Welcome!
ArtLoveLifeStyle is an arts and lifestyle blog consisting of a compilation of creations and musings of all creative genres bringing experiences, reflection and healing to life, encouraging a sustainable and just future for all living things. Art is a lifestyle. In this community, Whitley “Nabintu” Marshall hopes to share her own endeavors, projects, vision and philosophies through various art forms, while also supporting other inspirational creatives(like her husband, David Marshall), and connect with others seeking art, love, and inspiration.
Whitley is a life-long student, world dance performer, choreographer and instructor, visual artist, photographer, songwriter, vocalist and adventurer based in Portland, Maine. Whitley recently co-founded the nonprofit organization, World Roots Culture Exchange and is leading the Compassionate Leadership Project. She travels internationally as a world dance and fusion dance soloist and as a performing member, co-director, and producer of the Barefoot Truth Dance Company, founded and co-directed by Nova Dawn Wagg. For fun and her love of funky accessories, Whitley created a line of button jewelry found in local businesses in Portland. Whitley's award-winning photography, painting, and songwriting illustrate and document her experience, as well as reveal her emotion and spirituality. She has grown to love decorating and styling apartments, homes, and offices, as well as helping people discover and step into confidence with their unique and authentic style. Whitley works with each unique personality and style preference to enhance their vision. Still exploring different styles and techniques.
The Barefoot Truth Dance Company is a unique collaboration of dancers of all experience levels exploring the medicine of sacred movement. Known for their impressive stage dynamics, mesmerizing colors, energy movement, and flow arts, they are often seen accentuating live bands at music festivals. They perform nationally, bringing their own colorful flare of both improvisation and choreography to the stage.
"Nabintu" has performed locally and nationally as member of Abeza b’Inganzo African Dance Company since 2011, and Ikirenga cy'Intore Cultural Troupe often dancing in weddings and cultural events. Known for continuing the traditions Cultural Troupes of Rwanda, they dance with strong, grounded energy and large bells on their ankles, serving as a dominant part of the percussion in the music, while maintaining form with a grace which has been compared to ballet. Nabintu returned to Africa in 2019 studying under Intayoberana Cultural Troupe and plans to return when travel is less concerning.
Nabintu discovered Contemporary Flamenco Arts through a Latin dance series she took over a decade ago while exploring various world dances, and falls in love over and over with its history, influences, emotion, percussive foot patterns, compas (rhythm), cante (song), toque (Flamenco guitar) and most of all, baile (dance)! Instrumental Flamenco instructors include Rosetta Magdalen and Lindsey Bourassa, among many others.
Having studied several dance forms since she was ten (ballet, jazz, modern, hip-hop, cheerleading, various ballroom/latin dances, Egyptian/American Tribal Style(ATS)/fusion bellydance, traditional Rwandan, Burundian, Congolese and various West African dance), it was natural for her creativity to take hold and branch out in her style.
Nabintu explores and incorporates energy movement with her dance, focusing on connection and gratitude, creating a safe atmosphere for others to participate and connect. She is drawn to study diverse cultural dances and arts, and loves educating communities of their beauty, emotion, technique, history, ethics and traditions. Her passion and mission is to continue to learn, teach, and practice the important therapeutic and healing aspects of art, music and dance to promote reconciliation while continuing to challenge herself in learning diverse cultures and arts. Nabintu teaches and hosts workshops, classes, and retreats out of her in-home studio, Harpswell Islands Studios on Orr's Island and has an intimate studio, Pine Street Studios, in Portland.
Whitley is a life-long student, world dance performer, choreographer and instructor, visual artist, photographer, songwriter, vocalist and adventurer based in Portland, Maine. Whitley recently co-founded the nonprofit organization, World Roots Culture Exchange and is leading the Compassionate Leadership Project. She travels internationally as a world dance and fusion dance soloist and as a performing member, co-director, and producer of the Barefoot Truth Dance Company, founded and co-directed by Nova Dawn Wagg. For fun and her love of funky accessories, Whitley created a line of button jewelry found in local businesses in Portland. Whitley's award-winning photography, painting, and songwriting illustrate and document her experience, as well as reveal her emotion and spirituality. She has grown to love decorating and styling apartments, homes, and offices, as well as helping people discover and step into confidence with their unique and authentic style. Whitley works with each unique personality and style preference to enhance their vision. Still exploring different styles and techniques.
The Barefoot Truth Dance Company is a unique collaboration of dancers of all experience levels exploring the medicine of sacred movement. Known for their impressive stage dynamics, mesmerizing colors, energy movement, and flow arts, they are often seen accentuating live bands at music festivals. They perform nationally, bringing their own colorful flare of both improvisation and choreography to the stage.
"Nabintu" has performed locally and nationally as member of Abeza b’Inganzo African Dance Company since 2011, and Ikirenga cy'Intore Cultural Troupe often dancing in weddings and cultural events. Known for continuing the traditions Cultural Troupes of Rwanda, they dance with strong, grounded energy and large bells on their ankles, serving as a dominant part of the percussion in the music, while maintaining form with a grace which has been compared to ballet. Nabintu returned to Africa in 2019 studying under Intayoberana Cultural Troupe and plans to return when travel is less concerning.
Nabintu discovered Contemporary Flamenco Arts through a Latin dance series she took over a decade ago while exploring various world dances, and falls in love over and over with its history, influences, emotion, percussive foot patterns, compas (rhythm), cante (song), toque (Flamenco guitar) and most of all, baile (dance)! Instrumental Flamenco instructors include Rosetta Magdalen and Lindsey Bourassa, among many others.
Having studied several dance forms since she was ten (ballet, jazz, modern, hip-hop, cheerleading, various ballroom/latin dances, Egyptian/American Tribal Style(ATS)/fusion bellydance, traditional Rwandan, Burundian, Congolese and various West African dance), it was natural for her creativity to take hold and branch out in her style.
Nabintu explores and incorporates energy movement with her dance, focusing on connection and gratitude, creating a safe atmosphere for others to participate and connect. She is drawn to study diverse cultural dances and arts, and loves educating communities of their beauty, emotion, technique, history, ethics and traditions. Her passion and mission is to continue to learn, teach, and practice the important therapeutic and healing aspects of art, music and dance to promote reconciliation while continuing to challenge herself in learning diverse cultures and arts. Nabintu teaches and hosts workshops, classes, and retreats out of her in-home studio, Harpswell Islands Studios on Orr's Island and has an intimate studio, Pine Street Studios, in Portland.