tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-88598115666495154652024-03-13T08:38:21.613-07:00Art + Music = BlissAkuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10247439397707793357noreply@blogger.comBlogger18125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8859811566649515465.post-44591302560661777332011-11-26T23:19:00.001-08:002011-11-26T23:19:05.095-08:00KEZZMIT featured on Huffington Post...can you say blessing?<div class='posterous_autopost'><p><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/11/24/35-black-owned-etsy-store_n_1111474.html#undefined"><img src="http://i.huffpost.com/gadgets/slideshows/198792/slide_198792_497160_large.jpg?1322240931" alt="" /></a></p></div>Akuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10247439397707793357noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8859811566649515465.post-25986499741632433692011-09-16T18:00:00.001-07:002011-09-16T18:00:40.962-07:00Half-Past Autumn has Arrived<div class='posterous_autopost'><p><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/81923953/oval-equinox-autumn-earrings" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Equinox Autumn Earrings</span></a></p> <p><div class='p_embed p_image_embed'> <a href="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2011-09-16/rafGcwkrqstbhlazuzBlhfsaIwumlccFEDkHxivxytnopaDeGddbhCIyAdvJ/100_5928.JPG.scaled1000.jpg"><img alt="100_5928" height="666" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2011-09-16/rafGcwkrqstbhlazuzBlhfsaIwumlccFEDkHxivxytnopaDeGddbhCIyAdvJ/100_5928.JPG.scaled500.jpg" width="500" /></a> </div> </p> <p><span style="font-family: georgia, bookman old style, palatino linotype, book antiqua, palatino, trebuchet ms, helvetica, garamond, sans-serif, arial, verdana, avante garde, century gothic, comic sans ms, times, times new roman, serif; background-color: #e5e5dd; font-size: medium; color: #47251e;">falling leaves<br />hide the path<br />so quietly<br />~John Bailey</span></p></div>Akuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10247439397707793357noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8859811566649515465.post-21482931402170367242010-08-12T13:39:00.000-07:002010-08-13T03:16:23.256-07:00Why Paper Clay?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO2Miu8YkYHwX4c3_SwpmAH0iX2RplPaLEkVT9NrSmAJTDKxegXp8-q6pAkYqwRWPPKgPYTh-HPp-zmdlOg0BeRGuC5yrBXE_XL4kjXO0MyuoLIiJ1Qn2os6nTcXeFmhCYYp6tcmqcDX0/s1600/101_3751.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="237" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO2Miu8YkYHwX4c3_SwpmAH0iX2RplPaLEkVT9NrSmAJTDKxegXp8-q6pAkYqwRWPPKgPYTh-HPp-zmdlOg0BeRGuC5yrBXE_XL4kjXO0MyuoLIiJ1Qn2os6nTcXeFmhCYYp6tcmqcDX0/s320/101_3751.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Okay, for those who know my work...you know I work with paper clay. I adore this material because it's lightweight, easy to manipulate, eco-friendly...and it doesn't require firing in a kiln to dry, thus conserving energy. In short it's very cost effective. That's important to me, because everyone can't afford the "bling" that's out there. I ain't a Tiffany's or Bvlgari kinda girl...and that's all to it. Paper clay allows me to explore other cultures and incorporate their sense of beauty in what I do. My mission is to offer beautiful, unique and affordable pieces to adorn. I'm able to do that with paper clay! Hallelujahs! Still making the world beautiful 2 ears at a time ~Aku~Akuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10247439397707793357noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8859811566649515465.post-45196496942835588792010-07-30T09:58:00.000-07:002010-07-30T11:37:40.119-07:00Partner in Art<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiInq4-5yNEL9kqR3Y8fjzqIxHN8YHWQC8sI4woXTLt9fmLYARsIvlpZToGwfCh9MuUdqUHngY7emheQgJWlTpL7BPKh7g69EehniGusDj4SlNAr90vSt23N3J2MOLWTvKwr8GWgjDid-0/s1600/ommie.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5499747378665565922" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiInq4-5yNEL9kqR3Y8fjzqIxHN8YHWQC8sI4woXTLt9fmLYARsIvlpZToGwfCh9MuUdqUHngY7emheQgJWlTpL7BPKh7g69EehniGusDj4SlNAr90vSt23N3J2MOLWTvKwr8GWgjDid-0/s320/ommie.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; float: right; height: 214px; margin: 0 0 10px 10px; width: 320px;" /></a>Recently, I've made a decision to partner up with long time friend Omzahara. You know the whole two heads are better than one thing. Not only is she a long time BFF....she is an incredible multimedia artist. The wondrous thing about our friendship is that we are so in sync esthetically. If we are out and about and see something amazing...you'd be prone to hear a scream in unison "I LOVE THAT!"<br />
Our styles are completely different but at the same time they totally compliment each other.<br />
<div>So ---O's jewelery will now also be featured at <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/Kezzmit">"Aku's Ear Ornaments" </a>in all of it's glory. Hopefully I can convince her to take over Blog duties!!</div>Akuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10247439397707793357noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8859811566649515465.post-77900780948810816032010-07-20T23:47:00.000-07:002010-07-20T23:56:42.191-07:00AcapellaKelis in her visually tasty treat and it ain't a "Milkshake"<div>Check out that headdress!<br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><br /><object width="580" height="360"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/U8D9xCBcfzw&hl=en_US&fs=1?rel=0&color1=0x006699&color2=0x54abd6&border=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/U8D9xCBcfzw&hl=en_US&fs=1?rel=0&color1=0x006699&color2=0x54abd6&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="580" height="360"></embed></object>Akuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10247439397707793357noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8859811566649515465.post-24733907323215117952009-01-31T08:00:00.000-08:002010-07-20T23:43:18.056-07:00Bergdorf's Windows<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOQ3Q0uw8dTex8yGixgpUnR6iXLc8yAxkyS-vuNXhTvgDnqy00PWK9c9yt4-EvKNTy3sz1DlbhlbBKvfMs-A5VFU5tIM0GDcRxVpOGtO53wQv5OcO7Z1W6C-NoOEbZ6ZC2pgQVCu5AahY/s1600/BG06.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOQ3Q0uw8dTex8yGixgpUnR6iXLc8yAxkyS-vuNXhTvgDnqy00PWK9c9yt4-EvKNTy3sz1DlbhlbBKvfMs-A5VFU5tIM0GDcRxVpOGtO53wQv5OcO7Z1W6C-NoOEbZ6ZC2pgQVCu5AahY/s320/BG06.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496241197818335842" /></a>My friend Joe went to NYC in December to take in some theatre and do a little shopping. He sent me pictures of<a href="http://www.bergdorfgoodman.com/">Bergie's </a>windows....the composition and detail is off the friggin' chain! Their budget must have been outrageous. I use to dress windows for a store on <a href="http://www.newbury-st.com/">Newbury Street</a> in Boston (Newbury Street is the equivilent to New York's Fifth Ave in terms of shopping), so I have a deep appreciation for the art of visual merchandising. I don't know if I could have even fathom anything like this!!<div><br /></div><div><span><span></span></span><br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5BFZ-Hf-mjo/SYR62qhOm3I/AAAAAAAAA4Y/8g7SR8Mpyj4/s1600-h/BG06.jpg"></a></div>Akuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10247439397707793357noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8859811566649515465.post-27913781400418882612009-01-27T15:30:00.000-08:002009-01-31T02:25:32.528-08:00Rokia Traore<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiloLJU9Y9gRNwLoPSQ6YZrJbeSIPaWN6wlANB62ug7usNNxF620AZ8aYGYf9EG5NuW2RZPpcMCJIAy8GhmGMRaPyrE1tsroK6JF3Ekm071UBKkj84bRx3wGUYv7dH1FY94CR3NDmXKeAo/s1600-h/Rokia+Traore.bmp"></a>I first heard <a href="http://www.rokiatraore.net/">Rokia Traore </a>in my car listening to <a href="http://www.npr.org/">NPR</a>.<br />She sang a rendition of "The Man I Love"...the old <a href="http://www.cmgww.com/music/holiday/">Billie Holiday</a>/<a href="http://www.peggylee.com/home.html">Peggy Lee </a>standard. Her version sent a chill up my back and brought a tear to my eye. I hurried home and immediately downloaded the song from Itunes. Her voice is compelling..."slinky and breathy". In her current album "Tchamantche" she uses traditional African instruments along with acoustic and electric guitar, giving her sound a unique appeal.<br /><br /><br /><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/3DydY8bHTyg&hl=en&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/3DydY8bHTyg&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>Akuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10247439397707793357noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8859811566649515465.post-56809195184050892802009-01-21T12:47:00.000-08:002009-01-31T02:28:44.950-08:00A Portrait<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRtVIlUAorkq-ldGQ3MI0LeganeyPTI-6hBuaBm8tM2JgJvbBj4rvJJxPXc9h17J2Hte4rNcTEMMa2NYXLbSxd_i-CfOZsVQ3w2ovdTHF_5YGFtIqpUf-0RQxhaRShh15bFtzL9pAkDyo/s1600-h/100_0954+web+size.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5293852681432293362" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 242px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRtVIlUAorkq-ldGQ3MI0LeganeyPTI-6hBuaBm8tM2JgJvbBj4rvJJxPXc9h17J2Hte4rNcTEMMa2NYXLbSxd_i-CfOZsVQ3w2ovdTHF_5YGFtIqpUf-0RQxhaRShh15bFtzL9pAkDyo/s320/100_0954+web+size.jpg" border="0" /></a> One of my very best girlfriends from Atlanta spent 2 weeks with me recently. She is a fellow artist - I've known her for years. She's always threatened to do a portrait of me and during her visit she finally did. I love it..<br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5BFZ-Hf-mjo/SXeK2wVqmJI/AAAAAAAAAvA/chqri0j3SYA/s1600-h/100_0954+web+size.jpg"></a></div>Akuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10247439397707793357noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8859811566649515465.post-71371138346005520672008-11-22T16:46:00.000-08:002008-11-22T17:51:37.090-08:00My Own Little Treasury<a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5825707"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5271649272495062498" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKDDGu99oFLWI8t-4fdTikYyQ8uJNmGmfhyphenhyphen5ZwNzM5gPzCwkl_urVomOoDrnxnh3Vn_aN5DUKjWSUs-xSouAWVa8yaVpQjXlD-jqvrrWqf75Y6zsiwg7M2onVU7PHWhRiDGiUCd0gyWao/s320/Rahma.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">I haven't had a sale on <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5825707">Etsy </a>all month (boo-hoo, sniff, sniff)...thank goodness I particpated in a craft show earlier this month or I could be very discouraged. Anyways...I thought I do a little self promotion. I made this collage with Picasa 3 of some of my very favorite pieces. </span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;">For a limited time, I'm offering Free Shipping on all purchases.</span>Akuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10247439397707793357noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8859811566649515465.post-74893623854466486082008-10-22T01:37:00.000-07:002008-10-25T14:46:26.808-07:00Lucy Calhoun<a href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=16300517"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5259907410182232738" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbOl6PYeyQ-WcbBW13U5h0W_bvyjnOKWz1s3-hlrW0O72ijAC1r6RZPM-0aMEWADaROGtIbcSrw9KqMxqttY_PKXjaiZwagu2zUh2lgoqWoQ_QQCDeoc4Bfb8M1_J9IDE3qPaXpXmT0MQ/s320/il_430xN_41547891.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=13593536"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5259907201474989714" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5BFZ-Hf-mjo/SP7xu0dvjpI/AAAAAAAAAYA/tGrLOh7_NhY/s320/il_430xN_32695366.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><p align="left"><span style="font-family:arial;">Going through my "favorites" at Etsy, I realized I have this "thing" for women artists. I'd say 95% of the art that moves me is created by women. Lucy Calhoun is among those women artists that has a definite point of view of which I share. Her paintings are endowed with tenderness, movement, a sense of joy, and a connection to the earth.</span></p><p align="left"><span style="font-family:arial;">I asked Lucy to describe her paintings:<br />"For me these paintings are a way to create a tangible vision of what I would like to see in the world. I believe in the Law of Attraction, so I'm putting a lot of love out there in my art, since what we focus on becomes our reality. "I Assume the Produce is Organic" is a sort of playful piece that has an undercurrent of body awareness, acceptance, and joy. Most of my work includes embrace and affection of some kind, and I pay close attention to colors, using combinations that really sing to me."</span></p><div><div><div><div><div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;">Lucy says she is inspired by other artists, musicians, and all creative people and their work, as well as psychology, anthropology, different cultures and times.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Arial;">You can find Lucy's work at: <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=6045253">Lucy Calhoun Original Art Works</a>, and <a href="http://www.myspace.com/lucygrapefruit">www.myspace.com/lucygrapefruit</a></span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Akuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10247439397707793357noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8859811566649515465.post-31064130775250807822008-10-19T06:21:00.000-07:002008-10-19T06:59:37.429-07:00Playing with Picasa 3 (Beta)<span style="font-family:arial;">I love using <a href="http://picasa.google.com/">Picasa</a> to enhance my digital photos! It's so user-friendly and better yet- it's FREE. Well, I just downloaded and installed the latest version. While playing with all the new enhancements, I discovered you can make movies with Picasa and use the application interface to upload your movies to <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ik2Q43iDO4k">YouTube</a>. Heres' my first attempt at movie-making with Picasa 3!! It's a little blurry - but you get the jist.</span><br /><br /><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/ik2Q43iDO4k&hl=en&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/ik2Q43iDO4k&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>Akuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10247439397707793357noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8859811566649515465.post-28311809777582516532008-10-13T10:37:00.000-07:002008-10-22T02:36:57.548-07:00Omzahara<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM6KwGjEE0IQhqDan-KNd031MmPPvSwRLBfdZaoNT-CUeYR7aCFsJ7t567mqN0Uxn-bmxKiMs0uMgD6iOdNEHoilxwKTC8eLSpv8S_2Nb33VZFkjGgtgn9bYmo0hCwwp8XjQ6YDq-7Bb8/s1600-h/endangered+species+cu.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5256699516220307250" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM6KwGjEE0IQhqDan-KNd031MmPPvSwRLBfdZaoNT-CUeYR7aCFsJ7t567mqN0Uxn-bmxKiMs0uMgD6iOdNEHoilxwKTC8eLSpv8S_2Nb33VZFkjGgtgn9bYmo0hCwwp8XjQ6YDq-7Bb8/s320/endangered+species+cu.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;">One of my dearest friends is an incredible painter, sculptor, and poet. A Renaissance woman in the truest sense. Her work is rich, thoughtful, and dream-like. The colors are vivid, yet earthy. She says of her paintings, "My paintings depict moist, rich dirt, cracked, dry clay, and sand. Hummingbirds flutter, opening soundless dreams. I am dancing in the sacred circle of life."</span><br /><div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;">Omzahara's work reaches for and touches every one of your senses. See some of Omzahara's other works at her <a href="http://www.uspacegallery.com/omzahara.html">U*Space Gallery</a>.</span></div></div>Akuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10247439397707793357noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8859811566649515465.post-35806599098694530162008-10-12T14:10:00.000-07:002008-10-15T16:42:42.189-07:00The Joy Of Earrings<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHFrC0PSMV1yWSLOPJaxHA1KUNopp2ca-zIH459BoSoGqKL69bUlf7FjmzSZTsJxCicF3wPxWpWo4ZK6hScH5RgJDaam0Q32D7-KKLzDy3X7w36BQFo2J4jgRrg_Wzcy_PU9a9Z34sQSk/s1600-h/100_0389+cu.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5257529653001100946" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHFrC0PSMV1yWSLOPJaxHA1KUNopp2ca-zIH459BoSoGqKL69bUlf7FjmzSZTsJxCicF3wPxWpWo4ZK6hScH5RgJDaam0Q32D7-KKLzDy3X7w36BQFo2J4jgRrg_Wzcy_PU9a9Z34sQSk/s320/100_0389+cu.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;">My</span><span style="font-family:arial;"> obsession with earrings goes way back. It started in 1973, when my hair stylist mom suggested that I let her cut my hair. I had a head full of uncontrollable, unkempt curly hair. So, apprehensively I let her cut my curly locks. And she cut.... and cut and kept cutting. I ended up with a close cropped curly pixie hair-do that I wear til this day. It was cute, manageable and low maintenance. But, I have to say I was lookin' kinda boyish...since I had no figure to speak. I was 5'5" weighing all of 98 pounds-looking like an adolescent lad. Huge earrings were the answer to my androgenousness. That where my obsession began. When I discovered I had the talent and skill to create </span><span style="font-family:arial;">my own fabulously huge earrings - It was ON! </span>Akuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10247439397707793357noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8859811566649515465.post-86069697929301897432008-09-28T21:56:00.000-07:002008-09-29T15:52:31.951-07:00The Earring Giveaway Winner is......<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5BFZ-Hf-mjo/SOBiO65yEGI/AAAAAAAAAS0/Y-p935P1KZQ/s1600-h/blossomingtree.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5251305173983301730" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5BFZ-Hf-mjo/SOBiO65yEGI/AAAAAAAAAS0/Y-p935P1KZQ/s200/blossomingtree.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;"><strong><a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5364780">Blossomingtree</a>!</strong> I thank everyone who took the time to leave feedback and kind words of encourgement. I think I'm getting the hang of this blogging thing, but I know I've still got a lot to learn. </span></div><div><span style="font-family:arial;">Holla!</span></div>Akuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10247439397707793357noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8859811566649515465.post-53701441499882345562008-09-24T12:00:00.000-07:002008-10-25T14:47:07.529-07:00Lark Calderon-Gomez<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYJ51p1GvHPLpWoJBKKSjsEESGSkrcjo3SQYMaRzVRTU2rUClWmVctUGM9g0cnDW1gH7tjK50bfzqxMbRC2M22ccdsVJ_ZtwViHK3tB4O2TOyHCMcML-zDRb7Cgoax9RTfNFkXpuAnDJk/s1600-h/collage.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5249667434209972162" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYJ51p1GvHPLpWoJBKKSjsEESGSkrcjo3SQYMaRzVRTU2rUClWmVctUGM9g0cnDW1gH7tjK50bfzqxMbRC2M22ccdsVJ_ZtwViHK3tB4O2TOyHCMcML-zDRb7Cgoax9RTfNFkXpuAnDJk/s200/collage.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;">I was introduced to Lark's works on the "<a href="http://eaoc.blogspot.com/">Etsy Artists of Color</a>" website. Ya' know how you are just drawn to certain artists? - their work not only touches you, but grabs you emotionally. That's how I am with Lark's portraits. They draw me in. This series of portraits are based on Lark's grandmother, Julia and her journey from Guatemala to the U.S. in 1940. Lark has written a wonderful narrative describing Julia's journey and the people she encounters. If you'd like to see more - go to <a href="http://www.calderon-gomez.com/">www.calderon-gomez.com/</a> or <a href="http://www.larkcalderongomez.etsy.com/">http://www.larkcalderongomez.etsy.com/</a></span> <p><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span></p>Akuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10247439397707793357noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8859811566649515465.post-14636106607644234112008-09-23T14:22:00.000-07:002008-09-23T15:05:45.735-07:00Earring Giveway<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOKrJomzCV-UsP0JLkCQnMiKM2qFcolB5Omnl9_w5L2EbeAa9RUO4G5JSFKDT-5719CmT4zOZmZQf_j2EJgo_2XFrrbq2y9fHW7q6bstaoBt2dKJTXyWLMZ68XYKzTr04_qccPvpWYYsA/s1600-h/collage.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5249339936876908098" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOKrJomzCV-UsP0JLkCQnMiKM2qFcolB5Omnl9_w5L2EbeAa9RUO4G5JSFKDT-5719CmT4zOZmZQf_j2EJgo_2XFrrbq2y9fHW7q6bstaoBt2dKJTXyWLMZ68XYKzTr04_qccPvpWYYsA/s200/collage.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;">It was a scary thing for me to start this blog...believe me...I was overwhelmed with all the gazillion options. Widgets, and templates...oh my!</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">So, in celebration of my overcoming my fear of blogging, I'm giving away a pair of earrings (of your choice) from <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5825707"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Aku's</span> Ear <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Ornaments</span></a>. Just leave a comment letting me know what you think.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;">I'll randomly choose a winner on Sunday, September 28. </span><span style="font-family:Arial;">Oh, and if you liked to be featured - let me know...we'll make it happen!</span></div><br /><br /><p><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span></p>Akuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10247439397707793357noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8859811566649515465.post-40132385628052599162008-09-22T23:59:00.000-07:002008-10-19T07:00:04.498-07:00Sara Tavares<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieGs2l54WWRr9S-l-CAqzcASrOzuLKU0MjeQA45HWMsgV_yiU9xI1az1N_gmBzGcXKzJ3PlBr9TTiSV76phdd_Hf_HLf4jWvKl3epAqUqOCcE1k3M243nSs51XAfVmT6XGpXzGQIr5YJw/s1600-h/Sara+Tavares.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5249113978617069954" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieGs2l54WWRr9S-l-CAqzcASrOzuLKU0MjeQA45HWMsgV_yiU9xI1az1N_gmBzGcXKzJ3PlBr9TTiSV76phdd_Hf_HLf4jWvKl3epAqUqOCcE1k3M243nSs51XAfVmT6XGpXzGQIr5YJw/s200/Sara+Tavares.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;">When I sit down to create, I've <strong><em>GOT</em></strong> to have music in the background. Besides lifting my spirit, I'm able to visualize the music, the beats, and all that pours over into what I'm doing. MySpace is a great source in discovering new music - That's how I found <strong><a href="http://www.worldconnection.nl/wclayout/index.php?site_id=25">Sara Tavares</a></strong>. She is of Cape Verdean ancestry and is very in touch with her African Roots. Her album "Balance" is a mix of Portuguese fado, Brazilian bossanova, jazz and soul. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span></div><br /><br /><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/1C9mWN8vKHQ&hl=en&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/1C9mWN8vKHQ&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>Akuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10247439397707793357noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8859811566649515465.post-66587771071943499282008-09-15T14:07:00.000-07:002008-09-23T00:42:43.651-07:00A Blog Virgin<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6gWqoNeRpH-oMcNaW29sQ6wDzi33m4h_yhqF3dVFc42cnJhtST9_qmRgUC1GEoSjv8GBFhUNjsIlmUf4wCN4ihGj93bk0cYurhYxqZqFL_8GPqXCeASIMUiY3-9fzrxjfhnK5H4aG8mo/s1600-h/aku+yellow+focal+cu+2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5249118813389253890" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6gWqoNeRpH-oMcNaW29sQ6wDzi33m4h_yhqF3dVFc42cnJhtST9_qmRgUC1GEoSjv8GBFhUNjsIlmUf4wCN4ihGj93bk0cYurhYxqZqFL_8GPqXCeASIMUiY3-9fzrxjfhnK5H4aG8mo/s200/aku+yellow+focal+cu+2.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><span style="color:#663300;"><span style="font-family:arial;">Okay, so this is my first attempt at blogging. Actually this going to be a micro-blog cause I can be on the lazy side sometimes. I'm blogging primarily to promote everything and anything "artfully wonderous"..... but its' also a platform for "whateva"... random observations, shared sources of inspiration, and promoting other artists, musicians and craftspeople. So, be patient with me while I get the hang of this.... </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;">My first entry: I'm no longer a Blog Virgin....ta-da!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;"></span><br /><br /></span><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;"></span></div>Akuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10247439397707793357noreply@blogger.com3