Recently, I came across an awesome work of art by painter/philanthropist David Garibai At first, I was impressed (mesmerized) by his painting style...it was something I haven't seen before.
The art and the artist speaks for itself!
Looking further into the work of Mr. Garibai, he also has created images in the likeness of President Obama, Bob Marley, Lady GaGa, even Jesus! He also created images to honor the September 11th attacks. Quite impressive to say the least!
David has taken the opportunity to use his craft to help others (sounds like someone we know!)
He has raised thousands of dollars for various charities and has a vision to help more: you can read more about David, his art and his vision here.
As so many of our post conclude, we (IAFL webteam,) hope you, the fans and admirers of Michael Jackson and his legacy will find our post inspiring...encouraging you to follow your dreams and help others around the world!
Ai Weiwei's studio before the destruction. photo (c) The Telegraph
Chinese artist Ai Weiwei was featured here already as he is a true Soldier of L.O.V.E. fighting for the rights of the unheard voices of the lost children and as a peaceful activist for freedom and democracy in China and around the world.
He uses his phenomenal art to truely make a change and is therefore seriously and constantly under the attack of Chinese authorities, where he almost lost his life being beaten down so hard on the head.
Ai Weiwei never gives up and doesn't even turn his back on China.
On January 11th, 2011 Chinese authorities took another method to bring him down. They completely destroyed his studio building in Shanghai (worth about 1 million US-$). This was probably also a reaction to Ai Weiwei's support of Nobel Peace Price winner Liu Xiaobo.
BEIJING — The studio would have stood at the heart of an embryonic arts cluster on the outskirts of Shanghai, a draw for luminaries from around the world.
It took two years to build, and one day to tear down. (...)
“Everything is gone,” he said. “It’s all black now. They finished the job at 9 o’clock last night.” (...)
Meanwhile Ai Weiwei's fantastic work of Art "Sunflower Seeds" is still shown in Tate Modern in London.
This outstanding piece of Art shows hundreds of millions of Sunflower Seeds that seem to be identical but are apparently unique and handmade porcelaine in China.
As we all know about Michael Jackson's love for Sunflowers, the Sunflower Seeds represent the "seeds of love" and a basis for love to grow...
Ai Weiwei's "Sunflower Seeds" in the Turbine Hall of Tate Modern.
Watch the video about "Sunflower Seeds" here:
Let's show human rights activist Ai Weiwei and China our love and support!!! I guess you all saw what happened when the Michael Jackson bronze statue was unveiled in China recently...
This beautiful and heartfelt tribute to Michael was written and sung by lovely MJ Fam member Carina Lanes. Michael Jackson is one of her biggest role-models.
The song "Poet's Notion" was written right after his passing when she went to Los Angeles to pay her last respects to him in July 2009. "He left us something that we can continue and with this in mind I want keep doing what I do."
Enjoy!
A Poet's Notion
It was june and the night was quiet i will always remember I smelled the rain when the news almost made me surrender I looked up for the sign of a lie praying for a wonder I'm caught alive in a blaze craving for a blunder
It's a poet's notion to fall away too soon I fall away with you I'll make it a better place like you told me to even if I fall away too
Is it too late? am I overcome by a rational fate? How can turn back time or buy eternity? cos you're the one we need
It's a poet's notion to fall away too soon We fall away with you We'll make it a better place like you told us to even if we fall away too even if we fall away too
Credits: written by Carina Lanes MySpace arranged and produced by Muca MySpace
Photo credit: Ólafur Eggertsson (icelandic farmer). Click to enlarge.
An Icelandic volcano, dormant for 200 years, has erupted, ripping a 1km-long fissure in a field of ice. The last volcanic eruption in the Eyjafjallajoekull area occurred in 1821.
This news remained a bit unnoticed at first because Iceland is "an island far away in the North"... So why should WE care?
Now, 2 days later the entire flight traffic in Northern Europe is stopped because the volcano ashes all over the continent are extremly dangerous for flight engines.
NOW, we do care! But what do we care about? We ask: Will I get returns for my ticket? How do I get to the place I wanted to travel? Who pays me for it?
Well, you will get returns because the flights got cancelled by MAJOR FORCE!
Ok, now start thinking. MAJOR FORCE? What is it? WHO is it?
We all know that air travel is a part of a major problem we have with global warming. But we "need to fly" around the world all the time. Because we're all so busy...
Now this MAJOR FORCE fights back and leaves us grounded without exceptions. Not for presidents, not for CEOs, no one.
Did you ever stop to notice?
What happens? Nothing. The earth doesn't stop because you can't fly. Because you don't have to.
I see this incident as a kind of "Earth Hour" forced by Planet Earth. She leaves us grounded with time to think... Think about our very own relationship we have with her. Think about the "importance" of our being. Think about our modern mobile life.
If we're not doing it by ourselves, she's doing it for us. Reminding us of our equality, belittling our constant rush.
We have got to slow down. We have got to listen.
Another interesting fact. Volcano eruptions are cooling down our global climate because the ashes absorb a bit of the sunlight. It's global and measurable.
Did you ever stop to notice?
I have been to Iceland and wanted to return this year because in my eyes it is the most beautiful country in the world that is so full of nature and contrast that it keeps leaving you speechless by the beauty of God's creation. This is the country where you can see the evolution of our planet like it was everywhere millions of years ago.
I remember the Icelandic people being very aware of that and living with the forces of nature totally different from us. They know from their daily experience that MAJOR FORCES rule their lives more than their own urgencies. After being strongly affected by the consequences of the financial crisis they have returned to their roots. MAJOR FORCE.
So I had to smile about Hjördis Gudmundsdóttir, the head of Iceland's flight authority ISAVIA when asked about duration of the eruption (hello?): „Maybe the weather gods can tell us? We don't know if it will stop tomorrow or after a year or what. Nobody can answer that question."
It lasted more than two years the last time it erupted...
Take your time, slow down. Join "Earth Year", feel the MAJOR FORCE.
Did you ever stop to notice? This crying earth, these weeping shores?
"It takes both rain & sunshine to make a rainbow." – Ancient Proverb
We miss you Michael!
You were the sun...
Joy And Pain - Maze feat. Frankie Beverley
Remember when you first found love how you felt so good Kind that last forever more so you thought it would Suddenly the things you see got you hurt so bad How come the things that make us happy make us sad Well it seems to me that
Joy and pain are like sunshine and rain Joy and pain are like sunshine and rain
Love can be bitter love can be sweet Sometimes devotion and sometimes deceit The ones that you care for give you so much pain Oh but it's alright there both one in the same
Don't it seem we go through life going up and down Seems the things that turn you on turn you around Always hurting eachother if it ain't one thing its another But when the world is down on you love's somewhere around Well it seems to me that
Joy and pain are like sunshine and rain Joy and pain are like sunshine and rain Joy and pain are like sunshine and rain Joy and pain are like sunshine and rain
Over and over you can be sure There will be sorrow but you will endure Where there's a flower there's the sun and the rain Oh and it's wonderful there both one in the same
Joy and pain are like sunshine and rain Joy and pain are like sunshine and rain Joy and pain are like sunshine and rain Joy and pain are like sunshine and rain
This amazing tribute video was made by youtube user RobLives4Love and deserves our attention.
The audio is from the "Think Different" ads from Apple in the late 90s. It fits more than perfectly to Michael Jackson. The writer is unknown, but rumored to be Steve Jobs himself. Speaker is Richard Dreyfuss.
Here's the transcript:
Here’s to the crazy ones. The misfits. The rebels. The troublemakers. The round pegs in the square holes. The ones who see things differently.
They’re not fond of rules. And they have no respect for the status quo.
You can quote them, disagree with them, glorify or vilify them.
About the only thing you can’t do is ignore them.
Because they change things. They push the human race forward.
And while some may see them as the crazy ones, we see genius.
Because the people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world, are the ones who do.
Multi-platinum recording artist Sade will release her new album "Soldier Of Love" (!!!) next week. The first ever release following her "Lovers Rock" album of 2000.
On BET.com you can listen to one of her new awesome song "Skin".
Yeah,Uhh... Uhh... Yeah.. It's the worlds greatest, Yo, It's the worlds greatest, Come on, Worlds Greatest, Ever
I am a mountain I am a tall tree Ohhh, I am a swift wind Sweepin' the country I am a river Down in the valley Ohhh, I am a vision And I can see clearly If anybody asks u who I am Just stand up tall look 'em in the Face and say
[Chorus] I'm that star up in the sky I'm that mountain peak up high Hey, I made it I'm the worlds greatest And I'm that little bit of hope When my backs against the ropes I can feel it mmm I'm the worlds greatest
I am a giant I am an eagle I am a lion Down in the jungle I am a marchin' band I am the people I am a helpin' hand And I am a hero If anybody asks u who I am Just stand up tall look 'em in the Face and say
[Chorus] I'm that star up in the sky I'm that mountain peak up high I made it I'm the worlds greatest And I'm that little bit of hope When my backs against the ropes I can feel it I'm the worlds greatest
In the ring of life I'll reign love And the world will notice a king When all is darkest, I'll shine a light And use a success you'll find in me
I'm that star up in the sky I'm that mountain peak up high Hey, I made it I'm the world's greatest And I'm that little bit of hope When my back's against the ropes I can feel it I'm the world's greatest
I'm that star up in the sky I'm that mountain peak up high Hey, I made it I'm the world's greatest And I'm that little bit of hope When my back's against the ropes I can feel it I'm the world's greatest
I'm that star up in the sky I'm that mountain peak up high Hey, I made it I'm the world's greatest And I'm that little bit of hope When my back's against the ropes I can feel it I'm the world's greatest
[*] It's the greatest Can you feel it It's the greatest Can you feel it
[Repeat * while:] I saw the light At the end of a tunnel Believe in the pot of gold At the end of the rainbow And faith was right there To pull me through, yeah Used to be locked doors Now I can just walk on through Hey, uh, hey, hey, hey It's the greatest I'm that star up in the sky
I'm that star up in the sky I'm that mountain peak up high Hey, I made it I'm the world's greatest And I'm that little bit of hope When my back's against the ropes I can feel it I'm the world's greatest
Time passes, the world changes But I'm still the same ole' kid And your jokes still bring me laughter As if you still were here And it hurts When I smile 'Cause my heart still remembers When you were around
'Cause you were there When no one was Just when I thought nobody cared You showed me love 'Cause you were my friend You always told me And I am still here Because you were there
So precious, small treasures A time when truth was innocent True friendship, was all we were after A place where kids could still be kids And it hurts But I'm glad 'Cause at least I was blessed To have you as my friend
[HOOK]
You're my best friend There are no accidents God has a plan for everyone And he brought you in my life To show me what a good friendship was
