YOUNITY Fresher! Eco-Art Female Art Show flicks

Here are some of the flicks from YOUNITY's third annual group show, FRESHER! It was a blast, we've got a great turnout. Here are some of TONE's dope pics...check out more on his site. You can also check my personal blog for more.


Top: Diana, Shana :: Toofly
Bottom :: Alice & Toofly announcing the raffle winners

my "Pregnant with Vision" mural


Top : Ekene & Waichi :: Gigi Bio w/ friend
Bottom : Betta w/ friend :: Tony Peralta, Leah & Stephanie

My two pieces are part of a series making references to the seven stages of the alchemical process

POLLUTION (Separatio) ::: BLOSSOM (Coagulatio)

GALLERY HOURS

Wednesday, October 14th
( Shana Louallen at gallery come visit! )
4:30-7:30PM

Friday, October 16th
( Toofly at Gallery Come visit! )
6-10PM

Saturday, October 17th
( Toofly, Yvette Devito, and Stephanie Land at gallery come visit! )
4:30-10PM

Wednesday, October 21st
( Shana Louallen at gallery Come visit! )
4:30-7:30PM

Friday, October 23rd
( AM at gallery last chance to view! 4:30-6pm )
Closing Party!!! 6-11pm
Stay tuned for more details…

Big shout out to the YOUNITY crew-Toofly, Alice Mizrachi, Shana Louallen, Diana Mc Clure, Yvette Devito, Samia Grand Pierre for doing such an amazing job with the show.
Check out the YOUNITY blog for more photos.

Mama wants..Union With Divine

Hello Beautiful People!

Some friends of mine are inviting like-minded individuals out to some amazing yoga retreats coming up. They are outstanding people, trained in yoga, healing, living foods and bodywork, and definitely practice what they preach. They have a beautiful family, and will be opening their arms to those of you looking to join them in practice, or even just to escape the everyday hustle and bustle ( Concrete Jungle if you are in NYC), even just for a few days. The first retreat is in Mexico in November, which is soon followed by Brazil and Costa Rica, this winter. They are very affordable and life-changing.
Take some time for your self this year. This is the only body we have. Read below and check out their website here: http://www.unionwithdivine.com.
You can contact them at jaina@unionwithdivine.com or matthew@unionwithdivine.com.. or email me at sarahwhitesings@gmail.com . Tell them Sarah sent you : ) I hope to see you at one!
Find them on facebook too!


"We are so glad you are interested in joining us this winter for a Tropical Yoga Retreat! These retreats will uplift, heal and rejuvenate your mind, body and spirit.
SEE WEBSITE for more info...


UPCOMING RETREATS:
We are hosting retreats and workshops in several luscious locations this year.
http://www.unionwithdivine.com/UnionwithDivine/Yoga_Retreats.html

November 14-20 2009 Mexico
January 3-9, 2010 Bahia, Brazil
January 30th- February 4th Costa Rica
February 20-26, 2010 Costa Rica
July 2010 Asheville, NC
October 2010 Hawai’i

Treat your mind, body, and spirit with our lifestyle programs and enhance your health, radiance, and vitality! For more information, click on our “Yoga Retreats” page.

TROCONES, MEXICO (near Ixtapa/Zihuantanejo)

Trocones is a small town nestled between the pristine blue ocean and beautiful mountains. Join us at this relaxing resort for a week of yoga practice, snorkeling, horseback riding, surfing, massage, or absolutely nothing at all. Accommodations are breezy, peaceful and safe. This yoga vacation will exceed your expectations.
Date: November 14th-20th 2009
Fly into: Ixtapa/Zihuantanejo
Investment: $1599 shared room - $2199 single room

Description:

•6 nights accommodation
•Three healthy spa cuisine meals per day
•Early morning meditation
•Two yoga classes a day
•Deep Tissue Massage and Thai Bodywork
•Surfing Lessons and Horseback Riding Available
•Vegetarian or Raw Foods option.


sign up before October 14th, and save $200.
SPACE IS LIMITED! Sign up today!
_____________________________________________________________________________________________

BAHIA, BRAZIL
Date: January 3-9th 2010
Fly into: Salvador, Bahia, Brazil
Description:

• 7 nights ocean front accommodation
• Three meals a day prepared by local chef
• Early morning meditation
• Two yoga classes per day
• Optional Juice or Fruit Fasting

_____________________________________________________________________________________________

TROPICAL YOGA LIVING FOODS HIKING ADVENTURE.
Date: Jan 30th- Feb 4th
Fly into: San Jose, Costa Rica, we leave for the mountains by noon on the 30th.
Investment: $899

Join us for this tremendous opportunity to heal and transform in the Tinamaste mountains of Costa Rica. This is a beautiful location, filled with waterfalls and rivers, tropical fruit, howler monkeys and more.

(Click here to see pictures)

Description
• 6 nights camping (we have shared 2 person tents, or you can bring your own)
• 3 delicious simple and gourmet live raw meals of local, wild and organic earth fare, prepared daily by live chef Eric Rivkin.
• Early morning meditation
• Two yoga classes daily
• Crystal clear swimming in lush jungle waterfalls and pools
• Hot and cool natural spring showers and waterfall bathing.
• Adventure hikes and excursions to waterfalls, mountains, beach.
• Karma Yoga Service project





____________________________________________________


DEEP HEALING FEAT. BRIAN BROOKS AND NATHAN FLETCHER

COSTA RICA http://www.unionwithdivine.com/Yoga_Retreats/Costa_Rica.html

Don’t Join us for this transformational week Experience emerald green tropical rainforest, beautiful birds and vista views. Join us at this relaxing eco-resort for a week of yoga classes, meditation, hiking, and lectures/classes on Life Coaching and Living Foods.

Date: February 20-26th, 2010
Fly into: San Jose
Special Guests: Nathan Fletcher and Brian Books

Description:
•6 nights accommodation
•Three healthful meals a day
•Early morning meditation
•Two yoga classes a day
•Daily Classes/Workshops on connecting to your Life's Purpose
•Living Foods Cuisine Un-Cooking Classes, Demos
•Optional Juice or Fruit Fasting
•Deep Tissue Massage, Myofascial Release and Thai Bodywork
•Hike virgin rainforest to secluded waterfalls
_____________________________________________________________________________________________

ASHEVILLE, NORTH CAROLINA

Date: July 2010
Fly into: Asheville, NC
Description:
•4 nights accommodation
•Three meals a day prepared by local chef
•Early morning meditation
•Two yoga classes a day
•Lectures on Chakra System and Yogic Philosophy
•Deep Tissue Massage and Thai Bodywork
•Explore beautiful Appalachian mountains

Mamas love...YOUNITY FRESHER! Eco-Street Art Show TOMORROW 10/3 7-11pm

I'll be showing some new work at the new YOUNITY show (will give a sneak peep soon)!

YOUNITY PRESENTS: FRESHER! AN ECO-ART EXHIBITION
- Third Annual Exhibit Features 40 Female Avant-Garde Artists Who Recycle & Create Art for the Earth -

Queens, NY (September 3, 2009)— Back for its third annual show, YOUNITY presents an eco-art exhibition entitled 
FRESHER!, opening October 3, 2009 at the Clemente Soto Velez Cultural & Educational Center in the Lower East Side section of New York City. Running until October 23, 2009, the exhibit is not the average “white-wall” art show; the all-female collective will transform the art space into an eco-funhouse of raw materials and street art. Elements such as graffiti, photography, design and construction are used to connect ideas about consumerism, environmentalism, health, and renewable energy. The private press hour from 6pm-7pm will grant access to notable, oft-unseen artists right before the public unveiling of work at 8pm. FRESHER! features main-stay YOUNITY artists such as Lady Pink, Martha Cooper, and AIKO while introducing emerging artists such as China Morbosa and Amanda Lopez YOUNITY Co-Founders and artists, Alice Mizrachi and TOOFLY, continue to push the collective to new levels of creativity.

Exhibiting works will mask the bi-level art space with a range of colorful hand-styles, creative graphics on natural textures such as wood and abstract riffs. Some of the artworks will focus on messages about greening and preserving the earth, including recycling, pollution and even ideas about social issues. A video montage will display the collective’s latest effort to Refresh the Streets –a collaborative effort to beautify a 60ft outdoor mural in Williamsburg Brooklyn with colorful, green-themed street art by selected members of the YOUNITY. Exhibiting artists at FRESHER! include SHIRO, Diana McClure, Kerri O’Connell, LICHIBAN, Krista Franklin, Kelly Denato, Niz, Paulina Quintana Jornet, and Cece Carpio, to name a few. Only 40 out of 300 female artists were selected to participate in this special exhibit.

“We wanted to provide a working network of opportunity for female artists,” says YOUNITY Co-founder Alice Mizrachi, “and we, as women, need a space to create art exhibitions, murals, books and a much needed archive of women’s urban contemporary art.” YOUNITY Co-founder TOOFLY adds, “Look at recent events that are affecting us and the next generation: the economy, global warming and healthcare, this is the perfect time to put on a show like FRESHER! and express our creative desire to promote green living and the improvement of our community.”

With the success of their premiere exhibit, The C R O S S O V E R, and the second annual Heart and Soul show, YOUNITY has become one of the most sought after all-female collectives to date. With that, they are devoted to passing the torch on to younger female artists through the YOUNITY Youth team. As of now, YOUNITY is in need of continued support to foster its self-publishing endeavors and independent growth. Limited edition YOUNITY t-shirts will be available for sale on opening night and online at www.theyounity.com. We will also have a very limited amount of Heart and Soul books available as well. The limited edition shirts and books will both retail for $20. Any other donations to the collective can be directed to: contribute@theyounity.com via PayPal.

PRESS CONTACT: Shana Louallen: 
shanalovespr@gmail.com // P: 646.359.8448
www.theyounity.com BLOG: www.theyounity.wordpress.com // Twitter: www.twitter.com/younityarts // MySpace: www.myspace.com/younityspace

my NEW MURAL at the Clemente Soto Cultural Center

::: PREGNANT WITH VISION :::

Hey ladies!!...SABINE for your Health!

After my recent trip to Budapest, where I visited an amazing reflexologist /nutritionist, I decided to reevaluate my diet and try to pay closer attention to what I eat. I admit, even though I know healthy food and I love to cook, I am not a big fan of cooking for myself alone and I often sacrifice healthy food for an unhealthy take-out to gain some extra time for painting.

As they say, "seek and you shall find"...so it happens that I recently met the beautiful Sabine Blaizin at the DUMBO Fleemarket, who turned out to be just the person I was looking for. She kindly offered me some of her delicious carob-smoothie... I was completely sold. I since receive her health newsletters; something I am looking forward to reading every month to inspire and keep me on track with my focus on healthier eating. Thank you, Sabine!

FROM HER BIO & APPROACH
"I received my training to practice Health Counseling at the Institute for Integrative Nutrition, which is the only nutrition school integrating all the different dietary theories—combining the knowledge of traditional philosophies with modern concepts like the USDA food pyramid, the glycemic index, the Zone and raw foods.

I practice a holistic approach to nutrition, which means that I look at how all areas of your life are connected. Does stress at your job or in your relationship cause you to overeat? Does lack of sleep or low energy prevent you from exercising? As we work together, we look at how all parts of your life affect the whole."

Find out more and contact her for consultation on her site, and don't forget to sign up for her monthly newsletters on
www.sabineforyourhealth.com

Sabine is also a DJ, widely known in New York City as DJ Sabine throwing parties from Target's First Saturday at the Brooklyn Museum to the monthly afrosoul getdown party RHYTHM & ROOTS. Download her podcast on her podomatic site.

Mama wants.. Jungle gurl!

Damn, this line is so damn hot, it got me down of the floor doing crunches to prep my body for the beach. I love everything about it. These ladies are doing it.... just wish they'd send some of those Bikinis on over to the BK ladies of Wronglips! Check for yourself: JUNGLE GURL!!!!
And close your jaw fellas, this is for the ladies...

Zen Art Meets Responsible Design: Interview with BOA

A couple of weeks ago, I had a chance to meet BOA, founder and head designer of Object Interiors. Our meeting led to a long exchange about what it means to be an artist in our craft, about sustainable design, about our affinity for wood and organic materials and about our love for the creative process itself. I went home after our inspiring meeting and immediately checked out her site...I was completely blown away by her work! Object Interiors, a company she founded and where she serves as the head designer is a space where minimalist aesthetic meets zen spirit and eco-friendly design. The materials used in constructing her pieces range from cork, eco-felt fabric, bamboo, recyclable aluminum, reclaimed beams from 19th century industrial mills, water-based lacquers, and other eco-friendly media. Her furnitures create an environment that gives a sense of harmony and clarity of mind. I envision having her pieces in my home could lift my spirit on a daily basis...isn't that what all artists strive for?

BOA studied graphics at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. She has worked in a variety of different media over the years before stumbling into the world of interiors and furniture. She has over 10 years experience in this industry, previously working as a furniture buyer, furniture sales rep, interiors / prop stylist and magazine art director. Having been brought up on St. John, US Virgin Islands (a national park) her aesthetic is heavily influenced by nature.

YOU CAN CHECK OUT HER LATEST CREATIONS AT THE UPCOMING BKLYN DESIGN EXPO this weekend May 8th-May 10th, 2009. See flyer below for details.

Lichiban: You mentioned the first time we met that you are the only "black female furniture designer doing modern furniture". How did you end up being a furniture designer and what would be your advice to aspiring designers?

BOA: "I first got interested in the field when a close friend opened a furniture showroom back in 1991 and hired me as the sales rep. I started hanging around the designers and collecting their work-Instead of getting paid a salary I was one of those "Will work for furniture" people. LOL. However, I got sidetracked into fashion modeling and did not come back to this field until 1997 . I had a serious physical injury and had to re-assess what I wanted to do with my life and I quickly realized that my love for art & design-basically all things creative-had never died. I took a job in a furniture showroom and learned the business from the ground up.
My advice to aspiring designers is to take classes or apprentice: know your stuff-know architecture, construction, material constraints but also learn the most important aspect of how to be a business person as well as an artist. To succeed in this industry requires a significant financial investment so write a business plan. Get really clear on how you will distinguish yourself from the next designer that is your competition because the competition is fierce-especially in New York. And I would say have faith and believe in yourself because that is 50% of your success."

L: I believe that all craft that is mastered and is done with a passion is art. Would you agree?

B: "Yes, yes, and yes!! Here in the western world our culture separates art from life. in traditional cultures all over the globe, the two are interchangeable and inseparable. Everyone in the community has an opportunity to fulfill their creative expression: women in many parts of Africa build and decorate the houses; children make pottery; Clothes are designed and sewn. Paintings are done on tree bark or walls-the list goes on. I have such reverence for art that is motivated from within and is not 'art for art's sake' as it is here. No juries or art critics to decide what is or isn't considered art. Just an individual, their imagination and some raw material."

L: Do you see yourself as an artist?

B: "Absolutely. I am first and foremost an artist. That description comes right after me being a woman. I trained in fine arts and worked in a multitude of media-sculpture, painting, jewelry design and graphics. What I'm fighting to try and change now is the perception that design is not art. Why does a lump of clay molded into the shape of a rock warrant a spot in museum and an exceptionally crafted chair doesn't? is it just because it's functional? Whose decision is it that function somehow negates or mitigates aesthetic appeal? Whose to say that you or I can't find inspiration in our daily lives from looking at a beautifully designed rug?"

L: Your furniture designs are eco-sensitive. Could you tell me a little bit more about what that entails?

B: "I coined the term Eco-sensitive because I feel that Eco-friendly is played out. almost anyone is getting away with calling themselves Eco-friendly these days whether they truly are or not. What I mean is that with every product I bring to the market, I consider all aspects of production in a way that supports living sustainably. For instance, I design in Brooklyn and manufacture nearby: Brooklyn, Staten Island and Jersey, to minimize fossil fuel usage from trucking long distances. I print everything on recycled paper. My materials are usually sustainably harvested wood veneer, other material with high recycled content, reclaimed wood beams, steel that can be re-purposed later and I pay particular attention to my finishing process. Most people don't know that the furnishing s they live with everyday off-gasses toxins into their indoor environment because the finishes contain harmful solvents. I use water based lacquers, no VOC paints and plant-based oils for all my finishing. Every detail of every component is carefully considered. I think living in Northern California so long made me into this super crunchy person I hardly recognize."

L: What’s your favorite medium to work with?

B: "Virgin wood that was just cut down, BUT I had to give that up when I decided to become a responsible designer. I love wood like no other love-it's just where it comes from that's an issue."

L: What are you going to show at the upcoming BKLYN Design showcase?

B: "My Live Earth" collection based on inspiration from botanicals and nature."


L: What’s the latest project you’ve been working on?

B: "Man, I'm a crazy multi-tasker so I have my hand in so many things right now. A video blog of design around the world, lecturing at high schools to young girls about design-I've got a lot on my plate. Just trying to take it one day at a time."