innermost thoughts that include topics like self-care, loss, unity in loving partnerships, motherhood, culture, and thriving after trauma. We encourage you to be inspired.

Relate. Find truth. Have an epiphany. Chuckle. Smile. Learn and grow. Get a different perspective. Understand life. Be educated about the different walks we women take. 

This is a work of nonfiction. These are our stories. This is Yonitry. Welcome in.