milk + honey ep.1
Peep the gallery in one of the scenes!
The Reflective Blog PT 2 and Why do People Stare
So this will probably be my last post of the year, their might be one more about an art show in my space but thats it.
- We are on the dawning of a new era. I am on the dawning of a new mind. I am re-imagining everything I literally know. That term "the more you learn the less you know" is for real for real. So for me to learn new things is exciting but with this excitement comes GREAT responsibility for myself and (against my own will) ultimately others.
- All though I would love to be completely isolated on an island and left to ponder away on my own ideas, creations and experiments this is not my case. I live in a big city, with millions of people and I have friends who also live here; many of which love me and a lot of them care for me deeply. So isolation is not an option if you expect to be polite to the people who think of you dearly. This does not mean that there are not margins of error, their most certainly are and of all the people I know or who may know me there are some who may never be pleased with my behavior.
- These are my memory tattoos. I got them at least 5 years ago maybe even 6. They are on my hands and they are small. It is a pyramid and an omega. People always ask me why did I get them but I dont really like telling, my response is either "these are my memory tattoos" or "its a pyramid...ive always wanted to own one and now i do" my mom actually thinks that the omega (which people sometimes mistake for a horseshoe) is a "C" for courage...i sort of like that idea too. The truth is the tattoos really are for "remembering." The night that I got them in the west village I told myself that whenever I looked at them that they were to make me remember who I was. Omega is a greek letter and it means end. I don't really believe in a finite end. In fact I think the end is also the beginning at the same time. The pyramid (mrs) to me is like a vessel, a portal or a connector of sorts, its shape seems to be whimsical, mysterious and magical. I majored in classics in college my focus was Egpytology, my French professor would disagree with me if I argued that the great pyramids of Giza were not burial chambers but in fact life inducing or bringing compounds. But I digress my pyramid and omega are very special to me.
- In 2012 I will be introducing a new company actually 2 new companies. I am excited about these. They combine my love of art and science. I am naturally an alchemist experimenting and playing with natures very impressive elements for nearly 10 years. Currently I am taking a break from art and focusing back on science.
- I love my art gallery, it was a conceptual idea conceived in my mind and is manifesting into something I did not imagine. I believe it will be successful well beyond me because it was my creation. I followed my heart and it was an organic process with making the whole thing happen.
- I will never have all the answers but I will always be in search of all the answers
Juxtapoz x Art In The Streets x Fab 5 Freddy
Don't think I ever blogged this but I interviewed Fab 5 Freddy for Juxtapoz's Art In The Streets issue which came out in April the same month the exhibit opened at MOCA. Read the full mag online HERE
Currently Transcending
to greatness
Here is one of the instrumentals used in this video...thank me later
MY DAILY MANTRA
*Addendum
Erykah Badu Love Story
The Love Stories series I helped produce has been going super amazing...we caught up with Erykah at Coachella for hers and i LOVE IT!
P.I.A. TURNS 1
Can hardly believe a full year has gone by
Tatyana Fazlalizadeh Victim of Fear series - Sean Bell
Barron Claiborne - Biggie and Guns
Sneak Peak
Finally Finally Finally.....The Teenager Show is really really almost ready!!! Look for it in about a week or so.
do you love me...because i love you
because this site makes me want to write poetry like pablo neruda, or pretend to be nikki giovanni...again
...coming soon
ART TALK
Tonight at my gallery, I sit down with artist Chenoa Maxwell as we discuss her photography and solo exhibit Introspection: India. Starts at 8 so don't be late!
Some pics from Thurs nights opening!
ART OPENING P.I.A.
Papillion Institute of Art opens next week with Introspections: India photography by Chenoa Maxwell...hope to see you there!!!
ps RSVP at rsvp@papillionart.org
its true its true and its almost here!!!!!!!!
its 7:20am and I am just now leaving the gallery so too tired to get into it...but let's just say that my baby brainchild the teenager show has graduated!
if you read the orignal post on ARTE:ZINE than you vibed out to The Step Kids "La La" which i adore, but decided to pair the teenager with the pop star
i listen to rap music
last night i was in the gallery with the staff of edge magazine and nba baller serge ibaka...i had my hypem playlist in heavy rotation when someone brought up hip hop...i boldly admitted that i did not have any hip hop music stored in my computer's hard drive. i woke up early this morning with a phone call from a friend who works at the source and we started talking about the LA rap scene. Tyler started off the conversation but soon followed was Kendrick Lamar, School Boy Q, AB Soul (pretty much the entire TDE Fam) and Rob Roy.
Here are some jams I played this morning....ps they stay in constant rotation...
ROB ROY - AXELA ...it was a close call between this and Gold N Gucci...experience KING WARRIOR MAGICIAN LOVER for yourself
KENDRICK LAMAR - BARBED WIRE ...michael jordan is a favorite too...BUY THIS ALBUM
CHILDREN OF THE NIGHT - BAATIN ...the entire YES/NO album is a favorite as well...pps there from NY but i love them just the same!
PURPLE CROWN - NO FUTURE ...i love him and would give him anything he asked for
SF'SS=Short Film Screening Series
This Weds Feb 2 doors open at 7:30pm screening starts at 8:00pm
Dream Auntie turned Proud Auntie
Ok so only Animalchan will get the inside joke of Dream Auntie but I do feel very much like a Proud Auntie this week.
First off last year I worked on a really fun project called LOVE STORIES created by will.i.am, I got to produce most of them and even direct a few! Woo Hoo...its a series where we talk to interesting folk about their love affair with their passion.
Than on the same day as the release of my LOVE STORIES another labor of love debuted Milk + Honey! Peep this trailer which showcases a bit of P.I.A. (proud auntie moment) The ladies at Brown Paper Dolls and Idris Elba have done an excellent job!
Behind the Scenes
Some stills from the set of MILK + HONEY shoot at Papillion Institute of Art
The lovely ladies at EDGE MAG made me into a postcard...awwwwwww
Digital Invitation: Papillion Institute of Art presents JLD
OPENS JAN 13 2011 @ 7PM.......BE THERE OR BE SORRY U MISSED IT
JLD x PIA x 2011
Jakob LeBaron Dwight opens 1.13.11 and I am beyond exicted...this is one of the sexiest shows to exhibit in my space thus far.
JAKOB LEBARON DWIGHT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I AM SOOOOOOOOOOOOOO EXCITED TO BE DOING A SOLO EXHIBIT FOR VISUAL ARTIST JAKOB LEBARON DWIGHT...WE MET UP RECENTLY AND TALKED ABOUT HIS NEW WORKS FROM BERLIN.
THE AMAZINGNESS PREMIERES IN MY SPACE JAN 2011 @PAPILLIONART
Abstract Data Stream /// www.jakobdwight.com
Music: Mogadishu by Africans with Mainframes
The Model: Oshun and the Dream
Dream Therapist: i suppose i cant be mad at Kahlil for replacing my voice with dream hampton's
Love Stories...
A series I produced where people simple talk about why they love what they do. Some how one segment leaked with Miguel Atwood Fergueson...Shhhhh. This video I co-directed as well (with the main director being Joe Hahn). View it while you can! Hopefully the others will be out soon, soon, soon...
Short Shorts
This is a panoramic still from a short I did last year, that's me all way to the left. The video is a trailer of the short I shot a few weeks ago with Seu Jorge and Kahlil Joseph...stay tuned
Seu Jorge x Barbara Bestor
I recently shot something with Seu Jorge (The most amazing Brazilian singer/actor doing it!) We shot at Barbara Bestor's home in Los Feliz. I was in awe of EVERYTHING about the house...but than again why wouldn't I be its Barbara Bestor folks...nuff said. (stand by for the piece with Seu, will post when its released!)
I love BOOKS and Barbara had a lovely mini library in the living room.
Across the street from the Barbara's place was the Frank Lloyd Wright designed block home the historical Ennis House (its for sale)
This was the neighbor's backyard...#kanyeapproved
WHAT A WEEKEND
MY GALLERY IDOL WALKED RIGHT UP TO MY SPOT...ON MAIN & 18TH....I COULD HAVE DIED RIGHT THAN AND THEIR AND WENT STRAIGHT TO HEAVEN - JEFFREY DEITCH
Fab took this photo while Jeffrey was giving us a tour of MOCA LA
After we left my gallery we went to the opening/release of FULL BLEED...this was my fav photo in the exhibit. It was also really cool to see so many old school pics of a dear friend (and my first skate instructor) Harold who passed a few years ago.
This is a pic I took that following Monday after we had been given a guided tour of the Dennis Hopper show at MOCA. That's Patti Astor, Fab 5 Freddy, Jeffrey Deitch, Charlie Ahearn and either Lee Quinones or Carlo McCormick in those silhouettes.
I've been a very busy girl! stay tuned...
Brooklyn Queen
"Brooklyn is my neighbor NO hood"
Brooklyn photographer Terrence Jennings shot this for his book Brooklyn Queen ages ago
RELICS x P.I.A.
My fourth exhibition opens this thursday 08/26/10 at Papillion Institute of Art. Solo show of painter Ernest Waddell's work. Art Party starts at 7pm!
"i don't like people playing on my phone"
Thru the eyes of a dreamer: C. Gonzales
The Long Post: Pt.1
So there has been a lot of good stuff circulating the web and newsstands about me and my going ons...here's the line up
Edge Magazine did a wonderful write up on me and my gallery...the ladies behind the magazine are brillant, awesome and diligent little worker bees!
Sonic Eclectic also did a great story on me and my space!
P.I.A. has brought me all sorts of opportunity in my career in Hollywood! Recently it brought me to the set of TV One sitcom Love That Girl which just got picked up for a full season! The set designer and producers came down to the gallery and picked out some art for their set, they loved Lakwena Suit's pieces as much as I do and so I made my way down to there studios with the art and set it up! That's the star of the show Tatyana Ali smiling!
Also really happy to announce the summer issue of Liberating Style Magazine, they shot their cover model in our space! It came out great!
And lastly but certainly not least Essence Magazine came by and photographed me in my gallery!!! And for all things Style. I will have a moment of truth here, I've been so busy these last few months with the gallery and acting that I can't even begin to tell you the last time I actually put ANY effort into my style choices. Lately its been "can i get paint on this?...yes...ok cool" but I am pleased to say we (yes I enlisted my glam squad) pulled it together! Lovemade Han Cholo jewels, Love Collins custom tailored blouse, high waist pencil skirt & mui mui pumps...Yep I think I pulled it off quite nicely! The photographer was very happy and I saw some of the shots and they looked smashing...its nice to know that I can still pull it together when duty calls!!! It comes out in their fall issue so stay tuned for pics!!!
Sneak Peek (my make up artist Starlynn of Bombshell Beauty took this with her camera phone...i dont like that my head looks huge :-/
PS: Things Done Changed the photography of Paul Chan opened to great success...if you missed it shame on you (but you still have a little time so hurry!) here is my flip vid I made from the opening...enjoy!
digging in the crates
literally...i had to smile when i came across some of my old mixtapes on a site recently...i don't know if its publicized or if people just don't believe me but i am djafricA81..on the low im gonna start making mixtape/podcast and remixes again for public display. *but only jazz this time love!
Things Done Changed
OPENS THURSDAY JULY 15 7PM-11PM AT PAPILLION INSTITUTE OF ART.
the first solo exhibit for the gallery and for photographer Paul Chan. also the 3rd exhibition for the gallery and it opens on the 3 month anniversary. #celebrations will be in order for all of the above.
P.I.A.
P.I.A.
P.I.A.
Don't Give Up
Last time my mother and I had a talk about this she told me "rest if you must but do not quit" these are words of wisdom to live by. Although I'm not a quitter their are times that the best thing to do is walk away. Being a small business owner I can tell you walking away has crossed my mind several times a day more times than many. My business is art and my business is me. My favorite video online to reference for inspiration was sent to me by another woman that was inspired by what I'm attempting to do. Please take a look at One Woman Show
This was the poem I was given by my mother when I was a child, it was in a little pink frame, I read it everyday during my elementary years. Its funny how that poem seemed so relevant to me and what "I was going through" during those years, thinking back on it is LOL.
When things go wrong, as they sometimes will,
Life is queer with its twists and turns,
Often the goal is nearer than
Success is failure turned inside out -
Honor thy Father : Honor thy Mother
I DO NOT LIKE DOING HARD WORK: an essay about beauty as it relates to women
The first part of my title is completely true, I have never ever been a girl to care a great deal about hard work, ever. Once when I was in 7th grade I volunteered at a summer clean up project called Project YES. The aim was taking young urban kids and creating art projects with them that ultimately would clean up and beautify the neighborhood. My task that summer did less art and beautifying and more long hot days picking up trash and kicking around in dirt. At the end of the program we got a stipend of maybe a $100 and was asked to fill out a questionaire about the program; when asked if i would participate again my answer was "NO I WILL NOT PARTICIPATE IN PROJECT YES AGAIN BECAUSE I DO NOT LIKE MANUAL LABOR." That was probably the same summer I was completely convinced that I will never by choice work for someone ever as an adult. Fast forward to adulthood and I generally work for myself I have recently ran into a pack of hard work and it has gotten me sick and down. I am by nature a woman who loves to have time to live the leisure life, to read, to sing, to stare at the sky and pick flowers. When I am working I have to steal these moments and somehow it doesn't seem fair. Although I am happy to have been born in the United States, I ain't happy to have been born into a society of western ideology and the grand dream of financial security. Money just makes people a slave to work, in my perfect world people would barter and trade to survive, you create a product and trade it for something you need, when you can't trade it you sale it or buy it.
A few weeks ago a group of guy friends told me my fate would be to marry a millionaire and do all my artistic stuff. It was a curious statement to me because it made me wonder how people see me. Are the things that are important to me evident in my speech, mannerisms, body language? When I am engaged in conversation is who I really am projected in the same light that I see myself? If the answer is no than that really disturbs me. What others think has never mattered, but being who I say I am matters a great deal. These are the complexities of being an artists always wondering if you are being understood. Or perhaps always looking for ways to understand.
This will be my last post for a while. I have a great deal of projects to complete at the end of the year. Fulfilling my calendar of exhibits at the gallery in LA. P.I.A. goes international with shows in Europe and Africa this winter. Working on a new tv show that goes into production in a few short weeks. And continuing the Institute's art workshops/classes and mentoring program. I am grateful for people who appreciate what I do, cause I love what I do.
An Ode to an Uninspired Life
I made this piece and I call it "an ode to Tauba" but really I made it cause lately folks have been saying they really dig the semi charitable stuff i do and really all the accolades just make me feel like a fake. don't get me wrong, i know how to take a compliment, believe me i do. but i can't feel good about receiving thanks for something that i already should be doing. do you thank strangers for breathing? i guess i think of my semi charitable work as breathing, no applause needed, its just something we all do, or should be or will be doing. if you really want to thank me, book me.
What Starts Well Ends Well
I GOT THE PART....YES THATS RIGHT THE PART...THE LEAD...SOMEONE STILL LOVES ME
YAH really is LOVE
I live in an age where everyone can be big on the internet. We all have sites and profiles that tell the tale of our lives some of us living it grand some of us lying about how grand it is. Some of it can be self fulfilling and self absorbed. This blog started out for my acting career, to post clips and updates about things I am doing as an actress. It has turned into a blog about my life and a journey into becoming the best actress someone has ever seen. I don't know what lies ahead in any of my artistic careers but I do know that in my heart I am great. That does not make me big. It makes me small. We all know what greatness is, the question I ask myself every 2 minutes is how do I live up to it? I don't know, but I do know that YHWH is LOVE
Selah
AFRIKAN BAZAAR
The second exhibition at P.I.A. opens this Saturday night! C U THERE
Were even doing limited editions RGB/P.I.A. pins
Lust 4 Life
i got plans...acting up and out is not my only passion, i like to make things or make things in my spaces be an extension of me
in my other life i am a blonde...naturally
stills from a movie that will never be released (at least not this version)
Ad Banners of ME!!!
Don't think I ever put these up here either, here it is...
About that inspiration...
I gave alot of thought about this "inspiration" and what kind of actress I am or am becoming. Sometimes you have to go back in order to go forward. Found some old photos digging in the crates, these were before I was acting and back when everyone was trying to turn me into a model. As you can see I didn't stick with the modeling, but I do have hundreds of interesting photographs from that period. The video is from my "sometimes a girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do" series. I am fully capable of telling it like it is when it needs to be told.
Inspiration?
I am inspired in two ways in reference to my acting career BUSINESS & CREATIVE. Halle Berry and Drew Barrymore are my acting business idols. But for inspiration on the creative tip I always some how end back up with Monica Vitti and Pam Grier. Like everyone else out there I want to create my own lane, but the spirit of moni and pam are definitely with me when I'm reading scripts.
A Possible Dream
Don't think I've posted this before either but the picture was taken in Denver at DNC 2008 at the stadium waiting for President Obama to accept his official nomination. A good friend of mine Jon Genius (the photographer) later published a book of photography and poetry inspired by President Obama's story and campaign, I was honored he chose to put me in it.
Nature as Muse
As a muse my inspiration comes from nature. This shoot was from a location scout. A director asked me to help with the art direction of a video treatment he did for Kenna, so we drove out to the Mojave at 3am to see the sun rise at 5am. I did a dance for the sun because I was happy it came out. The last photo is from my archeology days on top of a Mayan pyramid in Guatemala.
The song (Seu Jorge "Tive Razao") isn't Kenna but I think its probably what was playing in my head on the drive down, that or something by Sade.
Interview w/Quincy Jones @ 5MK
I don't think I've posted this. A few months ago I got to interview Quincy Jones, John Hope Bryant, QD3, Tyrese and a few others at the 5MK conference. 5 Million Kids is a project started by Operation Hope and aims to educate 5 Million students across the country in financial literacy and decrease the high school dropout rate over the next few years.
