THE CREATIVE PROCESS DURING THE ARTS QUARTER

March 10, 2025 / William Burrell Philpot IV

PAINT & CANVAS

Everyone has a particular way of facilitating their creative process to initiate and complete creative works. Us—well as we’re all individuals still—our process includes ideas, concepts and communication. We strive to introduce and develop projects collaboratively usually selecting specific individuals to head up those specific projects. Once we’ve delegated and handed off a project, we just let things be until things come to a natural conclusion.

As we operate with Yearly Themes, Creative Quarters and Weekly Agendas, the effort is to make all activities cohesive, consistent and relative. Proposing ideas and developing them within the RED BOOK process is fundamental. As everything we seek to produce and act within caters to Communities of Color, Ethnicity and Culture, some projects go thru a unique selection and development regimen while others are just picked up on with expediency.

Because we work privately and independent of other groups and organizations, we’ve become used to being within our own lane and to a degree that’s where and what we prefer. We now though—in this year of profound change social-economically—see the necessity to start gaining broader perspectives and engage different discussions about what Art is and it’s overall impact today and into the future.

From idea and concept to something tangible, we now not only rely on perspectives such as spirituality and intentional message direction to inform and guide us but we’re striving to include the experiences and perspectives of others.

Thinking on how to get things done of leads to stagnation and even hesitation. We strive to move boldly and decisively with an unrelenting ambition to just create. Utilizing our Custom Color Palettes and Codes, we’re making tremendous efforts to stay true to our core beliefs and messages of “Intelligence. Ethnicity. Innovation.” Sometimes hard to do, we make it happen.

Within this Arts Quarter, we’ve engaged ideas to not only develop works but to also delve deep into the identity of Liam Ian and LIAM IAN LLC™. From sketch to illustration to painting, we’ve managed to adhere to our messages and signature aesthetics to be further engaged by our audiences, clients and potential customers.

CONSIDERING THE BLACK AND BROWN

With a belief in Black and Brown Culture, we signify most of our works and creations around the elements that bore and established greatness within those people and their origins beginning African Americans and the associated Black and Brown Communities of the United States of America. We understand and see not only the ongoing potential of our people but the nuances that have defined our successes and our failures and this is included within our works everyday. There is a wealth and deprivation that exist and work within that culture coninuously. This informs our intention to create works steeped within abstraction rather than the blatant obvious. Messages and images and representations of individuals as to further employ the ongoing priority of the individual as the individual and collective identities have been diminished and distorted have become the major conscious or subconscious theme and style for many. We however like to draw upon elements that reside before, parallel and after the physical understanding. Abstraction is spiritual for us therefore it plays the most major role in design and composition.

Whether sketch or illustration or paint or digital, we assign purpose and meaning thru the process of writing, conversation and collaboration. Planning and resource allocation are also essential but we make it our task to fully understand what it is we’re trying to do thru what we’re trying to say.

We use colors like Bronzes, Silvers, Golds, Tans, Browns and Blacks (this year) within our compositions symbolizing and representing the depth of true value and worth of People of Color worldwide. As “Change. Art. Social Justice” stand at the forefront as our theme this year, we’re guided by our lead project being “Black Brilliance”; a TLP (Through-Line Project) established to review and share the importance of Black and Brown People to developing the past, present and future of society and the world.

Because we’re preparing to depart this Arts Quarter into Design and Digital work, we’re striving to answer the call of society and our communities to help reinforce that which is so desperately needed in the midst of change we’re seeing and experiencing; revelation, appreciation, celebration and confidence. Our creative process may seem complex—if not confusing at the least—but this is what makes us who we are. We are . . . LIAM IAN™.

CONNECTED: THE CREATIVE PROCESS DURING THE ARTS QUARTER

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LIAM IAN™ COLOR CODES

March 03, 2025 / William Burrell Philpot IV

FROM ART TO DESIGN TO PHOTOGRAPHY AND VIDEOGRAPHY.

Operating within THE ARTS QUARTER we’re developing Artistic projects that allow us to continue our exploration for not only Art and our capacity for it but also the depths of what makes us Artists within our own rights. Unique to our brand identity, we’re sharing the color palettes and schemes that further define who we are and what we use to communicate what we’re all about. Our messages are steeped in bold rich colors in conjunction with those that imply wealth, worth, principle and value for all that we strive to operate with. Colors that signify the place and importance of People of Color resonating with those Black and Brown Communities that share collectively shared experiences.

Thru the works we create we want to ensure the potency and truth of our artistry and creative communication. Whether internal propriety works or those commissioned, at the end of the day we’re committed to staying true.

CONNECTED: LIAM IAN™ COLOR CODES

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categories / 2025 ARTS QUARTER, ARTS QUARTER, CREATIVE PROCESS, THE ARTS QUARTER
tags / LIAM IAN™ COLOR CODES, LIAM IAN™ COLOR PALETTE, LIAM IAN™ CUSTOM COLORS, LIAM IAN™ CUSTOM COLOR PALETTE

A DISCUSSION OF ART.

March 03, 2025 / William Burrell Philpot IV

WHERE WE ARE. WHAT WE ARE.

In thinking on a passion for Art, I’m thinking on a passion—the passion—for expression. Expression is heavily dependent on identity just as much as creativity. What we identify ourselves as is just as important as what we identify ourselves with. There is not and cannot be any other distinction.

In this moment where things have winded down a bit, I’ve come to understand that identity is just as fluid as time itself. It can change with the wind where one moment is not and will never be like the ones before. With this knowledge—this very quiet knowledge—is then the wisdom to adapt and change ourselves. This is the true capacity of our power; to remove ourselves from our relative situations as to not become a product of them but to master them by mastering ourselves. Discipline and patience and temperance are akin to the kind of Fortitude one must need…but that fortitude is not standing as a rock or a pillar against the wind, it is to become unburdened and as light as a feather to move with the wind.

Water stays water whether its Frozen, liquid, or even hot up to the point where it might evaporate into the air only to become a part of everything else or condense enough to reappear as water again.

We stay motivated to created because of that surrounds us. We are products of the past leading up to the present full of hopes and dreams of what should come tomorrow. Coming out of and a lasting aspect of the 80’s, 90’s and 2000’s, we’re forever appreciative and acknowledge the importance of what informed and influenced us. Civil Rights, Hip Hop, Neo-Soul and R&B, Positive Black and Brown Images within media that reinforced principles and values to making things better for us all, we believe we got the best out of humanity. Because of that, we have the potential to being the best of humanity.

It’s not just about positive media of and about Black and Brown people, it also includes those of many races and classes and cultures around the world that stood to fight for Equality and Equity—Justice and Fairness. The Art that would inform the potential for a greater and innovative future came from many directions. Artists like Jean-Michael Basquiat, Nikki Giovanni, Cornel West, Erykah Badu, Dave Chappelle and James Baldwin have helped to shape a view and paradigm of the world encouraging all people to find purpose and meaning within their humanities. Families and friends. Inclusive work environments and those social scenes that welcomed and valued different perspectives on style, music, history and life. We live our lives within a richness that could never be denied. Diminished and distorted perhaps but never denied.

While commercialization has leveraged the use of ideas and concepts that do not always add to the progressive and innovative development of communities, we understand the importance of a place and space for people to grow and excel freely. We want to be or at least encourage places and spaces like that.

*I personally experienced the hood. I was, am still and will forever be a product of the dysfunction. I was born within the hood; the urban or urban-suburban economically and socially disadvantaged and challenged areas of Washington, DC. Southeast DC. I grew up programmed with thoughts of misogyny and a perverse priority on materials justifying my worth and therefore identity. I grew up with anger and sadness often left under appreciated and valued. I grew up abandoned and abused and left to fend for myself after being dismissed as just another Black Man—Black Boy—that would never matter or develop into anything or anyone of true significance or value. Fatherless, having moved around almost twelve times before turning 21. I gained the perspective that I didn’t matter. My ideas didn’t matter. The Blessing is that I eventually learned and experienced different. My life matters. My ideas matter. My efforts and intentions. I matter. I matter therefore others matter. You matter.

While never attending such high-end institutions such as Duke Ellington School of the Arts, I managed to attend The Art Institute of Washington. I made efforts to do something with the talent of art and design while working and even hustling my own side “business”. Cultivating the skill and craft for drawing, painting and graphic design resulted in experiencing Photography. Mixed with modest entrepreneurship, I gained a respect for all that I had been afforded even those difficulties and obstacles experienced within my childhood. Drawing my focus on Art and its impact upon my life and development, I came to prioritize the perspective of purpose and meaning within our actions and how what we do and create within this world adds to the potential and possibilities for tomorrow.

As my Spirituality is and has been a core of all that I strive do and accomplish, I strive to maintain a spiritual significance to all that’s created personally and professionally. Whether alone or in conjunction and collaboration with others, the significance of the Black, African and African American Spirit, Identity and Experience remains the strongest foundation of my creative ambitions and intentions. Bold and rich yet subtle and sophisticated, all that I and we create within Art, Design, Photography, Videography and Business must resonate with the mantra that has been defined and refined by my ongoing spiritual significance; “Intelligence. Ethnicity. Innovation.”

I am and strive to always be encouraged by my flaws, failures, errors and mistakes, dysfunctions and disadvantages as much and as well as my talents, gifts, skills, opportunities, successes, and advantages. Thru everything we operate within, we aspire, encourage and inspire for positive Change.

CONNECTED: A DISCUSSION OF ART

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categories / ARTS QUARTER, 2025 ARTS QUARTER
tags / A Discussion Of Art, Art, Thoughts on Art

ARTISTIC FUSION!

March 02, 2025 / William Burrell Philpot IV

Week 10: Artistic Fusion—Blending Media & Styles (Mar 1 - Mar 7)

• Focus: Mixed media, digital + traditional fusion, combining past works into new compositions.

• Challenge: Merge two past works (e.g., an ink drawing with a digital painting overlay).

• Marketing Angle: Share the layered process and encourage others to remix their own work.

As we march on into March, our effort is to further our activities within and beyond Paint and Canvas Artwork. This week—the first full week of March and the last month of our ARTS QUARTER—we’ll be starting the process of incorporating different media types to make one piece. Where last week we covered how our environments can shape modes and moods, now we’ll be looking at fusion to bring order and beauty to the confusion cementing in reality the ideas and even illusions.

Whether sketched, illustrated or painted, sometimes the most profound aspect of a scene isn’t just the environment but also the very cool mixing of media and media structures that inform and influence us everyday. As we add more of the different aspects of life their relative very different dimensions, we create new masterpieces representing more than we sometimes we could ever imagine.

LOOKING FOR NEW RELATIONSHIPS!

As we continue to develop newer and newer projects, we’re also looking to collaborate and partner with those that excel within those same fields.

If you are a Visual Artist (Sketch Artist, Illustrator, Painter, Sculptor, etc.) who is EXCITED to share their work, we’d love to network and collaborate with you!

We’re looking for other creators within the local North Bethesda, MD (and surrounding Washington, DC areas) for Artists, Designers, Photographers and other Creatives to build and commune with. As LIAM IAN™ symbolizes growth and change for one man of Color, Ethnicity and Culture, we want to features those who symbolize and embody that as well.

Contact us TODAY for more information!

ABSTRACT PAINTING

While there are many forms and styles to painting and creating visual art thru paint to canvas, the one that has always impacted me the most is that of Abstract Painting. Where it leaves one to wonder and interpret, Abstract Painting is for me a form that encourages one to see beyond the surface. It entices and teases the imagination. It allows one to break free from the normal understanding and conventions of things needing to be defined and readily understood as to conform to structure and order. Abstract Painting and Art allows a way for new trains of thoughts and ideas. I’ve chosen this form for our projects as not only to assist in the time constraints but also to lead room and freedom to use those visual concepts and ideas for “Through-Line” Projects. —Liam Ian

LIAM IAN - Ai (@Liam.Ian.LLC_Ai)

While we’re active within our Creative Quarter, we’re still using our resources to develop additional types of Art. Ai Art is category we like to play around in generally in also developing products and assets to implement services. We’re creating prompts to develop Creative Quarter and Category assets; this week will be about Painting and Dynamic Colors. Infusing our Custom Color Palette with messages for this Black History Month and other relative activities, we’re striving to bring more and more to add to what we do and offer.

CONNECTED: PORTRAIT MASTERY & EXPRESSION - WEEK 08

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categories / 2025, ARTS QUARTER, THE ARTS QUARTER
tags / THE ARTS QUARTER, The 2025 Arts Quarter, Week 10

ENVIRONMENTAL STORYTELLING

March 01, 2025 / William Burrell Philpot IV

Week 9: Environmental Storytelling (Feb 23 - Feb 29)

• Focus: Backgrounds, landscapes, and environment integration in artwork.

• Challenge: Create an atmospheric scene that tells a story without characters.

• Marketing Angle: Post “before and after” progress of a background alone vs. with a character added.

Our effort is to further our activities in Paint and Canvas Paint Artwork. This week we’ll be on how our environments can shape modes and moods. Whether sketched, illustrated or painted, sometimes the most profound aspect of a scene is in the environment. The setting. The surroundings. The backgrounds that are also the foreground shaping us and the subjects to really conform to becoming a part of the canvas and tapestry.

ABSTRACT PAINTING

While there are many forms and styles to painting and creating visual art thru paint to canvas, the one that has always impacted me the most is that of Abstract Painting. Where it leaves one to wonder and interpret, Abstract Painting is for me a form that encourages one to see beyond the surface. It entices and teases the imagination. It allows one to break free from the normal understanding and conventions of things needing to be defined and readily understood as to conform to structure and order. Abstract Painting and Art allows a way for new trains of thoughts and ideas. I’ve chosen this form for our projects as not only to assist in the time constraints but also to lead room and freedom to use those visual concepts and ideas for “Through-Line” Projects. —Liam Ian

LIAM IAN - Ai (@Liam.Ian.LLC_Ai)

While we’re active within our Creative Quarter, we’re still using our resources to develop additional types of Art. Ai Art is category we like to play around in generally in also developing products and assets to implement services. We’re creating prompts to develop Creative Quarter and Category assets; this week will be about Painting and Dynamic Colors. Infusing our Custom Color Palette with messages for this Black History Month and other relative activities, we’re striving to bring more and more to add to what we do and offer.

CONNECTED: PORTRAIT MASTERY & EXPRESSION - WEEK 08

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categories / 2025, ARTS QUARTER, THE ARTS QUARTER
tags / THE ARTS QUARTER, The 2025 Arts Quarter, Week 09

REVISITING IDEAS: DXPESHYT!

February 22, 2025 / William Burrell Philpot IV

THERE’S A LOT THAT HAS AND CONTINUES TO INFORM AND INSPIRE WHO AND WHAT WE ARE.

WHERE JUST BEING REAL.

As a business operation, we’re striving to streamline and adhere to the ethics and ideas of doing good business. As a business based within the arts, we want greater to adhere to the TRUTH of who we are. For the Black and Brown—African American and Latino Communities, we want to stay true and be our authentic selves because this is the communities we truly want to serve and represent.

As we propose, develop and explore ideas and concepts for Art, Design and Photography projects, this is what influences if not inspire those ideas.

LIAM IAN™ / LIAM IAN LLC™

*We do not own the above imagery. WE support and post them for educational purposed to inform. We are encouraged, informed and inspired by them for the communities and cultures we serve. Please contact us for Source and Ownership information and for removal requests where applicable.

**As an Artist and Creative born of this modern world, my vision, mission and intentions are continuously informed by those things that have made me. Let’s face it, not all of those things are necessarily for the kids. I grew up raw. I grew up disadvantaged. I grew up and out of the hood. A love for Jazz, Hip-Hop, Rap. A love for the functional dysfunctional. Black Women. Fast Cars. Nice Clothes. As I’ve always aspired to do and become better and better…I’ve never forgotten where I’m from. I’ve never forgotten who I am and what I’m all about. While I’ve grown to have become a person and version of me, I’m still me at the core. —Liam Ian

CONNECTED: REVISITING IDEAS: DXPESHYT!

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categories / INFLUENCES, INTERESTS, INSPIRATION, ENCOURAGEMENT, IMPACT
tags / DXPESHYT, Social Media, Social Media Influences, Influences, Reviews, Review

"BLACK BRILLIANCE"

February 21, 2025 / William Burrell Philpot IV

A Through-Line Project (TLP). This is a long-term project developed to be enacted in all creative and operational categories.

We use Ai Art Generators to help us fully understand and flesh-out our ideas, concepts and visions. While those ideas and concepts can be easily brought into fruition, we feel there’s greater depth, purpose and meaning within creative projects that span more than one category…especially when Ai inclusion is avoided and omitted. Our Through-Line Projects (TLP) assist in developing further custom IP and associated projects throughout the year.

For this project as a TLP, we’ll be featuring the different creative processes and phases as this project moves throughout our creative quarters and categories.

CONNECTED: "BLACK BRILLIANCE"

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categories / RED BOOK, PROJECTS
tags / Red Book, Red Book Projects, RED BOOK, Red Book Files

LIAM IAN-Ai™

February 20, 2025 / William Burrell Philpot IV

WHAT’S BEST IN USING Ai IN YOUR ARTISTIC PROJECTS? FOR US IT’S ABOUT MORE THAN AN END RESULT.

As we move forward in providing select creative services to our clients and audiences, we’re active in engaging and incorporating Ai into our operations. Everything from the cultivation and review of ideas to the assistance of end-result possibilities and byproduct opportunities, we’re engaging it all.

While we continue to strive for a unique and individual brand identity, we’re furthering our focus on our local communities and those dedicated or legacy customers and clients that have enjoyed the services and products we provide.

As we create, we’ve come to a determination about Ai that helps to streamline operations while also adding to the creative process. Operating within four different *Quarters, we must be able to keep focus while transitioning into various creative mindsets to further cultivate projects, services, products and other associated opportunities. We believe the following about how, where and when to use Ai:

Idea & Concept Development: Many ideas come to us. We go thru a process of pitching and discussing new ideas and concepts that fall into either Art, Design or Photography but there are moments where none of us can fully articulate or gain the scope of a project. The financial and resource cost including the overall societal demand and general impact of such projects. Ai has been used to develop conversations to flesh out the details of an idea and how to get to the desired goal with reduced cost or stress.
Idea & Concept Visualization: Again—within a crucial part of the creative process—rather than using Ai and Ai Art as an end-result or product, we’re striving to allow what can be produced by Ai to inform and influence the artistic direction. We want to keep up with where this technology excels and what this technology can do but we strive to retain our creative prowess and skill in order to perform and perform to and beyond expectation. This truly is where Ai is most effective to us.
Generation of Assets: Especially in the realm of Design, we’re fully engaged in using different ingredients and elements to develop works effectively and communicate messages as efficiently as possible. In doing large client projects that require more than one product or type of work, we use Ai to further align the creative vision across elements and assets and even mediums.
Industry Research and Market Analysis: While this is not that much of a daunting task for us, it can become a timely one in order to plan, align and re-align a project or even the business appropriately and accordingly. Ai has proven its worth in further understanding paradigms and trends of various audiences, communities, markets and potential clients.

All in all, we’re a small business looking for every reasonable advantage to progress and excel. Operating in different creative and operational categories requires much of us to not only enact services, act within our communities and develop products but to also ease the pressure to operate effectively. With data needing to reviewed, ideas needing to be researched and vetted, and client/customer relationships requiring effective management protocols, Ai has become quite an exceptional tool and aspect of everyday life.

PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT

Ai Art Generators are in use for some projects with archiving of prompts and settings to achieve desired results. In serving clients thru Ai Art Generators, we ensure our clients understand the origin of prompts and those platforms or engines used. With several out there, we have a preference for Midjourney and Leonardo.Ai. We go thru a process of compare and contrast to review not only quality of imagery but an adherence to the general vision and scope of the project at hand.

CONNECTED: LIAM IAN-Ai™

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categories / Ai ART, LIAM IAN - Ai
tags / Ai, Ai Integration, Ai Art, Ai Business Integration

PORTRAIT MASTERY & EXPRESSION

February 19, 2025 / William Burrell Philpot IV

Week 08: Portrait Mastery & Expression (Feb 16 - Feb 22)

Focus: Facial anatomy, stylized vs. realistic portraiture, expressive brushwork.
Challenge: Paint or illustrate the same face with three different emotions (joy, anger, sadness).
Marketing Angle: Post progress shots and invite engagement with: “Which version tells the strongest story?”

Our effort is to further our activities in Paint and Canvas Paint Artwork. This week we’ll be looking at the significance and depth of Facial Features as the human face is one of the most influential and impact organic forms within art. Not disregarding the place of Color and how color affects the mood, this propels us into a phase where how we interpret the world thru color further encourages use thru, within and about people. As this well transitions between our categories of Art, Design and Photography, we’re using the discussions of Paint, Color and the variations and differences of the human face to better illustrate how we’re often affected within our everyday lives and how that communication can influence perspectives and paradigms as well as moods, dispositions and attitudes.

ABSTRACT PAINTING

While there are many forms and styles to painting and creating visual art thru paint to canvas, the one that has always impacted me the most is that of Abstract Painting. Where it leaves one to wonder and interpret, Abstract Painting is for me a form that encourages one to see beyond the surface. It entices and teases the imagination. It allows one to break free from the normal understanding and conventions of things needing to be defined and readily understood as to conform to structure and order. Abstract Painting and Art allows a way for new trains of thoughts and ideas. I’ve chosen this form for our projects as not only to assist in the time constraints but also to lead room and freedom to use those visual concepts and ideas for “Through-Line” Projects. —Liam Ian

LIAM IAN - Ai (@Liam.Ian.LLC_Ai)

While we’re active within our Creative Quarter, we’re still using our resources to develop additional types of Art. Ai Art is category we like to play around in generally in also developing products and assets to implement services. We’re creating prompts to develop Creative Quarter and Category assets; this week will be about Painting and Dynamic Colors. Infusing our Custom Color Palette with messages for this Black History Month and other relative activities, we’re striving to bring more and more to add to what we do and offer.

CONNECTED: PORTRAIT MASTERY & EXPRESSION - WEEK 08

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categories / 2025, ARTS QUARTER, THE ARTS QUARTER
tags / THE ARTS QUARTER, The 2025 Arts Quarter, Week 08

COLOR MASTERY & MOOD CREATION

February 10, 2025 / William Burrell Philpot IV

Week 07: Color Mastery & Mood Creation (Feb 9 - Feb 15)

Focus: Advanced color theory, emotion through color, and dynamic palettes.
Challenge: Take an old black-and-white sketch and color it using a non-traditional palette (e.g., a cold, eerie blue scene instead of a warm one).
Marketing Angle: Post side-by-side color variations of an artwork and ask followers which one feels more emotional.

Our effort is to further our activities in Paint and Canvas Paint Artwork. This week we’ll be looking at the significance of Color and how color affects the mood. As this well transitions between our categories of Art, Design and Photography, we’re using the discussions of Paint and Color to better illustrate how they affect communication and influence moods, dispositions and attitudes.

ABSTRACT PAINTING

While there are many forms and styles to painting and creating visual art thru paint to canvas, the one that has always impacted me the most is that of Abstract Painting. Where it leaves one to wonder and interpret, Abstract Painting is for me a form that encourages one to see beyond the surface. It entices and teases the imagination. It allows one to break free from the normal understanding and conventions of things needing to be defined and readily understood as to conform to structure and order. Abstract Painting and Art allows a way for new trains of thoughts and ideas. I’ve chosen this form for our projects as not only to assist in the time constraints but also to lead room and freedom to use those visual concepts and ideas for “Through-Line” Projects. —Liam Ian

LIAM IAN - Ai (@Liam.Ian.LLC_Ai)

While we’re active within our Creative Quarter, we’re still using our resources to develop additional types of Art. Ai Art is category we like to play around in generally in also developing products and assets to implement services. We’re creating prompts to develop Creative Quarter and Category assets; this week will be about Painting and Dynamic Colors. Infusing our Custom Color Palette with messages for this Black History Month and other relative activities, we’re striving to bring more and more to add to what we do and offer.

CONNECTED: COLOR MASTERY & MOOD CREATION - WEEK 07

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categories / 2025, ARTS QUARTER, THE ARTS QUARTER
tags / Week 07, THE ARTS QUARTER, The 2025 Arts Quarter

WRITING & JOURNALING

February 08, 2025 / William Burrell Philpot IV

The fact is that we encourage and believe in the power of Writing and Journaling. While some kinds of creativity can be spontaneous and easily captured in a moment, there are those times and moments where creativity can become stagnant and even paralyzing. As we strive to introduce FOCUS themes to keep and engage creativity, we’ve proposed and therefore are introducing a personal Self-Help, Encouragement and Inspiration system. We want to help people maintain and enhance themselves within the things that are going on today.

As the purpose behind what we do is to display the Creativity consistent with Intelligence, Ethnicity and Innovation parallel to a focus on People of Color, Ethnicity and Culture, the messages surround Ethnicity. Our goal is to further the drive, agenda and intention to use the Arts to Inform, Influence and Impact the Future and potential of prosperity for People of Color around the world. This of course begins with efforts to impact African Americans and the associated and relative supportive surrounding communities. Whether thru developing content and media or custom IP and products or implementing *Services to those who share our interest and passion, we’re committed to standing out by doing things with thoughtfulness, care and patience. Analysis and research. Planning and documentation, we strive to ensure depth as to add and encourage value and significance.

NO FEAR. STAY UNAPOLOGETICALLY TRUE TO BEING YOU!

Truth be told…I’m a complex man—a sophisticated man. I’m a man of creativity. I’m informed and influenced by many things as we all are. Not sure by what measure when compared to others but many things have led to the beautiful great and grand complexity of creativity that have become me. Whether by magazines, automotive, wall art social media, conversations or play time with my daughter, I’m informed to stay creative. In staying true, there are many other places you’ll find me doing appropriate and perhaps inappropriate things at a moments notice. In not muting or diminishing all that I am, one place I love to be is TUMBLR! Yes! You can find me there! Here’s to staying Creative!

CONNECTED: WRITING & JOURNALING

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categories / ARTS QUARTER, COACHING & CONSULTING
tags / LIAM IAN, Writing & Journaling, Writing, Journaling, Creativity

BLACK HISTORY MONTH STILL IS . . . BECAUSE IT JUST IS!

February 01, 2025 / William Burrell Philpot IV

BLACK HISTORY IS HISTORY. BLACK HISTORY IS EVERYDAY!

It can’t be replaced and can never—will never—be denied. Happy February! It doesn’t need to be Black History Month. Black History is ALL the time!

Even though we don’t need a month because Black History is ALL the time! Black History is happening ALL THE TIME!!!

Perhaps we need to move past what was though. Thanks to the clumsy and callous, evil and underhanded behaviors of some, perhaps it’s time for US to expand upon what was to make it even greater! Change—Change for the better—sometimes happens out of chaos and destruction. Perhaps to rebuild and rebuild better!

BECAUSE BLACK HISTORY IS ALL THE TIME…

…we’re making efforts to fill the voids by creating and sharing and appreciating Black Art. While it’s our belief and agenda to bring Black Art and Creativity to the forefront, it’s always a special case when we do these things during the Arts Quarter. As so much is under fire and being dismantled for the interests and intentions of others, we’re committed to not only investing in Black Art but sharing them with others. We want to further build and strengthen those Communities of Color that see oppression and repression especially as a response to all that needs to be addressed. We believe that thru chaos and destruction come greater and better things. Innovation has its roots in being resilient in the midst of trial and change.

Within the Arts Quarter we’ll be doing all that we can to not only create but to discover and shed light on those positioned to make an impression to enhance, innovate and strengthen the various communities that have added to the GREATNESS that has become the United States and those nations around the world.

HATE IS NOTHING. HATE IS NOTHING BUT FUEL FOR EVERYTHING THAT IS GOOD!

We encourage others to create. CREATE! Create and innovate. There’s opportunity in adversity. There’s power in change. There’s truth in persistence and resilience. There’s a Future in Hope and the act of doing for all that is truly good and right. Creating that which supports and reinforces is in the essence of Promise. We encourage Artists and Creatives to break beyond the barriers of engineered dysfunction, creative blocks and the distraction of issues to inform, educate, encourage, inspire and celebrate others. Peel back the curtains of lies and deception to further the cause of truth—forceful unrelenting truth. This is the time. This is most certainly the time!

Let nothing hold you back! Let nothing hold you back from adding to the tapestry of this world…because this world is ours! This world that is full of plentiful and ample wonder and treasure. Big enough for us all—this world is our home. It belongs to us all and not just one segment or group that wish to plunder and conquer. This world is ours and thru our creative genius and ability, we must take on the mantle of doing greater and greater things. We must be compelled to change because change is happening whether we like it or not. Let us change to implement change and not have “change” be set upon nor against us. Be beyond ‘Happy Black History Month” because Black History is still being written. The stories are still being experienced to be told.

*In honor of what they’re trying to erase, we share our thoughts for the Power and Spirit of Kiah Duggins, Incoming Howard Professor, Harvard Law School Graduate and Civil Rights Lawyer who was killed in the recent Potomac River plane crash. Prayers and Blessings to her family and friends and all those lives for whom she’s touched, improved and fought for—we honor you Kiah Duggins. May her memory and all that she accomplished fiercely encourage, inspire and empower us all.

CONNECTED: BLACK HISTORY MONTH STILL IS . . . BECAUSE IT JUST IS!

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categories / 2025, ENCOURAGEMENT, INSPIRATION, INTERESTS, JusTHOUGHTS, THOUGHTS
tags / Black History, Black History Month, BLACK, BLACK HISTORY, BLACK HISTORY MONTH, The Art of Black History

LIAM IAN'S THE CREATIVE COLORING BOOK

January 31, 2025 / William Burrell Philpot IV

Backed up on work and assignments with this project on hold for a few factors, we’re making the decision to self publish this book. Until we get to that point though, we’re publishing portions of the book here.

[LIAM IAN'S THE CREATIVE COLORING BOOK SAMPLE]

Like our custom “THE MOTIVATION BOOK”, this CREATIVE COLORING BOOK was inspired by many sources. As we’ve moved into what feels like a whole different phase of existence as People of Color in this modern day, we find there’s a need to prioritize remembering the messages of the past that have served to inform us about who we are and who ought to become. We believe in having a responsibility within society to making the future a better place and that starts with recognizing the responsibility we have to ourselves an how we treat and consider others today.

CREATIVITY MATTERS!

Out of our Coaching & Consulting platform, we’re to inspire creativity in as many places as possible. This coloring book also assists us in conveying to you and others that creativity matters! Creativity—as much People of Color, Ethnicity and Culture—matters.

CONNECTED: LIAM IAN'S THE CREATIVE COLORING BOOK

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categories / PRODUCTS, PROJECTS, ARTS QUARTER
tags / The Creativity Coloring Book, Liam Ian's The Creativity Coloring Book, Products, Projects, Private Publication, Publication

THE MOTIVATION BOOK

January 30, 2025 / William Burrell Philpot IV

Backed up on work and assignments with this project on hold for a few factors, we’re making the decision to self publish this book. Until we get to that point though, we’re publishing portions of the book here.

[THE MOTIVATION BOOK SAMPLE]

THE MOTIVATION BOOK was inspired by many sources. As we’ve moved into what feels like a whole different phase of existence as People of Color in this modern day, we find there’s a need to prioritize remembering the messages of the past that have served to inform us about who we are and who ought to become. We believe in having a responsibility within society to making the future a better place and that starts with recognizing the responsibility we have to ourselves an how we treat and consider others today.

YOU MATTER!

A part of our Coaching & Consulting platform, this book also assists us in conveying to you and others that YOU MATTER!

In a world where the rules are changing . . . fast, disruption seems the playbook of those with agendas, intentions and resources, and personal identity suggest where we fall and exist within societies, we understand the feeling of being invisible. We understand the feeling of being lost, undervalued, stuck with no opportunities and the feeling of being detached from purpose and meaning. Some feel wiped out . . . before they’ve even started.

Things change and so we believe in recognizing change. We believe in answering the call of change to impact change rather than to be just subject to change. For us, the answer to change firstly is to remind ourselves of those icons of the past that’ve assisted in the proactive and progressive stance to embrace and even facilitate change for the sake of change.

CONNECTED: THE MOTIVATION BOOK

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categories / PROJECTS, PRODUCTS
tags / The Motivation Book, THE MOTIVATION BOOK, IP, Private Publication, Publication

MINDFUL GOAL-SETTING

January 21, 2025 / William Burrell Philpot IV

Plain and simple, as a supplemental product to “THE MOTIVATION BOOK”, we’ve developed our own proprietary system that Encourages and Inspires Artists to Entrepreneurs to even Family Leaders to hold fast to their lives by planning and gaining Vision enough to create their Mission.

Out of our practice within Coaching and Consulting, we’ve developed this system inspired by others that have been long-time leading names within Self-Help, Encouragement and Productivity. Our system is common-sense and so we believe it has the potential to become common-place. It is our hope and drive for this system to become common-place for Creatives of Color, Ethnicity and Culture further acknowledging our commitment to “Intelligence, Ethnicity and Innovation.”

This product is set to debut in February 2025! Stay tuned!

*As a byproduct of my passion of creative writing; poetry and fiction, I’ve also come to understand the place of journaling, assessing and planning. The process of writing often gives clarity thru slowing things down to review and gain an understanding in order to articulate thoughts effectively. Yes, it’s dependent on many factors of the individual but for me, to write does a lot of good for me. A crucial part of the RED BOOK process of developing creative ideas, writing is a fundamental part of investigating and cultivating potential ideas.

I encourage—therefore we encourage—the process of writing. We encourage it not only for critical thinking but to cultivate better and better ideas. We encourage our clients and customers and partners and audiences to engage the process of writing. Write whether on paper or on your mobile device. Gather your thoughts and go thru the process of organizing them into articulation. Do this to go back to them later. Do this to expand upon them. Do this—do it—just because it’s a healthy thing to do. Write…to Create!

CONNECTED: MINDFUL GOAL-SETTING

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categories / COACHING & CONSULTING
tags / Coaching, Consulting, Coaching & Consulting, THE MOTIVATION BOOK, MINDFUL GOAL-SETTING

Hip Hop and It’s Relationship To Art

January 20, 2025 / William Burrell Philpot IV

A Synonymous Relationship

Take it back to the Golden Era, most recently celebrated with Hip Hop 50th, when you hear anyone tell the stories of the emcee combining with the DJ rocking the party, the story always includes graffiti street artists as much as it does crews and park jams. Initially considered just as taboo as getting caught tagging a building or subway car. And honestly not even considered to last as long as spray paint would on its subject. It continues to grow like art continues to evolve; the Modern Era of Hip Hop has the Marvel Hip Hop Variant covers. Which, wow, was something I never would have imagined I needed to see until it happened, and it was epic. Look up the comics and the albums they complement; how spot on they are yet still so comic-like it doesn’t seem forced.

But what is to come of current music? Yo! To turn into this point where we say the music isn’t like it was… something I thought I would never say. This current era definitely needs to be separated from anything ever. During/Post Covid we made it to the point of self-publishing the emergence of Drill music (if hip hop started in NY, then Chicago started drill) but the beats no longer catch the rhymes. You could say the poetry of what started Rap no longer is a part, songs are comprised of verbal gun shots, naming what block you are on and who you hate. The talent you had to have to make it to a record deal can be surpassed by views or spins, (all which can be a good BOT software let’s be honest) In the Art world contracts and funding are “grant agreements”.

Recently a banana duct taped to a wall sold for $6.2 million. Sexyy Red is a night of karaoke at best in a performance and Ice Spice’s flow you would expect to hear from someone aged 4-8 years old, these two of many male and female rappers out there are charting on Billboard charts and winning awards. What is it going to be when we look back? The banana I believe was eaten. The rappers don’t seem to be going away, Red has a totally inappropriately named lip gloss line and Spice is in Fortnite. Anyone else asking why? And how? Get out your Elmer’s Glue or don’t have any performance talent and make a name for yourself while you can I guess. Just wake me when we take art back in general.

—Levonte.

CONNECTED: Hip Hop and It’s Relationship To Art

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categories / 2025, THOUGHTS, ARTS QUARTER
tags / Hip Hop, Art, Hip Hop and It's Relationship To Art, Levonte

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING JR!

January 20, 2025 / William Burrell Philpot IV

Despite today being the United States Inauguration of the 47th President, Donald J. Trump, today is a great day to celebrate a GREAT MAN who strived to make the future a better place for us all.

Whether an Artist or Teacher, Pilot or Engineer, Small Business Owner or Big Business Billionaire—or even President, it is upon us to make things work for us and our children into the future. Today, we honor the legacy and work of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

“If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a Leader.” — Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

CONNECTED: HAPPY BIRTHDAY DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING JR!

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categories / 2025
tags / MLK Day!, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Martin Luther King Jr., Martin Luther King, Civil Rights, Inauguration Day!, MLK Jr. Birthday!

ART, SPIRITUALITY AND COLORING

January 20, 2025 / William Burrell Philpot IV

IP PRODUCTION: LIAM IAN™ CREATIVITY COLORING BOOK.

While there are many options and avenues of creating art and expressing oneself, our contribution is by debuting the LIAM IAN™ CREATIVITY COLORING BOOK. This custom coloring book features abstract art templates to allow the artist the freedom to explore colors and color combinations. We want to encourage artists to think and color outside the lines of static and original thinking, to get away from the rigid train of thought to color and apply by what is established, defined, and familiar. Like that of music—especially jazz—we want to provide a structure while having that structure unstructured enough to allow for true individuality and free thought. We’re allowing for the spiritual space to color and apply as one feels and deems adequate and appropriate for their own personal identities.

As art is the profound product of creativity, creativity is intelligence at play. It is intelligence exploring, developing, and growing beyond the confines of the often rigorous and structured routines as established, defined, and implemented by others. It is a form of spirituality in that it draws from things that might reside within and around us — yet unseen and unnoticed and unaccounted for in our everyday lives. Creativity is Freedom. It is the ability to express and manifest that which is unique to the creator before that of anyone else. It can be encouraged, inspired, and sometimes even copied or impressed upon another. However, it is a unique representation of an individual, a group and even an entity.

While my priorities have naturally and quite adequately shifted into being a parent, the fundamentals of creativity being at my core are still there. Creativity was once a medium to fill the void of the time and space in my childhood and the required activity within schooling. However, as an adult, it is an absolute choice. Though my abilities as an artist have diminished through the years by the lack of practice, engagement, and intention, it is my goal to regain the abilities I once possessed. The effort—more effectively—is to find out if what I once had I still have today.

Growing up, Pen and Ink Sketching were my favorite and sometimes only form of self expression. Today, I have many. I understand, however, the place of lines; the black and white; the flat and only minimal application of thoughts and ideas after or in conjunction with the written word.

In developing a coloring book, we’re encouraging artists to think into the abstract—the abstract mind. I feel that the truest of inspirations can be manifested into great things with the slightest and most minimal of tools and resources. What it is to see a line, trace a line, color within and/or even outside a line says much to developing the capabilities of creativity. It helps to define whether we can be defined and adapt to situations or to go absolutely beyond or against the conventional. This coloring book is to be encouraging and empowering as much as a coloring book can be. We introduce this coloring book as our very minimal and modest way of lighting the spark of creativity for those who just may need it…even in the smallest way.

Assisted Development: THE CIRCLE MEMBERSHIP

Written by Liam Ian. Edited by Jemmael Joseph

*In developing, interacting and reviewing this product, I’ve come to a greater understanding of those colors that represent expressions and ideas about myself, my paradigms and my place within he greater tapestries. I prefer dark and rich colors mixed with brown tones and those metallic; bronzes, silvers and golds. While I notice my resistance to employ bright colors of prescribed “heavenly” nature, I notice that what I use to define a lined image informs a depth, disposition and attitude that takes things seriously and weighs things down a bit. This informs me about the other works I’ve produced including even my and our photography projects.

Thru a very modest engagement of discussion and self-engagement, I’ve come to rediscover and renew an understanding about myself that helps me to stand firmer and taller on my identity and those things of my activity and production that represent me.

For more related conversations, come see our CUSTOM COLOR LIST that informs what we create and often why.

CONNECTED: THE 2025 ARTS QUARTER - ART, SPIRITUALITY AND COLORING

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categories / 2025, Ai ART, ARTS QUARTER, PROJECTS, IP & PRODUCTS, PRODUCTS
tags / Art, Spirituality, Coloring, Coloring Book, Creativity Coloring Book, Liam Ian's The Creativity Coloring Book

📕 - RED BOOK FILES

January 20, 2025 / William Burrell Philpot IV

RED BOOK FILES are our collection of creative and artistic ideas for internal custom project development. Some are activity-based to assist us in developing activities that will cater to our creative and operational performance while some others are small concepts to be further developed into larger commercial projects. We do not guarantee the publishing of all our ideas however for some, they’re just worth sharing included at times with explanations and inspirations.

PROJECT DRAFTING

📕 ➪ 📝: CHANGE. ART. SOCIAL JUSTICE.

SKETCHING WITH MEANING: Developing Hand-made Line Art that convey the messages of the current times out of personal and inspired writings as encouraged and inspired by other writings and publications on the subjects of Change, Art and/or Social Justice.
PAINTING WITH PURPOSE: Developing Hand-made Canvas Paintings and other physical art that convey the messages of the current times out of personal and inspired writings as encouraged and inspired by other writings and publications on the subjects of Change, Art and/or Social Justice.
DIGITAL ART OF THE MODERN TIMES: Developing Digital Works that convey the messages of the current times out of personal and inspired writings as encouraged and inspired by other writings and publications on the subjects of Change, Art and/or Social Justice.
MIXED MEDIA ART OF IMPACT: Developing Mixed Media that incorporates Sketch, Paint and Digital into single individual pieces of unique identity conveying the consisent messages of the current times out of personal and inspired writings as encouraged and inspired by other writings and publications on the subjects of Change, Art and/or Social Justice.

PROJECT DEVELOPMENT

📕 ➪ 🧮 ➪ 📁

ALL PROJECTS are currently under the development process. While some projects cater to IP and Product Development, many will cater to fulfilling Creative Portfolio objectives. As usual our schedule stays abundantly full and in aggressive activity.

SKETCHING WITH MEANING: Developing Hand-made Line Art that convey the messages of the current times out of personal and inspired writings as encouraged and inspired by other writings and publications on the subjects of Change, Art and/or Social Justice. [As of January 18, 2025]

PROJECT MANAGEMENT & PROGRESS

📕 ➪ 📋

Consistent with our Creative and Operational Agendas and Schedules, we’re active in staying organized in filling our Creative Quarters with meaningful activities to develop IP, media and content. Our Project Management processes help us to adhere to assessed and preplanned goals and expectations that further correlate to our general long-term vision, mission and projected milestones.

SKETCHING WITH MEANING: Developing Hand-made Line Art that convey the messages of the current times out of personal and inspired writings as encouraged and inspired by other writings and publications on the subjects of Change, Art and/or Social Justice. [As of January 18, 2025]

📕 ➪ 🗂️: 2025 DRAFT LIST

📕 ➪ 🗂️: ARCHIVE

As we develop internal projects for activity, IP and product development, we strive to adhere to our own philosophy and mantra of “Intelligence. Ethnicity. Innovation.” The Arts are the foundation of what we do and who we are. We’re dedicated to exploring and expanding our capabilities to creating media and content that encourages and inspires all communities with a dynamic and specific focus on Communities of Color, Ethnicity and Culture. Our goal is not to take away from any community but to add to the national, international and universal identity of humanity and the greatest potential of who and what are and are to become.

Ai ART Generation Use & Management

Integrated as moderate tools, we use platforms like Chat GPT to help review, discusss and develop new projects testing the potential and possible merits and impacts of them along the way. We use platforms like Midjourney, Leonard Ai and DALL-E to help develop and realize ideas, concepts and drafts of desired projects and possible outcomes including product aesthetics. While we’re committed and focused on developing works that are of our own intention, invention and human inspiration, we are not against the use of Ai Tech to make us better creating more valuable and impactful products and services for our customers and clients.

CONNECTED: 📕 - RED BOOK FILES

*Content within this post are subject to change as this also serves as a planning and reference tool for LIAM IAN™ management and administration.

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categories / 2025, ARTS QUARTER, RED BOOK, THE ARTS QUARTER
tags / RED BOOK, Red Book Files, Projects, Red Book Projects

THE 2025 ARTS QUARTER

January 05, 2025 / William Burrell Philpot IV

WHAT’S THE POINT OF ART ANYMORE?

DOES IT MATTER LIKE IT USED TO? SHOULD IT? DOES IT MATTERING EVEN MATTER ANYMORE?

[WEEK 02-2025: CREATING PURELY FROM THE BRAIN TO PAPER.]

Art is everywhere. Art…literally…is everywhere nowadays. What with Visual Artists and Musicians and Storytellers and Content Creators, artistry and creativity are running thru our lives as rate that seems almost comparable to the particles that contact the earth from the sun only a daily basis…if not more. Almost everything we do and have is given to us thru the creative genius of others. With creativity being in abundance like never before, does it even matter anymore? Does it exist in the same context that it once did?

When I think of what Art used to mean to me, I think of how we used to decorate our rooms and homes to define our identities and customize our spaces to fit who and what we were and aspired to be. I think of the place of attire and personal aesthetics to communicate our ideas, principles and beings before words were ever spoken. There was a certain and specific kind of depth. Now…it’s everywhere. Now it’s everywhere and just about everyone can create in a commercial context to build a community and following. Art and creativity are everywhere and with that abundance, have we lost the substantial purpose behind it anymore?

We believe in creating. We believe in creating for the sake of creating. We believe in creating to encourage and inspire others…especially those that have had their realities diminished or distorted by commercialism and capitalism. We believe the point of Art in this modern day is to further build community. We believe in the power of Art to fuel local bonds and relationships that offer real and tangible results. We believe in creating but what it is to create is have Power.

WHILE WE MAY NOT BE CREATING AS MUCH…

…we’re still encouraging and inspiring others to create by appreciating and celebrating others. As a small operation we’re doing our part and all that we can to keep our creativity strong to impact and influence our communities. We feel that there’s no better way to do this by not only creating our stuff but to serve as a platform for others. To create is to be seen. To create is to be heard. To create is to communicate and to commune with others within a community. Commercial agendas that apply to the capitalistic mindset must take a backseat to what should matter most to people nowadays and that is to commune and communicate to build greater, better and stronger communities.

CREATING PURELY FROM THE BRAIN TO PAPER.

The written word. Line to paper. Ink to surface with measured strokes and accidental blots but the true and pure intent to bring into reality what was once in the mind. Manifestation and Realization. Creation and Creativity.

As we continue to plan out our activities to ensure the business of consistency throughout our projects, we’re still engaged. Pen and paper—paint to canvas are much different than that of using a computer to apply graphics or pushing the shutter button to capture a composition.

ENGAGING OTHERS TO ENGAGE WITH US.

Not too late to the game, we’re finding new ways of engaging others. It’s not just writing a bit of text and taking a quick shot for the social media platforms, it’s always been creating custom IP to get others involved. We want others to engage and get involved with the process of Change…and us. LIAM IAN™ is about Change. Change is about “Intelligence. Ethnicity. Innovation.”

We’ll be reaching out to others within our local communities to develop projects and products to further encourage and impact others. Whether private publications or social media content, we’re striving to build our community. We’re striving to engage our communities because we know that the only way to grow.

JUST A MATTER OF PERSPECTIVE.

Truly it’s all a matter of perspective. A matter of paradigm. A matter of where one is standing and the lens they’re operating with. As we position to talk about the place of Black and Brown People and People of Color, Ethnicity and Culture, we going to doing it in a way that is patient and professional while energetic and exciting. We believe in the meshing and melding of the cultures to move our evolution into the next stage. Just as we’re all species upon this earth—only separated by the dogmatic stereotypes of skin color and places of hereditary origin and the very rigid intellectual structures that would define us as different—we feel empowered to empower others. Beginning with ideas and discussion to pen to paper with the intentional leading to stories told before a lens, we only want to matter because we know there are many perspectives that share a common thread—a “through line” if you will.

CONNECTED: THE 2025 ARTS QUARTER

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categories / 2025, ARTS QUARTER, THE ARTS QUARTER
tags / 2025, The 2025 Arts Quarter, THE ARTS QUARTER