Queen Dream Makers

Reflection from "The Stoop" Festival Collection

Alice Mizrachi, is an artist, curator, arts educator and YOUNITY founder.

HOW OLD WERE YOU WHEN YOU DECIDED ART WAS YOUR PATH?

I was 16 when I discovered art was my path. I was coming home from my studio art time at high school. I usually stayed late after school and one day while walking home. I saw cracks on the sidewalks that looked like people. That’s when I realized that everything is Art, and I’ve been on this journey ever since.

HAVE YOU EVERY DECIDED TO CHANGE COURSE?

I never changed course, I have always been into ART.

TELL ME ABOUT YOUNITY, HOW DID IT COME TO BE?

YOUNITY was founded in New York City in 2007 by myself and Toofly. I built up my presence in the art world throughout the years of making art, showing art, and teaching art. YOUNITY allowed me to unite women artists globally and provide a platform for what we do.

WHAT MEDIUMS DO YOU USE TO WORK WITH CLIENTS?

It depends on the client. Most of my collectors and people who buy my work like to visit my studio, that’s how I usually sell work. As for teaching artist gigs, I get those mostly through referrals. I do work with youth, so they call or email me. The rest of my business, I would say is done via email.

WHAT BRINGS YOU JOY AS AN ARTIST?

I love seeing how people feel when they buy one of my pieces; it is truly inspiring and gives me energy to create more.

WHAT POINTERS CAN YOU GIVE SOMEONE LOOKING TO ENTER THE ART WORLD?

Follow what YOU love to do, make your own lane and focus on your growth cause that is what will differentiate you from the rest.

WHAT DO YOU DO, TO MANIFEST YOUR DREAMS?

I visualize my dreams, write them down, talk about them and trick myself to believe they are happening and they do!

HOW IMPORTANT IS IT THAT WOMEN DISCOVER THEIR DREAMS?

I think if we all do what we love and really focus on enriching our communities with those gifts our world would be a better place. If each one teaches one through example then we’d be good.

HOW DO YOU DEFINE A QUEEN?

A queen is a woman who knows who she is and what she is here for and is willing to share those strengths with the world.

WHO IS YOUR FAVORITE QUEEN AND WHY?

Frida Kahlo, Because through all her pain and suffering she still smiled and created beautiful work. She could have easily lived her life ’til the end doing nothing, but instead she endured and made the best with what she had.

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A PRINCESS AND A QUEEN?
A princess is a queen in training

WHAT MAKES WOMEN CONTRIBUTIONS IMPORTANT?

Without women we wouldn’t be here so I would say our contributions are pretty important. We are mothers, sisters, daughters, fighters, lovers… etc. We contribute to the balance of this life.

WHAT WOMEN IN YOUR LIFE IMPACTED YOU MOST?

My mom has had a great impact on me. She taught me all the basics on how to take care of myself. She taught me how to use my hands to create. I am blessed to have had such a nurturing childhood- my mom is DOPE!

If you’d like to take a look at Alice Mizrachi’s Art or learn more about Younity check out her current shows:

“Canceptual”- Crewest Gallery in Los Angeles, CA
September 8th to 25th
“GODDESShood”- Yonkers Public Library in New York
September 10th to December 4th
“Citizen Jane Mural”- Lower East Side, New York
September 10th

http://www.am-files.com
http://www.theyounity.com

MARCH FOR WOMEN

As we enter the month of women, and begin the month of March 2011, let’s take a moment to stop and remember the women in our life.

Who brought you into this world? Who raised you? Who sustained you through thick and thin? And who keeps you inspired?

This month, I’d like to ask each and every one of you:

1. What would you do as a women to impact the world? Whether you’re a female or male, I’d like to know,
a) what you feel would shape this world and;
b) where you think most of women’s power lie and why?

May we march to the women that love us, and for them giving of themselves to create us and nourish us to our greatness!

Chess – The Game of Life

What I love about Chess, besides planning out the game by the first move, (kind a like a fight, you got to see yourself win before you even begin). Is that, you get to strategize and plan many moves beyond that one move.

Life is the game of Chess. We all in life, have those moments where we are stuck, unable to make a decision or move, because we’re not sure what path it’ll take us too. Or sometimes we know what path it’ll take us down, and we’re afraid of whether we can manage those expectations or lifestyle.

Well, I also love Chess because the most powerful piece of all is the QUEEN. Yes you win or lose if the King is check mated, but no other piece has the power and flexibility of the Queen!

The Queen can move forward or backwards like the Rook, and can move freely as many boxes as she wants. She can also move diagonal as many spaces as she wishes, like the Bishop. The pawn also moves forward only one space except on its first turn, it can move 2 spaces forward. But the pawn can only take it’s kill on the diagonal, not so for the Queen.

So what can’t the Queen do? The only move the Queen cannot perform is the one of the Knight. Who cares! I’ve seen people win their Chess games just by having the Queen kill everybody and all the other pieces are practically untouched.

Queens lead their empire, as women lead their home. Women set the moral and spiritual framework of the home, as do the Bishops. Women protect their home and children like a fortress, like the Rook. Women also raise their children to become great citizens, and if they take the long road ahead become leaders of society. These children are like the pawns of Chess, they are the farmers, artists, lawyers of the empire and when they make it to the other side of the board, they can become a Rook, Bishop, Knight or a Queen.

Today, I hear and see superwomen! I hear the tiredness of women who do so much, both for pay and just for free. Women do the jobs that are not titled, not paid for and without these many tasks accomplished: children would not be reared, health would be disease, men would not be loved and countries would crumble.

Chess in many ways, can teach us about ourselves, our societies and our roles. What kind of role do you predominately play? What roles are you intrigued by, but never find out the lifestyle it takes to play that position?

Are you already making the different moves of a Bishop, Rook or Pawn but haven’t given yourself the title of Queen? While women think they are playing one position in life, I really see us doing it all and not giving ourselves the honor and respect we deserve.

Yes, we are all better at some things more than others, but being gentle with ourselves and giving ourselves recognition and space to balance it all out, is a huge part of our happiness and success.

Next time you see a Chess board, give it respect, give yourself time to learn to play and take the time out for it. It’s refreshing, tiring and exciting just like our life!