Many people think that all artists care about is selling their work, well DON'T BELIEVE THE HYPE! There are plenty of artists who use their gifts not only to make a profit, but to truly impact the lives of people. I'm very blessed and fortunate to know such artists and had the opportunity to "chat" with them on a one on one basis.

Name: Dalhia Patrice Perryman
Hometown: Currently in West Palm Beach, Florida
Art Form(s): Visual Artist, Poet, Jewelry, Dance

Maevatheartist: I know you've been to the site , what did you think of it?
Dalhia0308: I thought it was phenomenal...it's very inspiring to see how other artists are impacting their piece of the planet.
Maevatheartist: Yes, I meet a plethora of artists on a day to day basis. Especially in the West Miramar and Pembroke Pines area. South Florida is full of talent. And what I've noticed is that a lot of the artists are really about something, something greater than just their art form.
Now I know you are involved in a lot of things, can you tell me what you've been up lately?
Dalhia0308: Its easier to say what I'm not involved in. I'm an American Red Cross Disaster Action Team member in training to aide people devastated by wildfires, house fires and hurricanes. I'm also a new case worker with the Red Cross helping to reunite Holocaust survivors with their families. In two weeks, I will begin my sixth year as a Susan G Komen for the Cure volunteer (a breast cancer foundation), and my first year as a member of their speaker's bureau.
Maevatheartist: Wow, how do you relate what you do with your art?
Dalhia0308: My art is how I express the causes I believe in. In my dance, my poetry and art I address pressing social issues, ie, racism, AIDS, domestic violence, genital mutilation, Darfur. Often people will receive your message easier when its disguised as art. Like the quote says "It takes a spoonful of sugar to make the medicine go down."
Maevatheartist: That is true. What is the main message you try to address in your work?
Dalhia0308: I guess the main point of my work is to inform people that there is a world out their larger than themselves and that they have not only the responsibility but also the power to positively affect change in that community, You don't have to be a King, Gandhi or Mandela to leave your mark on the world. We all can do SOMETHING!
Maevatheartist: Preach sistah, preach!
Maevatheartist: So who is your target audience? who are you speaking to?
Dalhia0308: Heck! My work as a whole is for whoever will listen but a lot of my work is aimed at young black girls. I want them to feel that they are queens...no matter what images the world slings at them!
Maevatheartist: why young black girls?
Dalhia0308: Because a few years ago, I WAS that little black girl that was told I was ugly, worthless, wouldn't amount to anything, would be pregnant before I finished high school. I not only beat those stereotypes, I destroyed them in my life! Now its my responsibility to let young ladies know they don't have to believe what is said. I've often heard it said 'it's not what they call you, it's what you answer to'
Maevatheartist: You remind me of someone else I interviewed who mentioned the same thing, do you think this is a big issue in the African American community?
Dalhia0308: Oh most definitely! Probably bigger than we like to admit to
Maevatheartist: What do you think needs to be done to address the issue and what kind of solutions would you suggest?
Dalhia0308: Like I said before everything doesn't have to be a worldwide campaign. If every older woman took one younger woman and imparted knowledge, they'd find that they have already impacted a whole community, because that young woman is a future, mother, wife, community member, worker, grandmother.... Think of how many lives you just reached through that one girl!
Maevatheartist: Were you that one girl? who impacted you with your art and social service?
Dalhia0308: Yes I was/am that girl. It takes a village....Different teachers provided, free art supplies, school supplies, dance leotards etc. The biggest person to impact my life however was a woman named Sandra Kay Papakostas. She was my gifted teacher in school. Her leading influenced my cancer and AIDS work, my art, writing, oratory, pageantry and the person I am today. She taught me my worth and told me my art was a catalyst 4 change. I owe her a lot and hope wherever she is that she is proud
Maevatheartist: So what is your latest art piece? Are you working on anything new?
Dalhia0308: I got a grant to provide artwork to organizations that empower women and young girls. I am doing a piece to be used as a fundraiser for an organization in Miami called Girl Power that works with at risk teen/middle school girls
Maevatheartist: Awesome, where can people view your work Dalhia?
Dalhia0308: A website is in the works for both my art and jewelry..so more to come on that. In the meantime, the next work on my calendar is not until the last week in February...the Lake Worth Street Painting Festival (Lake Worth, FL)
Maevatheartist: I'll definitely want to come then!
Dalhia0308: Please do, its free to the public
Maevatheartist: Thank you so much Dalhia for "chatting" with me today. I do wish you the best on all your future endeavors.

ARTIST: DJ SCOOBZ
AGE: 30
HOMETOWN: BOSTON , MASS
ART FORM: MAKING, MIXING MUSIC, TURNTABLISM (IF THATS A WORD LOL)
LINE OF WORK: DJ, PRODUCER, REMIXER, AUDIO ENGINEER, EVENT PLANING , PROMOTIONS, ARTIST DEVELOPMENT, MANAGEMENT, AND FOUNDER AND PRESIDENT OF PHATT TRAXX PRODUCTIONS

Maevatheartist: Would you consider yourself then an artist or an entrepreneur?
Djscoobz: both, i started as an artist and later became an entrepreneur
Maevatheartist: How long have you been mixing? Djscoobz: u kinda have to to both if you wanna make a living as an artist. u have to market urself. ive been mixing since 1992
Maevatheartist: What got you into mixing?
Djscoobz: just the love of music. as a kid i was was always recording tapes from the radio. i even recorded BET music videos on vhs. i gues i got hooked to the whole hip hop movement and its elements
Maevatheartist: What kind of projects are you working on now?
Djscoobz: workin on original music now. writing and producing( a big difference form just makin beats ,anyone can do that)
Maevatheartist: so you're working with artists now?
Djscoobz: i have a few djs w/ phatt traxx djs so im gettin them ready to shut it down. wanna put my own stuff out first. wanna put sum party records out there, sort of like fatman scoop did
Maevatheartist: So where can people here your mixes?
Djscoobz: on http://www.djscoobz.com . i got a few mixes on there now that u can download for free. and im workin on a mixtape now. probably be done late aug early september
Maevatheartist: Awesome, I'll definetely check it out. Now, every artist has a reason for doing their thing, why do you do what you do?
Djscoobz: well for one, i love it, two i like to entertain people and give them the time of there life, even if it is only for a nite. 3 i could be sick , depressed , stressed out , havin a bad day but when im behind my turntables it all goes away. it's sometimes a euphoric feeling. every thing gets better
Maevatheartist: I feel the same way about my writing. It takes me to another place. So how do you give back to the community?
Djscoobz: i participate in toy drives and clothes drive whenever i can. and i do alot relief work for Haiti through Wyclef. i have to use my big voice in the community to make people aware and help the less fortunate. i also participate in mentoring programs such as men of tomorrow.
Maevatheartist: If there was one cause that you would fight for with everything that you have, what would that be?
Djscoobz: getting Haiti to a country without as much poverty. more governmental structure and better education. there is no reason it should be in the state it's in now
Maevatheartist: Are you Haitian?
Djscoobz: a proud Haitian
Maevatheartist: that's what's up, so am I born in Port-au-Prince. Well , i'm glad to see that you are striving to make changes in the community.
Djscoobz: of course
Maevatheartist: What would you say to young people who are interested in becoming artists?
Djscoobz: stay focused. make sure u have the passion, master your art and be set apart from the rest. stick out or no will notice you.
Maevatheartist: That's what's up! Scoobz, it was a pleasure chatting with you. I do wish you the best on your up-coming projects, and I will check out your site http://www.djscoobz.com to get my FREE Download!
Djscoobz: thanx, anytime ma

South Florida is full of life, talent, and delicious food. Recently, I've been fortunate to get a taste of one of SF's emerging artist, Lavie. She actually came and shared one of her songs at the open-mic event that I host on Wednesday evenings, and the audience was screaming for more. So of course I had to get with her and find out some more about her music.
Maeva: Hey Lavie what's going on with you girl
laviemusic25: My face hurts. Lol. Took this tooth out
Maeva: your face hurts? wow...I'm sorry to hear that.
were you at the dentist?
laviemusic25: Yes. They took it out that's why I didn't speak this morning
Maeva: so listen, on my website, http://www.changeiscomingcampaign.com/
I list up-coming events and feature artists interviews
laviemusic25: Ok
Maeva: The way I do my interviews is through "chatting" like we are doing now
its nothing formal, very chill laid back be yourself
laviemusic25: Ok
Maeva: So you are actually the first artist that I'm interviewing for my blog, how does that make you feel Lavie?
laviemusic25: It's an honor. ;-)
Maeva: kewl, so tell me a little bit about yourself, what do you do?
laviemusic25: I'm 26. I've been saved for 8 years and still learning and pushing toward the mark. I am a vocalist for Christ. I sing gospel music only. I feel like God gave me my voice so I will return it to him. For him to get the glory
Maeva: so what makes you different from other gospel vocalists?
laviemusic25: The thing that makes me different is that I can cross over into all styles of music and still sound like me. I am who I am.
Maeva: So how would you describe your style of music?
laviemusic25: I would say that it's life music. Music that deals with life.
Maeva: music that deals with life? girl you're only 26, what you been dealing with???
laviemusic25: Well....I was married at 18 and had my daughter and divorced at 21. I had to grow up quickly and I saw a lot of things at a early age with my ex-husband and as a young girl drugs and abuse was very real to me.
Maeva: dang, married, divorce, a kid...you had your hands full. So if you don't mind me asking, what kind of drugs did you use?
laviemusic25: Cigarettes, black and mild and marijuana. As I got older I went to liquor.
Maeva: Do you still smoke?
laviemusic25: No. I stopped
Maeva: drinking too ;-)
laviemusic25: I have drinks but I don't over do it.
Maeva: Ok, I know i'm getting all up in your business, but for real, what's really good with you? I heard you had an album release at the Hard Rock, tell me about that.
laviemusic25: It was awesome. It was a total success. Cd sales weren't great but the turn out was awesome.
Maeva: what's the name of your cd?
laviemusic25: Life music
Maeva: nice...so how many tracks are on it?
laviemusic25: Eleven. There is a bonus track that is not listed.
Maeva: ooh I love bonus tracks. So where can people find your cd?
laviemusic25: If they want it mailed to them my website. http://www.laviemusic.com/ or just email me and I will meet up with them. Working on getting distribution
Maeva: cool, so what's next for you now?
laviemusic25: Get the word out. Wait for what does next
Maeva: That's whats up, thanks for taking the time out to chat with me. I have one last question for you. If you had one thing to say to the entire world, what would that be?
laviemusic25: Jesus is real.
Maeva: Thank you Lavie for being my first guest artist on the Change is Coming blog, I do wish you the best on your distribution deal and Life Music.
Do you girl!
laviemusic25: Thank you for having me.
Maeva: And spread the word about the blog, let your fans know who you been talking to.
Peace
laviemusic25: Will do. :-)

THE ART BUZZ IN WEST MIRAMAR!
TUESDAY JULY 28TH, 2009 from 7p-8:30pm
EYEMAX OPTICAL, INC
12715 Miramar Parkway
Miramar, FL 33027 US


Free networking event between artists and entrepreneurs
Performances from emerging local artists
Light refreshments provided
Complimentary sunglasses to the first 20 people
B.Y.O.B ( Bring your own business card)
YOUR PASS IS YOUR BUSINESS CARD!
Brought to you by Maevatheartist.com and Nola Arts.
Sponsored by Eye Max Optical, Inc.

It's been a long time coming, but I finally published my very first poetry book. I'm quite excited about it because it's basically a retrospect of my journey through life and faith. I really hope that people are touched and inspired to go out and pursue their dreams after reading my book.

It's currently available for purchase through my online store and soon it will be available on Amazon, Barnes & Nobles, and other major online book retailers.

Portion of the proceeds will benefit youth programs and Haitian Relief Efforts. I would truly appreciate your support in making a change in today's world.

Also please stay tuned for further information on the "Change is Coming: A Call to Action Tour"

-Maeva

In efforts to help end world hunger and poverty, Haitian born poet, Maeva “The Artist” Renaud has joined forces with organizations like Arts of Color Worship Arts Institute, Inc., ONE , Center for Education, Training & Holistic Approaches, Inc. (CETHA) and Shalom International Ministries to put on a

“Change is Coming: Call to Action Campaign”.

The purpose of the tour is to help raise awareness about extreme poverty around the world and call attention to the unfortunate situations happening in one of the poorest countries in the western hemisphere, Haiti.

The objective is to encourage the body of Christ nationwide to get involved in humanitarian efforts and raise funds for an orphanage in Cap Haitian and the building of water wells in Tricon, Haiti.