The Inspiration Box

Check out this really awesome post by Andrea Pippins of FLY!

....WHAT'S IN YOUR BOX?....

In my digital box, I keep beautiful visuals & inspirational words that are aligned with my goals. This has been my way of staying focused & making it happen!! <3

IB_ART

I'm looooooving these hand-painted boots by IB_Art! Check out more of her work here!

Crimson & Clover

This kaleidoscopic color palette is simply beautiful! And, I am loving Misty Copeland, the brilliant dancer in this video! She is an amaaaazing performing artist!

Small Magazine

Small Magazine is, by far, the most stylish magazine I've read, dedicated exclusively to the kiddies. Their fashion editorials are tre chic! Check it out! <3

Iconic Images

reaching for your star mural

One of the most beautiful aspects of living in Philly is being amidst the rich arts & cultural history that thrives here. There's no escaping it - its all around! My childhood home was formerly baseball player, Roy Campanella's family home - the place where he also grew up... Bill Cosby attended my high school... And currently, within my neighborhood, I am surrounded by renowned poets, Sonia Sanchez and Ursula Rucker.

The Philadelphia Mural Arts program has been extremely influential in capturing the vibrant cultural history of Philadelphia through Art. They have transformed bland cityscapes into incredible mega-works of art, highlighting anything from abstract artistic interpretations, to mixed media works, to lifelike portraits of people that have made a mark on the development of this city.

Check out the "African American Iconic Images Collection" HERE, narrated by Quest Love of The Roots. I'm soooooooooooo loving this amazing virtual mural arts tour!

Nostalgia - The Number Song

This numbers video from Sesame Street remains a source of creative inspiration for me... The music, colors, shapes, patterns, and animation are all incredibly brilliant!! I <3 it!!

New J*Davey!!

O.M.G. ~ This has made my week! J*Davey's newest release:

Evil Christian Cop: The Great Mistapes

I'm Loving Quicksand!! This is great music to create to... I'm sketching like crazy!! <3

Nooh Concepts by Malcolm Gammah

Source

I've admired the work of Malcolm Gammah for many years. His work is phenomenal! He recently launched a new venture - Nooh Concepts, and I'm super-duper excited to see what artistic amazingness Nooh Concepts will bring! <3

P.S. ~ Each time I see those bland white couches at Ikea, this is EXACTLTY what I want to do to them!! Brilliant!

Decades Vintage

I am in LOVE with DECADES - a very popular Philly vintage locale for all things exceptionally fly. I happened upon the new location while shopping on fabric row last Friday, with my baby boy in tow. Lisa, the owner, was super cool, and actually held & entertained my son for me, so I could check out all of her latest vintage finds. She stocks some really awesome pieces! Aside from the fashion, I really appreciated her excellence in customer service. Great customer service is everything! It instantly sets a business apart from frigid stores, who barely acknowledge your presence entering, shopping or exiting. Great customer service, coupled with amazing product, makes shopping, irresistible! I bought the pictured gold pendants - aren't they lovely! <3

DECADES VINTAGE
739 South 4th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19147
(215) 923-3135

Esperanza!

Host Performance - Pre Grammys - Bobby McFerrin & Esperanza Spalding

I really adore jazz, and Esperanza Spalding is one of my faaaaaavorite musicians in the genre. Needless to say, I was thrilled when she won the Grammy for Best New Artist. For me, her win signified (in my optimism) a shift in music industry consciousness - Once again celebrating real artistry & musicianship. Hopefully her win sets a sustainable trend, of more "artists", who write, compose, play instruments, etc, getting the recognition they too deserve.

Esperanza never ceases to impress me, not only in her intelligent, soulful approach to the music, but also in her advocacy in saving arts programs within US public schools. Its within the primary & secondary academic foundation that goals, dreams & areas of unique talent are identified in our young people. Continued exposure to the arts, and other creative & engaging activities can blossom into incredible opportunities. Take Esperanza's career path, for example. She has a remarkable story, that many young people, if given the opportunities, could very well have too.

Plus, homegirl has got some serious style! Check out this New York Times article about Esperanza's love for vintage, and laid back approach to fashion. :D

Romero Britto

This is an awesome interview on The Balancing Act (great show concept btw) with Pop Artist, Romero Britto. Check him out. His body of ART is phenomenal.

Lidia

I've been obsessing over Mayan textiles lately. The intricate skill of artists, like Lidia, featured on this video, excite my creative senses. I would love to learn to weave like this! <3

Construction

Great album ~ Amazing song: Loving MLK at the end. <3

Our Deepest Fear....

"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others." ~Marianne Williamson

This is my absolute favorite quote..... it became my daily affirmation when I needed it most. We all have those moments in life, right? The moments when we need to remind ourselves of how awesome we actually are! Well today, "you can't tell me nothin'" (quoting Kanye). I encourage you all to be totally confident in yourselves, and relish in your very special gifts. Walk in the glory of LIFE. Don't be afraid to LIVE your dreams, FULFILL your passions, and FLOURISH in every single second of this amazing journey. You are WORTH it!!

Giant Steps | Let's Ride

Recalling a date with my Dad at HR57 jazz club in Washington DC, during my senior year of Howard. I was taking a class called Blacks in the Arts, and part of the course work was to experience live arts - theater, film, music, dance, etc. - and then write about our experiences. My Dad is a jazz officianado - He knows ALL things jazz - And ALL things Louis Armstrong - his favorite artist ever! During this HR57 Daddy date, the musicians decided to play Giant Steps, by John Coltrane. My Dad was highly impressed, as he later told me that (in his opinion) the mark of a jazz musician's skill level was in their successful ability to master the quick timing of Giant Steps. Every time I hear this song, I listen attentively to each instrument, thoroughly appreciating each musician's mastery of instrumentation.

This animated video is also pretty cool - Digging the shapes, movement & vintage color scale.

And of course, in my love of great music (as I'm sure you've realized by now) I have to post an interpretation of Giant Steps by J. Dilla (Let's Ride by Q. Tip). As I mentioned in my previous "Nothing Like This" post - I absolutely love Dilla's musical mastery of Hip Hop & his stellar contribution to the art form.

Flyphonic Sounds

Love this cover art from Flyphonic, as well as their song, Love Count, featuring one of my favorite vocalists, Miss Kissey Asplund. <3

Nothing Like This....

I really love this song, and the video makes it a zillion times better. I love when artists break the mold in video production. After a while, seeing slight interpretations of the same story boarding, styling concepts, set design, and dance moves becomes extremely BORING. This video concept, and others like it are waaaay more exciting to me. Plus I <3 Dilla. :D

UrLyfe: NIC*FISH Article

My good friend, fellow Howard University Alumn, and superfly girl ~ Maggie, called me and asked me if I wanted to contribute to UrLyfe, a new online platform dedicated to the holistic lifestyles of young urban professionals. Of course, I happily obliged. Check out my article here. I really love the concept of this website!

World "Art" Tour

How cool is this! Google launched "Art Project", an opportunity to virtually tour some of the most noted museums around the world. Check It Out Here.

Art by Destiny Womack

Color, texture, shape, depth, composition, beauty ~ All words to describe abstract acrylic paintings by Destiny Womack, of Wo Studios. Her work is phenomenal. They evoke imagination - I see the wonder & beauty of nature in her work - lava, water, rocks, crystals, gems... She describes her pieces as follows:

"Each piece is a result of an emotion I feel, and my ability to visually translate that emotion with color, movement and texture. I try to express whatever has inspired me in a way as to evoke the viewers own imagination, and ultimately create fine contemporary abstract art pieces."

I especially love the deep & introspective names of her pieces, like The Sun, The Light, The Rainbow, pictured above. Seriously considering these for my home. <3

Art by Dania Piotti

I've been searching for interesting & cool new art for my home (as well as amazing new furnishings) and I happened upon these whimsical illustrations by Dania Piotti.

I love her emphasis on eyes ~ the windows to the soul. <3

Inspired by Grace

“Always keep your eyes open... never go to sleep in the car, or anything like that... keep watching... because whatever you see out the window, or wherever... can inspire you."

~Grace Coddington - Creative Director, American Vogue

Quote from The September Issue

If you haven't seen The September Issue, you must check it out. Its an incredibly insightful documentary all about the inner-working of American Vogue. The film primarily focuses on the fabulous world of Editor-in-Chief, Anna Wintor, however, I most enjoyed watching Grace Coddington, and witnessing her thoughtful & passionate creative process of artfully composing & styling thee most brilliantly beautiful fashion editorials I've ever seen... Inspired by her. <3

Very Fly Presidential Encounters

So proud of Andrea Pippins, of one of my most favorite blogs, Fly. She recently had the opportunity to sit on a panel of new media experts at the White House, and meet President Obama himself! How cool is that! Read more about her amazing experience here.

For a little Fly nostalgia ~ Remember this piece Andrea did on NIC*FISH... This was filmed in my previous design studio - oh, how I miss that place. The lighting was divine!

All the Pretty Birds

Tamu in Vogue Nippon

If you are anything like me, you love to people watch! I love to see how people choose to express themselves with dress & adornment, in different environments. All the Pretty Birds, captures the best international street style, mostly in Milano, seen thru the eyes of Tamu McPherson. Check it out for lots of great people/ style watching! <3

Inspiration via Animation

I love anything art deco - And the art deco animation, and brown color scale of this dream sequence from The Princess & the Frog is no exception - even the stills are beautiful!

"I remember daddy told me, fairy tales can come true - You gotta make em happen, it all depends on you - So I work real hard, each & every day, and things for sure are going my way - Just doin' what I do, look out boys, I'm coming thru!" ~ Great verse from this tune. <3