Kindred Conversations: Ebony Evans and Chris Huang

Story and Photos by Hilary Nichols

Ebony Evans is the founder of the reading club, EyeCU Reading & Chatting and the author of Dead to Me. You can connect with her online on Facebook @AuthorEbonyEvans or the EyeCU Reading & Chatting Group. Follow on IG @eyecu_reading. Be on the lookout for Dead to Me on Audible, in production now.

It is said that we all have a book in us. As an avid reader, book reviewer, and book club leader, Ebony Evans has actively encouraged a lot of those books into being. Her book club, EyeCU Reading and Chatting Club, has over 2000 members online with impressive outreach and impact in the literary sphere. Evans discovered in previous book clubs that the participants weren’t really there to read, they were catty and talked about each other. It became clear that she was looking for something distinct. So, she created it herself. “I wanted a close-knit group of like-minded women, who would support and be there for each other.” Edward’s group of lifelong friends solidified when she lost her baby son at 11 months old. “I realized we should get together not only in times of sorrow but also in the good times.” In 2010 her book club EyeCU Reading and Social Network was formed of best friends who gathered monthly to read and so much more.

They started off reading and reviewing mostly African American indie authors. “An author’s exposure is heavily based on book reviews, if we read it, we review it!” The club’s reputation for supporting these titles paid off. “People are dying for me to review their books,” Evans said. “The popularity and constructive honesty of our reviews has gotten us sought out by many authors, who value the opinions of our readers.” The notoriety attracts accomplished authors to participate in EyeCU. “But I just want to read what I like,” Evans acknowledges. “When it is my turn to pick a book, they know it is going to be erotica.” She laughs. “But when Tam picks a book we tease her, another slave read? Now we read everything.” Walter Mosely’s The Last Days of Ptolemy Gray is their current club assignment.

When the pandemic hit, the members of EyeCU had to make a decision—wait it out or pivot to online. The move toward hosting multiple groups in virtual spaces has been monumental. Readers from everywhere enrich the discussion. The increased visibility became an inspiration. Thanks to their literary focus, many of the founding members now boast some impressive professional gains. The crew includes Tamara Walker who is now a vlogger with a channel called Tam Telling Tales, Tina Smith who is now an editor for Precise Editing, and Stacye Lewis, under the pen name Kaylynn Hunt, is now an author of five books. Evans said, “We call her [Kalynn Hunt] the ‘Freestyle Queen’ because she always participates in the Friday Freestyle challenge. In addition to these, there are many more smart, accomplished women.

Evans came up with the idea of the freestyle challenge as a way to engage with their online community. She posts a weekly writing challenge to her membership inspiring countless stories. This September an anthology of the best of those stories will be released as a book titled Freestyle Cipher.

Yet, for years, Evans herself was not participating in these challenges. She admitted that “No one had ever read my writing before. Those posts are read and commented on by over 2000 people. That terrified me.”

But in 2020, when her father went missing for 11 days, Evans turned to her writing. “It was all over the news. But no one in my life knew what was going on. I went to work and put on a smile, while inside I was petrified.” It was her writing that offered her some solace. “When I finally told my husband that I wanted to write my story, he said, if for nothing else, write for therapy.”

Evans joined an online writing course led by Victoria Christopher Murray. A New York Times bestselling author with over 30 titles, six of which have been made into Lifetime movies, Murray holds a certain sway. “When such an accomplished author tells you, ‘girl you got to write your own book,’ I kind of had to listen,” shared Evans. “She stayed on the phone with me for over three hours, encouraging me to write. So, I put my head down and I wrote.” A year later Evans sent a single page to Murray with the words, “The End.” “I don’t think she knew I was serious about finishing.” Murray instructed Evans, “At next year’s conference, come prepared.”

At the National Book Club conference the following year, Evans came prepared. She printed out bookmark announcements, posted a promotional reel, hosted a book release party, and she sent advance review copies to over 20 reviewers to be sure that the book would have a notable reception the day that it dropped. “I had been doing this for other authors, so I knew what was needed.” She even got a nice blurb from Victoria Christoper Murray: “Dead to Me, Ebony Evans’ debut novel is an emotional journey of love, loss, healing, and self-discovery. This intimate story will captivate you from the first page to the last. A page-turner that is hard to put down!” The promotions paid off. Dead To Me sold 300 copies in the first three days.

The host of this year’s National Book Club convention, singer Kem, has picked Evans to walk the red carpet. That is a distinction that rarely goes to a first-time author. “To be one of those authors and to walk the red carpet with Kem! I am just beside myself,” gushed Evans.

Dead to Me is certainly inspired by real life, but the fictional novel does take liberties. She added characters for comic relief and changed names to honor friends and family in unique ways. She includes the speech her husband shared at her father’s funeral almost verbatim. “My husband is a joker. He even proposed doing a stand-up comedy show. At the funeral, everyone was laughing, their spirits lifted. There was no more crying when he was up there. I asked him what was that joke you told? He said, ‘That wasn’t a joke; it was a true story of your dad.’ I needed to hear that again. So, that’s in the book.” Evans has been married to her soulmate Michael since 2000, and together they have one daughter, Essence, who shines in her own light as an accomplished swimmer and actor.

I know Ebony Evans as the most amazing customer service specialist where I shop. I asked her when she might leave her management job behind now that she is experiencing such success as a writer. She laughed it off. “I am not going anywhere. I love my job. It suits me.” She lauds her employer for allowing her to contribute her most natural gifts and shine in her role overseeing charitable giving. And her co-workers agree. Evans is clearly loved by her colleagues.

Her father’s mysterious disappearance and death could not have been easy, and it was certainly not easy to share the story. “I was starting to doubt this myself, thinking you’re too old to release a book, you’re not a real writer,” she admitted. But now she coaches others. “Don’t talk yourself out of doing your things ‘cause life is short. With my daughter in mind, I wanted to let her know that there are no barriers in life, unless you create them. I feel good that I was able to do this and stand in the faith that we all have greatness to share.” 

Chris Huang creates with colored pencil and ink on wood and is inspired by the beauty in nature. You can see more of his work at yellowlotusdesigns.com.

Sometimes high art isn’t so highbrow. The colorful collage-styled fine art pieces that lined the long gallery walls at Matthaei Botanical gallery this past summer are not comic, but they were inspired from comic books. Artist Chris Huang of Yellow Lotus Designs creates his colored pencil and ink artwork on wood from the inspiration of nature. He credits the way each piece fills the full frame as a nod to his lifelong love of graphic novels. “Someone once called it “high-folk art” and I kind of liked it as a description,” said Huang. Each panel is a whole story that uses every inch to empower a complete expression. The bright and beguiling compositions are complex with many points of interest. Each piece takes time to really view all the elements. Central in his work are a fox, a Luna moth, and Sandhill cranes. Nature is the star here. Surrounded by fanciful foliage and curly que clouds, sun, stars, and stones—these pieces are carefully crafted out to the very edge.

As a kid Chris Huang’s talents were evident, “I was drawing dinosaurs and comic book characters early. The interest went dormant during high school but was re-stoked from a drawing class while attending U of M. ‘’ School and travel both impacted his artistic aesthetic. “The Mexican muralists and the Native American and other Indigenous artists with their often- bold color choices and patterns struck a chord with me while living in the American Southwest.” The overarching element is apparent in each piece as well. “Since art is a reflection of oneself, being of Chinese descent, naturally the most prominent influence is an Asian style that runs throughout all of the work.”

While living in Boulder, Colorado after college, this current style of artistry was established when a woodworker offered free wood panels to the community of artists. Quickly he realized the choice of surface was ideal for his color pencil applications. “First out of necessity, but it became a synergistic material right away, and it has come to really define the aesthetic of my pieces,” Huang said. The match was made.

“My inspirations are varied, spanning several genres and cultures from comic books to stained glass of Frank Lloyd Wright, the Austrian painters Klimt, Schiele, Hundertwasser, and psychedelic rock poster art,” Huang explained. He is happy to be able to pair his passion with purpose to help charitable organizations. His work benefits the environmental organizations such as Frack Free Colorado, Cornucopia Institute, and Conscious Alliance. Conscious Alliance commissioned a poster to raise funds for food relief at the Pine Ridge Reservations. Conscious Alliance is a non-profit hunger relief organization that unifies bands, brands, artists, and fans to collectively support communities in crisis. “Grab a poster—Feed a family” is their tagline. Huang’s art has been an active part of this brilliant pairing for years. “Chris cares deeply about the community. He uses his art to connect and giveback so that all may thrive. We are beyond lucky to have him as part of our Alliance,” said Justin Levy, Executive Director of Conscious Alliance, when I inquired.

For over 20 years he has created artwork for people of all walks of life. “I pride myself on my ability to share work regardless of financial situations. It is important to me that my art is accessible.” On his website his artwork is available as original or commissioned fine art pieces, prints, posters, tee-shirts, greeting cards, or on an intricate wooden puzzle to purchase at all price points. In Boulder, Colorado his work is available for all to view as an outdoor mural, commissioned as part of the city’s Creative Neighborhood Murals project. Huang was chosen as a city-approved artist before he recruited his dear friends to apply for this triple win. Huang is proud to share, “It remains some of my most meaningful work to have had the opportunity to create large murals for all to see, supported by the city, on the homes of loved ones. That is very significant for me.”

His motivation is to show his work where people will appreciate it. “I simply haven’t ventured where I wasn’t welcomed or pursued leads that didn’t appear before me. I’ve allowed myself to be guided more by intuition and accepting invitations through mutual acquaintances and friendships, rather than seeking a gallery based on prestige or perceived esteem.” His first gallery show was 20 years ago here in Ann Arbor at Gypsy Cafe, where the current People’s Food Co-Op’s Cafe Verde is now. “I was in my early 20’s just learning to express myself and I was able to cobble together enough finished work to create an exhibition.” The early accolades and recognition were a huge force to ignite his career. “When I made my first ever sale it was so exhilarating for me. I can’t stress enough how much coming up in the Ann Arbor community uplifted me in those days and what a nurturing community it was and remains. Ann Arbor really is the jewel of the Midwest,” Huang gushed.

He moved West after graduating from the University of Michigan, living in Tucson, Arizona and Boulder, Colorado, but returned with his wife Jesse and kids Soté and Fractal in 2021. Soon after he was invited to show his work along with the artwork of Anne Erlewine at Barry Lonik’s private barn venue in Dexter. “I was honored to have Chris’ work hang in my barn during several concerts in the summer of 2021,” Barry Lonik said. “His combination of fanciful landscapes and mandalas with animal figures sold quite a lot that weekend and gifted me with a set of note cards that I have a hard time giving away!”

Fifteen pieces enhanced the barn walls behind the performing bands. “It went really great. I ended up selling work, and I felt so well received after just arriving here. It made me feel really welcomed,” Huang said. “Artwork rarely doesn’t enhance an experience, so why not include it?” When Canvas Rebel magazine asked Huang how we can benefit the arts and artists, “Buy more art. It’s really that simple,” was his response. “Try to showcase art into events like music, film, poetry, literary, food, yoga, and sports events. Art pairs well with everything.”

The life of an artist is not a nine to five, but Chris Huang does spend hours each day making art. It is his job, and he approaches it with diligence. “It does require my attention, but it is not a struggle to want to work.” Applying colored pencil in his intricate technique for four or five hours at a stretch is slow work but he is not in a hurry. The meditative practice is essential to the outcome. “I can’t even express how grateful I am that I am able to do this work. Every day that I get to do it is a blessing, it feeds my soul.” And that joy is evident in the glowing showings.

Animals are an important part of Huang’s connection to the conversation. In the center of one piece, a Red Winged Blackbird has his beak open to evoke a very present summer sound that Huang missed one long winter. And the large Luna Moth also honors the summer times spent exploring Pickerel Lake’s trails. “It was one of the most beautiful things I have ever seen. So surreal, so big. Big as your hand.” He is devoted to the local flora and fauna to connect his current art to his current place and community. Throughout his body of work he draws radiant energy lines from his subjects toward the heavens. He told me, “Just about all the pieces are trying to convey that same message. In a lot of ways I feel like I am creating the same drawing over and over again.” All are different and unique, but all may amplify the meaning. “That is often an animal that is at peace, composed, balanced with its surroundings, effortlessly connected with the cosmos,” he mused. I can’t really think of a more important message. From comic books to cosmic connections, Chris Huang’s work takes on true import, in a way we can receive with ease and beauty. “There is enough ugliness in the world. Right?” He asks. His art is his response. “We need a little respite. I am trying to remind myself of the hope, of our potential.”

Related Content: