Morning Inspiration

Ira Glass on Storytelling from David Shiyang Liu on Vimeo.

A great video about sticking with your dreams and following through with what you start. Not every one has the audacity to work through the pain till they find the peace in where they know they are capable of being with their art, work, career. Its a process, and every step is important; but without growth creating your best work isn't possible.

Shout out to the homie Vance for sharing this with us.

Sometimes all you really need is just a home-cooked meal

Last night I drove home at a decent hour (in terms of the cubicle world), with no plans for the evening. I got in the car and left my company parking lot with hopes of maybe finding a plate waiting for me at home.

I didn't really count on finding any food left over for me though because the problem is that it's very rare for me to drive straight home after work.

Typically, I'll go and have dinner with an old friend, or stop by my favorite diner for a quick bite. So to me, meals are never really something I expect to see when I get home because my family knows I won't be there in time for dinner.

But last night, I just wanted to go straight home.

It might've been that I was still exhausted from a pretty great trip to Vegas, or that I'm most likely going to be pinching pennies until my next check comes in, but regardless of my exhaustion, I had a greater sense of urgency to go straight home. I didn't expect to find any food, or see anyone moving around for that matter.

I actually didn't expect anything, to be entirely honest.

But when I arrived, I found both of my parents sitting at the dinner table, deep in conversation. They greeted me, and continued on. At first, I didn't think anything of it. But then it all started replaying in my head as I was busy trying to wash the smell of recirculated office air off of my face.

They were genuinely enjoying each other's company.

I went back to the kitchen to pretend to look for food in the fridge just so I could see it again. My mom offered me a plate, opened the rice cooker (we were having Chinese fried rice for dinner), and had me serve myself. Then she went back to rekindle the conversation.

Just then I realized, I've been missing out on seeing my parents enjoy their lives together all of this time.

All of the late hours in the office, all of the dinners with friends, all of the diner runs, all of the outings...I've been out of my house so much, I haven't even noticed that I've lost my sense of family and of love.

I'm not really sure why I was so moved by this particular moment, because I've seen it before, but I guess perhaps it has a lot to do with the fact that I've been trying to make so many positive changes in my life lately in an effort to regain my sense of creativity for writing more music, and just writing, period.

I've been in a funk for quite some time and as much as I'd like to think that it has to do with all of the elements in the universe, it really just has to do with the fact that as an artist and a musician, I have to take the time to really sit and process moments in life that have meaning in order to connect with anyone that just so happens to hear anything I write or work on.

Music to me has really started to become more of a personal catharsis, and unless I decide to treasure and savor moments like last night more often, I won't write anything valuable and meaningful. I guess sometimes it pays to stay in. If anything, a home-cooked meal always tastes better than a Denny's club sandwich.

The Official Cover Artwork for the "Wake Up and Dream"EP available Oct. 16

Here it is...The official cover for the "Wake Up and Dream"EP courtesy of Arnold Randall. Go to arnoldrandallart.com to see more amazing artwork.

-Akapela Jonz

What do you do for inspiration

What? + Me = Inspiration

This equation is one of many...the 'What' in the equation can be many different things depending on the task at hand. Whether it be writing, finishing school, making a name for myself or just being me there are many different people in my life that inspire me to do what I do. My mom inspires me to be a better nurturer, my dad inspires me to be myself and work hard at what I'm passionate about, my sister inspires me to set a better example in everything I do. Musically I have a lot of inspirational people around me and I am very thankful for that. When I am having trouble writing or thinking of how put how I feel on paper I do one of two things: 1. I sit in my car or a quiet place with a song on (one that fits my mood at that time) 2. I people watch. I like to see how other people interact. Sometime watching other people sparks a memory of when that happened to me or sparks a feeling I had at one time and I write on it.

Canvas II

On Saturday June 26th, a group of artists, musicians and philanthropists gathered together for a night of great art, soulful music and also help support a few charitable causes. Since the first Canvas show in January, awareness and anticipation for the quarterly art show has grown and that wasn't more evident than Saturday night as the crowd filled Melrose Lightspace for Canvas II. Featuring new works by the exhibit's creator, Arnold Randall, Canvas II also featured work by a few other Los Angeles based artists as well. Here are a few shots of their work:

Kyla Wright

Patrick Haemmerlein

Mark Brunner

Zimero Bennem

Jenny P.

Arnold Randall

As guests filled the room, some participants of the first Canvas and others new, they were greeted by a kaleidescope of colors as the work of each talented artist filled the candlelit space. The eye was drawn to the bright depictions of the pop culture icon Hello Kitty and then drawn to the comforting tones in Mark Brunner's abstract and representational pieces. It was also hard to miss the work of our own Arnold Randall, whose newest piece was an attention grabber and provided the perfect backdrop for the various singers and musicians who took to the stage to add another layer of creativity and inspiration to a night already brimming with both. Check out a shot of our own Tanya Thomas performing "Joy Like Sunshine"

However, let's not forget that this was not simply a night to appreciate and celebrate the sights and sounds of musicians and artists. It was also a night to show support for a few worthy local causes that strive to make a positive impact in the lives of children everyday. Free Arts for Abused Children is an organization that has been around for thirty years and uses innovative art programs to inspire abused and at-risk children and their families. Proceeds from the night went to support the Free Arts Foundation and their continuous efforts to make a difference in the lives of children who need it the most. Canvas II also saw the return of Speak Child,a non-profit organization using reading and writing programs to increase literacy through the arts and developing creative excellence in youth.

Jennifer of Free Arts for Abused Children

T-Shirts for Speak Child

Canvas II also saw work from our very own Cliffnotes and Sankeyz on the official exhibit cd, Canvas II: Hi-Life Ideologies. A major fixture during the first Canvas show, Cliffnotes again proved that his work is able to fuse all the elements of the show together to create a symbiotic relationship between the art, music and the audience. It was a spectacular night for art, music and giving. Check out more pictures from Canvas II below as well as info for each of the organizations featured during the show. Make sure you stay tuned for more info about the Canvas series and your chance to be apart of this truly amazing show.

Canvas II: Hi-Life Ideologies

Arnold Randall and William Hawkins hosting the show

Cliffnotes, Sankeyz and our girl Jazz

Randy Z. and Jenny P.

Audience enjoying sights and sounds of Canvas II

Canvas II: Hi Life Ideologies [video]

At roadside with Sankeyz and Mr. Notes the weekend before Arnold Randall's Canvas II event. Here is a sneak peek at what's in the works for the highly anticipated "Canvas II: Hi Life Ideologies."

Shine On Me

Sunshine...everybody loves the sunshine...folks get down in the sunshine...

What's good fam --

Counting your blessings in search of happiness is like seeing a blue sky and assuming the weather will be warm. Sometimes it just doesn't add up that way. So instead of looking around for confirmation that you are blessed, choose to be the light that brings blessings and warmth no matter where you are, who your with or what the forecast is like. If you are living through your hearts gifts and talents you will never have to stop and count the blessings. You will be living a life that celebrates the spirit of blessings. So make the choice, GET DOWN IN THE SUNSHINE.

EVERYBODY

LOVES

THE

SUNSHINE.

PEACE AND LOVE .

PS. Thank you all for gift of love and friendship in my time of need. I love you all. GET IT LOW.....LOL.



-- CliffNotes