Ask Myself

If this song by Robin Thicke isn't speaking to my spirit expressing exactly how I'm feeling right now in my life, I don't know what else is... Not to mention, the musical arrangement goes hard! Love him.

I gotta pop up pop up
Gotta get up every day
Somethin 4 me and my family
I gotta make decisions
And be somebody
Im growin up as fast as I can
I gotta make some money
Dont wanna live by their rules

In and out the day
In and out the night
Im a find my way
Just 2 survive

I gotta ask myself
Whats it gon be
Am I gon save myself
Whats it gon be
I gotta ask myself
What Im gon do
Am I gon save myself
Whats it gon be

Somethin beautiful inside of me
Somethin wonderful inside of me
Somethin beautiful inside of me
Somethin wonderful inside of me

I gotta pop up pop up
Gotta live up 2 the words
Everyones talkin talkin
I gotta be somebody
And 4 my baby
Im growin up as fast as I can
I gotta make life better for everyone

Everyone everyone everyone
Just 2 survive

While you're at it, take a listen and get cha dance on to this video. LOL

MICHAEL JACKSON RETURNS TO THE STAGE AGAIN!!!

I need to see this... WE LOVE YOU MJ! Come to the states pleeeeaase! Show all these copycats how it's done.

The one and only...

Plus some extra photos I took at Helens! Check 'em out :)

In Helen's old NY apartment.

Opening Photo Show at The Garden Pier

Last Friday, I had an awesome photo exhibition in Atlantic City, NJ. So many people came, including Mayor Langford and the groups who gave me past art scholarships for college (Children's cultural foundation and Atlantic City Links). A huge shout out to Kaleem Shabazz, the art director who did a fabulous job organizing the event that night. Located at The Garden Pier on New Jersey Ave and The Boardwalk, My photos are on display for the whole month of March in honor of Women's Month. So if you're in the area, go check it out!

Click on the link below to check out an online article I found.

http://www.southjersey.com/articles/?articleid=20364

Many of the photos are selling too which is definitely the best birthday gift I could ask for.

Good times. Very grateful.

Photo Shoot with B Scott!

I had the opportunity to work with B Scott a couple weeks ago at Dex Studios in NYC! Such an awesome individual. Don't know who he is? Check out his official website and youtube channel. Trust me, he's someone you won't forget. Personally, I discovered B via Concreteloop about a year ago and I'm glad we finally got the chance to work together. He's super funny, got a zest for life and definitely an inspiration to many people.

Also, the other talents on set were incredibly great to work with: Mecca (PR), Chanda Renee (Fashion Stylist), Jasele (Hairstylist), Carmouche and Catalina (MUA). So thankful for such a hard working team. We had lots and lots of fun.

Check out some behind the scenes shots from that day:












Some of the final images...











More coming soon.

Words of encouragement

"There comes a time when you must stand alone. You must feel confident enough within yourself to follow your own dreams. You must be willing to make sacrifices. You must be capable of changing and rearranging your priorities so that your final goal can be achieved. Sometimes, familiarity and comfort need to be challenged. There are times when you must take a few extra chances and create your own realities. Be strong enough to at least try to make your life better. Be confident enough that you won't settle for a compromise just to get by. Appreciate yourself by allowing yourself the opportunities to grow, develop and find your true sense of purpose in this life. "

Found this surfing online and it definitely spoke to me, so I'm sharing it with you.

The Day of All Days (Braving the freeze for Obama)

I will never forget January 20, 2009. Nothing can truly sum up the emotions I felt on the day Senator Barack Obama was sworn in as our 44th President of the United States of America. I can tell my children that I was there, and brings the biggest smile to my face. We (my sister, her boyfriend and his friends) got up at 5am and made it over to the capital by 6am. It was freezing, the subways were packed, but it was all worth it.

Here are my pics from that amazing day...just a little something. I tried to get as much as I could. It was SO cold!
































Leyla the next day getting ready to work one of the Inaugural Balls...





That's it. =)

Love Obama.

Here's to another awesome year!

NEVER GIVE UP.

DREAM BIG.

BE FEARLESS.

Stay true to yourself.

Hope you all had a safe and Happy New Year.  Although I haven't uploaded this blog lately, I appreciate your interest, patience and visits.  In the meantime, check out my recent works over at FLICKR . 

God is good.  

Peace,  

Nass

Janelle Monae's "Many Moons" has been nominated for a Grammy!!!

Janelle was nominated for Best Urban/Alternative Performance

(For solo, duo, group or collaborative performances, with vocals. Singles or Tracks only.) for Many Moons

Janelle Monae
Track from: Metropolis: The Chase Suite (Special Edition)
[Wondaland/Bad Boy]

YES!

Barack, and now this! I'm so proud of Janelle and the W.A.S.!

I become a "Change Agent" on ALBC blog!

So awesome! This is what was sent to me just a couple of days ago.


"You have been spotted by the folks over at www.alilbitofchange.blogspot.com. That's a good thing! We are a civic literacy blog that most notably concerns ourselves with the dissemination of information about the catalysts of Change in both our local and broader communities.

We would like to feature you as this week's Agent of Change. You can visit our blog and see some of our former feature Agents, but it was our introduction into you and your talents and efforts to influence this generation that made us select you as one of our inaugural features."

Wow. Talk about being flattered?! Please go check out the interview by clicking here

Also, I was mentioned on another fabulous blog - www.modamouth.com.

Thanks so much for checking out these two blogs and for all your support! More portraits are certainly in the oven. ;)

Much love,
Nastassia

Looking for a roommate!

I really want to move to NYC. For months now, it's been one of the things heavily on my mind. A little while back, I had a chat with Jovian and George about what it means to take chances in life - not waiting to "be comfortable" when taking the next steps into our future. So, I feel the time is now. And what does the above photo have to do with that? Well, her name is Penny and she was an old roommate of mine when I lived in Montclair. This image was from the one and only photo session we ever had.

It's not a very popular one on flickr, but I've personally always loved this portrait...the mood, style, her expression, just everything. In future fashion/ beauty shoots, I really want to push the envelope by trying new ideas and concepts. I'm excited about shooting with a high school friend of mine who is starting to get into modeling now. We'll be playing and shooting with a lot of those ideas very soon.

I'll be keeping everyone updated. =)

Janelle Monáe walks in a Winter Wonderland!

Check out Janelle in this cool new Christmas Gap Ad!



More fun footage can be found HERE!

Enjoy!

JANELLE MONAE CONCERT CONTEST!

Sincerely, _______" Contest

Great news, Rolling Stone Magazine has asked Janelle Monáe to come and perform in New York City!!!

Due to high demand there are only a limited number of tickets available for this event. We all know how Janelle Monáe feels about having her supporters at any AND all of her performances. It's a must! She loves when her supporters are there, participating in the action and having fun with her while she performs.

In order to make sure we can have some of the most loyal Janelle Monáe supporters at this next show, we've decided to host a contest!! We are asking you to take Ms. Monáe's electrifying tunes, "Sincerely, Jane" or Violet Stars Happy Hunting! and record yourself singing & dancing to the first verse and chorus! Can't decide between the songs?! Do both!

Don't worry, there's no pressure. This contest is meant to be fun, and a great vehicle for you to use your Imagination. Don't worry about submitting something that is "professional" quality or professionally "edited," etc. We only ask that you adhere to this one requirement-- This video MUST be from your heart.

Go! Find a computer, a web cam, a digital camera, an HVX, a my first Sony Cam, or whatever you can get your hands on and start making your "Sincerely, (insert your name here)" video!


CONTEST DETAILS:

We will be selecting 5 true supporters who have uploaded their "Sincerely, _______" video.

Those 5 will receive free concert tickets to be with Janelle Monáe and The Wondaland Arts Society on November 19th at 7pm The Highline Ballroom.

First 5 people to submit their Sincerely,____ video win!!

How?

• Upload video to YouTube and email thechase@wondalandarts.com with the link.
• Email must have the subject line: Sincerely,__(insert your name)__Contest Submission

Deadline:
November 16th COB/5:00pm (close of business)

Contest Winner Notification:
November 17th

*All contest winners are responsible for all personal travel & lodging accommodations to New York City.

HAPPY NEW AMERICA!

Change - what a lovely thing.

Note: Not my illustration. Author unknown.

U.K Paper GUARDIAN prints "Rosa (Parks) The Riveter!"

Rosa (Parks) the Riveter! was printed in a leading U.K. newspaper, the Guardian today! I was pleasantly informed by a nice English lady on flickr who took the photo of the clipping and sent to me. Although, I didn't give this paper permission to publish my picture, I'm more excited that it was chosen out of hundreds that were submitted. =)



More political "selfies" in the making...

Real change comes to America! What it means to me.

If one asked me how I felt about this historical moment of Barack Obama being elected as our 44th President, I'd say that we, as Americans, are done with the divide and conquer techniques that have been used on the electorate for over the past 221 years. The William Lynch tactics of long ago have been exposed and the majority of Americans have rejected it's purpose. Electing Barack Obama is showing that we, as an American people, have decided to finally come together in unity and fight with common goals for a country that is truly the best place to grow up and live in.

It excites me knowing there is a new day, a new era dawning upon all of us that will light a better future for our children, and theirs. This also can mean a fair shot is given to those who truly deserve it. A larger pool has been created to pick the best of the best regardless of race, color, or creed.

The feeling is indescribable when I think of Obama as our President-Elect. Days after the election, I still wake up overjoyed just thinking about his victory with Michelle by his side and little Sasha and Malia having a new front lawn to play on. It only saddens me to know that my dear Mom-Mom and Nana Sampson couldn't be here to witness it on earth. I know they're watching and smiling down from above.

For my own personal reflection, I really feel Obama's win has also changed me for the better. It's pushing me harder to see one of my own dreams come to fruition - seeing my photos in a major magazine someday!

There's much to be done! And I'm ready to work.

Dreaming Big,
Nastassia

p.s. Below are photos from election day. I asked my sister to snap the ones of me getting ready to make a difference. I wanted to get photos of the expected "voting lines" as well, but there were none. Hey, it was 6.30am and I'm living in a rather small town - Atlantic City.





(Someone stole our Obama/Biden lawn sign on election night. Damn thieves.)

The rest of the photos are from the following morning at "The Civil Rights Garden." Went for a peaceful stroll and self reflection.









I am so excited about the next four years with Barack!