Poet Suheir Hammad ~ Into Egypt

Power-full poetry.

Divine Self!

Please check out more videos on youtube by Lisa Gerrard, always magical!

Divine Self

To thy divine self be true,

Can you do it every day?

To thy divine self be true,

Such an easy thing to say,

To thy divine self be true,

It’s the only way to be,

To thy divine self be true,

And shine eternally.

[source]

HERstory... Venus Lives!

Her name was Saartjie Baartman, also known as HOTTENTOT VENUS - please read her story here.

I posted on her a while ago with a poetry clip... it's amazing how many people still don't know her-story. It's no surprise that she still holds a great energy and gives much inspiration over the topics of sexuality, body image and wombanhood.

Here are some artworks that were inspired by her....

Venus Lives

World Film: Chico & Rita

I first came across this lovely animated film during the Spanish Film Festival here in London and it's out now - watch out for it! Such a beautiful film!

Chico & Rita

World Film: Slums, Drums & Capoeira

As promised, I'm posting up more world films to look out for this month!

Here is another world film that I am looking forward to watching!

Website

World Film: Waste Land

I'm always looking out for world films that bring creativity, real life and a clear positive message! This is one that caught my eye...

If you're also a fan of world films and art, watch this space... this month, I'm going to post up a few so stay tuned!

Waste Land is a film that follows Brazil native Vik Muniz as he travels from Brooklyn to Rio's Jardim Gramacho, the planet's largest garbage dump. Upon arrival he begins photographing local recycling pickers and "paints" their portraits with garbage from the dump. Looking much cooler than it sounds, the film is currently playing in theaters across the world.

WASTE LAND Official Trailer from Almega Projects on Vimeo.

Below is Waste Land's synopsis from its site:

"Filmed over nearly three years, WASTE LAND follows renowned artist Vik Muniz as he journeys from his home base in Brooklyn to his native Brazil and the world's largest garbage dump, Jardim Gramacho, located on the outskirts of Rio de Janeiro. There he photographs an eclectic band of “catadores”—self-designated pickers of recyclable materials. Muniz’s initial objective was to “paint” the catadores with garbage. However, his collaboration with these inspiring characters as they recreate photographic images of themselves out of garbage reveals both the dignity and despair of the catadores as they begin to re-imagine their lives. Director Lucy Walker (DEVIL’S PLAYGROUND, BLINDSIGHT, COUNTDOWN TO ZERO) has great access to the entire process and, in the end, offers stirring evidence of the transformative power of art and the alchemy of the human spirit."

Healing Crystal Adornments + Innerview With Dr. Aminah Dean

Ever since my loc journey began, I have been in love with healing adornments... loc rings wih healing crystals and beads and oooooh so many other beautiful things to decorate natural hair and the body!

For centuries, crystals and natural materials have been used for healing and once we become more aware of the meanings behind them, we can easily use them in our daily life - one such way is through healing adornments! As you already know, I LOVE anything that works on a metaphysical healing level... and this can easily be used daily as a normal part of our lives.

At the moment, I am a little obsessed with mala beads... and I've recently bought a whole heap of gem rings on ebay which feel so amazing to wear. They just stand out so brightly with any outfit! The number of compliments have been amazing.

And as the festive season has begun, it is the perfect time to find adornments that will add that special something to your energy! Or it can also make for a super cute present for someone! The way I like to wear a crystal as a statement with my favourite party dress is by wearing it on my first loc alone. I love how it catches the light and people do take notice of it pretty quick! Subtle but power-full lol!

Here is a great online dictionary of crystal properties - click here. Don't forget that wood and metals have fantastic properties too - click here.

At the moment, my loves are turquoise, obsidian, onyx, moonstone and topaz. I am currently on the look-out for a good online shop that sells loc rings with these crystals. 

Tips: A little trick I do use is that I buy adjustable larger crystal rings on online stores like ebay or etsy, and they work perfectly on my locs - especially as I have thick locs and some loc rings I bought before never made it up past the tip of my locs lol! Rings do range in prices, sizes, styles etc... Another tip is to just feel which one is right for you. this is much easier when you're in an actual shop and can touch the rings... but if it's online, just do the same. Trust that gut feeling that draws you to be attracted to a certain crystal adornment. Last tip - As soon as you get home, cleans and energise the crystal. You don't know where it has been or what energy it has picked up, so pleae clear it's energy - click here for more info on this. When you wear your crystal adornment, be sure to set the intention of it before wearing, eg. "I attract love energy my way!"

Food For Thought
I want to end this post with an inspiring inner-view with a natural health therapist Dr. Aminah Dean who speaks of crystal healing and much more... I know it's long, but well worth hearing as there is much food for thought!

Creative Film: Influences

In this fast ppaced life, what is it that really influences your creative energy? 

Saw this mini film on the topic of creative influences and how everyone is part of the bigger flow of creative energy. 

It is an exciting time to share! Food for thought.

INFLUENCERS FULL VERSION from R+I creative on Vimeo.

Qoute Of The Day: For Womben

"Women try to fill [their unmet needs] vicariously by becoming a caregiver especially to men who appear needy, in time there is disrespect. 

The [a| man will disrespect you for feeding his weakness because he already disrespects himself for being needy."

~ Wayne B. Chandler

Lecture: The Spirit of Intimacy

World Film & Art: JR - Women Are Heroes

TED Prize Winner: JR

Read more about this amazing artist

I simply love his work!

TRAILER " WOMEN ARE HEROES" from SOCIAL ANIMALS on Vimeo.

UK Artist: Pepperstorm Arts

This art bite features a UK based artist that I have been a HUGE fan of for a while! When I see her work, it always reminds me of having a really "cooling spiritual water-energy" feeling... there is a flow about it. Does that make sense lol?!? I have also seen her work on numerous flyers around culture shops in London, promoting events (talks, open mic etc) and other artists.

About the artist:
"I am a painter, jewellery designer and sculptor living in London. I began my career as an artist in the mid-eighties designing backdrops and promotional material for warehouse parties and clubs. During this time my work took me to Japan, Australia, North America and Europe where my interest in the arts grew and I began to express myself through painting and sculpture.

The biggest impact on my working technique came through the first visit to my homeland of St Vincent. I was completely overwhelmed by the vibrancy of colour and richness of the culture, something that I had expressed previously in my painting without understanding where the inspiration had come from. This visit inspired me to paint more frequently. I later traveled to Senegal and The Gambia which gave greater meaning and understanding to my work. I spent six months working with artists and sculptors and have made many return visits

I have a BA in Jewellery Design from Central St Martins. During the time studying my paintings took on a sculptural quality with many of the pieces showing the delicacy of fine jewellery and a sculptural quality in the form of collage, print and surface decoration.

I have enjoyed working as a freelance designer and maker producing processional sculpture and costumes with EEA and educational work with KORI. I also work with the Indigo Collective and I am a member of the art group Colour and Movement. My main project at the moment is the commission of two outdoor sculptures for the Altnegelvin Hospital in Derry Ireland.

I work from my studio in South London. Although I love the time I spend locked away in my studio, I also enjoy working on collaborative projects with other artists and in community settings."

Visit Her Website

Inspiring!

Capoeira Inspired.

Uk Spoken Word: Dzifa Benson "Bottom Power"

More poetic inspiration that touched me. This talented woman is fantastic to watch as many of her poems express spirituality, African culture and food for thought!

In this poem she talks about Saartjie Baartman, who was finally laid to rest in her home, South Africa.

Warning: Swear words.

Uk Spoken Word: Dean Atta

Spoken word venues run all over London and this artist is one of the many who always inspire me! I saw him over the weekend in a poetry festival and he was great!

See his website and videos @ Dean Atta

Art In London: Yinka Shonibare’s Bottle

If you're planning on strolling around central London any time soon, you will most probably look up and see it!

Yinka Shonibare, MBE was born in London and moved to Lagos, Nigeria at the age of three. He returned to London to study Fine Art first at Byam Shaw College of Art (now Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design) and then at Goldsmiths College, where he received his MFA, graduating as part of the ‘Young British Artists’ generation. He currently lives and works in the East End of London.

Over the past decade, Shonibare has become well known for his exploration of colonialism and post-colonialism within the contemporary context of globalisation. Shonibare’s work explores these issues, alongside those of race and class, through the media of painting, sculpture, photography and, more recently, film and performance. Using this wide range of media, Shonibare examines in particular the construction of identity and tangled interrelationship between Africa and Europe and their respective economic and political histories. (source)

Read the full article

Celebrate Art: Jean-Michel Basquiat

I've been living around Hackney for just over a year now... when I first told some friends that I was moving to this neighbourhood, they were like "WTF would you move out there?!?". OK, Yes...it is not a beauitful part of town....

Just a while ago, I was sitting in my French class when a girl was expressing where she lived - the instructor asked which part of London it was and when she said Hackney, the whole class went "Ooooooooooooooooh!" - with pinched up faces LOL. It's either you like it or hate it! I thought that too for about a month, until I started seeing another side to it. OK [my.logic.vs.heart.speaking.lol] I'm in London to explore it properly before I leave. I've always known that London is just another temporary stop.

Hackney London apparently has the highest concentration of artists of any London borough and in Europe, with many art studios and "done-up" warehouses. And they are BIG! My SO and I looked for a creative space in this area for a while and found some nice spaces to (potentially) work with! The parties are also super creative and the Hackney Wicked Festival showcases a variety of great talents here too!

There is this one house I pass by every day with a great picture painted outside and it reminded me of the work of Jean-Michel Basquiat... See Website

Video: Yes LIoness! Art

I have loved Yes LIoness artworks, tees and products for some time now... so gorgeous!

Have a look at this great video featuring some of her works...

Marjorie Borgella is a Visual Artist, freelance illustrator and Entrepreneur.I am the owner and Artist of Yes Lioness.Com: 


"At heart I am an Afro-Caribbean Woman born and raised in Brooklyn,New York. Free mind & spirit, world traveler and nomadic sage. A modern girl with an old school kind of thinking. I have been making Art since I was about 5 and it has always been my first love. I have shown my work in homes, galleries, Art festivals and have worked as a freelance illustrator and Art teacher for many years. My work expresses my love of all things African, Carribean, Feminine & Beautiful." 

http://www.yeslioness.com 

April Challenge - Paula Varjack: I Am Only Responsible​.​.​.

Great words byPaula Varjack

"Paula Varjack comes from London, Washington and other places she's forgotten. She's the kind of the girl that will kiss and tell. Not only will she tell, she’ll tell an audience of hundreds. She has been compared to that girl who who found herself in a garden with a pretty but stupid boy, and a sexy but dangerous snake. Caught between her passion/lust/love for London and Berlin, she’s scheming a way to have both."

Source



I am only responsible...
I woke up this morning
And I decided something
I’m only responsible
For what I say
Not for what you understand
Today I woke up
And realised something
I’m only responsible for what I say
Not for what you understand

If you’re by yourself
IF you enjoy being by yourself
If you get to the point where
You’re so content
Just with yourself
Soon enough
Someone will join you

If you’re with someone
And you love being with someone
And all you can think
Today, tomorrow
The week the year after
Is to never leave them…
One day you or they
Will leave

(wake up tomorrow and tell yourself. ..)
this is the moment
This is the only moment
Right now
That you can be sure of
And whatever you’re doing
Whatever you’ve achieved
This is exactly the place
That you’re meant to be

(Give of yourself
Give as much as you can)
You can’t be anywhere else
Then right here right now
So take it
Open up your hands
Wrap yourself around it
(and allow yourself to..)
Be here with me

We’re creating a memory
We’ll look back at this and remember

(You can do with this whatever you like
you can translate this however you like)

And everything ends…
But for every ending
There’s a beginning
There’s a dream
There’s a future
It’s starting now
Right here

Turn to the person next to you
And say
These words may flow
But I don’t know where they’re going
And I am only responsible
For what I say…


Those words feel SO real to me, right NOW.
Using these words to empower this month! Time to do a lot more space clearing and cleansing, getting rid of negative energy for this new season ;o)

UK Artist Journey: Adelaide Damoah

I have been a fan of hers for a few years now. One of the things that initially drew me to her work was how she her turned around a negative situation (in this case, her health condition) into a creative expression and creating more awareness for women who suffer from Endometriosis - She also tackles many other issues using art.

You can read more about her creative journey in Mimi Magazine's article: Shade Of Genius: Adelaide Damoah

See Her Website

London Street Art

[Lesson 5648...] Take the time to enjoy your local murals/street art as they have a habit of dissappearing just as fast as they came! [/Lesson_over]

Love em' or hate em', every city and town has them - Street art!

What say you, yay or nay?!?

OK, so there quite a few around that bug the ish out of me, but then the ones that do make me smile make up for it. Some places suit street art more than others, where it looks out of place. My area is known for its artist parties lol and just down the road from me, there is a house that purposely covered their front wall with a really beautiful piece of artwork. I pass it everyday when I'm off to work, yet I only took the time to really admire it once last week. The next day, the council came around and hid it with black paint... Hmmmm, now it looks a real mess! ... missing it.

Celebrating street art in London...
Visit this online free magazine:
Download London Street Design Magazine