Would you create if...your wheel chair would only go so far
Would you create if...you needed help to bathe
Would you create if...your med always need adjusting
Would you create if...you were bed bound
Would you create if...you had no home
Would you create if...you were all alone
Would you create if...you lost one arm
Would you create if...you know your gonna loss one leg

Create n is live n....................................and my friend Bob creates to live...

See more photos of Bob's story at http://www.mongocreates.blogspot.com/ and you may want to read my weekly confession........... this week title is Computer Confession....read it here http://www.sonyamacdesigns.blogspot.com.

On Wednesday nights (while my children are at church) I sneak in a little studio time, to work on this and that, last night I created this journal for a sister friend.

It's no wonder, I am who I am, It's no wonder I was so unhappy, so unfulfilled, when I look back...It's only clear to me today, when I look at this innocent photo of sweetness. Now I understand why I always keep it so close....so not to forget. Momma made the dress, Daddy captured the moment on film in a room she decorated, redesigned by him....What a life...I get it now!

Been have n lots of trouble with an assignment from my Father, so I thought maybe I should take a few voice lessons b4 I take the plunge. I have admired the work of artist Kelly Rae Roberts for sometime now and I am work n on assignments from her book...Taking Flight....Check out her blog http://kellyraeroberts.blogspot.com/

I use the creative journalling process as a healing tool. Journalling and artwork is also used during my workshop sessions and with my clients as an Eclectic Coach. Below is a video of my latest creative journal which will be available as affirmation cards. If you are interested in the 'How To' process of journalling I will be posting more information on my blog
http://creativehealinggoddess.wordpress.com/

Stay Blessed Marilynx

Hello ladies!

If you're looking for something cute, unique and inexpensive to give your gal pals for Valentine's Day I have it right here for you.

You can find my cupcake bath fizzies in mini cupcake shapes at my online shop. All handmade by me!

Take care! And happy Valentine's day!
~ Jeanee

American Stories is a special exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. This exhibition features more than 100 American painters whose work depicts ordinary people engaged in everyday life situations during the time of 1765 through 1915. This exhibition is on view until January 24, 2010.

Age: 47 years old- Status: Married 26 years to HS Sweetheart- Children: 3 {20, 25, 26}- Grandchildren: 2 boys {1 year/4 yrs old}- Energy Level Right Now: Positive and High on Life- Mojo Right Now: Medium---

My "ART" is my scrapbooking--my music--my natural hair--my family--my community--and my heart and soul--I am me, myself and I wherever I go and do--Plus, I'm all about being positive and being blessed--

my personal blog: http://essensevibez.blogspot.com/

So for 2010 I decided that I would take a shot at blogging. I couldnt decide what I wanted to blog about. Then It hit me. I love to take pictures so thats what I will blog about. Then I got worried thinking how will i get followers! I remembered my supportive sisters at ymib!!!! Check out my blog at www.locsofpics.blogspot.com. Thanks so much!!!

Hello YMIB!!
I'd like to share some of my artwork and invite you all to visit my site - www.prubonds.com. Thanks!

On a hot summer night of 2008, I was sitting on my wooden floor melodramatically asking "Why me? "What was I thinking? How could I be soooo bllliiiiind! That mothaflower got me with his lies!!!"

Or did he?

Please follow my new blog at www.tamaranataliemadden.blogspot.com for faster updates.

The wood pieces are all a part of a new series called No Man Can Degrade. It comes from a quote by Frederick Douglass that says, The soul that is within, no man can degrade. I began the series sometime ago, when I received a grant from the Puffin Foundation. I used a different name for the series at the time, but the premise is still the same.

The pieces are inspired by social, spiritual and philosophical issues. They stem from my passion for giving everyone their just due, for allowing each man or woman to have an opportunity to give their take and receive respect in return. Often time the downtrodden, the elderly and the sick are overlooked because of their demise, but I truly feel that their voices need to be heard, and that their stories need to be told.

These works are created using my own original photography. I also use acrylic paint, wood and other objects to bring the them to life. My goal, through these works, is to bring a voice to the unheard and allow the invisible to be seen. This will be an ongoing series so please keep an eye out for all that there is to come.

I've been so busy! I haven't even had time to breathe! Happy Holidays to everyone!!:)

As a holiday gift I'm giving away TWO sets of my handmade cupcake bath fizzies.

Please go to my blog for more details on how to enter.

Good luck!

PAINTINGS BY JOYCE BATTLE....JOY RAE COLLECTION:
Spiritual Growth Collection:$35.00 each

Virgo collection:$15.00each

Ladies in Bloom (acrylic) $40.00/ on canvas $50.00

Prints:
Moody Blue Moon: $15.00

I am so inspired by Talitha Anyabwele of Black Girl Speaks. Her words in this interview are inspiring for any woman artist who is trying to do this thing full time! please check out the full interview at..

www.thegoddesseffect.blogspot.com

I am so happy to have refurbished the furniture piece you see in the pic! It is now used as an altar for art in my home and awaits a “Sankofa Queen” painting to be framed and hung over it. Why an altar, you ask? Well, when the spirit hits, I am purposed to use my voice, written expression and sounds to bring attention to the intimate aspects in the African American woman. More specifically, those emotional qualities that have been stripped of, lost, or forgotten. So, today, I acknowledge and pray for the little girl who sculpted the figure you see on top of the altar.

As some of you may know, I'm an "amateurish" artist who's looking to make it big in the field and be recognized as a refined Artist. I've been painting since I was 4, and started taking it serious a few years ago. I don't have any formal training and decided to consult with a few successful black artist for tips and feedback. The consensus is that I need to focus on my figurative and gestural development. I e-mail Tamara Natalie Madden and Dawn Okoro, who are my favorite female artists, and they both told me to continue experimenting and focus on conveying a message through my art. So I put a halt on painting, and solely working on portraits. My art is primarily focus around being natural and being comfortable in your natural state; however, I want my art to be strong and distinct. I'm currently in the process of moving to Chicago (praying it happens), in order to network with other black artists, and find a mentor who can guide me and perhaps enroll in a studio for training.

Hi Everybody! Quick question...do any of you have a blog OR know of anyone that has a blog that's updated often, with imagery, that FOCUSES on: arts/crafts, design/interior, painting, creative living, sewing, crochet, knitting, textiles/quilting anything of that nature? If so, please leave your link in the comments below!

Thanks so much!
Ericka Taylor | Editor
ymib.com

Today is one of my studio days so I'll be there finishing up on those teapots in pic and starting some new ones. Making teapots are a long process because each part is thrown on the potter's wheel separately then put together. I also have to make sure that the handle and spout are at the right angle so that the teapot pours well. I've been sketching some new teapot shapes I have in mind but because of the weather I feel like today might just be a great day to make bowls. We will see!

LADIES LADIES I HAVE POSTED NEW JEWELS ON MY SITE www.deslacreation.com PRESENTING MY COLLECTIONS!!!
I WILL HAVE COLLECTIONS POSTED SO THAT EACH OF CAN FIND THE EARRINGS OR SETS THAT FIT U AND UR INDIVIDUALISM. I am here to share my love and creativity with u.This is a link to one of my collections!!

http://www.deslascreation.com/apps/webstore/products/show/872922

Lately I've been painting a lot and feel real good mmm mmmm. It all started when this woman from Chi-Town saw my art work on myspace and asked me to do an interpretation of her daughter. My friends and few family members were the only folks who would compliment me and encourage me to continue painting so I was shocked when a complete stranger saw that thang in my art. I always felt like an amateur due to the fact that I do not have a degree in Art. I've been drawing since I was 4 years old, took two art classes in High School, and one course in College. Thus I considered myself a dilettante rather than an artist, and never even thought about sharing my artwork with others, until my Art teachers and English professor told me that I was being selfish.

How am I being selfish with my own hobby?

Is what I thought.

I'm so happy that my very first artist interview on Black Butterfly is with the very talented Karen Seneferu, one of my favorite Bay Area artists. She discusses her inspiration and creative process. I know we'll be hearing and seeing a lot more from Karen in the future! Read the full interview on my blog:
http://www.soulgoddess.blogspot.com

Well the exhibition was Friday in Oakland, and it was wonderful! Beautiful art by so many of my friends and colleagues graced the walls, a jazz band played, poetry was read, and the place was packed with folks of all ages. There was so much love in that spot I was on a high :) Ebony Iman Dallas, who masterminded the event, has so many more amazing things planned for artists of African descent, she's just getting started, and plans to make this an international movement. If you'd like more information on getting involved, here is her website: http://www.eidart.com
Here's a brief video Codi shot of me talking about my piece at the exhibition. Please forgive all the nervous giggles, I'm still pretty camera shy :)

I just Wanted to take time out to show the interior of a wheel thrown ceramic vase I was making. It wasn’t the correct shape I wanted. I made a bunch and cut them all up. This is a good study because it shows if a handmade ceramic piece is well made. A well made piece should have even wall thickness and feel light weight. A thinly thrown piece can be beautiful but lack some durability Vs. a thickly thrown piece will be to heavy and uncomfortable to use. Balance is the Key to Life in everything including pottery!

So I have finally put my ceramics on etsy.com for sale!!! This shop contains some of the work that I produced during my first year of grad school while studying female circumcision/female genital mutilation in Africa.
I became aware and interested in this issue while auditioning for the Vagina Monologues in undergrad. After performing, I decided to investigate further--doing a research project and seminar to teach educators about this issue.

PLEASE VIEW AND PURCHASE THIS WORK! IT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO GET THIS OUT AND TO CULTIVATE DISCUSSION!!!!!!

I'm not sure which link works best so I'll include both

suburbansoul.etsy.com and/or http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5653511

More work will be posted soon!!!!!

I ask this question because...well..I am always questioning myself. Is there something wrong with me that I'd rather teach art to a group of kids rather than in a university setting? After all, I AM in a graduate program being trained to do just that. Is there something wrong with me because I would rather pick through fashion magazines rather than "real" art mags? Where does my true passion lie, I ask myself. Art is me. But not in the way that it seems other artists take it. Am I not as passionate as I should be? Why am I bored with it? Am I bored with it? What part? Academia. Being required to read philosophy in order to be taken seriously. Being required to know about eevvveerrrryyyybody in order to be taken seriously. It's exhausting and I am not passionate about that part. I want to change peoples lives. Young lives. So again, is there something wrong with me? Something wrong that I'd rather read beauty reviews and makeup art than works of fine artists? I am jaded. I know that. I feel jaded because I know that the artworld has little to do with talent and much to do with how creative you are in setting yourself up to be seen. I want to inspire children.

Come and check out the show, if you can!

Majestic Women: Paintings by Tamara Natalie Madden
June 14 to July 20, 2009
Opening Reception: Sunday, June 14th, 3pm

Winston-Salem Delta Fine Arts, Inc.
The Delta Arts Center
2611 New Walkertown Road
Winston-Salem, NC 27101
Phone: (336) 722-2625