Who Is Madame Turquo!se?
Madame Turquoise, legally known as Tynisha Brooks, is a multi-hyphenate creative with a deep love for three things:
- All things Black, Africa and African-diaspora
- Most things creative
- Many things metaphysical
She hails from the Washington, DC Metropolitan Area, where she works as a freelance creative under the name ARTfrohemia. La Vie ARTfroheme is a branch of the ARTfrohemia brand, serving as a channel for her creative expression and development.
In her free time, Madame Turquoise enjoys attending live musical and theatrical performances, cultural events, and participating in unique experiential activities.
Defining La Vie ARTfroheme
La Vie ARTfroheme is Madame Turquoise’s “Africanized” tribute to the song “La Vie Boheme” from the hit Broadway musical Rent. She considers it her magnum opus, captured in these words: “The African-Centered and Artistic Life.” While this translation brings vibrant visuals and themes to mind, Madame Turquoise is on a quest to give it her own evolving definition.
She often reflects on the core themes that fuel her passion: color, fashion and style, body positivity, African art and culture, travel, and the metaphysical. Since summarizing this vision can be complex, she distills it into an elevator pitch: La Vie ARTfroheme is an African-centered, creative, colorful, and soulful lifestyle curation.
Her intention is to chronicle this journey from a curator’s perspective. Madame Turquoise invites you to experience life through her lens and see the elements that matter deeply to her.
A FEW THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT MADAME TURQUO!SE...
Ancestral MakeUp
To date, my ancestry is found amongst the following:
- Fula people of Guinea-Bissau
- Mende & Temne of Sierra Leone
- Kpelle people of Liberia
My autosomal is that I am 82% sub-saharan African and 18% European
My BGT Erotic Starship
The Black Girl Tantra (BGT) Erotic Starship is a celestial, sensual journey fueled by your unique astrological placements. Each planet plays a significant role in guiding you through your relationships, self-expression, and desires, both on Earth and in the cosmos.
- Mercury (Communication/Navigation) – Libra
- Sun (Fuel) – Virgo
- Eros (Fuel Injection) – Scorpio
- Venus (Wing/Feeling Energy) – Leo
- Mars (Wing/Action Energy) – Gemini
- Vesta (Erotic Energy Body) – Pisces
To read more in depth about this, read my blog postand listen to the playlist.
Life Path Number
My life path number is ONE – The Innovative Leader. I am destined to lead on my own terms in my own way. According to Felecia Bender, this path emphasizes independence, creativity, and the drive to pioneer new ideas and approaches in life.
Human Design Archetype
I am a Manifesting Generator, a unique blend of the Generator and Manifestor human design types. This combination allows me to harness the strengths of both—efficiently generating energy and bringing visions to life while navigating challenges with flexibility and adaptability.
Guardian Orishia
Yemaya is my Guardian Orisha, the powerful mother of the ocean and a symbol of nurturing, protection, and creation. As the Orisha of the waters, she embodies deep emotional wisdom, healing, and strength, guiding me with her calming yet fierce presence, much like the ever-moving sea. Yemaya’s energy surrounds me with love, balance, and the power to flow through life’s challenges with grace.
Totem Animal
The peacock is my totem animal, symbolizing beauty, self-expression, and spiritual awakening. With its vibrant, iridescent feathers, the peacock embodies confidence and the ability to stand out while remaining grounded. It encourages me to embrace my uniqueness, show my true colors, and walk through life with grace and poise. As a totem, the peacock reminds me to trust my inner wisdom and radiate my inner light.
Favorite Crystal
Peacock ore, my favorite crystal, is a stone of joy and transformation. Its vibrant, iridescent colors reflect a spectrum of energy that uplifts the spirit and encourages a positive outlook. Known for its ability to align the chakras and enhance perception, peacock ore helps me embrace change and see the beauty in all aspects of life. It’s a powerful reminder to radiate my inner light and move through the world with confidence and balance.
Signature Fragrance Blend
The name of my signature fragrance is Tanasamu which is a combination of the Swahili words “Tamu” (sweet) and “Anasa” (luxury).
This luxurious blend opens with the bold spice of cardamom (top note), leading into the smoky richness of oud (middle note), grounded by the sweet, warm embrace of vanilla (base note). A fragrance that evokes exotic elegance and grounded power, perfect for those who embody both mystery and allure with every breath.
Signature Color Palette
My signature color palette of turquoise, purple, fuchsia, and gold is a vibrant blend of colors that balances sweetness with a sense of luxury and cultural depth. The turquoise brings in an element of calm and spirituality, reminiscent of tranquil waters or protective talismans. Purple adds a touch of royalty and mysticism, enhancing the richness of the palette. Fuchsia brings boldness and a playful energy, evoking the bright, sweet tones of candy, while gold provides warmth, luxury, and grounding, often seen in Moroccan decor through ornate details and accents. Together, the palette evokes a dynamic yet harmonious energy that reflects both joy and sophistication.
Focal Chakra & Inner Authority
Having the Sacral Chakra as my focal chakra means that my creativity, emotions, and passion are at the core of who I am. It’s the seat of my sensuality and ability to connect deeply with others and the world around me. This energy center fuels my imagination, my pleasure in life, and my capacity to nurture new ideas. I trust my feelings and intuition, using them to guide me in every aspect of my life—from the art I create to the relationships I build. With my inner authority aligned to this chakra, I move through the world with a deep connection to my emotions, always honoring what feels right and authentic to me. My energy flows from this powerful space, allowing me to embrace joy, healing, and transformation.
Theme Song
From the moment I heard J Dilla’s “African Rhythms (Instrumental)“,I knew I had found my theme sound. The rhythm and bass are the perfect entrance music, setting the tone with a powerful, soulful energy that resonates deeply with me.
Favorite Movie
There are so many great movies, but I could watch “Love Jones” every day, all day. It’s a timeless favorite. Recently, “Black Panther” has also become a new favorite, captivating me with its powerful storytelling, cultural significance and stunning visuals/effects.