Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Sunday, January 3, 2010
Saturday, January 2, 2010
Who Would I Be Without My Art?
Who Would I Be Without My Art?
The message I continue to get is that art is worth living for and an artist should do everything possible to continue creating and growing. There is a conflict with existing as an artist when your everyday life does not feed creativity. Sure there are lines people say or words that summon the inner writer. There are events that take place and ignite our anger and passion for change. We fall in and out of love and passionately feel like every moment of emotion deserves documentation. We hear notes in our head and convince the world it is music then watch as backs arch, feet stomp, and heads bob unwillingly. There are also times when nothing feels poetic or worth documenting. It is just something to survive and put in the past even with the knowledge that it is worth a testimony. Artists are often dreamers and we want to maintain comfortable lifestyles off of our dreams. That sounds absurd when voiced; we want to maintain comfortable lifestyles off of our dreams.
I often wonder who I would be if I did not have my art. What would happen if I did not want to mimic the visions and sound of scratching paintbrushes that fill my head? If I never introduced the words that sound beautiful in my mind to paper and confined the freedom I experience under the title of a poem, story, or essay. How does it look when we walk by colors and shapes or see the different shades that define a person’s face and feel like it is common enough that I am justified in taking them for granted? Is it possible to hear music and not realize how the energy changed, speech takes on its rhythm, perspective becomes parallel enough to call it my own?
I am told that it is during prayer when people feel closest to god. I wonder if you have to be on your knees bowing before a cross, a sun, or clay molded into a representative of whom we believe to be our God to actually pray. I wonder if the times in my car hoping my voice moves past my windshield or while I am in the bathroom during the chaos of my day asking God to remind me that my purpose is greater than my circumstance; I wonder if those times count too. When I was younger my great grandmother would always tell me how God doesn’t give us more to carry than we can bear. So often I ask myself why I am carrying so much more than my art.
The time when I feel closest to God is when I am painting and my mind has unraveled enough through the conversations I have with it that I can hear the paintbrush pressing colors into the canvas. I feel closest to god when my hand curves with letters that fall like dominoes onto lines and construct their own melody. It is during these times that I am not present in this experience called reality because nothing is intentional. I am communicating with something greater and allowing it to guide my hands while I submit because I trust that is for a greater purpose. The purpose often remains a mystery but I have to trust that all will be revealed in time.
Who would I be without my art? I never explore this with enough depth. It is scary to go into that place where this love, the one I truly never want to overcome, could not exist. Thoughts of its importance overshadow thoughts of its absence and I rebel with a ferocious search for ways to forget that this question tried to invade my dreams. People keep telling me not to quit because there are times when I want to make my paintings and writing a secret again. There are times when I want it to be less vulnerable and open to interpretation. There are also times, more than not, when I love sharing what comes through me and being an artist is the one thing I would never sacrifice. Hearing how a painting or poem pulls emotions to the surface and inspires another to mimic their sounds and visions reminds me that reality really gets more credit than it often deserves.
©Shanna T. Melton2010
The message I continue to get is that art is worth living for and an artist should do everything possible to continue creating and growing. There is a conflict with existing as an artist when your everyday life does not feed creativity. Sure there are lines people say or words that summon the inner writer. There are events that take place and ignite our anger and passion for change. We fall in and out of love and passionately feel like every moment of emotion deserves documentation. We hear notes in our head and convince the world it is music then watch as backs arch, feet stomp, and heads bob unwillingly. There are also times when nothing feels poetic or worth documenting. It is just something to survive and put in the past even with the knowledge that it is worth a testimony. Artists are often dreamers and we want to maintain comfortable lifestyles off of our dreams. That sounds absurd when voiced; we want to maintain comfortable lifestyles off of our dreams.
I often wonder who I would be if I did not have my art. What would happen if I did not want to mimic the visions and sound of scratching paintbrushes that fill my head? If I never introduced the words that sound beautiful in my mind to paper and confined the freedom I experience under the title of a poem, story, or essay. How does it look when we walk by colors and shapes or see the different shades that define a person’s face and feel like it is common enough that I am justified in taking them for granted? Is it possible to hear music and not realize how the energy changed, speech takes on its rhythm, perspective becomes parallel enough to call it my own?
I am told that it is during prayer when people feel closest to god. I wonder if you have to be on your knees bowing before a cross, a sun, or clay molded into a representative of whom we believe to be our God to actually pray. I wonder if the times in my car hoping my voice moves past my windshield or while I am in the bathroom during the chaos of my day asking God to remind me that my purpose is greater than my circumstance; I wonder if those times count too. When I was younger my great grandmother would always tell me how God doesn’t give us more to carry than we can bear. So often I ask myself why I am carrying so much more than my art.
The time when I feel closest to God is when I am painting and my mind has unraveled enough through the conversations I have with it that I can hear the paintbrush pressing colors into the canvas. I feel closest to god when my hand curves with letters that fall like dominoes onto lines and construct their own melody. It is during these times that I am not present in this experience called reality because nothing is intentional. I am communicating with something greater and allowing it to guide my hands while I submit because I trust that is for a greater purpose. The purpose often remains a mystery but I have to trust that all will be revealed in time.
Who would I be without my art? I never explore this with enough depth. It is scary to go into that place where this love, the one I truly never want to overcome, could not exist. Thoughts of its importance overshadow thoughts of its absence and I rebel with a ferocious search for ways to forget that this question tried to invade my dreams. People keep telling me not to quit because there are times when I want to make my paintings and writing a secret again. There are times when I want it to be less vulnerable and open to interpretation. There are also times, more than not, when I love sharing what comes through me and being an artist is the one thing I would never sacrifice. Hearing how a painting or poem pulls emotions to the surface and inspires another to mimic their sounds and visions reminds me that reality really gets more credit than it often deserves.
©Shanna T. Melton2010
Friday, December 25, 2009
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
GET TESTED! TANTRA~ZAWADI PRESENTS DOCUMENTARY "A SILENT GENOCIDE" FEAT. SHANNA ART
I HAVE SO MUCH RESPECT FOR TANTRA AND HER EFFORT TO INFORM OUR COMMUNITY ABOUT AIDS/HIV AND THE PERSONAL EFFECTS IT HAS ON OUR LIVES. IT IS IMPORTANT THAT WE CONTINUE TO WORK TOWARDS STRENGTHENING OUR MINDS AND BODIES. WE ALSO NEED TO BE AWARE OF THE STRUGGLES OTHERS FACE BECAUSE LIFE CHANGES IN AN INSTANT AND WE WOULD WANT THE SAME CONSIDERATION. THANK YOU TANTRA,FOR INCLUDING MY ART IN SUCH A POWERFUL, IMPORTANT PROJECT. YOU HAVE MY FULL SUPPORT. LOVE. SHANNA
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Debra Williams
Diamond & Company Public Relations
212-247-3692
debra@diamondandcompany.com
A Silent Genocide: A Brief Insight into HIV/AIDS
A Documentary by Tantra-zawadi
Filmed and Produced by Oliver Covrett, XYAYX Multimedia
Now on YouTube.com
www.youtube.com/tantrazawadi
(NEW YORK, NY) DECEMBER 7, 2009 -- Brooklyn born performance poet/artist Tantra-zawadi, announced the released of a short documentary titled “A Silent Genocide: A Brief Insight into HIV/AIDS” today. Ms. Zawadi created this project in conjunction with Stony Brook University’s World AIDS Day banquet.
A Silent Genocide: A Brief Insight into HIV/AIDS, shot on location in New York City and Los Angeles, features a commentary by Betty Makoni, the founder of Girl Child Network Worldwide and a Top 10 finalist for CNN’s 2009 Heroes Award, offers insights into the personal experience of those living with HIV/AIDS. Through art and activism, A Silent Genocide shows viewers how these individuals are striving to decrease the staggering numbers of new infections.
A Silent Genocide is directed by Ms. Zawadi and Oliver Covrett of XYAYX Multimedia who also edited and produced the film. Musical contributions for the project include Tut Burks and Xavier Kemp with artwork by Shanna Melton.
This is Tantra-zawadi’s third project to raise awareness regarding HIV/AIDS. Her video “Scarlet Waters” was featured on the Product (RED) video wall as well as a PSA for Mark Herbert Productions/Betah and Associates.
Tantra-zawadi is an internationally known performance poet/recording artist and the author of “alifepoeminprogress.” She has performed her soul stirring life-poems to standing room audiences at venues all over the world; most recently at the Badilisha Poetry X-Change Festival in Cape Town, South Africa. Her latest projects include: “Girl – A Choreospective”, and collaborations such as The Love Planet EP by Collective Spirits, EARTHOLOGY by Floyd Boykin, Jr., Poetic Stimulus and The Liberation Sessions by Mwalim.
To view the documentary, A Silent Genocide and other videos by Ms. Zawadi, please visit www.youtube.com/tantrazawadi or her other websites at www.tantrasmasterwordplay.com, www.myspace.com/tantrais.
For media inquiries and interview requests, contact:
Debra Williams
Diamond and Company
449 West 49th Street #3D
(212) 247-3692
A Silent Genocide: A Brief Insight into HIV/AIDS
A Documentary by Tantra-zawadi
Filmed and Produced by Oliver Covrett, XYAYX Multimedia
www.youtube.com/tantrazawadi
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Debra Williams
Diamond & Company Public Relations
212-247-3692
debra@diamondandcompany.com
A Silent Genocide: A Brief Insight into HIV/AIDS
A Documentary by Tantra-zawadi
Filmed and Produced by Oliver Covrett, XYAYX Multimedia
Now on YouTube.com
www.youtube.com/tantrazawadi
(NEW YORK, NY) DECEMBER 7, 2009 -- Brooklyn born performance poet/artist Tantra-zawadi, announced the released of a short documentary titled “A Silent Genocide: A Brief Insight into HIV/AIDS” today. Ms. Zawadi created this project in conjunction with Stony Brook University’s World AIDS Day banquet.
A Silent Genocide: A Brief Insight into HIV/AIDS, shot on location in New York City and Los Angeles, features a commentary by Betty Makoni, the founder of Girl Child Network Worldwide and a Top 10 finalist for CNN’s 2009 Heroes Award, offers insights into the personal experience of those living with HIV/AIDS. Through art and activism, A Silent Genocide shows viewers how these individuals are striving to decrease the staggering numbers of new infections.
A Silent Genocide is directed by Ms. Zawadi and Oliver Covrett of XYAYX Multimedia who also edited and produced the film. Musical contributions for the project include Tut Burks and Xavier Kemp with artwork by Shanna Melton.
This is Tantra-zawadi’s third project to raise awareness regarding HIV/AIDS. Her video “Scarlet Waters” was featured on the Product (RED) video wall as well as a PSA for Mark Herbert Productions/Betah and Associates.
Tantra-zawadi is an internationally known performance poet/recording artist and the author of “alifepoeminprogress.” She has performed her soul stirring life-poems to standing room audiences at venues all over the world; most recently at the Badilisha Poetry X-Change Festival in Cape Town, South Africa. Her latest projects include: “Girl – A Choreospective”, and collaborations such as The Love Planet EP by Collective Spirits, EARTHOLOGY by Floyd Boykin, Jr., Poetic Stimulus and The Liberation Sessions by Mwalim.
To view the documentary, A Silent Genocide and other videos by Ms. Zawadi, please visit www.youtube.com/tantrazawadi or her other websites at www.tantrasmasterwordplay.com, www.myspace.com/tantrais.
For media inquiries and interview requests, contact:
Debra Williams
Diamond and Company
449 West 49th Street #3D
(212) 247-3692
A Silent Genocide: A Brief Insight into HIV/AIDS
A Documentary by Tantra-zawadi
Filmed and Produced by Oliver Covrett, XYAYX Multimedia
www.youtube.com/tantrazawadi
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
LYRICAL VOICES 5 YEAR ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION...THANKS!!!!
There is nothing normal about these circumstances so it has taken me longer than usual to gather my thoughts about the 5 year anniversary celebration of Lyrical Voices Night of Poetry & Arts. I could go on about how many of you came out in support of art and community, there could be this detailed dialogue about the well crafted collection of words left in that space, we could especially discuss the amount of support and love that was felt days after we left; but I choose to give you an example.
So there is this talented producer, poet, person named Xavier Kemp. He is someone who performs his poetry and moves constantly around the stage. When there is an event to attend he is on his way as long as the dividends and travel allow, he is in the front showing all the love he can exude to the artist before him. He is the person who will listen to your stories until they end and digest your words so he can give a sound response when it is time. Xavier is going through a painful experience with something I have heard called “The Gulf War Syndrome”. He was given vaccines when he enlisted in the service and the levels of metals in them has essentially poisoned his blood to the point that they are destroying his nerves and causing him unbearable pain. The doctors misdiagnosed him and he was being treated for fibromyalgia. As a result he was given medication he shouldn’t have taken and it caused him to have two seizures in a span of two weeks. Walking from one room to another is a struggle.
The beauty of this struggle, amazingly there is beauty in it, is that Xavier’s spirit is not changed at all. He wants to listen to stories to the end and digest your words. It seems he knows his calling is to sit in prayer with people and help them see their light. The music he creates is so spiritually moving and has progressed to levels he did not imagine a few years back. He writes so much truth and there is a degree of needing to be free of pain in the spirit and physical that exudes in each line of each poem, song, or statement. He studies and shares all he is learning so when he is recovered there will be no stopping him from using his life to the benefit of those who walk with him in this journey.
So his mother came to Lyrical Voices to sell juice, salad, and Xavier’s cd’s because Xavier’s medication is expensive and the money from the sales would help cover some costs. She expected to leave with the amount of money you would expect from selling juice and salad, maybe $50 or $100 but she left with three times that amount. This family gave without wanting anything in return, just because of the love they have for Xavier and the need for him to recover. Some people hadn’t even met him but know what pain is and want to help someone feel better. When Xavier told me this I couldn’t even hold the phone. It’s not about the money, it’s about the love and support that was shown to a fellow artist.
Jerome G. (a.k.a. Local Poet a.k.a. Eddie a.k.a. Local) spoke about how so many lives were changed and preserved since Lyrical Voices began and I don’t always know what people go through before and after they leave this space. There have been occasions when someone will pull me to the side and say what this experience has gifted them but I never really saw it firsthand. This is my experience in seeing how something as basic as an open mic can open doors and avenues for connection and healing. It is an honor to have my hand in that and to link my hand to yours because there is no one person responsible for that space. We come together as a community and make it great.
Thanks to all who travelled, drove, walked, hitched a ride…all of that…so they could attend. Your presence is not taken for granted. The energy in that space was something I will never forget. Jamaal and Nile I am grateful for your support of the vision and constant affirmations that Lyrical Voices is on the right path. You are truly my friends and that is something I cherish beyond words. Buddha LuvJonz, you are amazing and your constant growth is something I am blessed to witness. You’re my family and I am glad that the creator saw fit for it to be so. Ajani you take beautiful pictures and your dedication to Lyrical Voices and our friendship means so much. Alicia, I am glad you made room for your art because it reflects your spirit…nothing less than beautiful. Suselle, you said you wanted it and you got it, you are an excellent massage therapist and you are always welcome to work it out at Lyrical Voices . Gerald Moore, thanks for the loving space and welcome for all these poets and artists. You are so supportive and we appreciate all that you do to make Lyrical Voices possible.
The next Lyrical Voices is Feb.19th. Details to arrive soon.
Love.
Shanna
www.PoeticSoulArts.net
www.shatamel.blogspot.com
www.luvjonz.com
www.artsimplicated.com
Monday, December 7, 2009
The Shanna Melton Collection
The Shanna Melton Collection
Some paintings from my body of work.
Poem: I Am A Poem
Written/Performed by, Shanna T.Melton
Produced by, Xavier Kemp of Xoul Musik Productions
Some paintings from my body of work.
Poem: I Am A Poem
Written/Performed by, Shanna T.Melton
Produced by, Xavier Kemp of Xoul Musik Productions
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