FBR: Before we begin, I just want to say, feel free to pass on any of these questions.

So...with that out of the way, let's begin

 

 

FBR: Who is your biggest influence and why?

 

PJ: My biggest influence lets see...  that’s a hard one because everyone I have ever encountered has influenced me in some way...

 

FBR: Musically...

 

PJ: Well musically I would have to say Ash Blackwater, my eldest brother. He really opened my spirit to the different interpretations of the world and he reinforced my notions that you don't have to sound like a top ten hit to be a talented artist. His music is very moving in so many ways, he truly uses the instruments to speak through his soul. Without his influence I wouldn't be nearly as cool as I am now *laughs*

 

FBR: *laughs as well* I can see that you look up to him for an influence. Your writing, your art, and your music show how you create masterpieces with your soul. Your work is incredibly deep.

 

PJ: Oh thank you, I am just thankful that other people can appreciate it for what it is

 

FBR: Yes, I love it all because I get to see you, all that you are in your work. You put a lot into it.

 

PJ: I wouldn't have it any other way.

 

FBR: With the great work you've created, and the great woman you've become, neither would I.

 

PJ: Aww, *blushes* you are too kind dear.

 

FBR: *grins* Okay, next question. You've pretty much summed up one member of the family already. But, as an artist, a poet, and a musician, do you look up to your brothers and your father for influence?

 

PJ: Absolutely. I feel I am influenced by them more than anybody. Each of them is so unique, and it shows through all of their work. I often feel rather intimidated and inspired every time I hear, see, or read a new piece of work.

 

FBR: Well, all of you are an inspiration to me. As soon as I checked out the Cafe, I knew I had a future with you all.

 

PJ: And we are very fortunate to meet such a young amazing talent, everything happens for a reason you know.

 

FBR: I find your art to be deep, beautiful, and inspiring to me. I love your usage of color and creativity. My personal favorites are: Neon Butterfly, Prophet's Eyes, Bound, Hear Me, Craziness, Mangled Thoughts, and Delusion. Individually, what does each of the paintings mean and what mood do they reflect?

 

PJ: Wow, okay, I will do my best to answer your question, but if I could explain it adequately with words I wouldn't need to paint, so bare with me please.

 

FBR: Of course. I agree totally, just do your best.

 

PJ: “Neon butterfly”, it’s about explorations into new realms, not only outside but within. Conquering fears and finding balance and stability, but at the same time it represents chaos and the many faces that not only lie within me, but everyone. The mood is meant to be uplifting and reaffirming.

 

“Prophet's eyes”, one of my first oil paintings, it’s very emotional as the background suggests. It suggests the unevenness and vulnerability we all feel, but also the strength and courage we need to survive and prosper. The eyes of the tiger, one is straight forward looking into the future, and the other seems to veer towards the side showing the distractions faced and also representing the less than perfect nature of all of us.

 

FBR: The tiger representing that strength and courage, as I see it; Right?

 

PJ: yup, "Bound" is a more submissive piece in a way, it shows the helplessness and confusion that are felt and the "alone in a crowd of people" feeling. The warm colors represent a kind of false sense of security.

 

“Hear Me” is obviously a very personal piece. The mood is very distraught but somehow in control. It means exactly what it says, and I experienced a lot of pain physically and mentally around the time of this creation. Overall its making a desperate plea for decency.

 

“Craziness” is another rather frantic piece. It shows the insanity of the universe and its individual entities, but also shows the strange way it all fits together and the interconnectedness of it all.

 

“Mangled thoughts” is another very personal one. It's a peak inside my head, obviously. It shows the demons, the reality, the confusion, the understanding, and the grey area in-between. I would describe the mood as contemplative, if that can be called a mood.

 

And finally "Delusion", representing different states of mind blending into each other, whatever those states of minds may be. The mood is delusionary but clarity at the same time. Well I hope all of that made some kind of sense, I warned you ahead of time!

 

Please keep in mind though, the paintings mentioned are not limited to those interpretations, each has many different sides and ideas infused in it

 

FBR: It made perfect sense, I just wanted to let you speak your mind without interruption. It brings more out.

 

PJ: *smiles*

 

FBR: I noticed you use a lot of dark colors in a lot of your paintings. Do you feel that the darkness is a big part of you, or just a small part?

 

PJ: hmm.. Another tough question, I think its not as big a part of me as it used to be. It's always going to be inside of me in some way. How would I know light if I never experienced the dark?

 

FBR: At what age did you start playing music?

 

PJ: Well, my mom says I used to kick her stomach in rhythm before I was born. *laughs*

 

FBR: *laughs hysterically* So you were naturally musically talented.

 

PJ: hehe, My only explanation is my wonderfully talented creators.

 But I got my first piano when I was about one and a half, I believe.

 

FBR: Before the first time we talked, I viewed your poetry. I was inspired by it as a whole, as I told Armond. *laughs* Inspired seems to be my favorite word tonight. But anyways, the question is, What was the first thing that came to your mind when you heard that your work could touch, not just me, but anyone like that?

 

PJ: I was absolutely dumbfounded but completely honored at the same time. To think my emotions, all the pain and the happiness alike, could inspire someone absolutely took my breath away. It's one of the most rewarding thing in this world.

 

FBR: Yeah, I hear that. *smiles*

 

PJ: *smiles*

 

FBR: What does the tribe mean to you? I know we're like a family, but I want to hear in your own words, the meaning it holds to you personally.

 

PJ: The tribe to me is the definition of family, having this kind of support and love is what gives me so much hope. It really is my main focus in life, the well-being of my tribe. I don't know what I would do, or if I would even still be alive, without the wonderful, beautiful people of my tribe.

 

FBR: If you could describe yourself and/or the inside of your mind in five words, what would they be?

 

PJ: Concerned, Loving, Expressive, Inquisitive, Manic/depressive

 

FBR: I think it fits you exactly.

 

PJ: *smiles*

 

FBR: *smiles as well*

 

FBR: "Music expresses that which cannot be said and on which it is impossible to be silent." (Victor Hugo). Being a musician, I wanted to get your opinion on that quote. And if you feel it to be a truthful quote, how does it relate to you?

 

PJ: I find it very truthful. In a way that is one of my philosophies, but I believe it can be extended past music, it holds true towards art too.

 

FBR: Very true.

 

FBR: How do you feel about the pop industry and its goal to promote talentless "artists" *laughs* Artists is in quotation marks because I feel the word gives them too much credit and they do not come close to comparing with your work. What's your take on the whole industry though?

 

PJ: *laughs* Well, first of all I don't think its my place to judge who's an artist and who's not, I'm sure they use some of their brain cells while dancing.  *giggles* But I find the whole industry rather disheartening. To think little impressionable girls are seeing nearly naked vanity dolls singing about sex and money, as there idols really makes me worry about the future of the world. I also think its sick and wrong to capitalize on the stupidity of the masses.

 

FBR: Do you worry about the wrong attention these little girls attract when they attempt to dress and act like those idols?

 

PJ: Of course!!  Anyone with half a mind should! Not to mention the fact that all the pedophiles and rapists this society has created are having a field day, What is really in these girls futures? Sure if the pop trend sticks, a select few will be raised onto the shoulders of the country, but what about the rest?

they are destined to be pregnant at sixteen working as a cashier. well, maybe not all of them, but thats what i envision when i hear "POP" music.

 

FBR: I love your views on that. Couldn't have said it better myself.

 

FBR: Getting off the subject of music and art a bit, I've come to learn that you love Marine Life. What introduced you to the interest and is there a reason why you feel so connected?

 

PJ: I have always felt drawn to the ocean, I didn’t see it for the first time until I was seven, but even before that defining moment I always had my head stuck in a book about sharks or whales. I am a water sign, that may have something to do with it. The ocean effects every single thing on this planet, I've always kinda believed it's my duty to help protect it.

 

FBR: And finally, This next one seems easy enough. What's your favorite color and why?

 

PJ: Well, I am quite fond of all of them, but my favorite has always been purple.

 

FBR: ahh the color of passion.

 

PJ: I just feel connected to it for some reason.

 

FBR: Maybe because your passion for what you do. Music, art, poetry...you think that the meaning to the color purple pertains to your passions?

 

PJ: That's quite possible! In a way I have always seen myself and purple as one in the same. If that made any sense what so ever.

 

FBR: Yes, it did. =)

 

PJ: hehe, glad you caught that!

 

FBR: *giggles* Well, thank you for the interview. It has been a pleasure and such an experience to get to know you better.

 

PJ: *blush* thank you for not asking the typical boring interview questions. This has been quite enjoyable for me to!

 

FBR: *smiles* Interesting questions for an extraordinary female.

 

PJ: *blush* your too sweet to me!