Showing posts with label art. Show all posts
Showing posts with label art. Show all posts

Saturday, August 10, 2013

I've been on a Space adventure...quick~

     I cannot believe how long it's been since I've visited these pages and this world...I've been in a rocket ship and exploring a few other planets, though fun, I'm still needing to check back onto my planet!

     The past couple months have been nothing short of busy, apologies for checking out of the veggie world (not entirely...just the blogger veggie world)~ I've been shoulders deep in my new business and baby, Varyd! It's pronounced "varied" and it's a clothing line owned by myself and my fellow warrior, Rydia. It features all different types of art, designs, and creations! I've been hella pumped about it, and in that, slipping all over obstacles...but the greater the mountain, the better the view!
the Varyd logo~ designed by VeganBeats
     We had a launch and I don't think I slept very well the whole week prior, and diluted all my drinks with my tears...but on the night, everything collected into a positive and loving space and ground point. My friends and loved ones...How can I thank you enough?
Veganbeats wearing "Varyd girl"~ photo taken by Corey Malcom Lajeunesse
     With Varyd, I've been more consumed by art and exploring the creative sides of me that craved to be coddled and snuggled into safety. I've been wrapping my fingers around ink pens and crouched over drawing pads and...it feels wonderful! I've always loved and appreciated art...but after a horrific chain of events (someday I'll share...here) I simply couldn't touch my art parts. I stopped writing stores, poems, songs, stopped painting, scratch boarding, drawing...all of it, I couldn't do it.
     Every time I tried or attempted...these awful daemons would tear at my insides and I'd be shaking with an explosion of emotions and thoughts.

It was the darkest and more fearful chaos. 

    But, about two years ago I picked up a pen and started to doodle again and my skills slowly came back...and are still coming back. I've been focused on grouping myself back together again, pulling in the lines that left parts of me so far out at sea.
    I'm going by "Vanessa" more regularly now...I feel like I'm coming back. Parts of me are coming back. With that, I'm still struggling, but I am still challenging myself... (I've discovered a fruit...again~ this will be later)

Anyways...just wanted to check in, say hello, give an interspace hug and...share a few photographs!
progress picture of commissioned record cover!~ by veganbeats
progress and lady practice~ by veganbeats

Check out Vayrd too, there's so many great things happening with it...
 

Oh yea~ I'm a blonde pony now!!
wearing the sleeveless Varyd logo tank~ photo taken by Corey Malcom Lajeunesse

   

Thursday, March 21, 2013

Cool Kicking Creating!!!

     I'm finally doing the Master Cleanse! I've been reading all sorts of things about it, seen so many references to it, and heard about it from loads of friends. I've juggled with the idea of this cleanse because I assumed it would be horrid, more so the lemonade cayenne concoction would be inedible (drinkable?!) but I'm five days in (halfway) and so far LOVING it! I am filled with energy, I feel healthier, clearer, more focused, and calmer~ more collected. I figured this cleanse NEEDED to happen because I was getting a bit stuck, a bit lost, and short with my tolerance of those surrounding me. I wanted a hollistic healing, a way to connect with the present and not let it be clouded with hate. (Mononoke whaaaat!!!!) I was meaning to keep a diary of each day, but I will throw up a big post covering each day once I wrap this MC up!!
     That's a wee lemony-update!

     Before the MC mission, I got a home-cooked/made-with-love-and-sweat meal that has left me lingering for it's return! I've had difficulty consuming and digesting night shades (white potatoes, peppers, etc) and recently have been reintroducing them to my diet and plate. I always wandered produce sections, longingly setting sights on the cute, plump, and fun bell peppers; they're smiling bright orange colors and yellow sunny-ness and like a hungry wolf, salivated over them. I WANTED and WANT to snap on bell peppers. I began with thin slivers and gradually increased my intake of them and I've got myself now purchasing them every week. Scotty Soul made me something featuring these once "dangerous" nightshades and...this Vegan lady was in bliss...
Scotty Soul's Vegan Creation..ughhhh~ photo taken by VeganBeats
ughhhh.....look at that color!!!
      He made quinoa, tomato, and kidney bean stuffed bell peppers, roasted root veggies, and a broccoli herb salad! Seeing all this color, smelling all the savor goodness stirred up a rumble in my stomach and I couldn't stop savoring each bite. I've never had stuffed peppers (vegan style) before and I honestly was overwhelmed! It was all gluten free too! Well, the roasted roots had a wee bit of whole wheat flour...but that's because he's got a secret method to making potatoes extra crunchy and soft. I got seconds, and dreamed...still dream about this meal. :sigh:
     Another fun project was done...the FIRST Scott-hee creation was for a dear and wonderful friend for his birthday! I've been drawing more and Scotty Soul is amazing at graffiti and throw ups so we collaborated on this piece here! There will be more Scott-hee creations to come...just wait!
Scott-hee's first creation~ photo taken by VeganBeats
      And...just because there should be a bit more "vegan" trending on this here blog, this is a crispy baked curry I made last week (before the lemonade deal). I baked tofu, zucchini, onions, and broccoli and made them crunchy with sweet potato starch (a little inspired by crunchy jazz) and made a spicy and thick curry sauce with kale, cabbage, onions, and bean sprouts. Result...gluten free, crunchy, spicy, hot, steamy greatness!
curry jazz~ photo taken by VeganBeats
     Recipes to come...just want to perfect this more....Next post will be as soon as I wrap up the MC!!!

until then~

Wednesday, March 13, 2013

Snuggling up with my "Child side"

     We are a compilation of parts; an immense mix tape of genres, songs, instruments, melodies, tones, and vibrations. There are no other albums like us. 
 
~~~~Not too far beneath my surface lies a sensitive, naive, and very childlike person; my imaginative curious baby part. Along with that, nestled right next to it is a space cadet. A wide-eyed child filled with dreams and colourful spouts of energy, itching to twirl into her magical world of creativity. I'm trying to get greater connected with these child parts; explore the majestic surrounding that I once marinated in. I want to support and exist in the imagination and support endless creativity. I'm still attaching my fingers and energy to creating art and making physical pieces, and while doing this as of late, I've been immersed in the fascination of hybrids and animals. I've always had a thing for fantasy, spirit animals, powers to turn into an animal....animorphs. If anyone remember this particular series, a bunch of adolescents had the power to change/morph into any animal...but only for a two hour limit. If they went over this limit, they were forever in this form. I've created and built a list of animals I would and WANT to morph into and experience and ground with...
     I've been absent for quite a bit of time, apologies. I wish I had some vegan food porn to provide you with...instead, here are some art doodads that I've been doing...fostering this little witch inside.
foxy girl...step one, by VeganBeats
Foxy girl, step two...by VeganBeats
Foxy girl, finished~ by VeganBeats
Wolf Womyn, step one~ by VeganBeats
Wolf Womyn, step two~ by VeganBeats
Wolf Womyn finished~ by VeganBeats
Gargoyle Angel Girl~ by VeganBeats

      These ladies are simply for fun....for now, and I want to work with 'Wolf Womyn' a bit more....(my wolf obsession as of late is not very well-hidden)... I'm using ink, pencil, marker, and coloured pencils...
             Oh...and doing some eye practice!!
eye practice, pencil~ by VeganBeats
     I know it really isn't perfect, or that good but....persevere and determination, along with being anal and a jerk-faced perfectionist...someday~
    Vegan noms side...not 100% gluten free, but 95%!!! And...I've been eating a bit too squirrely (nuts, seeds, and dry fruits) which does add loads of protein and fiber to the body..but fat, and my mind is a bit of a toxic place when it focuses on this particular womyn. I've been feeling lazy (ergh) and want to up the fruit intake, lower the nuts and seeds (but keep up fiber), and soon I will embark on a detox cleanse.....fighting!!!


Thursday, December 13, 2012

Veganbeats does Vermont

     Wednesday morning was a robotic maneuver to 34th street, somewhere between 11th and 12th ave for a bus (via Megabus) to Burlington. It was foggy (my mind at least) and though pumped to see some more of the BQ crew, kicking it in New York for a few days longer was beyond tempting. And this temptation grew when my bus was half an hour late. I kept thinking I'd "have" to tumble back to Towsky's.
     Anyways, megabus showed up ($29.00 to Btown from NY?!?!?) and I crashed on the bus...not literally.   Nine hours later I pulled into the familiar campus that I trekked around for five years. I instantly flowed back into class flows and rushing through students to break it back to my dorms and a little bit of flying time. The Davis center was my bus stop, and that's where a huge part of home also sits...WRUV. Home of my old radio station, a space of creativity, love, fun, music, sound, poetry~ the memories in that booth and during those hours way back then. I wandered past and felt my heart and brain magnetically draw to the old doors.
Radio home~ photo taken by VeganBeats
     The No Rules Variety Hour was made up of a bunch of us kids, Bezark, Aaron, Ian, Headley, Juice, Spy, and myself. The second half of our show was mostly Spy and I, you know how life happens and those damned classes demand so much ya! I so wish I could do the show again, a reunion show of sorts...hmmmm
     After wandering down memory lane and taking stalker like pics of the old radio home, I met up with Jason, a wonderful worldly soul who always brings lightness with him wherever he is. We caught up and trucked by my old house! 
MY old home~ photo taken by VeganBeats
     It was a bit eerie being back in VT, the last time I was here, a lot of horrendous things were happening, and I was wrapping those loose ends up while trying so hard to focus on all the beautiful memories this place held. This time, my energy was different, I was bringing the love from New York that I was clutching onto with me, and I was meeting and joining with my old crew. I only had until 2am to fit everyone in!
     I met with Harry at the RadioBean (this place harbors so many starts and memories!) for some tea while he had a break and getting such a hug from an old friend- again home. Comfort, safety, joy, just pure bliss! Ahh~ Then we met up with Harry for tea and chilling. He's got a swanky big kitten names Potus (guess how that name happened) and lives in a really cute space!
     After kicking it with Harry, I met up with one of my best friends, a beautiful womyn I have been blessed to grow close with and create such a strength and bond with. Ninabean~ seeing her again was perfection. Yoga buddy, sister, love, tea sipper, kimchi nommer~ I needn't get into how wonderful and brilliant it was to reunite with Nina!
     After downing ridiculously strong coffee (sorry for the sleepy eyes!) I went to the Terrace and kicked it with more BQ loves! Dubs, Ari, Corey, Daiki~ these boys, these men have been such loving lights in my life. Back in the Bearquarium, I lived with Dubs and his lady and a whole handful of stunners! The terrace is a true home, literal house stocked with rolling fire in the fireplace, comfy couches, loads of soft blankets, fuzzy rugs, a beautiful kitchen, yard, smiling faces~ What a perfect setting and group of people to end VT with. Loads of chatting, laughing, flying, and then the 2 am bus to Boston.
     Only issue~ getting on the 2am bus was almost not going to happen. Went to the stop without a printed ticket (said I would pick up) and when the driver stated that I wouldn't be able to board the bus my reaction was that of a ten year old denied playtime outside. I started crying and burbling about a rehearsal dinner and maid of honor responsibilities....apparently aigyo works and they let me on the bus. Where I passed out without wiping my eyes.

Rehearsal Dinner and Wedding fill-ins soon~










Friday, November 23, 2012

Lanterns for thoughts~

   Finally, after years of being in Korea and simply "thinking" about the Seoul Lantern Festival, I checked it out! I met up with some beautiful Seouls and we wandered around and checked out all these beautiful art sculptures that light up the Cheongggyecheon stream!
photo taken by VeganBeats~
photo taken by VeganBeats~
photo taken by VeganBeats~
photo taken by VeganBeats~
photo taken by VeganBeats~
     Admitted, this is a post using the festival to wander into other things that I am SO EXCITED about!! Next Saturday, I'm rolling stateside for a wedding, joining with friends, hugging family, snuggling Binger...
It can't come at a better time. My frustrations with Seoulside and in Korea has negatively influenced how I feel about myself, my current life position, and the energy that I bring with me. I am happy and thankful for and about so many things, but there's a definite trend of easily-triggered upset.
     I've been calling to the natural and chemical mood-lifters, asking my body to urge and motivate endorphin build-up. I've been active and engaging in physically pushing my body to feel that natural high, and while doing so, I do feel happier and my mind clearer. Art is becoming a growing trend and doing more things for myself, free of externally imposed guilt has allowed my parts to be more accepting of one another.
     I'm doing a little self-celebration right now~
     But I am also very aware that even though I'm feeling more positive now, there is more for me to explore and understand about myself and where I really must be.
     This past weekend, a friend expressed his observation of my energy, how he feels I am happier now more than ever. He then said that my sadness and general depression was annoying and a "pain in the ass." I appreciate his honesty, but this inspired a lot of concerns and questions...reflections in myself and those I do chose to surround myself with.
     A friend's state of being, in my idealistic world, is one to be accepted. Not criticized, there are always parts of you that find the parts in others to be distasteful or not enjoyable, I aim more towards accepting those parts and being patient in a way that~ my upset has nothing to do with them, it is my own parts reacting in that/this way.
     Returning, I then thought how unaware some people are. Claiming great observational skills and a keen eye for people's energy inspires me to laugh and snarkly deny those "statements." How unaware others seem to truly be and how well my parts work together to mask a lot of things that I churn in this bucket. I am now in a position where I recognize that in myself, even more so, I've been ignoring a lot of parts or just avoiding many of them.
     Regardless, next Saturday I will be back stateside and am confident some clarity will be found and I may start to feel a bit more ground.


A week~
   

Tuesday, November 6, 2012

Scotty Soul's Surprise

     October has been more than busy, stressful, emotional, and brilliant. It started off with the death of a brilliant man, upsetting family realizations, emotional roller-coasting, a draining wallet, and rounded off with birthday celebrations, party preperations, smiles, laughter, growth, an anniversary, new family members, Halloween jams, and November began with a SURPRISE!
     This is a silly side-note and apologies to my girl, but Hamlet and I celebrated two years together on October 26th! She has brought so much joy and love into my life! The nights I've ended snuggling up to her are immeasurabley blissful!
baby~ photo taken by VeganBeats~
     Anyways, Scotty Soul had his birthday on October 29th and since Halloween is on the 31st, it's been a bit neglected. For his actual birthday I made him a super veggie friendly but NOT vegan birthday dinner paired with a massive yummy salad~
up close, and not that pretty~ photo taken by VeganBeats
     When I was a little thrasher, my nanna used to make baked macaroni and my entire family and I would literally melt in it's scent. She would make a creamy roux, rich buttery smells and whole wheat flower, with soft cheeses, and baked with a crunchy ritz cracker and butter topping. Not healthy, but very comforting, and delicious. Scotty Soul isn't vegan, and I wanted to make something homey, comforting, and special...
     The non-vegan dish was a baked three cheese macaroni. The cheeses were feta, extra sharp cheddar (VT!), and pepper jack. The veggies I threw in were broccoli, spinach, kale, caramelized onions and bell peppers, and the topping was blended tortilla chips (less salt overall chyea)~ 
Scotty Soul's plate~ photo taken by VeganBeats
     The salad I made was chalk full of greens and all sorts of textured roughage. Iceburg lettuce, romaine, green and red leaf lettuce, spinach, kale, onions, broccoli chunks, celery, cucumber, and bamboo shoots! The dressing I made was my "friends with salad" dressing.
      One of the gifts I made for him was a custom deck~ Got a board, sanded it down (thanks to my neighborhood grocer for finding sandpaper for me~) and spent all night painting finishing touches while ruining four cakes...ugh
his deck~ photo taken by VeganBeats~
again~ photo taken by VeganBeats~
     But...BUT this past weekend a community that has nothing but love for Scotty Soul joined up at Braii Republic for a Surprise party! I still managed to ruin a couple cakes but eventually made two that I aimed to make! The first one was Jake the Dog from Adventure time WATCH THIS SHOW!!!
Jake the cake~ photo taken by VeganBeats~
     ...and the second was one of his childhood "dream" cakes!~ (Thanks to the goddess and stunning Carrie for helping me out =^ㅊ^=)..
dream pool cake~ photo taken by VeganBeats
     The Jake cake was a dark chocolate cake with white chocolate and cranberries with a coconut butter cream frosting with cocoa essence. The dream cake (the swimming pool cake) was a dark chocolate, cranberry, white chocolate, and peanut butter swirl cake with a dark chocolate and coconut butter cream frosting with raspberry and strawberry essence. The "pool" part was organic strawberry jam.
     The cakes themselves were vegan but the frostings weren't due to actual butter used (baked birthday dinner leftover ingredients) and the peppero sticks~
   

Monday, September 10, 2012

VeganBeats in Groove Magazine!

     There's an article in this month's edition of Groove Magazine!
illustration by Adela Ordonez~ Article by Rob York
Ahh yea~ SWANK!
Read it online via page 54!

Wednesday, August 1, 2012

Beautiful Stars...The MV is HERE!

     I stated earlier of something Brilliant that was to drop today...

And here is Black Ilumin's music video for "Beautiful Stars"~
     You can download Beautiful Stars at http://soundcloud.com/blackilumin/beautiful_stars Black Ilumin's Soundcloud Enjoi ^^~
You are Awesome

Monday, July 30, 2012

Beautiful Stars: Black Ilumin's Newest MV drops August 1st

     A couple weeks ago, I had the honor and freedom to do some artwork for Black Ilumin, a very talented and solid-Seouled hiphop artist. I've written about his talent before and am so glad that I've gotten the world of hiphop gifted to me through the likes of Scotty Seoul, Jkea Pains (Jake Pains), Wisecrue, and him.
     I'm more than happy that art has re-entered my life, and so grateful that I'm surrounded by like-minded artists, dream makers and chasers, beat makers, musicians, and photographers that not only have embraced my goals but support them as well! Having the opportunity to create something, be a part of something, and have something featured has brought a lot of warmth to my heart.  
me and the piece I did of Venus, goddess doesn't even sum her up~ photo by Jesse Lord
     My piece, along with some other amazing creations will be featured and shown (promoted and supported) through Black Ilumin's "Beautiful Stars" music video that drops on the first of August! Being a part of the video and the shooting was a blast! This MV was a beautiful collaboration promoting m\lots of love and an organic and real approach.

"You Are Awesome" is fact...and how all of us felt when wrapping up this shoot, and even still now!

     For a beautiful project, wonderful collaboration, and all sorts of brilliance, make sure to check out Black Ilumin, his music video for "Beautiful Stars", and have a look see at all the talent that worked together to support some Beautiful Stars~~



You can download "Beautiful Stars" at~ You can download the song: http://soundcloud.com/blackilumin/beautiful_stars





Tuesday, July 3, 2012

Apgujeong Graffiti Tunnels

     Art is such a short word that holds a lot...A LOT in it's resume. Given how open-minded art is, I'm wanting to get closer to it, become better buddies with it...spend a couple nights a week getting to know more about it! The other week ago I wandered to the graffiti tunnels and got blown away with the sick writing that gave life to Seoul's little cave! Check this out~
Just do it~ (photo taken by VeganBeats)
photo taken by VeganBeats
photo taken by VeganBeats
photo taken by VeganBeats
photo taken by VeganBeats
photo taken by VeganBeats
     All the writers/artists are pretty well-known, but I'm still on the glimpse of the culture here...until Art starts trusting me more....
lights on the Han~ (photo taken by VeganBeats)
WAIT~~!!!
How do you see these tunnels?

Apgujeong station exit 1 (압구정역 1번)
walk out straight for maybe 10 minutes, when you see the Galleria, take the LEFT...you'll be going through an apartment complex...when you get to the end of the apartments, you'll be at a walkway...take a RIGHT. Keep going until you see an entrance on your RIGHT side...wander down and be inspired~~


Monday, May 21, 2012

Pass me that Pen~

     Inspiration to get things done and fulfill my insecure-ridden talents has been on the forefront. I've been meeting these amazingly talented, driven, supportive, and open-minded people that are chasing their dreams, fulfilling them, and exerting energy into their passions. Seeing this drive has got me grabbing pens and camera and whipping them together. I have been doing sketches now and again and it feels so...comforting. I used to create all the time, my mind constantly working and winding out something intricate, complex, and complete. After challenges and too many obstacles to keep me feeling whole, I neglected creating, I put a lot of it to the side. My creative juices and sources of inspiration dwindled. I still had my wonderful crew, friends, and loved ones...but anything more than that would have left me far more broken than functional.
     I started this new job(s) where I'm now cruising the subway system for at least three hours a day...leaving me with ample time to read, listen to music, waste time on games, etc. I finished three books, grew bored of my games and one day started sketching. This all paralleled a very positive upswing that's been contributing to my life...a lot of different things are correlating and all this joy is brimming over. Art is entering my life again, and it feels like an old friend. There are no debates, awkward exchanges, or forced reconnections...we both missed one another...
     Here are some quick subway sketches~
gnome~ (sketch done by VeganBeats)
chuckle~ (sketch done by VeganBeats)
whai~ (sketch done by VeganBeats)
knows~ (sketch done by VeganBeats)
lion~ (sketch done by VeganBeats)
yawn~ (sketch done by VeganBeats)
J dilla~ (sketch done by VeganBeats)
beta~ (sketch done by VeganBeats)
quick grump~ (sketch done by VeganBeats)
apples~ (sketch done by VeganBeats)
melon~ (sketch done by VeganBeats)
      And I'm not releasing anything definite (though fingers are tied swirly super-crossed) there are some brilliant potential projects on the way!~