past. present. future. perfect.

:::Aaaah-mazing:::

2012-01-07T08:48:00.000-08:00

:::oh the places we will go:::

2011-12-23T23:44:00.000-08:00

:::New Music:::From T.IM.E feat. Joy Jones::: Pow!

2011-09-29T21:40:00.000-07:00

Voila, a nice little diddy! I collaborated with LA based producer Theimagination and emcee E Reece to write the first single off of their new EP "The T.IM.E Is Now" due out Oct. 11. I hope you all enjoy this track, called "the breakthrough" and that one of you can relate to it! Muah!

for free download and more info:
bandcamp

T.iM.E site:

http://flavors.me/timemusic

:::create already:::

2011-09-14T10:55:00.000-07:00

Ira Glass on Storytelling from David Shiyang Liu on Vimeo.

spotted via pink and blue blog

:::Heal:::Med School 1st Week:::

2011-08-07T03:32:00.000-07:00

my first week of medical school is done :) i know the weeks that lie ahead will test the stuff that i am made of, but i am so excited as well. i am also blessed to be supported by so many incredible people, most of all my loving husband. i feel as if i am in the midst of a most beautiful dream and i hope to never awaken from it :)

:::Watch:::MOTIVATION:::

2011-08-07T03:24:00.000-07:00

:::listen:::Erimaj:::

2011-08-03T10:34:00.000-07:00

i mean really...come on! fyah!

Conflict of A Man-ERIMAJ from Tiombe Lockhart on Vimeo.

:::Aretha Franklin::: nuff said!

2011-07-27T19:24:00.000-07:00

:::Liz Taylor:::

2011-07-27T12:02:00.000-07:00

yeah yeah...i know that the real Cleopatra was not a white woman, but this pic is great! plus, i love the colors :)

:::amazing creation:::

2011-07-26T10:40:00.000-07:00

:::Etsuko Ichikawa:::Artist:::

2011-07-25T10:45:00.000-07:00

Traces of the Molten State from Etsuko Ichikawa on Vimeo.

what an incredibly beautiful and sensual artistic technique! this video had me mesmerized. enjoy.

:::Simply Gorgeous:::

2011-07-25T10:40:00.001-07:00

:::Amy Winehouse:::Rest In Peace:::

2011-07-23T22:22:00.000-07:00

:::The Body Amazing:::

2011-07-19T10:12:00.000-07:00

:::Listen:::Imany:::

2011-07-17T08:23:00.000-07:00

i just came across this singer on the blog fly and the video alone got me. it looks like an interpretation of the film Black Orpheus, which I loved! she is a beautiful singer and i might have to look into her new project, The Shape of a Broken Heart. i hope you all enjoy it.

:::FASHION:::If you see me walking down the street...POW!

2011-07-12T15:33:00.000-07:00

I am about to get all of these outfits made! They are the best!

:::Frida is so GANGSTA:::

2011-07-11T16:28:00.000-07:00

:::amazing creation:::

2011-07-11T09:39:00.000-07:00

:::Cuteness::: I mean really!!!! :)

2011-06-11T10:57:00.000-07:00

:::change:::

2011-06-04T08:02:00.000-07:00

i'll admit it. as much as i love new experiences, i am not the best at transitions. i tend to get a little anxious with all the what if's and it is easy to get attached to one's surroundings. facing packing up boxes this week is rough! yeah, i know we are only moving an hour away but it is more like saying goodbye to an era in one's life. i am hoping that i can focus on all the beautiful possibilities and that the transition is smooth :) have a loverly day!

:::See:::Stanley Chow:::

2011-05-22T08:41:00.000-07:00

this morning, as I was going through my morning blogs. i came across this gorgeous illustration by Stanley Chow of the eternal Nina Simone (whom i adore). this piece are art is a modern take on a timeless beauty! thank you Soul Culture for sharing! :)

:::Dance:::Lil Buck & Yo-Yo Ma

2011-05-20T08:33:00.000-07:00

this must be one of the most beautiful collaborations i have ever seen! Yo-Yo Ma is amazing in his own right, not just because he has a fresh name, but because his work is fabulous! now, Lil Buck is a name i am just hearing, but will not soon forget. his choreography to this classical piece was so moving and incredible, it left me speechless. in any case lovers and dreamers, enjoy :)

:::Listen:::The Honey Trees:::

2011-05-11T05:43:00.000-07:00

i can't stop playing this song. it is like the perfect lullaby and their voices just warm my heart. enjoy. :)

:::CELEBRATE:::CINCO DE MAYO!:::

2011-05-05T08:35:00.001-07:00

VIVA LA REVOLUCION! FELIZ CINCO DE MAYO! POW! POW!

:::VIVA::: Carmen and Geoffrey!

2011-05-04T15:06:00.000-07:00

i just finished watching a most inspirational film about the life and art of two most incredible human beings. Geoffrey Holder (Trinidad, stand up! Pow) and Carmen de Lavallade (Westside! Pow). this movie is about a beautiful union of two creative souls who came together and added to each others existence and contributed jointly to the world at large through dance, music, film, literature...you name it, they did it and i love it. the film about their lives and love "Carmen and Geoffrey" is currently running on Netflix and is also available on Amazon! enjoy and be inspired!

:::listen:::Fatima:::

2011-05-03T00:52:00.000-07:00

i've been hearing about Fatima for some time now and have enjoyed everything that i have heard from her. this track "innervision" is from her "follow you" ep. i like that the song is soulful and the video is a little quirky. well done sis! enjoy.

:::Gaze:::Frida Kahlo:::

2011-05-03T00:32:00.000-07:00

Just when i thought i had seen every Frida photo in existence! Pow!

:::watch:::Kehinde Wiley::Isreal

2011-04-28T10:44:00.000-07:00

i recently saw kehinde wiley speak at LACMA (la county museum of art) and i am so excited to see his new exhibit! robert & tilton, here i come! Viva Kehinde!

:::Watch:::French Fairytale

2011-04-11T22:07:00.000-07:00

Once upon a time... from Capucha on Vimeo.

i thought this was oh so cute!

:::FOR JAPAN WITH LOVE:::

2011-03-18T04:02:00.000-07:00

Donate HERE

:::love:::

2011-03-08T10:26:00.001-08:00

i saw this on dont think twice, its alright and i just had to repost! enjoy.

theyoungandwreckless:One night President Obama and his wife Michelle decided to do something out of routine and go for a casual dinner at a restaurant that wasn’t too luxurious. When they were seated, the owner of the restaurant asked the President’s Secret Service if he could please speak to the First Lady in private. They obliged and Michelle had a conversation with the owner. Following this conversation President Obama asked Michelle, “Why was he so interested in talking to you?” She mentioned that in her teenage years, he had been madly in love with her. President Obama then said, “So if you had married him, you would now be the owner of this lovely restaurant,” to which Michelle responded, “No. If I had married him, he would now be the President.”

:::See:::viva zuri jean:::

2011-03-06T10:04:00.000-08:00

my "niece", the fabulous miss zuri jean, turned 1 this week! for her birthday, she rocked the hoodie that i made for her (and might i say, she rocked it rather well)! i'm gonna be so sad when she can't wear this anymore, but it makes me so happy to see that it makes her happy! VIVA ZURI! :)

:::watch:::Art as a movement:::TED prize winner JR

2011-03-04T04:20:00.000-08:00

TED never ceases to amaze me with their ability to constantly broaden my horizons to what is possible in life. I recently watched this year's seminars on hulu and was really impressed. However, the work of TED prize winner, JR, from France, changed my view of what is possible in art and encouraged me to continue to think and dream big. I hope you are inspired as well.

to see his work, click here: HERE

TED Prize Winner JR & INSIDE OUT from TED Prize on Vimeo.

to see his TED talk, click here: HERE

:::think:::brain universe

2011-03-01T11:42:00.001-08:00

the world within is so fascinating to me and fills me with endless wonder! push your boundaries today and everyday!

:::see:::gold cake::yummo

2011-02-07T22:03:00.000-08:00

yeah yeah yeah...i'm watching what i'm eating and exercising daily, but this cake is gorgeous. supposedly it is a gold buttercream with a spicy cinnamon filling...uh, yum! anyhow, i just thought i would share once i saw it on this site. enjoy!

:::watch:::Iris Apfel on Style

2011-02-06T11:19:00.000-08:00

i never grow tired of seeing and hearing the fabulous IRIS! Muah!

:::watch:::Lauryn...nuff said!

2011-02-02T21:40:00.000-08:00

that was then...

this is now!

LOVE :)

:::listen:::Robert Glasper Experiment

2011-01-28T01:50:00.001-08:00

:::yes please:::

2011-01-27T17:23:00.000-08:00

:::MJ Forever:::

2011-01-16T17:59:00.000-08:00

:::where in the world is JOY JONES? :::

2011-01-02T13:21:00.000-08:00

this journey had me eating crepes & croissants, shooting music videos, making

new friends and just about ready to never go home. where am i?

oooh lala! your guessed it! Paris! when i think of Paris my mind conjures up

images of josephine baker, james baldwin, jazz supper clubs and streets

brewing with eclectic artists and creative minds. the Paris i discovered on

my my trip added much more depth to my perspective.

i had such a lovely time when we were last there and i hope that 2011

allows me to come back.

VIVRE LA FRANCE!

:::Marvin Gaye::: Smooth

2011-01-02T13:14:00.000-08:00

happy new year love bugs! this year is all about creativity and what better way to start it off but to reminisce on the music and magic on Marvin Gaye. it takes incredible courage to create a sound that nobody has heard before and to stand behind it. i appreciate that so much about Marvin. in addition, his composition skills were phenomenal. here is some footage of him jammin out in the studio. be inspired! :)

::: Aretha Franklin:::I Say A Little Prayer For You

2010-12-28T07:08:00.000-08:00

my understanding is that Aretha isn't well and i just wanted to send out some love and prayers that she will feel better. i also wanted to take a moment to tell her thank you for the impact that she has made on the musical landscape. it is the hope of every artist that they are able to create meaningful and timeless works, and in Aretha's case, her legacy is undeniable. Viva Aretha!

:::Teena Marie::: RIP

2010-12-28T06:51:00.000-08:00

Teena Marie will surely be missed. when i heard that she had passed, i felt as if a small bit of my childhood died with her. i remember singing her songs at the tops of my lungs. belting out lyrics that i had no business saying and surely had no idea what they meant. lol! i hope that she went peacefully and i am grateful for all of the music that she left behind. muah!

:::HAPPY HOLIDAYS:::

2010-12-24T17:08:00.001-08:00

:::where in the world is JOY JONES? :::

2010-12-22T23:51:00.000-08:00

this voyage found us jumpin trains, rockin mics, sittin on stoops and meeting up with old and new friends. where am i?

new york, new york...but i'm sure you knew that already!

1.walking the streets 2. central park love 3. time square

4. sob show with manchild black and monsta black

5. east village radio show interview with dj jon oliver

6. nightlife

below is a fun radio interview clip of me and jon oliver

of east village radio rockin out to a loverly remix by daru jones.

enjoy.

:::where in the world is JOY JONES? :::

2010-12-22T23:26:00.000-08:00

since i have been grounded for the better part of this year, i thought that i would reminisce on some of my past voyages with a new segment that i am calling, where in the world is JOY JONES. this journey found me hiking in rain forests at dawn and climbing mayan ruins of tikal.

where am i?

viva guatemala! ole!

1.mayan woman and children 2.mayan ladies shootin the breeze

3. beautiful church and cobblestone streets of Antigua 4. tikal at dawn

5. children selling vegetables at roadstop

:::words of wisdom:::

2010-12-21T02:32:00.001-08:00

:::Eartha Kitt:::Grrrrrrrr!

2010-12-12T02:12:00.000-08:00

oh Eartha! what is there to say. i can't say that i completely know what is going on in this interview. i haven't gone to med school yet to study psych, but i have an slight suspicion that things are a bit amiss with my sweet Eartha in this clip. i love how she keeps repeating "compromise" as if it is a foreign word she has never heard before! oh the sweet drama! that aside, something tells me that I am going to be talking like this for the next week! enjoy!

:::Kerry Washinton:::Bam!

2010-12-09T18:09:00.001-08:00

this new promo shoot for Kerry's new movie, Night Catches Us,

was recently printed in the LA Times. i have to say that these pics

look so new and fresh that they leave me inspired to create a new

personal look for next year. stay posted :)

:::Pam Grier::: POW!

2010-12-09T18:03:00.000-08:00

:::please:::

2010-12-03T15:54:00.000-08:00

is there some way that the stars can align, and my husband and i can get a canon 5D Mark II camera, with tons of lenses and 2 round the world plane tickets. Is that too much to ask from life? if that did happen, i would post stuff like this, expect there would be two smiling chocolate faces in all of the photos! lol! enjoy. via pretavoager

:::reine de tout et rien:::

2010-12-02T14:46:00.000-08:00

sometimes you have to make your own crown and jewels to rock.

:::watch:::short film by kahlil joseph:::

2010-11-30T20:45:00.000-08:00

as promised, here is part 2 of the seu jorge trilogy. it is called "the model". gorgeous. enjoy.

the model

:::my latest artsy:::scarf necklace

2010-11-27T10:26:00.001-08:00

this is my latest artsy fartsy project. i made a necklace scarf out of yarn, and i love it. when i was a little girl, my grandma used to crochet all of the time. then, last week, out of the blue i decided to buy some yarn and a hook. i wasn't even sure that i would remember how to do it, but i guess it is like riding a bike. :) more creations to come.

:::listen:::Amel Larrieux

2010-11-24T09:30:00.000-08:00

i love amel for being vocally fearless. she is substantial and seems to have a simple elegance. when i first heard and saw "get up" i wanted to be that kind of artist. her first solo album, infinite possibilities is one of my all-time favorite albums! i have followed her every since. so this morning, my anthem is "get up". i hope you all enjoy! :)

oh, i also added her sweet misery video because it was a gorgeous song and video as well!

:::listen:::Ira Glass

2010-11-23T19:24:00.000-08:00

it is no secret that i love npr and "this american life" host, ira glass. i find him to be incredibly witty and wise. the quote below, i found to be most inspirational as i work through my second studio album. writing and composing can take everything out of you because you want everything to be perfect. i like that ira says this is normal and to just work through it, because in the end it will be worth it. says ira:

"Nobody tells this to people who are beginners, I wish someone told me. All of us who do creative work, we get into it because we have good taste. But there is this gap. For the first couple years you make stuff, it’s just not that good. It’s trying to be good, it has potential, but it’s not. But your taste, the thing that got you into the game, is still killer. And your taste is why your work disappoints you. A lot of people never get past this phase, they quit. Most people I know who do interesting, creative work went through years of this. We know our work doesn’t have this special thing that we want it to have. We all go through this. And if you are just starting out or you are still in this phase, you gotta know its normal and the most important thing you can do is do a lot of work. Put yourself on a deadline so that every week you will finish one story. It is only by going through a volume of work that you will close that gap, and your work will be as good as your ambitions. And I took longer to figure out how to do this than anyone I’ve ever met. It’s gonna take awhile. It’s normal to take awhile. You’ve just gotta fight your way through."

- ira glass

:::watch::: short films by nzingha stewart

2010-11-11T23:01:00.000-08:00

nzingha stewart is one of the most talented film makers that i know. most people are more familiar with her music video work (see, "the light" with badu and common and bilal's "soul sista"), but less familiar with her film work. this short film, entitled "Thursday. South Central" is skillfully shot. her attention to small details is masterful and it is beautiful to see the world through her gaze. we need to be able to see more black female directors to have an opportunity to shine. that said, i have no doubt that whatever nzingha has up her sleeves will be well worth the wait when its time comes. i for one will be waiting with baited breath. you can keep up with her on her blog. enjoy.

:::watch::: short films by khalil joseph

2010-11-09T20:54:00.000-08:00

yesterday i saw that the good folks at frolab were showing the first of three short films by khalil joseph surrounding the singer seu jorge. in this segment, entitled "the model", we seem to walk with seu through his day which includes rehearsing, chilling with friends/family and thinking about a love interest (introduced in the final seconds of the film). this pieces is incredibly well shot, which is what is to be expected of khalil joseph's work. you may be familiar with his work from the sabazz palaces "belhaven meridian" video based on the films of charles burnett. what khalil does with black and white is magical. the moments feel so warm that you actually believe that they are saturated with color. and let's not even talk about how beautiful seu jorge's voice is. bonkers! i look forward to seeing and hearing more from the both of them as well as the subsequent installments of this series. enjoy this video and some other works by khalil joseph.

"the model"

"cheeba"

Cheeba feat. Bilal from Plug Research on Vimeo.

"belhaven meridian"

Shabazz Palaces - Belhaven Meridian from Sub Pop Records on Vimeo.

:::ICON:::ALICE COLTRANE

2010-11-09T07:25:00.000-08:00

as i begin working on my next project, i often reflect on the work of artists i admire. one such artist is ALICE COLTRANE. in my opinion, alice had a quiet power that made her an undeniable force in the jazz realm. she was not only john's wife, but a visionary in her own right.

i am also inspired by the creative partnership that she had with her husband. when you listen to the music that they created together it sounds like the perfect meshing of souls. such synchonization of passion and purpose is rare and most beautiful.

of all of alice's album, i must say that my favorites are "a monastic trio" and "journey in satchidananda" are classics in my book.

if you are not hip to the work of alice coltrane, please take a moment and familiarize yourself. enjoy.

:::INFLUENCERS::: be one!

2010-11-07T10:01:00.000-08:00

in a world of followers...be an influencer

INFLUENCERS FULL VERSION from R+I creative on Vimeo.

:::grey gardens fashion:::

2010-11-06T22:41:00.001-07:00

i love all things grey gardens, not just because i am fascinated with the human psyche, but also because lil and big edie were amazing human beings. if you have seen the movie (which i highly suggest) you will appreciate the following fashion looks i just saw on designlovefest! the photos were taken by mark seliger for vogue spain!

::Kanye:: Runaway

2010-10-26T10:01:00.000-07:00

while i can't say that i have been the biggest Kanye fan in the past, this film is beautifully shot!

:::Felabration:::

2010-10-18T17:24:00.000-07:00

saturdate, it's a saturdate!

my new goal is to go out on the town at least once a week. this weekend, i sauntered on over to Tantra, to catch DJ Destroyer and DJ Rich Medina rock the legendary JUMPNFUNK party. i knew what to expect, so i came prepared with a towel, water and IV standing by. i danced until i almost hurt myself, and the Mr. didn't do too shabby either! what a beautiful night! it didn't matter that it was raining. thanks to frolab and company for putting together a fabulous night! Ow!

viva FELA, originator and political agitator!

:::JOYAPALOOZA is coming!:::

2010-10-11T10:26:00.000-07:00

well sunshine faces, it is that time of year again! JOYAPALOOZA is upon us and there is nothing else to do but celebrate! this year i am having my b-day/show at Angel's Piano Bar in Santa Monica and i look forward to seeing you all. the theme of the night is JOY's JUKE JOINT JAM and is sure to be a harlem renaissance inspired good time! did i mention that it is FREE too? you can't beat that and you know it! i can't wait to see you all there! until...joy

:::watch::: short film by edward gibbs of a. sauvage

2010-10-07T15:03:00.000-07:00

so fresh...so clean...i like...enjoy

A. Sauvage, This is not a suit from Edward Gibbs on Vimeo.

::: Yayoi Kusama::: artist you should know

2010-10-06T09:00:00.000-07:00

Kusama has slipped under my radar until this moment. i am not sure how, but she is an incredibly fascinating artist who was at her height at the same time as Warhol. her story is an intricate weaving of mental illness and art. she allows herself to dangle on the precipice between genius and insanity for the sake of her calling. i look forward to seeing these documentaries when they are done. enjoy.

::: ABC's in 3D ::::

2010-10-05T11:06:00.000-07:00

love it! this book won the Meggendorfer Prize this year for best movable book, and it is easy to see why! i have a weakness for pop-up books and this one is uber-fab! enjoy! :)

:::THE RADIANT CHILD:::

2010-09-14T18:37:00.001-07:00

first of all, it is no secret that I love BASQUIAT! although his story is tragic, it is beautiful. it is almost as if his life was meant for one full glorious season. what amazed me as i watched this film is how much he was able to accomplish in his young life. i left the movie feeling inspired and rejuvenated. it is a must see should it come to a city near you. enjoy :)

:::my latest artsy:::

2010-09-13T21:00:00.001-07:00

long time...no post :/ i know, i know...i'll do better. i promise! in the meantime...here is a sweatshirt that I made for my niece Zuri! It took me forever, but i think it turned out well. when i can i will post a pic of her it in! :)

:::ICON::: IRIS APFEL

2010-06-29T11:54:00.000-07:00

I just wanted to take a moment to share how much I adore Iris Apfel. At almost 90 years of age, she is still one of the more fashionable beings on the planet. Her wardrobe has been displayed at the Metropolitan Museum's Costume Institute. I think that Iris is a global treasure and look forward to reading her book "A Rare Bird Of Fashion" over the summer. Viva Iris!

Thanks to The Rathaus for the photos!

:::Listen::: Miguel Atwood Ferguson

2010-06-09T09:50:00.000-07:00

Miguel Atwood-Ferguson "Magnolia" from The Qualities of Light on Vimeo.

How do you play a string quintet by yourself! Miguel Atwood-Ferguson is absolutely genius! I find myself in eternal awe of his creations. In addition, he is so humble which makes his gift all the more beautiful. enjoy!

:::listen:::Thalma de Freitas

2010-06-02T11:50:00.001-07:00

Brasil with "s" - Thalma de Freitas from Dixo Lieff on Vimeo.

BUZZWORTHY ART!!! Floortje Fluitsma

2010-06-02T11:24:00.000-07:00

i saw this on the paperforest blog and you know i love all things art and science :) enjoy. The full papercut body poem is here on designboom!

:::listen:::Troy feat Wunmi

2010-06-02T11:17:00.000-07:00

Beautiful!

Dwellings

2010-05-13T18:07:00.000-07:00

I could live here! With all of its life and splendor, these old russian-styled homes can be found in Brooklyn. Ditmas park to be exact. That looks like it would be a beautiful home to grow up in :)

everything is art...just waiting to happen

2010-04-04T02:24:00.000-07:00

i don't know who finds the time to do stuff like this, but I am glad they did. i shall never look at a toilet roll the same again. i wonder how long this took? i wish i knew the artist, i just found this blog surfing. anywho...enjoy!

Spike Jonze is Brillant! enJOY::: "I'M HERE"

2010-04-01T02:32:00.000-07:00

I'M HERE

Kehinde Wiley vs. Michael Jackson

2010-03-14T12:13:00.001-07:00

So, it is no secret that I love the artist Kehinde Wiley! I love everything thing he does. I just found this while poking around on the internet this morning. The story goes, that the King of Pop commissioned some portraits by Wiley. He contacted Wiley, and Wiley thought it was a joke, but looked into it and it turned out that MJ was really trying to reach him. He was in the middle of completing the piece when he heard of MJ's passing, but decided to finish it and display it. It is a most beautiful tribute to a fascinating man. Enjoy! Thanks racewire, for sharing :)

project # 2: The Little Pampalampa Hoodie

2010-02-01T07:50:00.000-08:00

So, I am doing my best to stay with my new art campaign. This weekend, I decided to make this little creature hoodie for my good friend who is having a baby. I was inspired by Muppets, Sesame street and some blog pics I came across recently. It was made out of cotton material and felt and really only took about a day to complete. I really hope they enjoy it and that it is cute and not frightening. lol! Anyhow, thats all I will share for today. Love you all and thanks for the comments :)

Creativity is my new drug and weapon!

2010-01-24T11:37:00.000-08:00

This is my first blog entry of 2010 (yeah yeah, I know I'm a little late :)

I have decided that my only resolution for 2010 is to put away my self-sabotaging ways and make creativity my new drug and weapon. Why not get high on creating beauty! I am currently finishing my new creativity corner in the studio in the back (photos to come) and I have finally completed my LOVE TREE which is essentially a ruby colored wisteria made out of tissue paper. I made each leaf with love and my husband and I stole some cut branches from the local park and stained them. I would just like to say that he is the best for letting me make things like this and hang them over the bed! Viva creativity and husbands who support it!

GODCHILD dubbed Album of the Year by Soul UK!!!

2009-12-18T09:50:00.000-08:00

I just found out that SOUL UK awarded my album, GODCHILD, album of the year! Saying it is "certainly the most memorable debut album of the last the last few years"! God is good. Thanks to all of you who supported this album, it really means the world to me :) Thanks to SoulUK for the beautiful show of support for this project this year. I am most grateful. Click here for article.

Viva Kara Walker!

2009-12-07T15:52:00.000-08:00

Ah....Black Love :)

2009-11-14T12:36:00.000-08:00

this week i was inspired by art and love, and this is what came of it. I found recently discovered the blog called b.vikki vintage which documents all of these fabulous vintage photographs of African-Americans. A recent post on the Negro Romance Comics of the 1950s seemed to celebrate black love, which made me want to celebrate it too :) Enjoy!

Viva Charles Stepney...and I remain inspired!

2009-11-01T13:57:00.000-08:00

New Black Barbies!?!

2009-10-19T12:42:00.000-07:00

I have a dream, that one day, little white girls will be playing with little black dolls and calling them beautiful! I have a dream today. At long last, Black Barbies for everyone! Mattel recently announced that they are starting a new ethnic line of dolls called S.I.S. (So in style) that will have features that more closely resemble black women, with fuller lips and all. The three dolls, names Trichelle, Grace and Kara have little sisters and are varied in both personality and skin tone. Although I haven't seen any afro, corn-rows or braids yet, I am still excited to see the dolls. Baby steps, I guess :)

Gorgeous film of Egypt and Lebanon...sigh

2009-10-18T08:37:00.001-07:00

Egypt / Lebanon Montage from Khalid Mohtaseb on Vimeo.

This is a gorgeous piece of film shot with a camera that I will wish into my hand :) It captures the beauty of Egypt and Lebanon in the most simple and beautiful sense. Enjoy!

click my heels and take me there!

2009-10-17T11:43:00.000-07:00

it is no secret that I love boutique hotels! I love the pure luxury of it all, the unique edge it brings to a travel experience. When I came across this photo on life according to celia, i thought that I would lose myself. This, ladies and gentleman, is a photo from the Gramercy Park Hotel in New York! This place is fabulous, expensive, but fabulous. and you know that I am already trying to figure out how to reproduce this light installation in my house! And now to fantasize...

Santa Barbara Triathlon!

2009-10-12T14:19:00.000-07:00

We swam, we biked, we ran, we conquered! Along with my good friends Jasmine and Jennifer, we united to formEARTH, WYND AND FYAH! (I was the FYAH!) On August 23, 2009 we officially let Santa Barbara have it! As part of only a handful of African-American Triathletes, we proudly ran the course in record event time (for 3 black women from Los Angeles, named Joy, Jasmine and Jennnifer ! :) It was a fabulous experience and a great achievement! Thanks to all who sent your words of encouragement! I'll let you know when the next one is!

Here is my new video "OVER"! Enjoy!

2009-10-07T23:20:00.000-07:00

This video was directed by Coodie & Chike (Of Kanye West and Mos Def cinematic fame) along with the new film talent of The Soulful Fundamentalist! This is the 2nd single from my album, GODCHILD, and I hope that you all enjoy it! Many more to come!

New Little Dragon Video!!! "Swimming"

2009-08-25T15:15:00.000-07:00

OH SO CUTE!!!

Joy Huxtable!

2009-08-21T16:32:00.001-07:00

Is it too late to be like Claire Huxtable when I grow up? Man, she was the absolute best! So elegant, graceful, funny...like everything always fell into place. I still dont know how she was raising like 5 kids and working as a lawyer, but perhaps that was just the magic of television. In any case, in my world she was real! Love ya Mrs. Huxtable!

:::listen::: thecocknbullkid

2009-08-14T18:14:00.000-07:00

i love this chick, and how she is so unapologetic in every way! enjoy!

Rock the Basquiats!

2009-08-04T23:51:00.000-07:00

Thanks to miss modular for posting this. I am not ashamed of this blatant repost! Why? Because these shoes are the business and a must have...not just because I adore Basquiat, but because they have so much doggone attitude! That's right, we don't only rock sport stars on our shoes, we rock art starts! I love them! Nicely done Reebok! Enjoy good people...

Gangsta Grannies!

2009-07-22T17:04:00.000-07:00

When I was in CUBA I was taken aback by how gracefully the women aged. I mean, this ladies would be 80 years old, smokin' a fat cigar (and I do not condone smoking) and cuttin' the meaning salsa move you have ever seen. during that trip I decided that I was just going to continue to get better with time. I would become more confident, less fearful and make a conscious decision to live as much life as could in whatever time I was given on this planet. I don't want to go out all diseased and decrepit. I want to dance my way out of here, ya dig? Anyhow, the faces of these women look as if they have lived some life and they ain't done, no time soon. Get it granny!

A Beautiful Joy Jones article just appeared on Clutch Magazine!

2009-07-13T07:15:00.000-07:00

Thanks to the good people (at the very stylish) Clutch Magazine for writing this great article! It was very well written and made my heart smile!
If you want to take a peep into my world, take a few minutes for a very satisfying read!

Article: Joy Jones:Beatutiful

NY POST features Joy Jones!!!

2009-07-09T09:50:00.000-07:00

ARTS+SCIENCES=FUTURE

2009-07-08T20:25:00.000-07:00

Man, when I came across this talk that Dr. Mae Jemison, (physician/dancer/astronaut) recently gave at a TED event, I was like "Yes, this is what I've been trying to say, for so long". All my life I've been trying to juggle my love and passion for the arts and sciences. Walking the tight rope that is my corpus callosum (the bridge between the left and right brain), feeling like this artsy nerdy freak of nature. But thanks to Dr. Mae, my anxiety can begin to dissipate. I can be artist and scientist! Singer and healer...thinker and creator, because creativity is a divine gift, it is all one in the same. My favorite quote from this talk is "I like to think of ideas as potential energy. They're really wonderful, but nothing will happen until we risk putting them into action".

You betta preach a work Mae, you betta preach a word!!!

P.S. Thanks to the blog: blankbareclean, for sharing this link

It's Finally Here! My album, GODCHILD! I have no words!

2009-07-07T21:12:00.000-07:00

and if you think that you might like it there (wherever you are), then click here (smiles):

iTunes

Amazon

enjoy my loves!!!

P.S. and big ups to my favorite blog Fly for deeming me the Fly Girl of the Week!!

A LITTLE GET UP AND MOVE MUSIC...Courtesy of Me!

2009-07-01T06:45:00.000-07:00

Sometimes you need a little help getting moving in the morning! For a quick solution, try a little Joy Jones with some James Brown. It's good for whatever ails you and without that nasty after taste. no preservatives, no artificial color...and most importantly, no corn syrup (because you know what they say about corn syrup, right?...lol!). Anywho, where ever you may be on this fine morning...A good morning to you! Have FAB day!

Download (click link):

http://www.zshare.net/audio/62096114cf3abb39/