#MusicMonday - Addictive Love #gospel

#MusicMonday - You Paid it All

#MusicMonday with Yolanda Adams

Yes, sir!!

Women's History Month - 5 Inspiring Entreprenuers

This week we're honoring women who specialized in making a lot of something out of nothing!! These ladies are truly inspiring. Check them out!!!

1. Madam C.J. Walker (Trailblazing Hair-Care Mogul)

2. Mary Kay Ash (Cosmetics Mogul)

3. Oprah Winfrey (Media Mogul)

4. J. K. Rowling (Yes, she's an author, but she is also the creator of the Harry Potter empire)

5. Sophia Vergara (Not only is she an actress, she is the founder of new media company, LatinWE and her own clothing line, among other ventures.)

Artist of the Week - Red Sirens

Red Sirens

2ND STREET: Tell us about you.
RED SIRENS: My name is Araceli Rodriguez. My artist name is Red Sirens. I'm Mexican, was raised in the US since the age of 5. Where I now reside.


2ND STREET: In one word, describe your art. 
RED SIRENS: RAW


2ND STREET: What inspires you? 
RED SIRENS: I find inspiration in my surroundings, I also try to incorporate my culture into my work because I believe that art should have a soul. I do not like lazy art and so for me a piece of work can be a thing of intense beauty and work. One piece of work for me to finish and compose can be as simple as giving, breathing life into a canvas so it can be a slow process. When I have a commissioned piece to make I work hard in making it as worthy and as accurate as possible.


2ND STREET: Who is your favorite artist living or passed on?
RED SIRENS: Frida Kahlo is my favorite artist.


2ND STREET: Do you ever get “Artist’s block?” If so, how do you get over it?
RED SIRENS:Yes I often loose inspiration. sometimes it can last for years. I had artist block one time for as long as two years, but art runs in my veins and I always look to shelter myself back under it's warmth.

I don't know what happens, it's like waking up one morning and yearning for the right cup of coffee.I can't quite tell you how it is I get over it, it just happens.

2ND STREET: How long does it take for you to complete a piece?
RED SIRENS: That depends on the piece, If it s a commissioned one, I place myself on a strict calender regime. If it's a piece that is mine. -well, let tell you.... I still have a piece in my studio that I have been working on for about 10 years. I work on it a little. and I leave it and then two years later I find something I want to add to it. It is my one piece that I have yet to complete.


2ND STREET: Tell us about your current projects.
RED SIRENS: I currently in the process of networking and promoting. I often get a commissions piece, here and there but I have also been busy working and stretching out into other mediums. I design costume Jewelry.



2ND STREET: How can you be contacted? 
RED SIRENS: 
Email: redsirens@yahoo.com
Website:  www.redsirens.net
My portfolio: http://www.redbubble.com/explore/redsirens

Artist of the Week - Purpose

Purpose

2ND STREET: Tell us about you. Where are you from? Where are you now?

PURPOSE: Well, I was born in New Jersey, but I was raised in Atlanta, Georgia.

2ND STREET: In one word, describe your music.

PURPOSE: Energetic :)

2ND STREET: What inspires you?

PURPOSE: Just the experiences I've been through. For almost every song I've written, There's a story behind it. 

2ND STREET: Complete this sentence: Everyone says I sound like ________.

PURPOSE: Everyone says I sound like Alicia Keys.

2ND STREET: What's your favorite song? Why?

PURPOSE: My favorite song is "Apologize" by One Republic . I love that song just because you can really tell where the artist is coming from and you can feel their pain through the song.

2ND STREET: What would you name the soundtrack of your life?

PURPOSE: "In My Lane, Keeping Strong"

2ND STREET: What's the best advice anyone has ever given you?

PURPOSE: If a man doesn't respect the things he has, he won't respect you.

2ND STREET: Tell us about your current projects. (be as brief or as lengthy as you’d like)

PURPOSE:  Well, what I'm doing right now is just working on getting my songs recorded and on youtube. I also want to get them onto iTunes.

2ND STREET: How can you be contacted?

PURPOSE: 

ibookpurpose@gmail.com for bookings or just contact me on Twitter or Facebook. :)

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Purpose_Always 

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/PurposeAlways

Instagram: @purpose_always 

The Soulful Art of AmW - Artist Interview

This week's Artist of the Week is the soulful, AmW of Estetika Exposure!! Check her out!!

AmW

"I've managed to shock myself."

2ND STREET: Tell us about you. Where are you from? Where are you now?

AmW : Born and raised in New England, artist AmW (born Alicia M. Walter) began her journey in Springfield Massachusetts. It was in 2001, at the age of 22, when Artist AmW gave her first try at being an artist. However, lacking the confidence she needed within herself, AmW walked away from her art. It wasn’t until 2011, with the support of her husband, family and small circle of close friends that she picked up a paint brush and was able to give her craft another try.

Now residing in Upstate New York, AmW started her business, Estetika Exposure: Art by AmW. The business name was inspired by one of her close friends. 

Estetika means ‘beautiful’ in the Indonesian language, as well as in the Latin language. Estetika Exposure: Art by AmW. “Exposing you to beautiful art, one canvas at a time. “

Dad's Leo Collage

2ND STREET: In one word, describe your art.

AmW: One word to describe my art would be, soulful.

2ND STREET: What inspires you?

AmW: For me inspiration comes from many places ranging from music, nature, conversation, certain scents, and even the works of other artists. I feel that I am in sync with nature and my surroundings. At times I can be inspired off of the environment that I am in. For example, my husband, Kareem, took me on a hike at Buttermilk Falls in New York. The crisp clean air, powdered blue sky with the rays of the sun reflecting on the waterfall along the trail, was absolutely amazing. Upon returning from our trip, I was inspired to paint and I did! When listening to music for inspiration, I don’t generally listen to mainstream music and actually prefer the music of upcoming artists such as the Soft Spoken Prophet in Massachusetts music group Zection 8 in MA-FL-PA, and even special music mixes by DJ Gains Bond in Connecticut.

2ND STREET: Who is your favorite artist living or passed on?

AmW: I’m not too familiar with the names of other artists, but I do admire the works of local artists in my hometown such as Marlon Seymour and Zeph Farmby. I also admire the works of artist, Dominic Brown of Mayluna.com in the Netherlands, Kenyan artist, Wangechi Mutu, Brazilian artist, Julian Gasllasch, and Cory Pane of Hartford Connecticut.

2ND STREET: Do you ever get “Artist’s block”? If so, how do you get over it?

AmW:  absolutely had periods of times where I haven’t been inspired to paint or create graphics. In my opinion, creativity cannot be rushed. I’ll step away for a few hours and even sometimes days or weeks until the inspiration comes to me. And when it does, it’s nothing less than amazing and such a blessing.

2ND STREET: How long does it take for you to complete a piece?

AmW: I generally do not time myself when I’m creating. I focus so much on the piece that I’m creating that time seems not to exist. However, most recently I did a painting for my father’s Christmas gift and that took about an hour. And the results would seem as if I spent days or weeks on it. I've managed to shock myself.

2ND STREET: Tell us about your current projects.

AmW: Thankfully, keeping busy has not been a problem for me thus far and I owe God all the thanks and praise for my success and the people He has placed in my life.

Currently, I am planning two art exhibits scheduled for April and March 2013. I am also working on a painting that is being donated to The Purple Society to be auctioned off in January 2013. The Purple Society is a cancer foundation supporting the youth and their families. I have other great things planned for 2013 that I can’t wait for the world to see, so stay tuned!

The Dance

2ND STREET: How can you be contacted?

AmW: 

• Estetika Exposure (347) 868-5696 
• Email: Estetikaartbyamw@gmail.com
• Or the contact form on my website: www.estetikaexposure.com
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Estetika-Exposure-Art-by-AmW/236208533118404
• Twitter: @PassionWithMe or @EstetikaExposr