Vladimir M. Baptiste - Artist, Baltimore MD

 

        Vladimir M. Baptiste is a passionate artist whose paintings practically ooze with emotion. He is also my Facebook friend :)  He'd read my last post on Chopin and was kind (and real enough) to share his thoughts with me. We spoke briefly on our favorite Chopin selections and he even ended up recommending a violinist for me to listen to. The one thing Vladimir never mentioned was that he is an artist himself. What I admire most is where his inspiration comes from and his willingness to share those details.

Frédéric Chopin (1810-1849) - Pianist + Composer

       I can't stop listening to this!! At 7 years old, Frédéric Chopin (Sho-pon) had composed his first two Polonaises (Polish dancing music).  As I browsed the $1 sale walls of Book Off, I had recognized Chopin's name, but had no real idea of the incredible genius he was. A child piano Prodigy, Chopin's works were highly influenced mostly by the legendary composers Johann Sebastian Bach and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.The Polish musician lived most of his life in France. Due to illness,  he passed at the age of 39 years old, his work being the only children he left behind. In his will, he asked his heart be removed from his body. His heart is immured in a pillar at the Holy Cross Church in Warsaw, Poland with an inscription that reads, "For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also" (Matthew 6:21) --A true testament to the musicians' artistry and personality.

Feb 23rd 2013 Featured Artist "Mic On Fire" #OpenMic and #Showcase

$500 Cash Prize - Logo Design for @EastBrookFamily

Kicks, Chicks & More Dope Sh*t: The Dunk Exchange, Sponsored by #1800Tequila and #DaEnterprize

     I dropped by Da Enterprize yesterday to cool out with the homies, Devyne  & Stat. Got to listen to some of their new tracks as should you.  While I bothered Stat about his life of creating music, Devyne showed me the videos he's worked on for some of his partnerships. His videography is cool & so is the music selection. I was suprised I was actually enjoying it (#NoShade, #IDontOwnATV). I was actually looking for his brother's wrestling shots but... this was dope as f*ck as well. 

To read more my first write up on Da Enterprise -- CLICK HERE

Check out more vids at ItsDevyne.tv

Push play & Enjoy!

Donna Missal w/ Ken De Poto - Singer & Guitarist

Photo from HOH

Donna Missal performed with  Ken De Poto House of Horology on January 11th. 

CLICK HERE FOR THE RECAP.

I'm not going to say much. Donna sings from the heart. She looks like she's having fun... best part is, she brings you right there with her. & Ken doesn't miss a note on the strings. He's right there, too.

 Just push play. 

Oh.. & check the dope camera skills via Chery - BostonChery.com

Beyoncé's #Prada Eyewear $290

http://www.roc4life.com/2012/12/the-carters-step-out-in-nyc/

Found these photos on Roc4Life, but they failed to give us the important details... So... I was a label whore and am still dying over these shades. Might be ones I just need to have. *Adds to the checklist* These shades are from Prada's Spring/Summer 2011 line and under their Minimal Baroque collection. & They just looked so damn good on my face :( 

The collection was inspired by the Baroque movement in the arts, using exaggerated movement and decoration. Baroque arts are typically very dramatic and exude grandeur. The art --including dance, architecture, music and literature --delevoped in the early 1600s in Rome, Italy. Fashion, art & culture man... you can't separate them, can you?!?!?

The sunglasses themselves were designed by illustrators 

Ivo Bisognano, Marcela Guitierrez and Andrea Tarella.

These will run you $290 at Sunglass Hut.

St. Andrea Church in Rome, by Baroque Architect Gian Lorenzo Bernini

"The Adoration of the Magi" by Peter Paul Rubens, 1624

http://www.roc4life.com/2012/12/the-carters-step-out-in-nyc/

HOLLYWOOD of BROOKLYN "HBO Vol 1: My EastSide Story" (MIXTAPE TRAILER 2012)

EASTBROOKFAMILIA.com

EBFLifestyle.com

EASTBROOKFAMILIA.com

EBFLifestyle.com

LISTENING PARTY 12.21.12

Gabby Douglas #Support - "Ponytail" Poem

 

This sure is how you respond. It's lovely to see strong Black youth fighting for right. 

Much love.

The Metropolitan Museum, NYC - 01.28.12

 

From a while ago. 

Enjoy :)

Spike Lee 's "Red Hook Summer" - Coming Fall 2012

        Whether you're a fan of Spike Lee, film, documentaries, Brooklyn or dope sh*t in general, you've GOT to check this out in Fall 2012.  I'm always excited for a Spike film. That's why I had to post this for you all now! I can't say I've seen all of his work, but eventually I will. The one's I have had the time to watch I am grateful for. They were all --as is the term usually used for LEe's work and anyone who speaks about real sh*t --"thought-provoking. But shouldn't all art be thought-provoking? I simply like Spike because, he does what he does the way he's supposed to do it --the way he wants to + with very few filters. He's a master at his craft and never forgets to play his part in the struggle. 

BAM - Poetry 2012: Grand Slam!

BAM doesn't allow photos or video while the show is taking place,

 (so I snuck one in)  but continue reading to see some youtube videos of the night's performers. 

I tried to find the pieces they performed. Enjoy!

xoxo,

Ella.

Kanye West - Fall 2012

Angelika Film Center (NYC)

Great selection of films if you're tired with what's currently on your screens. (+ any place with a chandelier is a place I need to be.)  click "Read more" for trailers of what's currently playing.

18 W Houston St, New York, NY
Buy Tickets

"The Gulf Stream" by Winslow Homer (1899)

This painting is actually pretty big. Note the ship in the distane (top left) which the shipwrecked man fails to see. This ship was actually added after the painting was first exhibited 

-- Homer wanted to add "hope".

Farexchange - Comedian

@BKAHFARE

Farexchange on Facebook

Theseus Fighting the Centaur

Antoine-Louis Bayre

(French, 1796 -1875)

Theseus is the Hercules of Greece. 

Hercules is from Rome (and his real name is Heracles) ;)

            The reason why, in my opinion we don't hear about him is because Theseus relied almost solely on his strength when beating his opponents. Unlike Hercules who used his wit, Theseus ripped heads off. Actually, Theseus is a major player in Greek mythology. He's the guy who kidnapped Helen of Troy and set off the Trojan War.  When you read a little more about him, you begin to understand that... he would. 

Buddhist Art @ The Met Museum- 1.28.12

I spent about 30 minutes sitting in this room. Emotional as fuck. Asking for guidance.

All I want is peace. & for you all to enjoy the serenity with me. 

(There's a little education in here, too. For those who aren't too cool.)  

The Met Museum, Paintings 1.28.12

Here are some paintings currently on exhibit at The Met.

 I'll continue to post other dope sh*t I saw,
 but the detail on these are amazing, so figured they'd come first. 

Take a look :)