Roll With the Punches

ok for starters... i just want to say that plans are very needed for success. im not talkin 5 year plans or something like that. im just talkin about makin daily plans. not real solid plans or big plans or even very serious plans... but just daily planning skills can really help develop your mind and attitude for a positive and forward moving life. it keeps you seeking the next thing instead of waiting around for someone to call. learning how to plan stuff AND to roll with the punches is a great attribute to have for any person. you dont want to get hurt feelings cuz your plans with someone didnt come through. you have to remember that YOU are the only one that thinks about YOUR plans. so expect that everyone will forget about the plans you made and always make a "plan B" that doesnt include others... just so you can get on with your daily duties or be free to go grab some lunch with your mom. =D

but i also wanna talk about networking... so ill just transfer you to my home girl
www.melissaindc.blogspot.com/
MISSY
shes in DC at the moment and shes doin the law school thing at 21.

-steviegunz

On Being An Artist

The other night I was invited by a friend to attend a benefit concert. A man by the name of Enrique Henao, just a phenomenal, world renowned flamenco and classical guitar player, and above that, an amazing a beautiful person, in every sense of the word. He was my guitar teacher for years and gave me two tickets to the show.

While sitting there that night, listening to his music, I noticed that as much attention as I was paying to how beautiful the sounds were emanating from his instrument, I was also stuck on the audience. It is amazing to me how one man, and one six stringed instrument, could have such a profound affect on everybody.

For an hour and a half, we all sat in amazement, moved by the music, in a way that I’m not quite sure we all understood.

It wasn’t until afterwards, started to think a little bit deeper about it. After years of learning, practicing, and perfecting his instrument, it was only his skills coupled with the genuineness of his personality, (it shows a lot of heart when a professional artist can dedicate a whole nights worth of playing for no profit whatsoever) that what made him so world renowned.

Long after anyone’s lifetime, their money, their cars, their physical possessions won’t mean a thing, but through art and expression, a persons ideals will infinitely live on and continue to affect people in the way they were originally meant to.

-V
www.VerzolaPhotography.com

Don't Let Empty Times Be Wasted

Often times I find myself in a state of emptiness. In a state where there seems to be a roadblock holding me back from creating the art that I desire to create. Im sure many people can relate to me when I say, 'this moment seems unproductive and i hate it'. What i have learned is that, if approached correctly, these are the best times for expression. Some of our deepest emotions and creativity can be met together during a time of emptiness. We may hear a song that triggers that emotion, see a painting or photo that grasps that feeling, that words really cant explain. The only way to explain that emotion is responding with your own form of art. By doing so we all benefit from some sort creative thinking and connectivity.


This past week I was overwhelmed with the amount of things I put on my plate, which I don't blame on anyone but myself, but I was so determined to find a positive outcome out of every situation instead of stress about it. I began to write down each and every situation, imagining worst case scenarios, dreaming positive outcomes, and I ended up in front of the piano writing music. Eyes closed I played minute after minute turning into hours, without a care of a single missed call. This moment didn't seem to crash as soon as I would of thought, rather the pen met with the paper and words were articulated.


Don’t let empty times be wasted, rather use it for all its worth.

Shawn Ahmadi
ShawnAhmadiMusic@gmail.com
www.ShawnAhmadi.com

Still a place in this world for class

just when i thought i couldn't get motivated this week, 3sixteen enlightened my spirits. In a world people believe different is better, and garbage is endorsed THIS line is what I've been looking for.

Classic pieces with personal details. A classy look with individual style.


3sixteen Fall 2009 Photoshoot from 3sixteen on Vimeo.

This gives me hope that there's still a place in this world for class. PLUS you can't deny the music.


Later skater
Koa

Let me introduce you to Spencer Jacobsen

The best way to describe you is difficult sometimes but that's where people reach the point of commitment. I am a committer. I am an entrepreneur. I have found many passions that I plan to turn into lucrative platforms for everyone in my life. Art (watch it now… think big!), Construction, Craftsmanship, Design, Theory, Business, Fun. I really enjoy working with groups of people as opposed to working by myself. I feel this way because two brains have more power than one. Maybe someone else’s suggestion will lead to an idea that flourishes? I believe in networking and the power that networking can bring to any platform on any level of life. Ultimately the manager or owner of whatever property is being worked on has the final decision. It is then, at that point that they have looked at all avenues and are ready to commit. I feel like my network is a main artery of those avenues. I love what I do and I will continue to be in a position that is challenging and exciting for others and myself. My name is Spencer Kielley Jacobsen and I invite you to be a part of my network.

-J
www.SpencerJacobsen.com

Let me introduce you to Koa Pennock

I'm the guy that graduated high school with a 2.1 GPA but was the valedictorian at graduation.

The guy that never turned in a job application but got the great paying job.

I accomplish things completely differently than most other people... I blame it on being left handed, but it works for me.

I think by now there's a code that our ancestors have created and it's proved to work.

It goes like this, you graduate high school, you go to college, you get your degree, and you work for the rest of your life making as much money as you can so you can support your family.

That never really appealed to me and I'm forcing myself to try and see life from a different point of view.

To me it's all about how you would describe success.


I find something I'm passionate about and i take it 100 percent serious.

I'd rather walk the walk, than talk the talk... actually I'd prefer not to talk at all.


Oh yea, I'm also the OTHER designer for Stephen&Taylor ;)

-Koa Pennock

Let me introduce you to Kate Giampaolo

My name is Kate and I am a college student out of Los Angeles. I began my career as an artist at a young age, starting off with making funny little jewelry pieces. As I got older I was introduced to photography and acrylic paint, which quickly befriended each other and now work closely today. I find creative release through metalsmithing…and yes, there is fire involved.
A few constants in my life…

I will chase my dream under whichever skyline life sends me to.

I will live a limitless life without common boundaries on my capacity for love, acceptance of others, and openness to new ideas.

I will choose every day to make the most of myself, my situation, my surroundings, and my resources to fulfill my dreams.

A few things I’m working on…

To have the drive, focus, perseverance and tenacity to never settle on ‘2nd best’- to have the peace of mind and savor the moment, but always keep pushing forward to the next beautiful place in life.

To come out of every trying time in my life with the understanding that everything happens for a reason and that in order to be able to recognize the true good in life, one has to sometimes come to know the bad just as intimately.

Thank you for joining me on this journey- you’re all welcome companions and l look forward to what we create together.

“I love and accept everything about myself and my life now”

Kate Giampaolo
707.498.8529
Marche_707@hotmail.com

Let me introduce you to Stevie Gunz

HI...

Im StevieGunz. I design for a label called Stephen&Taylor and I also work in Seattle at a store called Triple Crown Kings. (www.triplecrownkings.com) I started designing clothes early in my teen years and I began learning how to sew as soon as I got out of high school. I'm now 23 and I find myself still gettin started with this fashion industry stuff. I'm all self taught with no formal school training, so I rely on my networking skills to get my fashion/manufacture/fabric connections. I love art and cars and music and dope leather products. I am currently living in Edmonds but i am slowly gearing myself to move out to the Capital Hill neighborhood in Seattle.
so with my future posts here i hope to inspire other creative people to get their lives going because all you have to do is go after it.

-Stevie Gunz
www.steviegunz.com

Let me introduce you to Colin Matteson

Hello everyone,

Let me just start by thanking Matt in advance for inviting me to be apart of such an amazing and innovative project, as well as anyone who will read our blog.
My name is Colin Matteson, of Lynnwood, Washington. You could say that basketball is my passion, my life, but that doesn’t quite do it justice. I live and breathe it. Long ago, my father asked me what I wanted to do with my life, with a basketball in hand; I told him that I would become a Professional Basketball player. Upon hearing this my father, explained that while he would help me along my path, it would largely be a lonely one. Letting me know in no uncertain terms that this path would require a tremendous amount of work. That this was a price most people were not willing to pay. I knew at that moment, that it was my destiny to dedicate my life to pursuing and attaining my goal of being a Professional Basketball player.
I have often wondered if I am the only one who thinks like this. For the longest time I just thought it was my father and I. It seems finally I have found others, or rather they have found me. I hope everyone will enjoy reading our posts as much as we will writing them.
For me this team represents a collaboration of driven minds, those who have the courage to dream, those who are willing to pay the price, those who don’t wait for fame…

Colin Matteson
206-697-2498
Colin_Matteson@msn.com

Let me introduce you to Shawn Ahmadi

Hello Friends!

To start this intro off, I want to express my gratitude to the artists who are excited to express themselves in this Blog and Matt for putting together this community! My name is Shawn Ahmadi and I am a Seattle rooted Musician/Producer. As humans we all tend to have voids and spaces set in our lives, which can take years, maybe even a lifetime, to find that subject that will fulfill our voids. For many it is forms of art like painting, photography, food, or wine. For me, it is the art of sounds. I have been playing the piano since the age of roughly three years old and the musical chaos has only spread since then. Just like everyone my age, I hold goals, aspirations, and dreams to do great things with my life. But I believe that if I have motivated or influenced someone in a positive way in my lifetime, I have already succeeded. I am looking very forward to getting to know you all.

Shawn Ahmadi
ShawnAhmadiMusic@gmail.com
www.ShawnAhmadi.com

Blog Overview...

My name is Matt Verzola. I am a motivated entrepreneur, an artist, and a photographer.

What I’ve found intrigues me the most about commercial art, is the production. The behind the scenes. This production aspect is where I find a balance between my art, and my job. I'm always working towards my biggest goal in life which is to have the ability to love what I do for a living. Live my dream every single day. I absolutely love hearing new, unique, interesting stories of peoples lives, and especially finding and helping support talented, like minded individuals, to the best of my ability.

This is where this blog comes into play. I wanted to manage a project where I could bring together and help support and advertise six of my most creative, talented, motivated, and wise friends. I want this blog to be a place where we can all come together and, a couple times a week, get remotivated on the knowledge that there ARE other kids out there trying to make the best of this life. To, on every level of our being, be comfortable, and happy. This is a place where we can keep each other updated on new ideas and projects, and share with each other words and stories of insight and motivation…

…and, for that matter, share these things with anyone and everyone else seeking happiness and success in their lives.

I so much look forward to the future content of this blog, and appreciate all of my writers for being supportive of the project. This is promotion… This is networking… This is going to help motivate us to take that next step in all of our lives.

Check back tomorrow for the intro posts from my other writers,
Thank you, So much

-V
www.verzolaphotography.com