I spend a lot of time on the Internet.  It's my primary mode of communication, marketing and (thanks to emusic) where I get my music.  I love how it's so full of potential.  There's a lot of information floating around there, a whole lot of sharing.  I have my routines for how I handle my day, work that needs to be done, marketing that needs to happen.  I don't live in a vacuum after all.  I feel like I give it a lot of love.  So on days like today, it's great to get some in return.

The blogging community is one of the most amazing things to come out of the Internet.  Seeing other peoples' creations, reading about their inspiration provides a peek into the thought processes and experience of others.  The creative process is complicated.  Generally it tends to involve piecing together visuals, experiences and wisdom from books, music and movies.  They swirl around in the brain a bit, then boom! the idea springs.  We all experience it differently.  And that's what makes every blog unique. 

I have a few that I try to read routinely because they speak to me - in a combination of visuals, words, and inspiring creations.  So you can imagine the thrill I experienced when one my absolute favorites, Will Oaks Studio, gave me a couple of awards for my own blog - the I Love Your Blog Award (in French, no less) and the I Love Lucy (Cheer Me Up) Award.  This provides me with a fantastic opportunity to mention some of my own favorites.

First, the rules. 

* Copy the award image above.
* Pass it to the bloggers whom you think are deserving for these awards.
* Leave a message for them.
* Pass as many as you want.
* Leave a comment for the person who gave you this award.

Now,  the recipients.

Ae Fond Kis - art & inspiration on the journey through life

Beautifully Wired - always beautiful creations

Kikay Designs - an anything goes blog

Shrimp Salad Circus - just really, really fun!

Check out these blogs, you'll be glad you did.

Street art and graffiti are part of the urban landscape.  Like trees, sidewalks and storefront (sometimes on these things), it's ever-present.  Its something I tend to take for granted.  Only when I take time to fully notice my surroundings does it pop out.  Knowing nothing about the art, I only notice random bits of color and new techniques.  And I don't know how to define it.  Posters that may or may not be old, but are incorporated into paintings, are they graffiti?  That truck on Lafayette on Bond street, is that intentional or a random accident? 

Becki Fuller has the answers.  Not only does she have a keen eye for finding these images, she documents them.  Based in Brooklyn, she follows international artists as they bring their work to this city.  Noticing new trends she chronicles the work, and sometimes the work in progress.

Becki and graffiti artist Luna Park have paired up to start The Street Spot.  The site features amazing photography of new work and follows artists as they move from the streets to the galleries. With witty commentary and true knowledge of the history and urban landscape, you can learn a lot about this every changing city.

It's no secret that I love Brooklyn.  Living in New York City for nine years now, I've lived in a few different boroughs and several neighborhoods within them.  The exciting thing about NYC is that no two neighborhoods are the same.  They each have their own energy and personality.  It's this collective energy that makes NYC so electric.

I haven't found a neighborhood I didn't like.  I have, however, loved some more than others.  Brooklyn holds my heart.  It's hard to explain why I prefer it to Manhattan or Queens, where I've also lived.  It's not that it offers anything so different geographically - every borough has at least one large park, some waterfront areas, museums, restaurants, etc.  Really, I think it's all about energy.  I love how Brooklyn presents its offerings. 

I love just roaming the streets with dog and camera in tow.  There's a peace to this urban landscape.  It's in your face, yes, but with open arms.  Everyday I find something worth capturing.  The area is ever-changing, so these brief moments captured digitally feel like bits of history. 

I know I'm not alone in my Brooklyn love.  There are numerous, numerous(!) web sites devoted to Brooklyn and its various neighborhoods.  They all offer pertinent, timely information and editorials about the goings-on around town.  Reading the Brownstoner, I came across this page.  As you can imagine, I was thrilled!  It's really all about sharing the love (see post below).

If you would like to see more images of my beautiful borough, you can find them on my Flickr page.

Back in March, I wrote about the Work To Do opening at the Greene Street gallery.  This event was unique for many reasons.  The work shown represented a collaboration by street and graffiti artists, most working together for the first time.  Before becoming a gallery the space was known as the "headquarters for hip-hop."  Building the bridge between art and music, the past and present, Afrika Baambaataa performed.

A wonderful revolution is happening in contemporary art, outside the established gallery scene.  New galleries and openings exhibit art previously shunned by the establishment:graffiti, street art, outsider art.  The openings are parties, including live music, food and dancing.  It makes for a raucous celebration that feels inclusive.

Don't just take my word for it.  Becki Fuller has been involved with the budding art scene for a number of years.  Always recognizing new movements, she's been chronicling the graffiti and street art movement for months.  You can read her review of the Work To Do show on the Ducts.org website.

With a name like Urban Love Daily, I was bound to like it.  My love for the city is wholly expressed, so I'm thrilled to find a kindred spirit.  But following this photo blog (do you call that a phlog?) the theme takes on it's own personality.  The site is updated daily with images. 

Urban in theme, they have one common attribute - there's an image of love somewhere in the composition.  Sometimes the heart is obvious, other times it's a game of Where's Waldo.   And somehow that's fitting for this city.  There's a lot of love.  Sometimes it's in your face, sometimes it's hidden.