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hotography Meivisions.blogspot.com
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Photographer Ryan Powell shares his interesting journey to the camera.
A fashionista on the rise tells us how she started her funky jewelry line!
This lyrical mastermind lives everyday optimistically
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6 26 “I am inspired by dr.suess books, typos, and peculiar conversations.� -yesterdaynite
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magazine
thrive (thrahyv) verb (used without object), thrived or throve, thrived or thriven, thriving. 1. to prosper; be fortunate or successful. 2. to grow or develop vigorously; flourish
Thrive magazine c e l e b r a t e s
the young, ambitious artist. Each issue showcases
creative individuals who are making their mark.
Special thanks to: Simone Heron Ryan Powell Alim Smith Darryl Graham Paige Wilson Mei-Li Wu
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Dye It Your Way!
hippietees.com
by paige wilson
AD
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Simone Chantè
the ultimate mix of funky, eclectic and edgy
D
esigner Simone Heron founded S. Chantè In the state of California in August 2010, inspired by her internship with designers Sheila B. and Kucoon she decided to design around the concepts of free spiritedness, nature and energy. Her initial designs were mainly
jewelry, bags and headpieces. At the end of her stint in California much of her first collection was still in flux and continually evolving. The summer of 2011 marked a change not only in the designers’ address with her relocation to New York City, but a change in the name of her fashion house from S. Chantè To Simone Chantè in hopes of capitalizing on the edgier more luxurious realm of urban New York City. Although the line had been in development for the better part of two years it was not until the early summer of 2012 that Ms. Heron felt sure that she had the best material to create pieces that would truly represent her vision of a “Concrete Jungle”. So in August of 2012 Simone Chantè’s first collection was officially completed and 3 months later in November 2012 “Concrete Jungle” was released via website for sale to the general public.
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dre am s!�
e v e “N
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Q& A
Q. Has Philadel phia had an imp act on you as an a rtist? I actually have a curve ball for you; I think my growth as an artist actually happened in California. One of the influences for my earthy style is California, because Californians have a interesting love for natural Stones, energy, balance and Nature. I use these concepts in my jewelry design, while also emulating the Californian relax fit in my clothing design. I can also say that New York has inspired me with its Edginess, its high level of craftsmanship and it’s attention to detail. The Artist here have a Unique perspective with such Originality and Fearlessness that you have to take notice, as an artist this makes me want to step into the arena and not only stake my claim but push the boundaries and the envelope further then its ever been before.
Q. Describe your style? has a hint of earthy my style still exudes an air of luxury. I like to
Q. Where did you get your inspiration from?
pull two completely contrasting views or looks and making them
Where do I get my inspiration? Good question. My inspiration is
work, such as mixing patterns like a wide striped maxi skirt and
culture, not only my own but many other more exotic cultures.
a leopard print blazer. I can also say I’m often drawn in by bright
The culture of India is one I’ve been fascinated with for years,
colors more specifically Jewel tones such as turquoise, fuchsia,
their superb bead work and embroidery are breath taking,
royal purple, and vibrant reds. I love the art of hand embellish-
while the culture of the Aztec pulled me in with it’s architecture,
ment from beading to embroidery to chain work and studding.
stone etchings and art. My love of vibrant color may come from
My personal style is funky, eclectic and edgy and although it
Moroccan culture, which has great textiles, amazing colors and intense Mosaics.
ects j o r p e m o s t u o b a Q. Tell us . n o g in k r o w y l t n e you are curr
Q. What advice would you give to the up and coming artists?
In terms of projects, I have just completed my first jewelry
I hate this saying because it’s so cliché but “Never give up on
collection entitled “Concrete Jungle”. The collection uses natural
your dreams”. Despite what it may seem beginning your own
Horn and bone, natural stones, such as Amethyst, Agate as
business is not as easy or glamorous as you may think and it’s
well as a good deal of copper beading, chain work and studs.
extremely expensive, but if you feel in your heart and in your
I’m currently working on my turband (a eclectic mix of a head-
head that this is what you need to do even more then breathing
band and a turbine) campaign and in the midst of designing my
then go for it full force and God will provide. Remember to
spring 2014 clothing collection.
surround yourself with positive people who encourage you and don’t mind getting their hands dirty at the beginning. Look for mentors in various fields who will be there to stare you in the right direction when your not sure where to go or what to do and don’t be afraid of constructive criticism even when its negative.
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Lastly be prepared for no sleep and don’t be afraid to fail.... YOU ARE NOW A STARVING ARTIST!!!!
Visit
simonechante.com
to see more beautiful jewelry and her latest line of turbans!
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Gr A PHY yan
owell
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the essence of the person.� “I photograph
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go in with that “ass kicker� attitude. 21
“ always knew would be an artist of some sort,
but n e v e r a photographer.� 22
and he t res is HIS STORY. Beginning my professional career as a photographer two and a half years ago, I never thought that I would be a Photographer. No matter what direction my life was heading, I always knew that I would be an artist of some sort, but never a photographer. Are
Ever since that time, I have loved photography. As time went on, College came around. My Sophomore year, I began to photograph people in their essence, and then began to construct photoshoots of the students. The word began to spread and the whole campus, including other campuses have got in contact with me. My favorite type of photography is Fashion Photography. While at school, there were two fashion clubs on Campus, Ziana and We Are “1”. After doing shoots of those groups, I have been addicted to Fashion Photography. I also love to photograph Landscapes/scenery/Nature and things like that as well. I hope you enjoyed that story. When I construct photoshoots, I always make sure I photograph the essence of the person. Not only capture the essence, but also to make sure that everyone is having fun and comfortable and safe overall. Also, when I am doing photoshoots/events, I always make sure I go into the event/photoshoot with an “Ass Kicker” mentality. What that translates into is
GO IN AND DO VERY WELL, TAKE THE BEST Photographs IN THE WORLD. NO REGRETS!
you ready for a story of how I became a photographer? Well, grab a sandwich and a coffee and listen carefully. I have started to work for City Year after I graduated High School in the Fall of 2006. The City Year program ended in the summer of 2007. In the summer of 2007, I had alot of free time on my hands. One day, I was on my desktop browsing facebook, myspace, and youtube, I found myself wasting my days away waiting until my
I also do all types of Photography as well, such as weddings and events. The advice I would give any photographer is to always be humble, be willing to work with people, take care of yourself, and go in with that “ass kicker” attitude.
college life started in August 2007. During that summer, I found my little sisters camera, and next to her camera there was some type of Gardening magazine there as well. I began to take a look into the magazine and seen the photos of the flowers. While I was searching through the magazine, I have noticed on the camera settings that there was a flower on it (which is called “Macro” mode.” So, I put two and
check more of ryan’s work at:
FriedGoldZero.Tumblr.com
two together and said to myself, “maybe I can take the same photographs in this magazine with this specific camera.” I went outside, Lo and Behold, the glass slipper fits and the photographs came out wonderful.
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PrEserve RESERVE
For more info visit:
.com
ConSERVE
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gram ta s In n o e it n y a d r e t s e Y @
yesterdaynite
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“
the most impact on me as an artist is probably not getting accepted to art school times.
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“
q+
A
Where did you get your inspiration from? I get my inspiration from black women,rejection, Dr. Seuss books, peculiar conversations, and typos. For example I made a piece of Martin Luther King as an alien and the only reason I made that picture was because I was typing Martin luther king and accidentally spelled ‘martian’! Inspiration is that easy, I’m often inspired by mistakes. I say black women are my inspiration because I don’t believe I would have much of an incentive to create if it wasn’t for the women I grew up around, went to school with, or met at shows. I probably wouldn’t create much at all because I don’t really care what men think of my art. It all started when I came home from preschool and I colored in the lines and my mom was so impressed and i thought to myself, “If your impressed by coloring in the lines, I’ll make my own lines to color in“ my mother is my biggest inspiration also a black women.
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Te ll uus Tell about sa bout some someprojects projects currently working on arare e cu rrently w orking on? Right now the most important project I am working on is a children’s book called “Nothing At All “ everything else is just a distraction from that because nothing at all, is all that matters.
What advice would you give to other up and coming artists? I’d tell up and coming artist to keep comping up and working on themselves not there art just themselves. The better you become as a person the better you are at articulating your creativity That’s just my opinion The more you understand and accept your self the easier it is for people to understand and accept you for you.
What has had the most impact on you as an artist? What has had the most impact on me as an artist is probably not getting accepted to art school 3 times. Once in 6th grade when i applied to Cab Calloway School of the Arts. I didn’t get in for visual arts, but I got in for communication arts or writing. Then we had to reapply in 8th grade for high school and once again I wasn’t accepted, so I had to go to another school. While at that other school I made another portfolio because I couldn’t accept being rejected! I knew I was a good artist. But I (again) got rejected when I applied to U Arts. I reapplied to other colleges and was accepted but at that point i realized how much of a waste of money it would be and how much debt would come from enrolling I say that has had the most impact on me because it pushed me to be more creative then I ever thought i could be and it inspired me to want to be an art teacher.
Just because I had experienced so many shitty teachers in school why was I asking to get graded on my feelings and thoughts? how could you even grade me on them ? With math, there is always one answer, history, one answer, with art , no 2 answers are the same, yet they are both right at the same time! Its just a weird ass concept to be able to get grades for your art buy some stranger that doesn’t know you or understand you. Don’t grade peoples expression no matter how peculiar or weird it is. You can’t give someone an F for who they are is what I learned everyone is a straight A student no matter what they do it is authentic to who they are.
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H. G. Wells'
e n i h c a M e h t ti m e
pifa
Philadelphia international festival of the arts a kimmel center production
mar 27-april 27, 2013
Live Everyday Optimistically. 35
Dry Ink on the line of a compositio
the pen call mentally blow your head off
see these letters are only wor
I'm out of ink stalling
and ducking with innuendos
my pen
my lips are about to let off
is
on
Institution leaves suspicion got my fingers twitching
l it finger licking
rds I dont know why Im tripping
winded
the I am a semi rest auto matic is out the Im feeling
and my triggers slipping
80 kil this
window
piecing you with similes
L.E.O (Live Everyday Optimistically) is like the break in a house party when the DJ “slows it down”, close, intimate, sensual, personal, and never hesitant when expressing his feel. L.E.O’s purity reeks from the feel of love, multiple brain surgeries, and his father’s CD collection. These qualities restrict him from being place in any genre or category, for L.E.O’s heart lies in the essence of sound. He tries to create a type of music that everyone could relate to and appreciate, which he calls“the art of being real”. Along with embracing his surroundings, understanding a struggle, and realizing how this world operates, he creates music with the feel of Marvin Gaye, the style of Frankie Lymon, and the soul of John Legend. Even though L.E.O has a hiphop flavor, some would say his words sing r&b: you decide.
Check out music from L.E. O. at:
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www.optimisticmusiq.com www.reverbnation.com/optimisticmusiq
Q. Where did you get your inspiration from?
Q&A Q. Describe your style of music? If you take the mindset of Marvin Gaye, the soul of John Legend, the confidence of Kanye West, the feel of Lauryn Hill and the lyricism of Common you will have the style of L.E.O.
Q. Has Philadelphia had an impact on you as an artist? Philadelphia has been my structure and this city give my words perspective. Philadelphia is the place where I’ve grown, matured, and developed myself as an artist. I remember cyphering with Hip-Hop recording artist Loon in New York city and he saying to me that he could tell that I was from Philadelphia by the way I delivered my verses. I believe being an artist from Philadelphia puts a certain pain behind your voice and aggression in your delivery. As a city we are direct, passionate, and we love/hate hard and that alone impacts me as an artist.
What began to inspire my words and thoughts is sitting in the backseat of my father’s car and trying to figure out what he heard when he heard music. I have spent hours at a time going through my father’s whole entire music collection and just falling in love with some of the greats : Tina Marie, Rick James, The Isley Brothers, Barry White, Teddy Pedergrass, The Temptation, P- Funk, Sugar Hill Gang, and I can go on forever. Over time I developed my own passion for this era of music and it inspired me to write in this feel of music. You could hear this era in the lyrics for my songs like, “Lovers Lane” and “Crazy”.
Q. Tell us about some projects you are currently working on. I am currently working on two separate projects. The first to be released is entitled, “Cold Hearts and Late Nights”. This project is a collaboration with my affiliated group, “Androids In A Cypher”. The project will tell a story through words along with a short film, which will be styled as a musical. Then I have my personal project, “Intimate Measure”, which was introduce in XXL’s magazine. This project is my solo introduction to the public. It will be an unplugged album so listeners get the experience of L.E.O. up close and personal.
Q. What advice would you give to the up and coming artists? Learn yourself and figure out what it is about your art you want to fulfill. Maintain your focus, and stay true to what you believe in, because the sky is the limit and you determine how high you want to go. You can not be seen doing something someone else has done before, so being yourself is the best thing you could do.
at the Boston Arts Acad
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BASQUIAT A Lecture on his Life and Work By Film Director & Friend TAMRA DAVIS
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This project is dedicated to my sister Amatullah and brother Amani. I see all the potential in the world in you! Find your strength and Thrive! To my classmates, I am so proud of us! We share experiences, struggles, and growth that most can’t imagine! It’s time to go out and be great! To my family and friends, thank you for riding through this experience with me! I don’t know how I could’ve made it without your support. To my instructors in the graphic department at Moore, the knowledge and skills I have attained under your instruction is immeasurable.
Thank you!