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Smile

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The source of a true smile is an awakened mind. Smiling helps you approach the day with gentleness and understanding. Thich Nhat Hanh, Peace Is Every Step.

Via Gratefulness.org

The NacGroup Presents “Zurism!,” the first Solo Show by Zura in Florida

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The NacGroup announces the solo show “Zurism!” by Brooklyn-based artist Zura. This will be the artist’s first solo show in Florida.

“Zurism!” focuses on Zura’s unique style of painting which stands in contrast to the serious sculptures for which he has been known throughout his career.

Vincent Harrison and Karla Livingston of Nac Gallery began introducing Zura to the Florida market in late 2012 and due to overwhelmingly positive responses have decided to curate a solo show for the artist showcasing his latest works.

The naïve renderings in “Zurism!,” are created with acrylic on canvas and a palette knife. They are explorations of abstract imagery, faces and figures. Each character is the outcome of a lengthy drawing process involving multiple canvases. Some of Zura’s works carry political connotations relating to the recent turmoil in his native Georgia.

Zura Bushurishvili is a classically trained sculptor and his large installations can be found around estates in Connecticut and the Hamptons. He was born in Tbilisi, the capital city of the Republic of Georgia where he studied at the State Academy of Fine Art.

Known internationally for his large metal sculptures Zura started to explore painting again as an additional medium. At Art Expo in 2010 he showed his paintings publicly for the first time and sold out the entire exhibition.

Says Zura, “When I’m deep in the painting process I am happy, and all troubles fade into nothing. I feel only the way canvas and a palette knife turn into the other part of my being. I consider the piece finished only when I have fully expressed my feelings and feel sure it will invoke an audience’s opinion, regardless of it’s negative or positive connotations. Everything I do, I do for the sake of beauty, love and harmony. They always appear in my paintings and I am happy to let them.”

NacGroup is a global entity that consists of a group of like minded individuals with a shared passion and purpose, who have rejected today's accepted conventional wisdom when it comes to how a gallery should operate. NacGroup offers consulting services, brokering and collection as well as estate representation. Nac Gallery, a division of NacGroup, provides a vehicle for emerging and mid-level career artists to reach their respective audiences in a targeted and effective way. Nac Gallery is a fine art gallery located in the North Beach Arts District of Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

“Zurism!” runs from April 19^th through May 15th at Nac Gallery, 3325 NE 32^nd Street, Fort Lauderdale 33308

VIP Opening: Friday, April 19, 2013. 7-11 pm

Public Opening: Saturday, April 20, 2013, 7-11 pm

For more information on “,” the artist, or upcoming events such as monthly auctions at the gallery visit www.nacgallery.com or call 805.272.5831 or 239.321.9240

Sri Yukteswar

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"God is Harmony; the devotee who attunes himself will never perform any action amiss. His activities will be correctly and naturally timed to accord with astrological law. After deep prayer and meditation he is in touch with his divine consciousness; there is no greater power than that inward protection." Sri Yukteswar

The Michael Margulies Agency Present "The Valdeziacs" a Solo SHow by Kiki Valdes

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The Michael Margulies Artist Agency Presents “The Valdeziacs” a solo exhibition by Kiki Valdes

MIAMI – April 1, 2013- The Michael Margulies Artist Agency is proud to present “The Valdeziacs” a solo exhibition featuring new works by painter Kiki Valdes. “The Valdeziacs” is the culmination of Valdes’ most recent works.

Many of the current paintings move into a new direction for the artist. Cartoon characters provide the first entry point to Valdes’ complex explorations of shapes, abstractions and figurative cartoon imagery. He paints the excited, cryptic images of bubbly faces and toon masks to convey a feeling of childhood nostalgia as a visual tactic to address space and form.

Valdes sees the cartoon imagery as a way to communicate and connect with a wider audience by conjuring memories. Cartoons have seeped into our consciousness since childhood and the artist uses those recognizable images and memories as a prop for questions about painting and our obsession with the familiar.

The new works in “The Valdeziacs,” the title itself a nod to popular cartoons and childhood, explore expressionism. Valdes turns various characteristics of known cartoon figures into a complete abstraction. Certain qualities like curves, exaggerated eyes and big mouth emphasize the duality of his compositions and create a battle between the familiar graphic figuration and what is familiar in painting. Valdes creates a place where darkness and light meet as he merges both and juxtaposes emotions to open a dialogue and leave space for interpretation.

“The Valdeziacs” opening reception will be held on Saturday, April 27^th 2013. The exhibit will run through Friday, May 10^th at 101/ Exhibit, 101 NE 40th St, Miami, FL 33137

Opening Reception: Saturday April 27^th 7-10pm

Closing Reception: Friday May 10^th 7-10pm

The Michael Margulies Artist Agency specializes in the representation and marketing of contemporary artists and artist estates. Via collaborations with galleries, art fairs, museums, and other art institutions the agency presents and promotes the utmost awareness of its art catalog while operating with an unconventional business model.

For more information please visit www.marguliesagency.com or call 305.972.8962.

God Gives

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"God has given you your identity, and that cannot be taken away.
God has imbued you with infinite potential,
and that cannot be taken away.
God has provided you with the opportunity to change your thinking in an instant, and that cannot be taken away.
God has given you the capacity to love and that cannot be taken away.
God has entrusted you with the power to live in the light of His abundance in any moment, and that cannot be taken away."
Marianne Williamson, The Law of Divine Compensation.

DOUGH WINE

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POPULAR DEMAND at NAC GALLERY

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What do Karl Lagerfeld, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Minnie Mouse and Darth Vader have in common? They are all popular iconic characters that inspire Miami based artist GG. To honor their iconic status, achievements and the influence they have had on his career GG created a new series entitled “Popular Demand” for his latest solo exhibition at Nac Gallery in Fort Lauderdale.

GG is known for his gallery art with an urban edge as well as his signature character “Fedo,” which he created in 2009. “Fedo” has since been immortalized in murals across South Florida and on canvases residing in many a collector’s home around the world. International collectors have indeed been taking notice and GG’s work has become popular to many who enjoy the pop-art inspired paintings.

At 22 GG is still a young artist with a long career ahead of him. His art has started to go through a visible maturation process and he is interested in exploring new ideas, styles, creative processes and narratives. We will see him explore more delicate, fine-tuned themes and emotions and experiment with new details such as text and a more muted color palette, which is a distinct departure from his use of saturated colors, flat painting style and the focus on a central character.

Yet there is no denying the popular demand for the Fedo-ed versions of painters and cartoon characters. GG was willing to oblige and paint his favorite icons. Bob Marley was snagged up before he even took his space on the walls of Nac Gallery and Andy Warhol, boxing legend Muhammad Ali, designer extraordinaire Karl Lagerfeld and Batman have sold before the exhibit even opened its doors to the public.

“Popular Demand” is showing until April 15^th, 2013 at Nac Gallery but in case you cannot make it to the gallery you can check out more of GG’s work and other artists at www.nacgallery.com

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Loving What You Do!

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Whenever a customer or a potential customer interacts with your business they will remember how you treated them, how fast the service was, the quality of the work and how easy it was buy your product or use your service. For example: at a restaurant, the customer service that the waiter or waitress provides you is just as important as the quality of the food. The food should be delivered in a timely manner, the server should be friendly and offer help if needed, and they should not seem rushed or stress. Customer service is just as important as the quality of the product. It is half of the experience that customer will have with your business.

That brings us to a quote that explains a lot about a good way to live your life and also relates to customer service and the idea of loving what you do and everything else will fall into place:

"If you follow your bliss, you put yourself on a kind of track that has been there all the while, waiting for you, and the life that you ought to be living is the one you are living. When you can see that, you begin to meet people who are in your field of bliss, and they open doors to you. I say, follow your bliss and don't be afraid, and doors will open where you didn't know

they were going to be."

This quote by Joseph Campbell from his book,Reflections in the Art of Living: A Joseph Campbell Companion, is something to live by here at Lassothemoon Gift Baskets. We love what we do: making custom gift baskets for our customers and delivering them on time. We love making custom gift baskets because it allows us to be creative. It also gives us a good feeling when customers enjoyed and appreciated our gift baskets. Creating a custom gift basket is fun for us because we know the customer will feel special and that it will provide a mini vacation for them. It is a moment during their day when they can feel special. We have been following our bliss here at Lassothemoon Gift Baskets by doing what we love: being creative and giving people a good experience with our custom gift baskets.

We offer great customer service here at Lassothemoon Gift Baskets by helping you design your custom gift basket for the ones you love. We then take a picture of it and email it to you so you know what it looks like and that they will receive it. The basket is then delivered personally to the recipient so they can enjoy it. Great customer service is not hard but it is equally as important as the product or service you offer. Simply loving what you do will lead to great customer service because your customers will notice that you are enjoying yourself and that you are happy to help them. Being friendly, helpful and a smile can go a long way with customers and will surely keep them coming back for more. The message here: love what you do and people will notice.

It's a Wonderful Life!

http://www.lassothemoongiftbaskets.com/

https://twitter.com/LassothemoonGB

Almost every business in the world will tout their "outstanding customer service" as a selling point along with the products they are offering. Customer service is definitely one of the most important things for a business. It helps bring new customers, keep existing customers, and helps to promote an overall good public image. While many businesses spend thousands of dollars on customer service training with expensive programs much of that is not needed as the real secret to great customer service is to love what you do!

Q+A with a grammarian

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Mark Plevin is a San Francisco based lawyer. He's also my dad and a bit of a curmudgeon.

Q+ A with a grammarian

Dad, the grammar champion

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It's All in a Name...

Posted | Views: 1,183

By: John Konsor

In the 1946 Christmas classic, It's a Wonderful Life, the main character George Bailey (played by James Stewart) asks Mary, "What do you want? Do you want the moon? Just say the word and I'll throw a lasso around it and I'll pull it down. I'll give you the moon Mary." That quote is one of most iconic and memorable quotes from a classic film. It's also the inspiration for Lassothemoon Gift Baskets. Here at Lassothemoon Gift Baskets we want to bring an experience to the customer, while also delivering good customer service and custom made gift baskets. We want to lasso the moon for you. Bring exactly what you want and put it in a gift basket.

Giving gift baskets can show someone that you really care or that you are thankful for what they did for you. In the movie, Its a Wonderful Life, it shows us that if one person never came into our life how everything would've been different. The owner of Lassothemoon Gift Baskets, Cher, dedicates the business to Janet, her best friend who died about 14 years ago of breast cancer. She's one of the people who filled a void in her life like George Bailey filled a void in the movie. The film teaches us to appreciate the little things in life and to appreciate the people in our lives. Life without people to share it with is no fun. We've brought this feeling to all of our gift baskets. We pay attention to the little details so that when they receive the gift basket you ordered for them they feel special. The gift basket receiver will feel as if you lassoed the moon and pulled it down for them. Our custom gift baskets allow you to add your personal touch and make your gift basket one-of-a-kind.

Our website has also been designed to fit with all of these themes. We view our website as a gift as well. Its easy to use and features pictures of all of our baskets, along with video clips and quotes from the movie which can help evoke a feeling of nostalgia. We want you to look around and see what we have to offer. Its about an experience that makes it easy to order a gift basket while also having fun. Life needs to be more fun and here at Lassothemoon Gift Baskets we hope to provide that with our gift baskets.

So come check us out. We have gift baskets for every reason and every season!

www.lassothemoongiftbaskets.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/LassothemoonGB

Also, check the famous movie scene in which George promises to lasso the moon for Mary.

Behave Yourself

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If you see to it each day that your conduct is impeccable, the following day will be completely clear, and you will be free to carry out your plans, always vigilant that you leave no loose ends. In this way, each new day will find you free and well disposed.

Omraam Mikhael Aivanhov

More Than Just A Pretty Face

Posted | Views: 2,424

She is Nicki Lee

She Is MORE THAN JUST A PRETTY FACE

Michael Stylez Jackson: I am glad I could catch you this morning Nicki I was wondering could you just give our audience a brief history.

When and where were you born and raised?

What school did you graduate from?

Did you got to college? Also what is one of your favorite food?

Nicki Lee: I just had a birthday Jan4...I was born and raised in Dallas Tx where I went to W W Samuel high school.I went to Ogle's School of Hair, Skin and Nails. My favorite food is Chinese.

MSJ: So Ms. Lee what actually sparked your interest in the world of modeling and what genre did you come into the industry under?

NL: When I was about 8 I saw a picture of a beautiful black woman in a Avon book and I wanted to be like her...I still have the picture!

MSJ: who has been your favorite photographer to actually

work with?

NL: I've always been short and curvy so I knew being an Urban model would be tge best fit for me. I've worked with some really talented photographers like Derrick D. Brown, Carlton Primm and Charles Croomes its impossible to pick just one as my favorite because they all captured me in different ways.

MSJ: What woild you like to accomplish through model? Do you think that the world of modeling could benefit a young woman or man that May have been bullied, also how could this be accomplished?

NL: I want to be able to show my many layers through modeling as well as express myself to the camera. I know modeling can help with those that have and or being bullied...Models aren't perfect and to capture those imperfections can show that its ok to be different.

MSJ:And final question is this.....What makes you More Than Just A Pretty Face?

NL: Michael What Makes me More Than Just A Pretty Face is the fact that I take life as it comes...I'm a hard worker and I love to be challenged.I know everyday isn't promised so I live it like its my last...I'm so humbled by what life has given me both good and bad.

ljóðin

Posted | Views: 690

Ástin

Ástin mín ég elska þig svo mikið,
að missa þig væri samstundis dauði.
Án þín væri ég aðeins tóm skel,
sem verður aðeins heil með þér.

Ástin kemur í mörgum formum,
móðurást og föðurást eru mikilvægastar.
Ást mín til þín er skilyrðislaus,
jafnvel þótt þú elskir mig ekki tilbaka.

Ávallt mun ég elska þig,
jafnvel þótt þú sjáir mig ekki.
Þú ert enn með henni,
og hún gengur með barn þitt.

Ég get ekki meir,
get ekki horft á ykkur saman.
Ég kveð ykkur hér,
og óska ykkur alls hins versta.

Agnes ritdómur

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Agnes ritdómur

Leikstjórinn er Egill Eðvarðsson og helstu leikarar eru María Ellingsen sem leikur Agnesi Magnúsdóttur, Baltasar Kormákur sem leikur Natan, Gottskálk Dagur Sigurðsson leikur Friðrik Sigurðsson, Hilmir Snær Guðnason leikur Guðmund og Egill Ólafsson leikur sýslumanninn. Agnes er mynd um síðustu aftökuna á Íslandi, en þá er sýnt úr lífi þeirra sem voru tekin af lífi, eða það er farið eftir atburðarrásinni en nokkrum staðreyndum sleppt og sögunni breytt helling til að láta Agnesi líta betur út.
Í stuttu máli þá er Agnes vinnukona sem á dóttur, hún vinnur sem bústýra hjá sýslumanninum sem er sífellt að reyna að nauðga henni en hún sleppur alltaf naumt undan. Natan kaupir Agnesi sem bústýru fyrir mikinn pening og fer með hana heim á Illugastaði en hann vildi ekki hafa dótturina með og hún var þá send í fóstur til prestsins. Natan heldur framhjá með mörgum konum og kemur svo með nýja konu heim og lætur Agnesi þjóna þeim, hann nauðgar þeim síðan báðum. Konan heitir Sigríður og
Agnes fer og lætur kærasta hennar, Friðrik vita hvar hún er og
hann kemur og lemur Natan með hamri og kveikir síðan í húsinu
og tekur Sigríði. Fyrir þetta eru Friðrik og Agnes dæmd til dauða
og eru þau síðan hálshöggvin.
Þetta gerist á 18 öld, en í myndinni er vikið frá mörgum þekktum
staðreyndum, eins og til dæmis að Friðrik hafi drepið karlmennina
á bænum með hníf og að Sigríður og Agnes unnu saman á bænum og voru með í þessu.
Myndin tengist nútímanum til dæmis á þann hátt að konum er ennþá beitt líkamlegu ofbeldi. Í dag eru miklu minni refsingar, þú myndir fara í fangelsi en ekki vera líflátinn.
Mér fannst myndin mjög áhugaverð vegna þess að mér þykir gaman að sjá smá brot inn í líf fólks á fyrri öldum og þetta er mjög gott dæmi um það nema það hversu mikið þau viku frá alvöru staðreyndum en það er áhugavert að skoða hvað gerðist í alvörunni, en í raun var Agnes sek um að vera með í þessu þar sem hún og Sigríður hleyptu Friðriki inn sem drap mennina og þær tóku peninga ásamt Friðriki. Myndin var vel leikin og mjög flottir leikarar í henni. Mér fannst Baltasar t.d. Ná sínu hlutverki mjög vel þegar hann var að leika Natan. Tæknivinnan var fín fyrir utan hvað eldurinn á Illugastöðum var örlítið óraunverulegur. Ég gef myndinni alveg þrjár af fimm stjörnum og ég mæli með henni.

More Than Just A Pretty Face

Posted | Views: 1,755

I am more than just a pretty face. I worked hard to get where I am. I fell flat on my face and I got back up again. I strive to be the best at any and everything that I do. I started a journey that I didn't know where it would take me. I have been hungry, broke and didn't know if I would make it. It wasn't my face that got people to believe in me. It wasn't my face that got me the job. It wasn't my face that forced you to read my story. It was my determination and my will to survive. I demanded attention with my actions and my voice to be heard. No, I never knew that I would become a role model. But, to see the footsteps of little feet behind me every step I took made me realize that I was born to be a role model no matter if I wanted to be that or not. That gave me the most courage. I stand today knowing that I will be the reason that some one else have the same courage that I have. To stand and scream, I Am More Than Just A Pretty Face!

I am more than just a pretty face because I have a story to tell. I didn't choose to become a model because it was easy, it is not! I became a model because I wanted to get in touch with my feminine side. I grew up as a tomboy and never did I think I would love to dress up in heels and skirts. Modeling became who I am. As a model, I knew it would open many doors into different fields that I have strong interest for. I can model, dance and I can act! All in one I can do those things without neglecting the other. I have goals in progress, and no matter what my face looks like, I will meet my goals. I will become my dreams. I am a professional, I am ambitious, and I am industrious. I am more than just a pretty face.

She is Kenyana Black

and she is More Than Just A Pretty Face

Interviewed by Michael "stylez" Jackson

President and Founder of GraceBOUND Modeling Group and Designer of MG Stylez.

Michael Stylez: When were and where you born?

Kenyana Black: I was born 10-16-1983 in Memphis,Tennessee, but i was raised in Olive Branch, Mississippi.

MJ: What high school did you go to?

KB: I went to Olive Branch High

MJ: So Kenyana exactly what type of work are you doing right now?

KB: Well Michael at this time I am a full time promotional model. I have recently started acting and I have gotten asked to be a fashion coordinator in fashions shows and a personal assistant to a playwriter.

MJ: When did you want realize you wanted to get into modeling?

KB: I realized I wanted to get into modeling at the age of 19. I met Mick Rubin of AMC photography. He was working on an Angels magazine and it was tasteful and he wasn't demanding sex so I decided to try it out. I enjoyed working with him and through him I met more opportunities. I have been modeling every since and him and i still keep in contact with one another, checking to see if we are doing good or need anything. I wanted to do something I never done before. I was quiet, shy and had a feisty attitude but i was actually sweet in heart. I knew by being in my shell that I wouldn't make it too far. I had to face my fears and think outside of the box. No one would know what I wanted if I didn't open up my mouth and tell them. I was uncomfortable in my own skin so it took a lot for me to model. It wasn't until I got away from the negative energy and hopeless dreams that surrounded me in Memphis that i realized I was ready to shed new skin.

MJ: What are you aspiration?

KB: I came to Dallas Tx and I saw the competition and I got nervous. Dallas models and photographers welcomed me in gracefully. People were willing to teach me and work with me. I am very grateful and I owe them much respect. I wont to do and be my best since I had so many random, strange, and hopeful people helping me when they didn't have to. It would be selfish of me to stop trying when those who helped me get to where I am didn't stop helping and guiding me. They saw something in me that i didn't see in myself.This is an experience I will never forget. It has opened my first door into acting. I have learned so much.

MJ: Keyana you are amazing and I see a very bright future for you not only in Dallas,Texas but also on a national market level. so let me ask one more question before we end this interview.

What would be your ultimate vacation?

KB: Let me see I would say....My ultimate vacation would be to bless the ground of Africa. I would like to meet this land and shed tears of joy here. Those people are less fortunate but they praise life every day. They sing and they rejoice. They are filled with so much love.

You can Reach Kenyana for booking through her email [email protected] or through [email protected] and all inquiries will be forwarded directly to Kenyana Black