still a fan: MOS DEF on MF DOOM

looooool! this is hilarious.

New pen and Ink illustrations

I admit that lately I have been a bit preoccupied with all the weird negatives and stresses as of late. I think the best remedy to this is staying busy, keeping tons of projects at hand so you have no time to dwell on all the crud in life. I have been doing pretty good in the keeping busy department lately. I find drawing to be perhaps one of the best forms of therapy for myself. I love to put on a good movie( lately been enjoying lots of Studio Ghibli films like Spirited away and howls moving castle) or listen to some music(a lot of Greatful Dead pod casts and danny's great collection of Reggae) while getting cozy on the couch by the window and then just drawing for hours on end. Here are some recently finished pen and ink drawings of mine:

This one I started drawing as I watched the movie Sleepy Hollow for probably the 100th time. I really love the costume work and the overall vibe of the film. I have always had a week spot for period clothing especially the elaborate women’s gowns. Corsets are still something that I cant seem to get enough of. I wear mine any time I find an excuse be it a renaissance fair, Halloween, costume party, tea time…whatever! I have recently started drawing more and more corseted women, along with fully detailed gowns. Im still trying to make up my mind on whether or not I should leave the above drawing as a bust portrait or draw out the entire woman and her gown…guess ill keep pondering for a bit on that one.
Here is another recent illustration I made of an earth/goddess spirit of some kind:

Sorry Aunt Char, its another “droopy boob” drawing as per usual!
I should have prints for sale shortly for both of these drawings.
Getting back to keepin busy with projects: danny and I are still experimenting like crazy with silk screening. The other night I created a new silkscreen using the drawing fluid/screen filler method again. I tried my first double blend color the other day using metallic pink and metallic purple. The screen prints came out great with a neat transition of color through it. I took pictures last night of the prints and some of the shirts I printed on too but I was too tired to post them. Tonight I should be editing and posting those pictures up for everyone to see, and they will also be up in our etsy shop very soon so stay tuned.
Danny and I finally bought a table of our own to use at art walks instead of having to borrow someone else’s, yikes! What’s really exciting is now I have a table in my little art corner of our apartment. Its inspired me to reorganize the area. I caught the spring cleaning bug. Over the weekend I scrubbed the bathroom clean and tidied up all over. I planted some wild flowers in pots and put those on the patio. Today at work I plan to clean out my desk and my inbox. Clean and organized makes for more breathing room= less stress time. Yay.
Also, i just recently noticed that our Lucid Optic Lab online etsy shop has now been "hearted" or "followed" by 200 people. Our audience is growing! The other day we got our first alchemy request( custom order request) through the etsy site. I am interested to see how all that pans out. Exciting.

Best wishes everyone!

WHERE THE PARTY AT: RAW FUSION w/ Kissey Asplund, Eric Rico, Ge-ology, Amir, OP and more

TOMORROW at APT!!! This is where I'll be....

Raw Fusion is back again with a killa line-up of Kissey Asplund, Eric Rico, Mad Mats and my homies, Ge-ology and Amir (Kon & Amir) along with resident djs, OP and Scribe on the wheels. This party is one of my favorite parties in the city, the energy is real good and people really get down on the dancefloor.

Sarah and I have been giving love to the folks at Raw Fusion for a while. Check out our earlier features on WRONGLIPS here.

BRUCE LEE vs IRON MAN

dooope!

FREE DOWNLOAD ::: KOVAS ::: The Stimulus Package

Cop KOVAS' dope new mixtape The Stimulus Package Mixtape hosted by DJ Vlad & Lord Sear and blended by Wyclef's dj, DJ Leon. The Stimulus Package features an illustrious line-up of collaborators such as MGMT (Electric Feel w/Jim Jones), Kanye, Justin Timberlake, Timbaland and M.I.A. New York-based MC/producer KOVAS has produced and remixed records for Justin Timberlake,Chris Brown, Nick Cannon, De La Soul, Nicole Wray, Jeannie Ortega, Lady Sovereign, Kelis, Papoose, Freq Nasty and Billy Crawford. His first recorded appearance was on the De La Soul record, Words Verbs, which he wrote, co-produced and rapped on with Maseo of De La Soul when he was 17.
Like the title suggests, the new mixtape's stimulating beats & lyrical flow meant to make you want to get physical. hot lava... Download now for free!

FREE DOWNLOAD ::: Waajeed & Coultrain

Check out these two tracks from PPP collaborators, Waajeed & Coultrain, taken from the Nuggets project. These are unreleased tracks that are only available at the homie, Kenny Fresh's dope site Freshselects.
The goodies include a full length stream of “Just Talk,” "a lament for the strugglers out there (i.e. all of us)" which couldn't be more relevant these days. Then you get a free download of “We Gotta Have Peace” featuring The Afro's & Curls Orchestra characteristic of their previous projects rooted in the classic Motown sound of Waajeed's native Detroit. This is what it is.... real music! Listen and download it from Freshselects.net here.
NEWS:: PPP's new live line-up now includes MonicaBlaire on lead female vocals & Zo! on the keys. If you signed up for the bling47 podcast, then you must remember her incredible Jamaica Funk cover. Check Waajeed’s MySpace page and let him know what you think.

Waajeed & Coultrain photo © Anna Keenan Photography.

i'm feeling PROJECT FUTURE: - Ray-Gun-Omics

i've been working on some new pieces for my next show and listening to some inspiring joints, such as PROJECT FUTURE. from a different era [might as well replace the names], but couldn't be more relevant....timeless!

Reaganomics // More Atomics // High inflation // And taxation

Don't yield to temptation, //Crime comes from inflation // Not just in this nation, // It's a world situation
Reaganomics (high inflation)// More atomics (and taxation) // High inflation (Reaganomics) //And taxation (more atomics)
Time keeps on changing // Always rearranging // Politicians are aging //What price are we paying?
In time, revolution // Bring up? the pollution? // There is a solution?

FRESHER! Call For Female Artists -YOUNITY

It's that time of the year...as you may know, I'm part of a NYC-based female art collective, YOUNITY, founded by super talented artists Toofly and Alice Mizrahi. We've been working on planning this year's show, which will focus on MOTHER EARTH. Check out the call for entries and don't hesitate to submit your work!

Younity Presents FRESHER!
Re-Create, Re-Design, Re-Shape a new YOU!

DEADLINE: June 1st, 2009


This year Younity’s 3rd exhibition entitled FRESHER! will host 40 female urban artists who will participate on an exhibition indoors and outdoors dedicated to bringing community awareness to environmental issues like; recycling, consumerism, global warming, pollution, health and renewable energy. Along with the exhibit YOUNITY will self publish it’s second collectors book series that will help keep the message alive. Throughout the exhibit YOUNITY will host youth workshops, mural projects, and panel discussions to help educate the community about the importance of living GREEN.

FRESHER! CALL FOR ENTRIES - ( WORLDWIDE )

10 -15 new artists will be chosen to showcase their work at the Younity FRESHER exhibition in the fall of 09′. Each artist is asked to create a piece based on one or more of the environmental issues listed below.

* Please note that if your work is chosen each artist will be responsible for shipping to and from YOUNITY NYC studio. Zip Code: 11104
* Please be conscious of size, weight, and fragile artwork.
- recycling
- consumerism
- global warming
- pollution
- health
- renewable energy

REQUIREMENTS
- Entry Fee: $10.00 per submission ( limit 3 submissions per artist )
- Paypal: contribute@theyounity.com
- For Checks or Money order payments please email us at: info@theyounity.com
- e-mail your JPG submission to: info@theyounity.com with the subject heading: FRESHER SUBMISSION
- Please include the following:
Artist Name // City // Website link and/or myspace link // Size // Title // Medium // Short Bio DEADLINE JUNE 1st

RE-FRESH THE STREETS! - ( WORLDWIDE )

Artists / crews worldwide are asked to participate in a street art/mural project entitled “RE-FRESH THE STREETS” using one or more of the following environmental issues below. The street art/mural created must include Younity’s FRESHER! stencil logo provided (download it here) to be able to unite and identify the project worldwide. We will select 10-15 images from various cities/ streets/ communities which will be included in the 2009 “FRESHER!” exhibit.
- recycling
- consumerism
- global warming
- pollution
- health
- renewable energy

REQUIREMENTS
- ENTRY FEE: $10.00 per street art/mural submission ( limit 3 submissions per artist )
- Paypal: contribute@theyounity.com
- For Checks or Money order payments please email us at: info@theyounity.com
- e-mail a JPG submission to: info@theyounity.com with the subject heading: RE-FRESH THE STREETS SUBMISSION
- Please include the following:
Artist or Crew Name // City // Website link and/or myspace link // Size // Title // Short Bio

WEBSITE: www.theyounity.com
BLOG: www.theyounity.wordpress.com
MYSPACE: www.myspace.com/younityspace

Alberta Art walk was fun!

So the last Thursday art walk on Alberta st was lots of fun. Thursday turned out to be a lovely day, boasting lots of blue sky. This time we set our booth up at a different spot, more within the climax of the art walk. We got there super early, around 4:30 to ensure a good spot. We set up atop a nice lot of grass in a spot that had a few mushroom circles and lots of lady bugs. set up was a lot easier this time, now that we have finally figured out how to set the canopy up effixcently.
We brought all sorts of stuff to sell inclduing new things like framed prints and silkscreens, new paintings and lots more. Here is a close up of our table:

We ended up just two booths away from a drum circle that was ongoing through the day and night sparked by a man who was making n selling them. Later on in the night we had a band set up right in front of us. Loved their music: singer on a partly metal guitar, a man playing a sousaphone, a woman on drums and accordion. Shauna Mama : www.mamasherbalsoups.com came and visited us! it was super fun to meet and talk with her and her husband. Im pretty excited, i believe Shauna will be sharing a booth with us for the Art Hop on Alberta st, which is coming up soon.
Met a lot of interesting people, had some amazing conversations. I feel energized and inspired from my experience and im looking forward to the next vending opportunity.

Artwalk tonight! new screen print T-shirts.

So I am at work till 3 today while poor Danny is at home feverishly loading up our car with all our merchandise to sell tonight at the Last Thursday Art walk on Alberta St in Portland Oregon. Come check us out! We will have a booth set up with a bunch of stuff to sell: paintings, prints, screen prints, tie dye and much much more.

Here is the first of the Goddess in All of Us screen print shirts that i have released for purchase in our etsy shop, but there’s more coming soon:
This shirt is a women's Large and is made of super comfortable stretch material. I have 6 other shirts of various sizes and colors that i will be selling tonight at Alberta St art walk and soon they will be ready to purchase online.

I have been having some fun framing prints and artwork lately. here is an older watercolor and ink illustration that i just recently framed. I am not sure about the frame yet since it seems to cut some of the detail out:

So wish us luck for tonight!
Much love

BROOKLYN DIARIES :: NEW WORK ::my "Up In The Clouds" mural

I have been working on this mural at the Creative Heights building in Crown Heights, Brooklyn for nearly a month. Entitled "Up In The Cloud", it is intended to be a spirit-transformer.
Enter the KatShip & Elevate Your Spirit.

The Priestess of Seven Thunderbolts





how about a female afrosamurai?


The lobby of the building boasts a huge collabo mural by super dope painter colleauges. This one here is one of Concep's signature pieces.

Freshness from Crystal Clarity, Pesu, Concep (left) and Fly Lady Di (right). Their work have completely transformed the atmosphere in the building.

Big shout out to homies Dietrich, Sara, Dedan and Sango who provided the most entertaining company during these late night painting sessions, and as well as to Concep, Berenis, Ibi, Netic, Danny, Selena, Gheeta, Abeni, Jenn & Laura for the love.

i'm feeling...KENNY LYNCH-Half The Day's Gone and We Haven't Earned A Penny

recession-schmecession..lol

THEOPHILUS LONDON on DANTE'S FRIED CHICKEN SHOW

i thought pumpkin cheesecake was my favorite.

Theophilus London - Chocolate Coconut Pumpkin Pie from Dante Fried Chicken on Vimeo.

FREE DOWNLOAD ::: RAYE 6 :: L.I.P.S- love is powerfully sexy

Raye 6's much-anticipated mixtape is finally out and it's been well worth the wait. Raye has taken NYC by storm and is ready to unleash her sexy self onto the world at large... The new mixtape entitled appropriately L.I.P.S- love is powerfully sexy (produced by Raye 6 & guided by Dj Victorious)...it's a def turn on. At times dark at others electrifying, the album is dedicated to stimulate the senses and is not afraid to explore all shades of sexuality. "Influenced by anyone who has stepped outside of the norm to create their own reality, Raye 6 brings you into her world of uncensored expression, class, fantasy and indulgence. During her sexually charged performances leaves audiences feeling turned on and free." Raye's a def artist to watch in 09.

My personal favorite is 'Sweet Dreams' the hottest Eurythmics cover/remix I've heard & the dark & haunting 'Hold Me Down' & Purple. The mixtape features remixes & samples from Prince, Eurythmics, Nas, Kanye among others, but Raye's takes these songs to another, deeper realm of the senses.

Read my earlier feature on her on Wronglips and give her feedback on her page.

I worked with Raye on a couple of projects. One of them is the emblem I drew and designed back in the summer. These are some of the many faces of Raye 6...her new look with a shorter haircut is no less fierce.
download the mixtape a week before the official release exclusively here

Raye as

Check out my good friend Concep's  versions of her.

FREE DOWNLOAD::: DAM-FUNK mix

Just came across this mix by Dam-funk (Stonesthrow) on the dope Brooklyn radio site (which you should check for countless other goodies as well). If you are not familiar with the LA-based producer/DJ, read a recent article with him in Waxpoetics. The tracklist speaks for itself...expect some sexy galactic funk, electro & boogie from the 80s.
download it here (option click). It features one of my all-time favorites, Midnight Express "Danger Zone" I just posted a few days ago.

Wizzard - These Are The Eightys (Club Version) (1982 Wizsong) :: The Keith Diamond Band - All Night Rocker (1981 Millennium) :: Terry Burrus and Transe - Love Rockin' (1983 Arista) :: Midnight Express - Danger Zone (1983 Tri Fire) :: Cliff Dawson - I Can Love You Better (1982 Boardwalk) :: Omni - Body Groove (Dub Mix) (1983 Mercury) :: Gunter Phillips - 1-2-3- LUV (198? Stanpico) :: Raymun - Do You Feel Like I Feel (1983 Clockwork) :: Wickett - Can't Get Enough Of You (1983 Mr. T) :: David Astri - Dancing Digits (Option "B") (1983 Award) :: Airforce - Body Data (1983 AVI) :: Kevin McCord - Never Say (1985 Presents):: Prince & The Revolution - 17 Days (1984 Warner Bros.) :: The General - Life In The Big City (1983 Vee Kay) :: Home Boy aka 'Cecil Lyde' - A Love Connection (1986 Al West) :: Dãm-Funk - Burgundy City (2008 Stones Throw)

April 2010 update : BY POPULAR DEMAND: Since this Utern mix is no longer available, check out another live DAM-FUNK DJ set recorded at the anniversary of Benji B's (BBC 1 Radio) legendary party DEVIATION. Fun times... Here is the link to the FREE DOWNLOAD.

VIDEOLUV: Tim Exile ::: Listening Tree

Another psychedelic video creation from the Warp nest. I've been a fan of many Warp Records artist, such as Flying Lotus & Prefuse 73. I just came across Tim Exile 'Listening Tree', will be released on Warp/Planet Mu a week later on 6th April 2009 (or this week in the US!.

THE MEANING OF -re-: Interview with Rodney White

I would like to introduce my good friend, artist extraordinaire, Rodney White. The two of us are working on a collabo piece for my next show opening April 6th, so we recently sat down and talked about life and art, the meaning of rebirth, and everything that has to do with 'starting anew'. Truly inspirational, to say the least. [photo by Stephanie Land]

What do you do? Where are you from?
I am an artist and an Art director for an ad agency. I am from Augusta, GA. The South.

Could you talk about your background...does it reflect in your work?
I am from a small city. Not a country in landscape and expanse, but country in its sense of culture and outlook. Augusta was and still is not very advanced in its risk taking. So even as a kid, I fantasized about something bigger and better for myself. So those fantasies and pep talks found their way into what I do now.

How did your art evolve? Did you always paint?
No I didn't always paint. But I drew a lot as a kid. And strangely, I drew a lot of words. Graffiti inspired type started my fascination with typography and words.. But I was very much into visualizing a world and bringing that world to the page. Then I started writing poetry. And I longed for a way to make my poetry visual. Then came what I do now.

You recently had a life-transforming event that had a huge effect on your life. You mentioned that you feel like you restarted your life. Could you explain how this experience reflects in your art? Any new directions?

I was in a major car accident in May '08 and that showed me immediately how fallible I am. I admit to feeling a little untouchable before that. And after my miraculous recovery that wasn't easy though I made it appear that way, I had been giving a lot of thought to my life. And truth be known, I flatlined that night of the accident. You can't get any closer to not being here than that. So that gave new meaning to a concept I had only touched on in my work a little. I began to see myself as having a second chance at life. Which spawned the "RE:" series. An opportunity to do everything over. "RE: Do"

We are in the middle of doing a collabo for my next show on April 6th, the Hermetic Test. Could you tell me a little about your piece?
As a part of the "RE:" Series I did a piece entitled "RE: Define". It was tough dealing with the accident psychologically. And I had to really think about what my dreams and goals were. I had to redefine them because I am no longer the same person, therefore my old goals were a bit outdated. but before I could redefine my goals, I had to first redefine who I AM.

You see a lot of artists going beyond the classic role of painter, and thinking of themselves more as brands with outlets in fashion, advertisement and so on? How do you see yourself as an artist living & creating in the new millenium?
No doubt I see myself as a brand. I always did. Even before brush first touched wood. I am a lifestyle brand. My work truly is a reflection of the viewer's lifestyle. Whether in actuality or in aspiration. I truly enjoy encouraging a better idea for life. And if I can get that message across in other areas, all the better. I am truly an optimist. And a dreamer. But dreams come before reality. What happens in the mind, truly happens.

What is your vision for the next 3 years?
3 years isn't a long time, but in that short time, first and foremost I am building a brand. That will include men's and women's fashion, home furnishings and accessories, coffee table books and poetry books. Then after all this, I plan to maintain my happiness.

CHECK OUT RODNEY IN ACTION!

Truth...as it happens from Rodney White on Vimeo.

PHOTO OF THE DAY: take it to the rainforest

from VOGUE Brazil 2008 nov

FREE DOWNLOAD ::: Kon & Amir show

just what i needed. this mix is smooth....the peeps, Kon & Amir (BBE Records) don't disappoint. Check their monthly radio show on Spine Magazine.com and make sure to download the latest mix from March (and might a well download the rest as well.) These guys are expert crate diggers, so expect a ton of obscure soul, disco, electro, funk, latin jazz & funk and afrobeat joints).

[photo by TONE]

Screenprints: the Goddess in All of Us

So last week i did my first silkscreen experimentation using the drawing fluid method which turns out to be a pretty simple process. This is what i ended up with:



These are limited prints since i produced only 8 prints on paper and 6 prints on women's shirts. Tonight I plan on cleaning the screen and trying the drawing fluid method again to create a new design.

The drawing fluid method goes as such:
First you secure your silk mesh fabric into a wooden frame then you use drawing fluid ( you can get this from a few different manufactures but i using a bottle of drawing fluid that came in a speedball silk-screening kit) I used a small paintbrush to draw directly utop the screen mesh. Once i was done drawing i let the drawing fluid dry completely. Once the drawing fluid was dry i squeegeed on a thin and even layer of screen filler( which was a redish color).Once the filler was dry i washed the screen and found that The screen filler resisted on the parts of the screen that i had drawn on the fluid. This left me with a nice clean and crisp design to print with. Printing is fun but very unpredictable because of the way i am doing it. I do not have a proper screen press, like the professionals do. I am just holding the screen down onto the to be printed surface. i glob the paint across one end of the screen and then drag my squeegee across which pulls the ink over the entire screen. once that is done i pull the squeegee down the screen in the opposite direction using as much pressure as possible without moving the screen on accident. This produces a print but each print is individual in its thickness of line/clarity/detail and so on. i have to sayi am falling in love with silk-screening and i cant wait to try it more.
Danny is working on retouching the pictures we took today of me modeling the "Goddess in All of Us" shirts, so i should be posting pictures of those soon. the shirts and prints will be up for sale in our etsy store: www.lucidopticlab.etsy.com

NEW WORK: Mirrors & Fur

some new illustrations I've been working on. I'll post some of the paintings and more feline characters I've finished soon.
:: 241 ::

:: protection ::

:: seek ::

DIGITAL LIFE :: FLIPO mino HD

Digitalizing your life has just become easier with a smart and very affordable new gadget called Flipo mino. It's tiny and it records HD (the Flipo minoHD model) though I'm not sure about the sound quality. It goes for about $190-229 (the image is about life-size).

The ultra-thin & pocket-sized Flip Video Mino camcorder has a handy USB arm that flips out and hooks up to your PC or Mac. This charges the battery, plus lets you use its built-in software to easily view, edit, and upload video and photos to favorite sharing sites.

• Records 60 minutes of VGA-quality video
• Built-in rechargeable Lithium Ion battery

PHOTO OF THE DAY: still mi-zo 3

...i'm in love... a kindred visionary, mizo

iheARTNYC: RELAX AT REBAR - art display & live art 3/19 DUMBO, BK

I'll be showing some of my work at REBAR and doing some live art as well tomorrow at the event of my good friends at Old Soulz. Shout out to Yaz for the link.

RELAX at reBar
Come take off your shoes and relax your feet at reBar this Thursday, March 19th from 7pm-12am for our first after work sessions with artists and DJ's from all over the globe to celebrate art and music. We want you to get loose and vibe to the sounds of DJ Double U tomek and guest DJ Aroop Roy from Japan. Brooklyn, Stand up!
DJ Aroop Roy (Tokyo, Japan) & DJ Double U Tomek
art by: Lichiban

Relax @ reBar
Thursday, March 19th, 2009 @ 7pm
147 Front Street, Brooklyn, NY (A,C train to High Street, F to York Street)

LICHIBAN art display is on view March 19-April 2

DISCOGALACTIC:: Woolfy live

somebody please bring Woolfy to NYC!

FREE DOWNLOAD ::: Blu & Miss Jack Davey

A sexy new track leaked from the upcoming project from the L.A. based production duo L.A.U.S.D. featuring Blu and Miss Jack Davey...
download it here

[source: 2dopeboyz]

LIFE AS A CAT :: Artist Statement #1

i admit, i haven't been too much of a fan of writing artist statements. that sentiment disappeared as soon i decided to make it into more like a stream of thought. this encourages me to keep on reevaluating my direction as an artist. here is the first one.

photo by Amir Ebrahimi
i2i.
at every new step. look and see.
your infinity is the mirror
reconnect with the truth

Friday, March 13. LOTUSHEART artist statement #1
I am a spiritual animal with a human imagination. An embodied light-being journeying to the original source by way of creating realities through colors and images. Reality and time are mental concepts we are ready to experience-art is a way of becoming the master of one's universe. My creativity is a divine gift given to every single child, and my life as an artist is the gradual unfolding of that gift. My works are intended to be spirit-transformers or gateways to a vibration field I am here to manifest. My felines represent different evolutionary stages on the way to the ever-flowing nectar of immortality. My art is a way of riding the inner tiger. Freedom is in the heart of the beholder.

Stormy Monday Morning

Good morning,
I just got into work a few minutes ago. It was a stormy weekend, it would seem that the wind has died down a great deal but its still pretty wet outside. This weekend went by so fast, especially Saturday. Still, Danny and i managed to get a lot on our list done.
For instance we have been busy framing and matting a lot of our fine art prints. so far we only have one listed for sale on etsy: This is a 4x6 signed print framed and ready to hang, priced at $15.00 bucks.
Also, Danny has been busy cutting up individual lotus screen prints and popping them into glass paperweights. I love them, the thick glass seems to slightly magnify the mettalic lotus print so you can really see all the details of texture. Here is a goofy pic of me playin with two paperweights: there are more pictures of the lotus paper weights in the actual etsy listing: http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=22301729

Over the weekend i managed to do quite a bit of drawing which is good because its been awhile. I produced two new illustrations on this big huge pad of drawing paper Danny gave me. Now im just waiting for Danny to put the scans together. the paper is so big that we had to scan the illustration in parts and put it back together in Photoshop. So it might be lil while till we see nice finished scans...so keep checking back for newly released illustrations cuz there should be two comin soon!

Also, over the weekend i finally dared to try and put some dreadwax on my locks:
i have had a box sitting in my house for about a month now from Dreadhead HQ. I had ordered some wax awhile ago before my dreadies were crocheted but still just slightly teased pony tails covered in rubber bands. A lot had changed. by the time the box of dread wax got to my apartment i had heard so many horror stories of dread wax disaster I decided to just let my dreads be dreads and not use any care products. So far this all natural method has worked wonderfully and my dreads are already feeling nice and solid. However i have been somewhat annoyed by this large area of halo frizz that frames my head especially after washing. Today i decided to open that box of wax and see if perhaps it would help weight those stray hair frizz back down to the dreads and thus help the strays mingle and knot back into the dreads. I used the tinniest bit of wax on each lock and worked them by rubbing in circular motions back and forth along the dread starting at the root and going to the tip. After I was done applying thr wax I applied heat to my dreads with a blow drier to help integrate the wax into the dreads. This seemed to really make a big improvement with the general neatness of my dreads....they seem much more organized to me. I am also happy to report that they are not sticky yuck to touch either and they smell rather pleasant like brown sugar. This wax appears to be a bees wax and hemp oil based product . My scalp seems to be benefiting from the wax as well since it helps to moisturize. My skin is sensitive and my scalp gets dry when i dont use conditioners so I am not itchin as much. This wax has vitamin E that seems to be helping make the hair a bit stronger and healthier feeling, less brittle.
...as for danny we still have what seems to be a few more rows to go. We are puttin in very thin short little dreadies on his head....hes already got tripple as many dreads on his head then i have on mine. we are so close to being done....if only we had a weekend to dedicate to the completion of his dreads. Ah, well, its a slow and steady process. His baby dreaides are lookin great though.

....and as far as the silk-screening goes danny just cleaned his screen so no more lotus/crescent moon prints. im excited to see what danny will burn onto this screen next. stay tuned.

Best wishes!

P.S

Thanks Mom mom and Pop pop and Aunt Char and Aunt Robin and the rest of the family who are taking the time to read my blog even though most the time my posts are filled with my wierd "droopy boob paintings" and other bizarre topics.
Thanks for the support, its always appreciated.
Much love.

while preparing for my new show THE HERMETIC TEST: The Secret Lives of Felines :: April

pondering about the larger significance of why things happen to us (that is how you ask the question when you feel like the victim) and why have we brought those things upon ourselves (when you admit your active role in the ways things turned out). what connects us to who we truly are and the people we are connected with. life is the alchemical process. an opportunity to learn to discern the fake from the true on the way toward finding TRUE GOLD within... our true self purified in the laboratory of life...and the tests could be painful at times. what i learned yet again is that we create our reality by putting out certain vibrations...good energy attracts good energy.

my new show is going to be a visualization of my way trying to work through some things that have affected me these past three months. it is about remembering the true meaning of gold and abundance. crown your heart.

LIFE AS A CAT:: Photoshoot w/ Amir Ebrahimi

introducing SpiritTransformer 001 :: only abundance & positive vibration has a basis in reality. if you remove the limitation from your mind, you allow yourself to experience other layers of reality. heaven is the awareness of divine presence not an afterlife destination. like attracts like. be heaven.

big shout to my friend Amir Ebrahimi for the dope shoot. check more of Amir's work on amirnyc.com

ARTIST TO WATCH: Kesed

Great to see friends doing their thing. Poet/lyricist/MC/seeker & winner of 2008 National Poetry Competition Kesed Ragin gets a well-deserved spotlight on K-SWISS.
Watch out for Kesed, he has been and is going to be doing big things, whichever way he chooses to direct his talent.

FREE DOWNLOAD: NIKKI NTU :: The History of Dreams Sampler

I first met Nikki Ntu back in October when Mega of Audio Aesthetics invited me to her and the album's producer Melo-X 's exclusive listening party for Nikki's debut album The History of Dreams (check my post on it here). My first impression of the album then "beautifully soothing and gently stimulating with the truth" couldn't be more fitting now that I had a chance to get more familiar with it..the two did a beautiful job. The Birth of Venus was on repeat in my player for days when I first heard it. So I am very honored to be working with her on her debut album...shhh

From the presskit : "With strong themes of healing, revolution and love, Nikki is birthing new concepts of not only female empowerment but people empowerment. “My music breaks down a lot of barriers in people. The rhythms bring out emotion and the lyrics stimulate the mind as well as the heart. Those simple things have a great impact on inspiring and informing folks. And when you have a safe space to put everything on the table, healing is the only outcome.” ...word.
Listen to her sampler tracks from the upcoming album...you can download it for free here and make sure to check back for news about her upcoming album.

Friday the 13th, Dready Journey Update, plans for the weekend

Hello there, its Friday the 13th! I see this day as a potential good luck day. The Celtic druids considered the number 13 sacred. But latly i have been more and more aware how much power i have over what sort of day i am having. It really is a trick of perception and thought process so I continue to try my best at living in the now and staying positive with my inner thoughts.

Here is a picture Danny and I took yesterday afternoon while the sun was beginning to set:
Our living room window faces exactly west so we get lots of gold sunrays every day around dusk. Its been so cold lately that when i find a good patch of sun i try and soak as much of it up as i can before it vanishes.
The dready journey is going very well. You can sorta see Danny's baby dreads in this picture. We have been putting a few in every night before bed for about 3 or 4 weeks. We still have one more row to finish on his head. Once we are all done with his dreadies i am going to need some serious TLC on mine. I am experiancing some major frizz and loose hair but nothing that a good crocheting session can’t handle.

This weekend will be a busy one. i need to do my taxes, first of all. We have a few more newly screen printed shirts that are ready to be photographed and listed for sale. We also have a bunch of nicely framed signed prints that we have to take pictures of and list as well. I would greatly benefit from a trip to the coast. Since i grew up by the ocean i tend to periodically need to visit the coast in order to center myself. From what i have heard there are a bunch of really amazing forest/coast/cliff hiking trails all along Oregon so i will try and pinpoint one for us to explore come Sunday? that would be wonderful.

Best wishes to everyone!