I haven't blogged in months. I haven't written or submitted in months either. Since July (the last time I wrote on this blog) so much has happened a lot of good and some not so good, but I am still alive so that is all that counts.
To cut to the chase, the reason I haven't been updating this blog is because I'm not sure exactly where I want to go with this now. It's like when you reach that point in a relationship where you have "the talk". Yeah, well me and this blog are at that cross roads. When I first started Chocolate Milk DC it was all about arts and events, so I covered a lot of gallery openings, museum exhibits, etc. Then I started interviewing artist which was cool. I have a love/hate attitude towards interviewing people, though. I love talking to people and getting to know folks but I am not really the nosey journalist type, so it's hard for me to just sit and ask some random person a bunch of random questions.
Shortly after that I started publishing more of my writing in other places; web sites, anthologies and magazines which made me want to use this blog as a way to some how advertised my own work but that just felt like shameful self promotion.

Which brings me to the present.

I've thought about turning this into a fashion blog (since I majored in Fashion Design in college) but while I love fashion and textiles, sometimes it seems more label driven than arts driven. I am not a huge music head, so this couldn't be a music blog and I'm just not angry enough to have a "I'm angry, so I am going to complain about life" blog.
All that being said, the post from here on out are going to be pretty random until I find my niche, again.

New stuff

Check out my new Tumblr blog:
Sunday Bliss

Link Love

Twitter is annoying sometimes. I like tweeting while I am riding the bus home from work, but that's pretty much it. But, every now and then I come across a tweet about something cool, like the blog: Le Coil. The pictures on this blog do something to me that I can't convey in words. There are so many different representations of beauty on Le Coil...

Joyism

This event is going to be simply beautiful...
Click the flier to buy tickets and for more information

I think I am in love....

Lunch Box Theory Presents: Afro Beat

Who can resist Afro Beat, Cubanismo, and other cultural funky sounds, a DJ (DJ Underdog) who actually spins real records (yeah none of that digi crap) and face painting!

Friday April, 24, 2009
Selam Bar and Restaurant
1524 U St NW
Washington, DC
Cover Price: $1, yep you read that right 1 damn dollar!

Gotta Upgrade...

Okay, so I am following the wave and moving over to WordPress. I am still in the process of getting the blog right and all that jazz. So, on Thursday I will have moved completely and will supply you wonderful guys and gals with my new web address.

See you on the other side.

Forgetful me..

I here about a lot of interesting events. Some appropriate for this blog, some not so much. Often times I forget to blog about events, bands, etc. that I set out to. So, if I have ever or when I do (the 1st step is acceptance...lol) forget to blog about your stuff, please forgive me!
Thanks guys.

This is it, what.....

Yep, yep, Camp Lo tomorrow!
4/16/09
8:30 PM - 2:00 AM
LIV : 2001 11th St (11th and U)
Washington, DC 20001
(202) 299-0800

To buy tickets click the flier

Interview w/ Camille Peace

How long have you been designing and creating jewelry?

I have been creating jewelry since January of 2008. I started because some of my favorite jewelry pieces broke. In order to fix them I bought some basic tools, fixed my things, added new components, felt empowered, and expanded.

What is the artist community like in St. Louis; it doesn’t really strike me as a very progressive town?

Hmm... That's a tough one. It's not very cohesive. It’s hard to penetrate, even harder to link up, share ideas and build. Sort of a crabs in a barrel mentality. I tend to keep to myself, and do what I do best.

What are some of your inspirations?

I find inspiration in nature, in parks and on my hikes. My hometown San Diego, CA is a big inspiration to me; incorporating elements I used to find when I walked along the beach. Shells, mother of pearl, leaves from kelp, water, etc. I am also inspired by the music and style of Erykah Badu, India Arie and Jill Scott. I design with them in mind. I use materials that look beautiful against black skin; brass, sterling, wood, etc. I also flip through Vogue magazines, I constantly scan Google images and study other cultures to be influenced by their simplicity and use of color and texture. I often times purchase accessories from discount stores, break them apart to make new, original pieces. Textiles also influence me, food influences me, stories influence me, and emotions influence me. I feel everything and put it all into what I make.

You've been known to snap photos and DJ, what other art forms do you
indulge in and how do these affect your jewelry?

I love, love, love photography. I work everyday to get better at it. And, naturally, taking great photos helps me market my jewelry. People do not have the option of holding and touching my pieces before they purchase them, so they rely on an expressive photo. Photography teaches me to see things from various angles, and to detect beauty that isn't so in-your-face. It teaches me about lines and composition, texture and color. I am grateful to my fiancé for teaching me how to DJ (DJ Trackstar).

DJing involves the use of the ears, eyes, soul and technique. When making jewelry, technique is important. How you hold the piece you are working on, etc; and I am guided by my soul when I create. I rarely sketch. I am very much hands-on.

Check out Camille's online store: PEACE IMAGES