Meet the Artists: Food, Fun & Friends w/Liberated Muse: A Celebration of Freedom Art Exhibit event

Saturday, November 14, 2009
Time:
4:00pm - 6:00pm
Location:
The Potter's House
Street:
1658 Columbia Rd NW, Washington, DC

Come to the OFFICIAL opening of the art exhibit "Celebration of Freedom" @ the Potter's House. Liberated Muse Productions presents an art exhibit showcasing the talent of DC visual artists featured in the book Liberated Muse Volume I: How I Freed My Soul and the arts community. Featured artists include:

Prudence Bonds
Shan'ta Monroe
Sherry Burton-Ways
James Terrell
Jade Andwele
Sharon Burton
Choke
Stephan Cox
Marshetta Davis
Keisha Carroll
Khadijah Ali-Coleman

Sharon Burton of Authentic Contemporary Art curated the exhibited.

Refreshments served and live entertainment. See you there!

Creating A Dream Box!

My sister Sharon suggested that I take Jennifer Lee's Dream Box workshop that took place at Kim Wilson of Tranquil Space's home this past friday evening. I truly enjoyed myself.

The purpose was to create a box collage of your dreams. Words and encouraging messages to help you pursue your future goals. Kim Wilson was a wonderful host offering some of the best apple cider that I ever tasted!

Jennifer, a creative coach, came in from California and was in town for a Creative Entrepreneur conference. She was lovely.

We all sat on the floor of Kim's condo in Dupont Circle with lots of magazines, modge podge glue, our boxes and great conversation!

However, the big hit was Kim's cat (see pics)- he was all over the place and dared anyone to try to pet him LOL!

I created my dream box to focus on improving who I am mentally, spiritually and physically. See my box above.

The other creative people there were fabulous and it was a true growth experience for me.

Thank you Jennifer, Sharon, Kim and all the others for a creatively good time!

The Joy Diet: A Journey To My Happy & Creative Self

As usual my twin sister Sharon of Gemini Visions is always on the cutting edge of the blogging, twittering and facebook world. She mentioned to me about a blogger book club that is going to reading The Joy Diet by Martha Beck. At first, I said to myself, "you know I do not have the time to read something like this and keep up with the postings." Then I simply went to the The Next Chapter The Joy Diet Book Club blogger website by Jamie Ridler, a certified professional co-active coach and was totally hooked in.

You see the actual begin date was this past Friday. However, in my usual late way, I just read about it in detail today and thus am starting today. I did not have the book so just clicked on my trusty Amazon link and ordered it. I will be getting it by Tuesday so I can too join in on the fun and learning.

The first chapter in the book is called Nothing. So which will be a REAL challenge for me, I will dedicate myself for this first week to occupying time doing NOTHING. What will that be? I will post this experience on Friday.

Here is how it works. We begin each chapter each week and post on the following Friday. Here is the schedule:

Sept 18: Welcome & start your week of Nothing

Sept 25: Post about nothing & start your week of Truth

Oct 2: post about Truth & start your week of Desire

Oct 9: post about Desire & start your week of Creativity

Oct 16: post about Creativity & start your week of Risk

Oct 23: post about Risk & start your week of Treats

Oct 30: post about Treats & start your week of Play (how cool is it Treats is almost on Halloween!)

Nov 6: post about Play & start your week of Laughter

Nov 13: post about Laughter & start your week of Connection

Nov 20: post about Connection & Start your week of Feasting

Nov 27: post about feasting & celebrate!

Sounds like fun and it will give me the opportunity to be able to focus on doing what I can to keep my brain active and creative!

If you would like to join in check out the blog here and sign up!

Check in on Friday on how I was able to successfully implement the art of "Nothing" this week.

Sights and Sounds of the Vivant Collection Reception of the National Black Women's Art Festival, Philadelphia, PA, Friday, July 31, 2009

At first there was a huge storm that dowsed the City of Brotherly Love late Friday afternoon and as I looked out my hotel window, I pondered as to how I was going to get to Vivant Collection to attend the reception. Then like magic the rain subsided and sunshine crepted through the clouds.

I truly enjoyed the reception with fantastic poetry by Nina 'Lyrispect' Ball and Nikki Powerhouse and the fantastic world music of Cocosol. I also gave a small artist talk about my artwork as well as my sister's Sharon J. Burton .

I met some wonderful artists there in the Philadelphia area including one of the artist's in the show Cheryl Durgans.

There was a lot of excitement in the air and the work showed very well. Thanks to Florcy for making the reception a success!

LIBERATED MUSE VOL.1: How I Freed My Soul!

I want yall to know that my beloved twin sister, Sharon J. Burton's artwork is on the cover of Liberated Muse Productions first art inspired book entitled Liberated Muse Vol 1: How I Freed My Soul. I just purchased the book from Amazon and cannot wait for it to come in so I can get signatures from the artists as well as the editor and founding CEO of Liberated Muse, Khadijah "Moon" Ali-Coleman.

Liberated Muse Productions (LMP) is an arts-based events planning group based in the Washington DC metropolitan area. LMP was created in 2007 by writers and community activists Maceo Thomas and Khadijah "Moon" Ali-Coleman. The intent was to create events promoting artistry and awareness of issues pivotal to urban communities. LMP has become a network of dedicated artists and patrons of the arts. The Capital Hip Hop Soul Fest is an LMP landmark event.

In addition, LMP promotes artistry and has taken the lead as being the Nation's Capital's leader in supporting social causes that focus on introducing urban audiences to diverse and uplifting programming. Liberated Muse Productions have sponsored cultural events held by leading groups such as: DC for Obama, Young & Powerful for Obama, ACLU, Mentoring Today, Humanities Council of DC.

This new anthology focuses on the subject of "artistic freedom". The anthology actually focuses on the concept of freedom and freeing one's soul. The writings and visual art express that concept in various ways. Some of the writers discuss the act of freeing oneself from everything from a hopeless love affair to a pre-occupation with what other people think. Some of the writers even address the concept of spiritual freedom and forgiveness. I chose the topic because of my own struggle with freeing my artistic voice while finding a fulfilling balance between my art and my responsibilities. My own exploration of this led to me wanting to read what other people's ideas on the subject were.

Readers should expect to read personal sharings and fiction in the form of visual art, poetry, essay, and short story. The writings will make an impression that will stay with the reader for a long while after reading. Whether the reader wants to laugh, cry, be dazzled or just validated, they will connect with this anthology. The biggest thing the reader can expect is to be engaged.

The book will be the featured book on July 25 at the Capital Hip Hop Soul Fest which is an annual event held in Washington DC and coordinated by Liberated Muse Productions. (I will be attending the event and will have for sale a few mixed media art pieces and art dolls!)

The book promotion was launched this past Friday, June 19th with readings from the book at the Potter's House in Adams Morgan in DC. Proceeds from the event funded a book & housing deposit fund for students from east of the river in Washington, DC who are attending college in the Fall.

Yesterday evening Saturday, June 20th I attended a show sponsored by Liberated Muse at the annual Artomatic Exhibition in Washington, DC which is a month-long art festival that takes place in DC as well. The Liberated Muse Artomatic shows are June 20 and July 3 on the Artomatic Solo Stage (see announcement above). The production features readings from the book with music performances from prominent DC-based singers and musicians.

The most exciting thing is that I am a member of Liberated Muse Family and have found the organization, top notch, professional and a clear advocate for artists!

Congrads to Khadijah, Maceo, all the artists that participated, including my sister Sharon for a wonderful book and demonstration of art at its' finest in Washington, DC. PEACE!

Sankofa Studio Artist Ways Interviews with Authentic Art ArtCast on the Role of Art Dolls and Healing

Check out my interview with Authentic Contemporary Art's ArtCast: The Role of Art in Healing. Check out the interview here This interview is part of the Art and Change series produced by Authentic Contemporary Art. Also, if you haven't guessed already, the interviewer and owner of Authentic Contemporary Art is my twin sister, Sharon J. Burton.

First Friday Reception-Vivant Art Collection, Philadelphia, PA

Greetings- I truly enjoyed the First Friday reception at the Vivant Art Collection in Philadelphia, PA this past Friday, March 6th. I along with my twin sister, Sharon J. Burton and my husband Howard came up to visit the gallery and Gallery owner Florcy Morisset. I have three art dolls on display there as well as several smaller mixed media doll art on canvas. I was thrilled when I was told that someone in Hawaii actually purchased one of my pieces online. Please stop by there before the end of the month to catch the show.

Double Visions Exhibition Ends This Saturday!

Our exhibition entitled, "Double Visions" will end this Saturday, January 3rd, so if you haven't been by Space 7:10 at Kefa Cafe in Silver Spring, I suggest that you go by before the New Year's Holiday.

Both Sharon and I have a few artwork that is still available for sale. In addition, I have two handmade dolls available.

If you are interested in any of the work, feel free to contact me!

Celebrating "Umoja", The First Day of Kwanzaa With Artist Synthia St. James

On Friday, December 26th at the Gaylord Hotel at the National Harbor in Prince George's County, Maryland, I was treated to a holiday brunch with renowned artist Synthia St. James in honor of Umoja (unity) the first of day of Kwanzaa. The food was marvelous as well as the discussion and history provided by Ms. St. James about her book entitled, "The Gifts of Kwanzaa" and the artwork/illustrations she has done surrounding it.

The book was published in 1994 yet still stands as a colorful and artistic testament to the celebration that we now know as Kwanzaa. The illustrations and artwork true to St. James colorful and bold artistic work. Because of the book and illustrations, the U.S. Postal Service commissioned Synthia to create artwork for the first stamp that celebrates the holiday. Synthia explained that one of the illustrations in the book served as the inspiration for the stamp artwork.

Ms. St. James autographed my complimentary book and we discussed being an artist. She was so gracious warm and inviting to talk to. I thank my twin sister, Sharon of Gemini Visions Art Studio, for treating me to this wonderful event.

Double Visions Reception A Success!

Friday, December 5th at Space 7:10 of Kefa Cafe in Silver Spring, MD, was filled with much pomp and circumstance! The Double Visions Exhibition reception featuring myself and my twin sister Sharon J. Burton of Gemini Visions Studio was highly successful. I debuted the "Sassy Girls" collection along with the mixed media dolls on canvas during the exhibition. Bassey Ikpi, renowned Def Poetry Jam Poet, performed several selections and was super fantastic! The crowd, including members of the Prince George's Artist's Association (PGAA) was enthusiastically warm during a somewhat chilly December evening. Both Sharon and I provided an artist talk which featured our inspirations for the work shown.

All in all it was a wonderful evening and I would personally like to thank ALL of those who showed up and participated.

If you have not had a chance to stop by Space 7:10 at Kefa Cafe to see the exhibition, it is not too late. Our work will be shown there through January 3, 2009. The cafe is located at 963 Bonifant Street in downtown Silver Spring, Maryland.

Double Visions Exhibition: Starts This Week!

If you get a chance, stop by to see the Double Visions Exhibition at Space 7:10: Kefa Cafe in Downtown Silver Spring. Sharon (my twin sister) and I spent the entire Monday putting up the work that is being exhibited. See photos above. Don't forget we have a great opening reception scheduled for Friday, December 5th at 6:30 pm!

MARK YOUR CALENDAR: Double Visions!

Folks! I am announcing my next exhibition! More details to follow!