life on a tuesday

2007-10-26T09:57:00.001-04:00

My Lover the Sea

2007-10-14T19:21:00.000-04:00

I am that child with the round, dirty face
who on every corner bothers you with his
"can you spare a quarter?"
I am that child with the dirty face
no doubt unwanted
that from far away contemplates coaches
where other children
emit laughter and jump up and down considerably

I am that unlikeable child
definitely unwanted
with the round dirty face
who before the giant street lights or
under the grandames also illuminated
or in front of the little girls that seem to levitate
projects the insult of his dirty face

I am that angry and lonely child of always,
that throws you the insult of that angry child of always
and warns you:
if hypocritically you pat me on the head
I would take that opportunity to steal your wallet.

I am that child of always
before the panorama of imminent terror,
imminent leprosy, imminent fleas,
of offenses and the imminent crime.

I am that repulsive child that improvises a bed
out of an old cardboard box and waits,
certain that you will accompany me.

- Reinaldo Arenas

joias novo!

2007-09-04T00:50:00.001-04:00

set
Originally uploaded by jaymejolee

Ok im making a new commitment to post an update at least once per week. Ive been slacking here! However i have been traveling (Jamaica) and making more items for my stores. The traveling has not ended, next week its Brazil (again) then hopefully Thailand in a couple of months (fingers crossed). But check out my new Jewelry at flickr and mintd! http://theartleemakes.mintd.com

Talk about the coolest Customers!

2007-07-16T23:16:00.002-04:00

Im totally grateful for customers like this one, "yngartist1", who posted a picture of herself wearing one of my pieces. Im grateful for the returning ones like "ortega23", the bulk orders like that from "Laurieat1201am" and all of my single buy customers, im, grateful for your orders. I'll be having some kind of sale to show my appreciation to my customers new and old. Sale coming soon!

My new earrings

2007-07-16T23:16:00.001-04:00

IMG_3076, originally uploaded by jaymejolee.

buy them now! available in most colors!

http://theartleemakes.mintd.com/

Crazy July ~ hardly a blog or two!

2007-07-16T10:38:00.000-04:00

Its been a crazy past couple of weeks. Unfortunately it seems no time to blog and no time to live! But thankfully I'll be going to my Island home (Jamaica) in a few weeks. So yeah! Now, what have i been up to? OK, so.. in the past couple of weeks i have been having fun. Dancing forro,celebrating 4th of July Caribbean style, and just hanging out with the family.

I got my gocco and havent even started using it yet. Thats why I've reduced my hours at work and will be devoting more time to the arts!

You see i have alot of plans for my stores online. I'll be expanding from creating solely jewelry to prints, buttons, and more. Starting in mid August, get ready for the change. the change will be good and necessary! I promise you'll see like the stuff but even better! Just wait!!

turquoise earrings

2007-07-07T00:19:00.000-04:00

turquoise earrings, originally uploaded by jaymejolee.

I made them today. I love theses earrings, thou it wasnt easy to make by hand! But in the end they are beautiful! // Feito hoje. Eu gosto muito destes brincos! Nao foi facil fazer a mao, mas, no fim foi lindo!

turquoise earrings detail

2007-07-06T12:33:00.001-04:00

earrings detail, originally uploaded by jaymejolee.

a new pair

Lura -sold out!

2007-07-06T10:37:00.000-04:00

Lura:

Went to the concert last night at Wesleyan Uni. and the damn thing was sold out! Que horrivel!

http://theartleemakes.mintd.com/

2007-06-25T00:53:00.000-04:00

ok Here's the Link to my Mint'd Store! please note its not www. theartleemake.....it is http://theartleemakes.mintd.com
Im still on etsy too! Different products are posted on each site (or will be) alots going on so stay tuned!

acai! Bio jewelry!

2007-06-24T23:09:00.001-04:00

acai!, originally uploaded by jaymejolee.

photo shoot a success! Pics definitely show the beauty of the acai seeds! Oh by the way! Heres a little info on this stuff and what im offering with this line:

"Acai Seeds are my favorite material when making bio jewelry. All my designs reflect Amerindian / Brazilian styles worn on the streets of Rio and in the Amazon by natives.

Explore the exotic and beautiful creations of bio Jewelry. Jewelry pieces full of charm and design, simple and sophisticated.
I use natural and organic seeds from the Brazilian Rain forest. Since the seeds are made by nature it might be similar, but never identical.
So many colors and styles to choose from, all are available upon request. Tell me what you want, what size and even send me your own design and I will make your very own Acai Jewelry!
Its ethnic, natural, and tropical. Acai!
-The Art Lee Makes"

(originally posted by me on Mint'd)

acai photo shoot!

2007-06-24T23:03:00.001-04:00

acai photo shoot!, originally uploaded by jaymejolee.

did a little photo shoot to advertise my acai bio jewelry line!

Im on Mint'd

2007-06-24T23:02:00.001-04:00

Acai LOOKBOOK on MINTD, originally uploaded by jaymejolee.

Ok guys i've been really busy these past weeks trying to get my life in order because i'm doing so much and preparing for so much!

Latest news :

Got my supplies from brazil!!!!! Maravilhosa!!!!
Got my Gocco from Japan!!!!!!!
Got my button Machine from U.S of A!!!!

So im going to be real busy!!!!

WICKED COOL News! Some of my products will be sold at MyMy not sure if it will be online or in the Pennsylvania Shop but i'm excited!

Will be featured on an Online Magazine : http://nuvanyniceblogtique.blogspot.com

What else? Oh yes, I've opened a shop on Mint'd.
http://www.mintd.com/stores/show/584-theartleemakes
Please check it out, what you cant get on my etsy sight is posted there!

Really cool stuff is on there right now!

Buttons! yeah!

2007-06-24T22:48:00.003-04:00

Buttons! yeah!, originally uploaded by jaymejolee.

focus on the buttons!

2007-06-24T22:48:00.001-04:00

focus on the buttons!, originally uploaded by jaymejolee.

Im wearing my buttons every where!

buttons

2007-06-18T16:25:00.001-04:00

buttons, originally uploaded by jaymejolee.

ok got my machine and just started going crazy making these buttons. But i will sit and design some for sale as soon as i get the chance to.

amerindian feather earrings

2007-06-04T18:19:00.001-04:00

amerindian feather earrings, originally uploaded by jaymejolee.

acai and chain earrings

2007-06-04T18:18:00.001-04:00

acai and chain earrings, originally uploaded by jaymejolee.

flower power brooch!

2007-06-03T11:14:00.001-04:00

flower power brooch!, originally uploaded by jaymejolee.

made today! buy it now only one in stock untill i make more!
www.theartleemakes.etsy.com

purple pair

2007-05-23T00:03:00.001-04:00

now you can see the purple!, originally uploaded by jaymejolee.

my favorite color and now another favorite pair!

black pair

2007-05-23T00:02:00.001-04:00

black pair, originally uploaded by jaymejolee.

dont like too much color or need to be sexy yet not wild? Then this is the pair!

red shell and acai earrings

2007-05-23T00:00:00.001-04:00

red earrings, originally uploaded by jaymejolee.

keeping busy making more earrings

Earring Cards

2007-05-16T15:48:00.000-04:00

I haven't been able to make any jewelry pieces so far this week, but I'm happy to say I've been doing other things. Monday, after thinking about it real hard, i decided to make my own Earring cards to support my pieces.

I got some chip board (for free) cut to size and drilled at Kinkos. Then I drove over to Michaels and bought one stamp, and two dye pads. At home, I dry brushed some white acrylic paint unto the board, stamped it, then vuala! I'm happy with the results!

Everything cost me about $10 for over 1,000, done it myself and proud, earring cards!

earrings

2007-05-11T08:56:00.001-04:00

earrings, originally uploaded by jaymejolee.

http://www.theartleemakes.etsy.com/

earrings demais!

2007-05-11T08:55:00.001-04:00

earrings, originally uploaded by jaymejolee.

http://www.theartleemakes.etsy.com/

indian dangle earrings

2007-05-11T08:46:00.001-04:00

indian dangle earrings, originally uploaded by jaymejolee.

more earrings people, I'm churning them out!

James Blunt's High Video

2007-05-10T16:21:00.000-04:00

I created this Video for a school project.

ME

2007-05-10T01:19:00.000-04:00

Music by: Baaba Maal

I made this piece using photos of myself (taken almost sequentially), plus vector images (including my hand written declarations about myself)

downtown hartford

2007-05-10T00:49:00.003-04:00

downtown hartford, originally uploaded by jaymejolee.

night lights

2007-05-10T00:49:00.001-04:00

night lights, originally uploaded by jaymejolee.

streaming lights

2007-05-10T00:39:00.001-04:00

streaming lights, originally uploaded by jaymejolee.

taking pics in the night in hartford!

City of God ! (I need you to know how good this movie is)

2007-05-10T00:10:00.000-04:00

After studying architecture, and graphic design, I came upon a movie that change my life and made me fall in love with film making. The movie was City of God. The best movie ever made! After watching this movie I declared that I have to learn Portuguese and I have to go to Brazil. Today, about 2 or 3 years later, I have studied Portuguese and have been to Brazil. I just need to meet Fernando Meirelles, the director of the said movie. Anyhoo… the following written piece explains how I felt after watching this movie. (I'm no writer so ...)

Title: I Heard Knives and I was Hooked

I heard knives sharpening against stones. Saw these knives shred the skin of carrots, slice green limes into halves and then effortlessly removed the head of a chicken. Its headless body, dipped into a steaming pot of water, de-feathered, organs removed and its pink flesh rubbed with green leaves and salts, all in preparation for an exotic meal. Hovering over the sounds of the knives and the desperate clucks of nearby chickens, bounded by rope and waiting in line for their boiling fate, I heard the strings of a banjo. Then the faint but growing hum of a cuica, next the feverish shakes of a pandeiro, the shimmering threads of a ganza, and the beat of an atabaque and crisp reco-reco drums blended with the chorus of friends and neighbors singing in Brazilian Portuguese. There were other sounds too, sounds that could be considered distracting but made the atmosphere unique and real. They were the sounds of gunshots, the siren of a police car in the distance, a barking dog, the chopping sound of knives striking wood, knives crushing limes in glasses, and glasses clinging against concrete floors, the strike of a match and the hum of inaudible chatter and laughter around. They were the sounds of a favela.

On the flat concrete roof, another chicken was killed; its dark blood poured into ceramic white a plate. Its black and white feathers flew into the air and landed, near empty used glasses that glistened in the sun. Among these abandoned glasses stood their coffee and honey toned masters, men and women, teenagers and children in tattered but clean clothes of reds, rusts, grays and blues. The women preparing a feast, wiped sweat from their brows. Young boys, acting like men, drank rum from small glasses, while the men played their instruments and girls moved their feet, ready to dance.

I felt like I was apart of their world. I imagined my self sitting amongst them surrounded by dirt stained, blood stained, unsuccessfully graffitied concrete walls. I felt the heat of the sun on my back and saw the glare of its rays upon young dancers moving instinctively to the music. Even the sun had to peak in on them and admire their fiesta. Poor but happy was the theme.

“Lh a galinha fugiu!” comes the shout from one of the boys.

The music stopped and was replaced by the sounds of wooden chairs moving, slippered feet dragging, running, and slapping the concrete floor. A chicken escaped. It flew off the roof and ran down an alley headed for the streets. In pursuit, young boys, with their guns in hand ran through alleyways, shooting the shadow of the evading fowl, shouting in chant to Pedestrians walking by, “Pega a galinha!” ‘Catch the chicken!’ . It’s a chase that emits another theme of life in the favelas: “if you run away, they get you and if you stay they get you too”.

The shouts and the chase push me against the cushion of my seat. I am not there in Rio. I’m not there on the roof tops of the favela houses. I cannot feel the sun, I cannot join in the chorus, or dance or speak without hesitation the language of these people. I am at home recovering from a sever dose of hypnosis. A story told too well.

It was the cinematography of every scene, the music and the sounds of the language had placed me into a world I did not want to leave. I was hooked. The movie had only just started and I thought I was apart of it. Experiencing their world, in dark hues of blues, greens, rust, browns and concrete grays. Experiencing the pulsing passion, and the sweat of such a life. Experiencing it on the strings of a banjo and on the beat of drums that moved my feet to join, only to realize I am spectator, an audience member reading the subtitles, and wishing, if only for a while , if only for real , I could be in “Cidade de Deus”.

*** Quotes taken from the Movie Cidade De Deus

Heres the trailer:

Eu, Tu, Eles

2007-05-10T00:03:00.000-04:00

Another video from my old portfolio I'd like to share! Its a tribute to a truly good movie i watched once! Eu, Tu, Eles - Me, You, Them

cholitos chain

2007-05-09T09:19:00.001-04:00

cholitos chain, originally uploaded by jaymejolee.

cholito doll necklace made around 2am this morning.

for sale at www.theartleemakes.etsy.com

Another video back in the day!

2007-05-09T09:09:00.000-04:00

MTV promo video....my first creation in after effects. My brother Jason is it too!

Kelly 's Never Again

2007-05-08T22:05:00.000-04:00

My new favourite song!

Sing Along:
Kelly Clarkson Never Again Lyrics

I hope the ring you gave to her
Turns her finger green
I hope when you’re in bed with her
you think of me
I would never wish bad things
But I don’t wish you well
Could you tell
By the flames that burned your words
I never read your letter
Cause I knew what you’d say
Give me that Sunday school answer
Try make it all okay

Does it hurt
To know I'll never be there
bet it sucks
to see my face everywhere
It was you
Who chose to end it like you did
I was the last to know
you knew
exactly what you would do
Don’t say
You simply lost your way
She may believe you
But I never will
Never again

If she really knows the truth
She deserves you
A trophy wife Oh, how cute
Ignorance is bliss
But when your day comes
And he’s through with you
And he’ll be through with you
You’ll die together, but alone
You wrote me in a letter
You couldn’t say it right to my face
Well, give me that Sunday school answer
Repent yourself away

Does it hurt
To know I'll never be there
bet it sucks to see my face everywhere
It was you
Who chose to end it like you did
I was the last to know
you knew
exactly what you would do
Don't say
You simply lost your way
They may believe you
But I never will
Never again

Never again will I hear you
Never again will I miss you
Never again will I fall to you
Never
Never again will I kiss you
Never again will I want to
Never again will I love you
Never!

Does it hurt
To know I'll never be there
Bet it sucks
To see my face everywhere
It was you
Who chose to end it like you did
I was the last to know
you knew
exactly what you would do
Don’t say
You simply lost your way
They may believe you
But I never will
I Never Will
I never will
Never again

Trying Out You Tube

2007-05-08T21:38:00.000-04:00

A video i did a couple years ago for school highlighting the Jamaican group Toots & the Maytals. Really Basic stuff but you know.....i need to find time and get back into this!

2007-05-08T20:44:00.000-04:00

Its so easy being green!

After a day filled with errands I come home and create more earrings! My newest pair that can be twisted around and to show the textured design on one side and a smooth one color surface on the other. Some times i fall in love with these earrings, I wish i could have them all!

This is my only pair! You can get them at my store www.theartleemakes.etsy.com
see more pics here!

feather earrings sold !

2007-05-08T19:11:00.001-04:00

feather earrings sold !, originally uploaded by jaymejolee.

ust minutes after posting and making this pair has already been sold! Im a proud mama :)
will be making similar ones soon!
www.theartleemakes.etsy.com

Color-featherful!

2007-05-07T23:02:00.001-04:00

feather earrings, originally uploaded by jaymejolee.

2007-05-07T23:00:00.001-04:00

feather earrings, originally uploaded by jaymejolee.
The Art Lee Makes
www.theartleemakes.com

2007-05-07T22:59:00.001-04:00

feather earrings, originally uploaded by jaymejolee.

another addition to my store.....feather, feather, feather!

The Art Lee Makes
www.theartleemakes.com

2007-05-06T02:23:00.000-04:00

Straight from Peru!

Here my newest additions to my jewelry store and line. Alpaca thread earrings!

I'll be adding different thread earrings of various shapes and designs soon. So look out for them at www.theartleemakes.etsy.com!

2007-05-03T04:31:00.000-04:00

Heres an article i found talking about an issue dear to me, social inequality in brazil. Very interesting, original article can be found here via . I have posted this article, not trying to criticize another persons culture or country just higlighting a reality in one mans country that may also exist in places we refuse to believe that it could exist.

The “Myth” of Racial Democracy in Brazil
Diego Toledo from São Paulo

Text sent to the group list Rede do 3° Setor in 11/18/2005
http://br.groups.yahoo.com/group/3setor

The United Nations has attacked the “myth” of racial democracy in Brazil. A report on human development in Brazil that the UN disclosed this Friday, gathering a series of social and economic indicators on the country, concluded that Afro-Brazilians as a group are at the bottom of the heap.

The report shows that inequality occurs in areas such as income, health and education. Besides this, the study makes comparisons to show that the situation has not changed in recent decades.

“The data only corroborate what the eyes of any observer can see: the higher up the hierarchies of power, the whiter Brazilian society becomes,” says the report from the United Nations Development Program (UNDP).

The study shows, for example, that the average monthly income Black Brazilians in 2000 was R$ 162.75, less than half the R$ 341.71 (in today’s values) Whites gained in 1980. Since then the gap between Blacks and Whites has hardly budged. The study states that 64.1% of poor Brazilians are Negroes and that the unemployment rate for Blacks was on average 23% higher than for Whites between 1992 and 2003.

The entity’s report says that Brazilian racial democracy is a myth” and supports a joint action of the government and society to fight racism in the country. The study adds that affirmative actions, including quotas, are necessary in Brazil because women, Blacks and indigenous peoples have been left “at a centuries-long disadvantage by Brazilian society.”

“Universal policies are and will always be indispensable. Treating the disadvantaged equally, however, can aggravate inequality instead of reducing it,” the report affirms.

Human development

The UNDP study uses the indicators to reveal another aspect of disparity between Whites and Blacks in Brazil. In 2002, Brazil was ranked in 73rd place in the UN’s Human Development Index (HDI). But the study calculates that if Whites and Blacks were divided into two countries, the ranking between them would be 61 positions.

The report says ‘White Brazil’ would be in 44th place in the ranking, alongside countries like Costa Rica and ahead of Croatia, for example. In contrast, ‘Black Brazil’, with the same index as would be in 105th place, with the same index as El Salvador and behind countries such as Paraguay.

The study also affirms that the racial inequalities combine with regional ones. A group formed only of Whites from the Southeast would rank 37th, with an index similar to Poland’s, while one of Northeastern Blacks would be in 115th place, indicating living conditions similar to Bolivia’s.

2007-05-03T00:37:00.000-04:00

Really cool video of a Movie called Carnaval Blues check it out!
Namibia Brazil

2007-05-02T20:30:00.000-04:00

Public Display of Affection
and I just dont care, I love it!

Today's the first time i"m getting to see this video......John Legend "PDA (We Just Dont Care)" and i love it. Of course i love it because it was shot in brazil and i can sit and say "ive been there, thats Lapa!" as if anyone listening truly cares. But i also love it because its romantic, shot really well and John Legend can truly sing. Just hit play!

2007-05-02T08:58:00.000-04:00

I am Jackson Pollack day!
Heres a really cool site where you can be Jackson pollack for a minute creating your own master peice using your mouse. I call this piece "spring"...

and this one "flowering through" like it? I know i have too much time on my hands but check out the site http://www.jacksonpollock.org

2007-04-29T23:30:00.000-04:00

LAZY BLOGGER SYNDROME
I know i have been a bit lazy at my post recently, just posting pics and slides and other cool things i find on the web. But as soon as i find a job, (yup, im job hunting to pay my student loans and further fund my many ambitions) i will definitely post my life blogs. but check this out my meter on flickr.

2007-04-28T21:49:00.000-04:00

2007-04-14T08:28:00.001-04:00

Read my VisualDNA™ Get your own VisualDNA™

2007-04-05T22:53:00.000-04:00

My mini- moo cards!
Here are my labels and cards placed in each package of jewelry bought.

2007-04-05T20:43:00.000-04:00

SOLD

Just opened my shop and items are selling and orders are coming in. Thanks everyone !

2007-03-25T02:38:00.000-04:00

All I want for Christmas (If only X-mas was in March)

All I want for Christmas is a lot of stuff but my list begins as it always does with a camera.
How many cameras do you have Lesa? Eight but I want 2 more, besides the eight cameras I do have are either old, don't work or have specific purposes, e.g my Polaroid and video camera.

The camera I want although its quite expensive and I'm sure I wont get it for now is the Canon EOS-1D Mark III. Its was announced in Feb of this year , its not in the stores yet and I'm almost certain that it will cost more than$5000. I'm not a professional photographer so theres no way I'm going to buy a camera that expensive. The second camera on my list is not a digital camera at all but its so much fun! How do I know? Its a lomo and all Lomos are fun. I would like to have specifically the LOMO LC-A +. Price starts at $250 for the standard package up to $650 for the elite. I want the elite!

"Dear Santa so far i have been a really good girl this year can i get a lomo for x-mas? I want one damn it!"

I have been a member of lomography international for over a year, taking pics with my little pathetic fisheye camera, yet I have always had my eyes on buying a bigger better lomo cam and Im sure this will be the one!
Look at these pics (taken from the site), photoshop didn't touch these babies. Its purely the trick of the LC-A +

For Camera details click here!

2007-03-22T19:38:00.000-04:00

My etsy Store!!!

OK Folks Here we go my store is ready. Right now it only has a few beaded jewelry, but it will have more as soon as i take pictures and put the finishing touches on those that need them.

You can find the pieces that are ready to ship posted at
http://www.TheArtLeeMakes.etsy.com

Heres an example of a chain I made. All my supplies are bought in Brazil, making them somewhat rare here in the USA. I hope you will like my work!

2007-02-12T03:09:00.000-05:00

Cidade Maravilhosa! Coracao do meu Brasil!

If you ever go to Rio, go during Carnaval season, when its winter in America and summer in Brazil, and heres what you have to do!

Start your day of early like I did and go to Corcovado Mountain where Cristo Redentor (Christ the Redeemer) stands.

To get to the top of the mountain, take the Corcovado train, its a bit expensive, but theres a surprise that awaits.

Brazilian musicians enter half-way up the mountain playing Samba (Pagode)! What can i say? When they came on the train i declared my undying love for Brazil. It made the cost of the train all worth it. To hear the rich and unique sound of the banjo, rebolo, cuica, pandeiro and ganza playing together, not on a CD in cold Hartford, but live going up a mountain in Rio. It was one of the highlights of the day!

( Check out the sounds of these instruments here http://www.melsamba.com/sounds.htm )

When you meet Christ, it will be a wonderful experience. His arms are always out stretched, therefore you are always welcome. What a Magnificent structure!

After viewing the city from the mountain top, and resting at Christ's feet, head back down the mountain and on over to Lapa. Its time for another adventure, another ride!

Go to Santa Teresa, by tram, and stay for most of the day exploring the streets, taking pictures, admiring the architecture, eating at any of the restaurants there. Also make time to shop! The best store for "Arte Popular e artesanatos" (brasilian art and souveneirs), is La Vereda -Artes e Semelhantes. It carry high quality peices you'll find selling in Ipanema, and Copacabana, but for way less. A Wonderful store. (I which they had a website!)

Next and final stop for the day the Sambadrome. Heres a good tip! If you stop by early in the morning you'll be able to find out the times when the samba schools are going to practice there the same day and attend for free.

For free you can sit in the stands like i did, actually you wont want to sit, you'll be dancing and singing along with the brazilians surrounding you (there are song cards provided for people to sing along).

After doing all this, i cant imagine doing one more thing for the day. Between the sun, walking, and if you were adventurous enough and took the jets they call buses in Rio, you will be beat. Beat but satisfied for spending well filled day experiencing life and culture in Rio de Janeiro!

2006-08-19T10:00:00.000-04:00

I love Free music !!!
I love listening to music, especially Jamaican, African and Brazilian. Today I want to share with you some samba....... heres the link:
http://www.pandora.com/?sc=sh147145025523439496
There's something about this music that hypnotizes me, transports me and embraces me. It makes me wish I could sing and play at least the guitar.

2006-08-07T12:15:00.000-04:00

OH, I think a change is coming, a yearning to be more, a yearning for more. Those are the reasons behind this, my blog. To be more productive than I have been, (the words of a workaholic that doesn't know when to quit) more successful, more outgoing, and involved. Welcome to my first post.

To those that dont know me I'm an artist.....I work mainly in graphic design, web design, filmmaking, motion graphics, photography, and printmaking. My portfolio site will be coming soon. Now click on this links to see some of my photographs: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jaymejolee/