D-Natural: M.I.A.

What's up world ?!?!?

Yeah, I know, it's been awhile since my last post here....

However, the things I mentioned in my last post  "Update" are really still relevant to what's up with me at this time. I had reluctantly regressed from creating to really work on myself as a person and to explore certain aspects of life & spirituality more. I knew that doing this would make me a better enlightened person, thus an even better artist and writer.

I have also taken the time this summer, while I have a much needed break from my academic obligations, to expand my work outside the music industry into the film industry. This led to me attending the Production Assistant Seminar back in mid May and completing the program to become a certified Production Assistant in the Film Industry!



Film Industry Veteran Gary Fiorelli & Myself
(Seminar Photos Courtesy of Adrienne W., Virginia Film Office Intern)

I had a blast training at the seminar and networking with awesome like-minded individuals! I had a brief glimpse of what Production Assistants do when I stumbled upon the set during filming of the upcoming film Ithaca while traveling through downtown Petersburg last summer.

I've always wanted to work further in the film industry while honing my craft as a music producer and writer. As a Mass Communications major at Virginia State University, I've found myself falling more in love with using a camera and getting dope shots (still or motion), almost as much as I do making music or writing poetry. Especially these days, an artist must be familiar with the visual aspect of their art, which is necessary for generating content in this digital age which has totally changed the way we consume art.

The seminar was held at the beautiful J. Sergeant Reynolds Community College campus in Richmond, Virginia. At the seminar I along with others spent a whole weekend training and covering all that goes into producing a film such as call sheets, script writing, technical terms, scene breakdowns, editing, etc...

This will really aid my journey as I get more into directing and editing my own music visuals/videos, poetry visuals and other ideas that in the works.

I am really excited and currently looking for my first film productions (outside my own) to be apart of in the DMV area and abroad. For more information on what took place and future seminars check out: http://productionassistanttrainingseminar.net/

 

 





In my next blog I will shed some more light on other endeavors over the summer outside of my music and writing.

But for now lets get back to the music!

Recently I have released a few new instrumentals out of the vault on the Artistic Visionz YouTube channel and will continuing to release more in the upcoming weeks ahead as I continue to work on solo projects for myself and artists seeking music production or collaborations. The latest of some of my work can be heard below:

 

 

 

 

Also as mentioned before, I haven't stopped writing and am still planning the release of my first ebook of poetry. In the meantime, as I've done in the past, I will release some poems out of the vault here in there along with some recital visuals.

I know I've been quiet, but trust me, I got y'all ! ! ! Everything WILL be worth the wait.

Until the next time, thanks so much for your continued support. It definitely is felt. You all are what drives me. Keep the faith & keep chasing your dreams.

OneLove,

D-Natural
Artistic Visionz Productions



PS - - - > Keep your eyes on the ArtsticVisionz Twitter & YouTube
 

Update . . .

D-Natural (Android Version)

What's up world ?!?!?!?

It's your man D-Natural back with another installment in this here blog of mines. For those who have been supporting and following, I know what's on your minds: "D-Natural, what the hell have you been up to?? When we gonna get some new music and poetry?!?"

Let me explain:

First of all, I thank everyone for their patience and continued support!! It really does mean the world to me and definitely helps drive my creative ambitions.

My future solo projects and other artistic endeavors had been put on hold because of two things. For those who don't know, aside from my music & writing career, I've been continuing academic studies at Virginia State University. Also since summer, I've developed a ferocious appetite for higher consciousness as I'm growing spiritually. This has led to a massive amount of independent reading and studying outside the classroom as well.

As much as I live for creating my art, this expansion of consciousness along with academic obligations has taken me away from completing and releasing my next wave of music & writing. This included my aforementioned next EP "The Collegiate Experience" (inspired by my time at Virginia State), another EP (possible debut LP) which I won't discuss just yet and my first e-book of poetry along with various instrumentals to expand my catalog to service other artists.

From day 1 I've been self managed as well as written, produced, performed, recorded and mixed everything that everyone has ever heard from me musically. Also I've solely designed, produced and maintained all my online networks, websites, blogs, profiles etc.. All this while furthering my academic education. I've always worn all these hats pertaining to my career and am proud that somehow I've been able to do it by myself (although I wouldn't mind having a team to handle certain aspects of it). I just absolutely LOVE what I do and want to be as hands on with it all as possible. I also feel this has allowed me to keep that personal touch on my brand as well as keep a close relationship with my fans.

Fortunately, that's the beauty of being an independent artist so far. I set my own deadlines and am not locked into releasing material a certain way or by a certain time for an entity that I could be signed to as a musician or publisher as a writer. Not only does this not restrict my creativity but allows me to take my time to make sure I can present the highest quality art to you all that I can which I feel you all deserve. How far I've gotten has been solely because of myself and I'm proud of some results I've received and the progress I've made in this regard.

The fact remains that I've had a lot on my plate, and although it can be mentally, emotionally and physically draining, (as well as diminish my social life or lack thereof) I like it that way so I'm not going to make any excuses. I've grown so much personally, spiritually and consciously in the past six months, it's incredible! And you must know that it's spilled over into my work for that also grows as I grow. So overall it's been a necessary investment of my time and you all will reap the benefits as much as I will.

"The Collegiate Experience" EP has been about 70% complete. I've actually produced and written all the songs earlier this year and all I have to do is lay my vocals down and finish mixing everything along with some post production. I've always gotten bored quickly and easily with just creating one project at a time so I've also started another album which we'll get more into in the future. Some may argue that I should focus on one thing at a time until I complete it, which makes perfect sense. However, this also makes me stagnant creatively, and I must be creating several things in different directions to stay inspired as well as keep my sanity. As for the poetry, I've been compiling and editing works that I want to include in my first e-book. I'm narrowing down different entities that I want to collaborate with to get it published and distributed so that you can get it anyway you please upon it's release.

Without rambling any further, that is exactly where I am right now. I know I've been quiet but I haven't stopped working. Trust and believe it all will be worth the wait!! I again just want to thank everyone for their support, love, encouragement and patience. You all are the best!

Until the next go round. as usual keep chasing your dreams & keep the faith!

OneLove
D-Natural
Artistic Visionz Productions




 

Humbled . . .

 

Click to Enlarge

What's up world?!?

I'm just starting to recover as I type this, due to nearly fainting when I discovered that the legendary music journalist/author, Danyel Smith, not only knows who I am but even favorited my profile on About.me.  If you don't know who she is Google or Youtube her right now, or you can simply click to enlarge the above screenshot and read just a few of her many outstanding accomplishments. For those of you that's been following my chronicles here for awhile, you know I wrote a post about how surprised I was when the legendary Michael Narada Walden, showed me love on another profile of mines. The love shown from Danyel Smith here ranks right up there!!!

Now please don't get me wrong. Trust me, I really do appreciate ALL the support, love, and respect that EVERYONE takes the time to show me. It really does keep me going. But when I am acknowledged from the super-stars of the industry like these individuals, it truly is the icing on the cake. The fact that Danyel Smith has contributed in a major way in more ways than one, to all the music publications that I've grown up reading (while wishing I can be in one day), just absolutely thrills me! She has worked with all my heroes and I know she isn't a fan of just anybody plus keeps it real, which is part of the reason why her opinion is valued and so critical in the industry. So the fact that she actually took the time to check me out and liked me, leaves me speechless.

This seems to be happening to me more and more recently. Just when I think no one cares or even appreciates my work, I get pleasant surprises like this. This just confirms that I must be on the right track. I know in my heart and soul when my work is decent enough to share with the rest of you, or I just don't release it. At the same time, I'm still scared to death when I put things out because I don't want to disappoint anyone and I put a lot of pressure on myself to do my best. Also when I mention my musical or literary endeavors to 90% of my family these days, they don't want to know anything about it, no matter what success I could be enjoying. Some of them even change the conversation while I'm in mid sentence or look the other way (seriously). I've learned that a lot of it is jealousy, envy, and a reflection of how they view themselves, which is the last type of energy you want to receive from your loved ones. God forbid I become successful from doing what I absolutely love instead of doing what everyone else is conditioned to settle for in society. I had texted my grandmother recently with the news that I had the first of my releases on iTunes and didn't even get a text back, a congrats or anything. If I texted her that I had a job interview for a corporate entity, I bet everything I own, I would have received a positive text back. Now I'm not the type that needs a pat on the back, but some type of positive encouragement is good for everyone I think, especially from family. So for all my haters, take that, take that, ha ha!

I can give numerous examples about how sharing my ambitions with my family will get a response from them as if I'm sharing my plans for genocide or something hellish. However, I think you guys get the point by now. I just never could understand that they choose not to recognize these obvious abilities that the Divine has given me. I know if I had a son who could do some of the things I could, I would have been his business manager, tour manager, roadie and biggest fan in whatever path he chose to go with it.                                       

Anywayz......

When I get love from notable individuals like Danyel Smith, it trumps any negativity I can receive from anyone and is just a beautiful reminder that my labor of love is not in vain. I guess we truly never know who's watching us. But they are only watching me because of decisions I've made to go and get mines with gifts God gave me. This was very inspiring and motivating. I want to say thanks to everyone out there that's been down with me and loving what I do. I consider the fans my TRUE family, because I get the love and appreciation for being me. Not just my music, poetry or performances, but > > > ME.

Until the next time beautiful people, keep the faith and keep chasing your dreams!

OneLove

D-Natural
Artistic Visionz Productions

Props from a Legend ! !

I appreciate every single person's support of my work which includes my music, poetry, blogs, photos etc . .

However when I get a thumbs up from music legends such as Narada Michael Walden , who I first became familiar with from being a fan of the legendary jazz-fusion band the Mahavishnu Orchestra ! Mr. Walden has worked with and written songs for the likes of Lionel Ritchie, Aretha Franklin, and Whitney Houston just to name a few. He has a discography that spans decades with countless of classics that I can't all mention in this one post ! Just Google him .

Mr. Walden did me the honor of liking one of my posts on Numubu, a wonderful social networking site for musicians ! The post was a link to another site where I have my first couple of EPs Ceteris Paribus and Sigh of Relief available for download and streaming . So he definitely heard MY work ! He also accepted my friend request which meant a lot !!

As a independent artist/musician that wears so many different hats , during the grind sometimes we can feel that some of our work goes unnoticed. But then we get moments like this , it's just inspiring and motivating that our work is noticed and appreciated !!

All music nerds know about what a legend this guy is ! His drum playing alone on classic records has taught me so much being a drummer myself .

It was exciting as a fan of music period, to see and experience this ! Just had to share .

Until the next time keep chasing your dreams and keep the faith .

OneLove
D-Natural
Artistic Visionz Productions