AD: hahaha nice! No I can’t say I do. Unless of course you count Sparrow!

VE: True! You and Estelle are actually pretty good friends right?

AD: yup

VE: New York is very different from Inglewood and Miami where you grew up. What is it about NYC that made you make it home?

AD: Actually, I grew up in the Valley and Orlando. NYC just has a vibrancy about it that speaks to and inspires me. I knew when I visited at 12 that it was where I wanted to be.

VE: Dam this faulty internet information lol. An educated young woman, you have a degree from Columbia University in African American studies. How was your experience at NY’s Ivy and why did you choose to study that?

AD: I got my master’s at Columbia. I went to SUNY Purchase as an undergrad. Originally I was in the acting program but after my first year I left and created my own major. Black Studies with a concentration in the Visual and Performing Arts. I decided to get my master’s in the topic because one of my favorite professors stopped me on campus one day and said, “you’re gonna change the world and you’ll need your master’s to do it.” That was that!

VE: It’s hard to say where people might know you best from, because you’ve done a little of everything. MTV Hostess, SIRIUS Radio Host on the Hip-Hop Nation Show, replacing Natalie on the Floetry tour, your own mixtape & ep’s, appearances on Nickelodeon and Def Poetry Jam back in the day. How do you describe your career? Like what do you tell people who ask you “what do you do?”

AD: When people ask what I do I tell them, I do it all.

VE: What has been the highlight of your career so far?

AD: The highlight of my career? That’s a tough one. There’ve been a few, hosting on MTV2, interviewing Outkast, the first time I performed with the Roots, being featured on Q-tip’s album alongside greats like Norah Jones, Raphael Saadiq, & D’angelo, stand out.

VE: Now you have amazing art that you create, which is the main reason we’re featuring you today. How do you describe your artwork?

AD: My art is just like me, vibrant, strong, detailed and funky.

VE: How long have you been drawing/painting?

AD: I’ve been drawing since I can remember but I didn’t start painting until 10th grade.

VE: Where do you pull inspiration from in your creative process?

AD: basically from my surroundings and also this imagination of mine. I just have random images in my head. A lot of them involving lines. I have a thing about lines and symmetry.

VE: How has your artwork been received so far?

AD: Amazingly well! I can’t believe it. I’ve kept it to myself for so long I’m astonished at the overwhelmingly positive response. I think folks are so tired of fake shit like autotune, etc so to see an authentic skill like painting, they get hype. It feels good.

VE: I noticed that your work is also reasonably priced. I know a lot of artists with your skill level and notability try to charge an insane amount of money. Was there a thought process behind your price points?

AD: My price points are only reasonable because I know that I have to build to insane prices. Trust, when I can charge insane prices I WILL! Because there is a piece of your soul so it shouldn’t be reasonably priced! But prints will be;)

VE: What is next for Amanda Diva?

AD: I’m working on my first solo art show in nyc. Sponsored by Swizz Beats whom a lot of people in the hip-hop world don’t know is an avid and well respected art collector. I’m also working to expand my hand-bag line and really push to get it to the people. Otherwise I’m always working to bring quality work to the fore, so the music, web shows, etc are growing as the art does.

VE: Where can people reach out to you on the web?

AD: twitter.com/amandadiva and check out www.amandadiva.com

I decided to place Rihanna’s new Vogue Italia spread in the Art & Photography section because this here is art! Photographer Steven Klein did his thing. I guess Rih decided since yall saw the tatas already, might as well work that ish. Well, working it she is. She is actually effing up my entire life and so many women’s self esteem with these pics. *Wipes the drool, slowly* Shout out to RihannaDaily.com for the scoop.

Go de gyal, GO!

Bound by Main and Spring streets from 2nd to 9th streets, LA’s Downtown Art Walk lures the electric and the eclectic. A 10 block radius filled with art + free loft hopping + free alcohol + live bands + great weather + 10,000 fun, art-loving people and a few celebs = a dam good night.

It may seem random, but that’s the beauty of it all. There’s an impromptu art gallery in a clothing boutique, while street artists garner crowds in the middle of an alley. A live jazz band in a hotel meeting room competes with the rock band guitar strumming just outside the window. It’s the most carefree, chill vibe I’ve encountered in a while – best experienced with carefree, chill people who can appreciate the environment.

The set hours are from Noon until 9, though I left at 10:30 and the streets were still live! Like the surrounding music, the art genres run no boundaries, from African and Asian inspired to neon and abstract art, which helps to bring a great mix of people together. The event is held the second Thursday of every month. Check the pictures below. Comment to let me know if I’ll see you there on your next trip to Los Angeles… or if you’ve been, share your experience with your fellow readers!

I’ve known photographer William Springfield for a few years now and as the years go on, I swear this guy gets sicker with the camera. You’ve seen his work on the cover of some of your favorite magazines, billboards, blog sites and everywhere else you could guess. Whether you need an ad campaign shot, artist promo pics, personal photos or high end editorial, this dude is all about lights, camera, action – The photos speak for themselves.

Also, check out the epk I created for dude: 

http://www.williamspringfield.com/WilliamSpringfield-EPK.pdf

Not hard at all when your work looks like his.