A
DiSTINCTIVEStyle
Magazine
Art & Artisans Dr. David Suzuki Solar Panel Jewelry Sustainable Fashion Wisdom | Inspiration Tim Martin Gleason in The Phantom of the Opera The Art of Living on The Sea
Eco-ModEl ExtraordinairE
Summer Rayne Oakes
2 A Distinctive style
ROYAYE SEFID Briday | Red Carpet Collection 2010
Photo: Emile Ashley/ Ashley Studio. Styling: Marcus AndrĂŠ Green Hair: Fin-Olav Prydz/ Adam & Eva. Makeup: Miriam Robstad/ Pudder Modell: Marianne Haugli/ Pholk. Design: Reload
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www.bengoode.com
Ben GOODe photography
8 A Distinctive style
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Ben GOODe photography
A Distinctive style 9
A DISTINCTIVE Style MaGaZinE
COVER Model SUMMER RAYNE OAKES Photographer Makeup
JOE MOE
LOtStAR Hair DENNiS CLENDENNEN Aveda
Publisher
DENiSE MARiE Associate Publisher Editor-in-Chief Senior Editor Journalist Art Director
SOPHiA BELLA
PEtER DAViD MACK
JANE WAiDE Copy Editor BEttY BELL
RitA COOK Reporter SHELLY BALLEStERO
MAYtHE CARPENtiNO Graphic Design FRAN MARtiNEZ
Marketing Officer
iSABELLA OPHiA Director of Marketing/Sales JOSEY ROBERGE
Contributing Writers
LARA VANDER PLOEG & GiNGER BRASHiNGER
Contributing Writers for April issue Columnist
tED GAMBORDELL & MARGO PiERCE
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Letter From The Editor I was recently asked by a
Musical series last month. The touring company
friend to describe what it is
made its way through Dallas on its final leg of the
that
company’s 17-year tour.
A
Distinctive
Magazine
is
all
Style
about.
Resisting the more popular media buzz words that abound these days, here’s what I said: “The images and sounds that grace our
JANE WAIDE Senior Editor
pages are a unique blend of Style, Savvy and Sustain-
We took an amazing guided trip through the “pipeline,” as seen through the lens and perspective of water world photographer extraordinaire, Clark Little. We interviewed an amazing gal named Cashea Arrington who, at the age of 21, was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma but refuses to give up. She is truly an inspiration to us all. Don’t miss her story.
ability that resonate with
Pete Mack interviewed environmentalist David
the interests and sensibilities of our readers. Our ded-
Suzuki. In this amazing dialogue, Peter gets right to
ication to balance, consciousness and eco-centered
the heart of the matter by asking “What did we get
living is evident. Our features and interviews always
right in 2009” and follows up closely with the inquiry
connect with the common threads of Art, Heart,
“What are two things ours readers can do in the next
Beauty and Sustainability. The artisans and designers,
24 hours that will actually have an impact.” We have
whose visions glide from page to page, are chosen
the opportunity to see beyond the intellectual, out-
based on their commitment to these same values.
spoken, power-packed nature of this highly visible
These are things which elevate and inspire us as
and committed environmental educator, to catch a
humans. They give us pause to wonder. They refresh
glimpse of a man with a very personal fervor and life-
our perspective. They bring us joy.” This is what we
long passion for his planet and his family.
aim to provide. This is our commitment to you, our readers, each time we publish a new edition of A Distinctive Style. It works for us. It’s what juices us! We hope it works for you as well.
As lights flickered to darkness around the globe in observance of Earth Hour 2010, then returned to illuminate our planet, we’re reminded of a glorious spring that is bursting all around us and our steward-
IN THIS ISSUE: Our cover story this month focuses on
ship of all things great and small, bright and beautiful.
Summer Rayne Oakes, an amazing talent who lends
April 22 is the 40th anniversary of Earth Day. Speak
grace and dynamism to each business and personal
up. Be heard. Stand for something. Express appreci-
commitment she makes. She’s quick to explain that
ation. Love the life you live and take steps to
she has figured out that by associating with the
participate fully in creating it. In her book Creating A
causes and companies that are in alignment with her
Charmed Life, author Victoria Moran suggests the fol-
values and aspirations, success comes naturally and
lowing; “Help bring into being the world what you
life takes care of itself in a beautiful unfolding. While
want by supporting those who hold a similar vision.”
she doesn’t like to be categorized with “brands” or “labels,” she has become her own highly visible and recognizable iconic brand. A Distinctive Style was fortunate enough to catch actor/vocalist Tim Martin Gleason of The Phantom of the Opera, while performing in The Dallas Summer
Jane A Distinctive style 11
GAYA.CA
12 A Distinctive style
TAPPED THE MOVIE
Do you drink bottled water?
tary is a behind-the-scenes look
Do you know people who drink
into the unregulated and un-
bottled water? Watch this trailer
seen world of an industry that
called “TAPPED.” It’s sad that
aims to privatize and sell back
there is a generation of children
the one resource that ought
being raised right now that only
never to become a commodity:
knows bottled water.
our water.
When I was growing up, no
From the plastic production to
one drank bottled water. Some
the ocean in which so many of
might have taken old milk jugs to
these bottles end up, this inspir-
the grocery store to fill up for
ing documentary trails the path
$0.25 from their filtered water.
of the bottled water industry and
Perrier and Evian were the only
the communities which were the
bottled waters you could buy.
unwitting chips on the table. A
Then sometime in the late 80’s it
powerful portrait of the lives
started catching on more and
affected by the bottled water
more. At some point there was a
industry, this revelatory film fea-
mindset projected on the popu-
tures those caught at the inter-
lation that you were a bad per-
section of big business and the
son if you didn’t drink bottled
public’s right to water.
water. Water is a precious commodity
www.tappedthefilm.com
– protect it – drink it – from the tap. I know it’s hard to believe here in the U.S. that there will be wars fought for water, but there will be. It’s the next oil. Is access to clean drinking water a basic human right, or a commodity
that
should
be
bought and sold like any other article of commerce? Stephanie Soechtig’s debut feature is an unflinching examination of the big business of bottled water. From the producers of Who Killed
the
Electric
Car
and
I.O.U.S.A., this timely documenA Distinctive style 13
14AADistinctive Distinctivestyle style 14
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16 A Distinctive style
Distinctive Sustainable Fashions A New York duo is out to save the environment by challenging the established fashion industry By Margo Pierce
S
aving the earth one “sophisticated, sustainable, chic” ensemble at a time is what c. marchuska is all about. Not satisfied with having to leave her environmental conscience at the boutique door, Christine Marchuska shared her frustration with Brooke Bresnan and the two women came up with a solution: a new eco-friendly clothing line was born in 2009. “We need to preserve the earth and look out for future generations,” Marchiska says. “There is too much waste in the current production and manufacturing of fabric and clothing. I think eco-friendly and sustainable options are very important and necessary.” In addition to utilizing sustainable fabrics such as organic cotton, hemp silk and soy jersey, c.marchuska is home-grown, manufactured in New York City. “We manufacture domestically to reduce our carbon footprint,” Marchiska explains. “We try to always use recycled materials and as little packaging as possible to cut down on waste. “I think it is very important to support the local economy as well as the US economy. It goes back to the sustainability aspect of our
company and supporting our community and city.” These sophisticated, colorful clothes (the color wheel does include one shade of green) are designed to be as versatile as they are fashionable, making it possible to do more with any wardrobe using fewer pieces. Each piece in the ever-expanding line is available in retail shops across the country as well as on-line. Marchiska and Bresnan hail from the halls of Wall Street corporations and are leveraging technology for everything from high-tech promotions to e-commerce as they expand the reach of their clothing line. You can follow c.marchuska on Twitter and Facebook to keep up with ecofashion news—including how the “Christine Dress” can be worn dressed up, dressed down or as a light weight jacket—on the company’s blog. Those already in the know are retailers who are giving raves. “They like the designs first and foremost,” Marchuska says. “We always focus on the design aesthetic and how to incorporate luxury eco-friendly fabrics into our designs.” Customers agree.
“They like the versatility of the pieces and the flattering cut of the designs,” Marchuska adds. “I even have been told by other designers that they really appreciate how many different body types are able to wear our designs and look stylish and attractive.” Thanks to c.marchuska, the socially conscious woman no longer has to sacrifice style, price or comfort to help save the planet.
Christine and Brooke met in April 2008 while raising funds and awareness for Safe Horizon, the nation’s leading victim assistance organization. A percentage of c. marchuska proceeds is donated annually to Safe Horizon.
TWITTER: @cmarchuska FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/cmarchuska BLOG: www.cmarchuska.com/blog
A Distinctive style 17
LUX By Mae Yokoyama Photographer Andreas Nyquist
Mae Yokoyama brings technology into the world of haute couture and show how to profit from the sun and turn energy into beauty.
One piece that stands out in her production is a collar made of solar panels, accumulating energy during daytime. When the sun goes down a string of pearls is illuminated, turning the functional look of the solar panels into a subtle and fashionable necklace.
20 A Distinctive style
www.bengoode.com
Ben GOODe photography A Distinctive style 21
22 A Distinctive style
Matt Venuti
A Natural Musician By Ginger Brashinger It may sound cliché to talk about
“I was obsessed,” Venuti said of
immersing yourself in the music, but
his subsequent search. “It took me
Speaking with passion about an
in the case of Matt Venuti’s pieces,
months just to find out what it was
instrument that Venuti truly plays
we’re simply talking reality. Venuti
really called.”
with his whole being, he honors
takes your heart away.”
is as one with the Hang, an instru-
When he finally made the con-
Felix and Sabina’s ultimate vision of
ment which defies definition, even
nection, Venuti discovered that
the Hang as a “complete holistic
as it creates music so complete
the artists who created the Hang
entity.”
that it requires none.
were not just selling to anyone,
“We should wait before we put it
“The Hang is a work in progress,”
cautious about the possible ex-
into a box,” Venuti says of those
Venuti says of what is frequently his
ploitation of their artwork. A re-
who might want to categorize the
instrument of choice. “It has a new
quest by letter was required, and if
instrument. “It’s going to change.
resonance, a new look, a new feel.
the request was acknowledged, it
It’s almost as if it’s ancient, but it’s
It’s a sound sculpture.”
might result in an invitation to
brand new. It needs a story. It
Switzerland
needs time. I guess that’s my job.
Even that description does not
where
Felix
and
prepare one for the full effect of
Sabina, Hang creators, worked
the music—a soothing liquid sound
their magic.
www.venusians.com
with a heartbeat (think of the early
Venuti went on to order a Hang
morning song of a red-winged
from Switzerland (“before I even
When you get to know this pro-
blackbird) played on a “soft” steel
played one”) and then found one
foundly compassionate and loving
surface.
for sale online at almost the same
individual, it’s not surprising that he
Venuti and his band, The Venu-
time, going from a dearth to a vir-
and his music, his instruments are
sians, were “the darlings of the dot
tual “Hang plethora” in a very short
“one.” After his wife of 20 years,
com era,” according to Venuti,
time.
Yolanda, was diagnosed with a
and
continue
to
maintain
a
A natural musician, Venuti quickly
terminal illness, Venuti took a leave
healthy schedule of gigs ranging
recorded his first of many Hang
from his musical career to become
from Napa Valley to Mexico to
CDs, Dance of the Helix and sent it
her
Germany. Despite the success of
off to Switzerland.
caretaker. Despite her passing last
constant
companion
and
the band—together now for 20
“They loved it,” Venuti said of
year, she remains a presence in his
years—and the pleasure Venuti
Felix and Sabina, “and they asked
life through his music, their mutual
derived from playing yet another
me to please send more and
love of nature and compassion for
unique instrument, the Electronic
come to Switzerland.”
animals. When the author caught
Valve Instrument, he was looking for something new. “I put the word out to my friends that I needed something different.” One of those friends mentioned hearing a “hand pan.”
He took them up on the offer the
up with Venuti for this interview, he
following year and has visited sev-
had just come in from outdoors
eral times since.
where he takes care of 15 feral
“We became friends,” Venuti
cats on a daily basis, something he
said. “These two are brilliant artists.
and Yolanda shared. Check out his
Their new creation ‘Integral Hang’
Facebook page for more.
is so deep and beautiful; it just
A Distinctive style 23
Your dinner table becomes a riskier place for
on narrow ledges. They often have highly
glasses the longer you drink. Glasses are
conical eggs, which are less likely to roll off
likely to tip over, spilling wine on your table
the ledge, tending instead to roll around in a
cloth and in a worst case scenario, even
tight circle.
falling down and getting crushed on the floor.
The pyriform shape of the glass and decanter resulting in their orbital movement on
Andreas Dahlberg wanted to avoid those
the dinner table, also makes the wine breath
mishaps during dinner. So, when making a set
easier, giving it a richer taste and enhanced
of wine glasses and a decanter, he was in-
flavour prior to drinking.
spired by cliff-nesting birds who lay their eggs
24 A Distinctive style
Pyriform By Andreas Dahlberg Photographer Andreas DAHLBERG
A Distinctive style 25
www.clarklittlephotography.com
By Lara Vander Ploeg For many, there is nothing quite as inspiring as the ocean canvas. The ebb and flow of tides, the vast landscape of wind-swept peaks and valleys, the incredible colors of sun-kissed shallows, and the silken curtain of gray as a storm sweeps across the horizon, are all evidence of an ecosystem with multiple personalities. The curl and spray of waves breaking on shore is another image that can sooth or exhilarate and no one captures these images like Clark Little. Clark has spent his whole life near the beach. He is distinguished in the world of surfing as a “shorebreak surfer” – one who surfs the waves that break very close to shore on the beach or rocky shoreline. These type of waves end up on the beach or rocks just a few seconds later. For surfing, the drops are usually very steep. Even if you make the drop, there is no escape out since the wave hits the beach soon after and engulfs you. While Clark doesn’t claim to be heroic, even a glimpse of other shorebreak surfers and you know this is not a passion for the meek. It was this unique surfing expertise (and a request from his wife for bedroom artwork) that helped him get started capturing the incredible, once-ina-lifetime moments you see here. Clark’s work is constantly evolving. Because he has the heart and mind of a student, he is always searching. He shoots in all kinds of weather, times of day, and sizes of waves. Over the years he has learned more and more about photography, equipment, shooting secrets, and let his own style emerge. He may take 250-350 shots in an outing and get 2-4 keepers. Some days he gets nothing at all. However, there is something incredibly satisfying about getting an amazing shot.
In fact, Clark’s work is so unique and compelling, he has been featured in magazines, newspapers, and other media outlets all over the world. In response to overwhelming interest and the sheer accumulation of images, he chose to publish his favorites in a book. The Shorebreak Art of Clark Little, is a breathtaking visual expose that not only serves to honor this force of nature but also chronicle Clark’s own journey. “To be able to create a book was a wild dream. As it started to look like it could become a reality, I just had to go for it. And then to have forewords written by singer/ songwriter Jack Johnson and 9-time
surfing world champion, Kelly Slater, is beyond what I could have ever imagined.” Truth is: The Shorebreak Art of Clark Little challenges the imagination of
most and not only stands out as an incredible photographic collection; it serves as a reminder to all of us that we “are just a speck of sand compared to the greatness of nature. Nature doesn’t stop for us. We are the ones who need to adjust to her.” Clark is blessed to enjoy the beaches of Hawaii on a daily basis. We are not all so lucky. However, Clark gives his readers and fans a view of nature they have never seen before and may never see again. It is his gift to us and it doesn’t just stop with his book. As the year goes on, Clark Little has many other projects in the works. To re-attune yourself to the awe-inspir-
ing display of water and surf, check out his website at www.clarklittlephotography.com and keep abreast of the exciting things that lie ahead. A Distinctive style 27
Inner Wisdom Seeking Peace
Harboring hostilities, even the
lack of awareness that each per-
tiny ones we pretend we don’t
son’s pain is not unlike our own
by Christina Grant, PhD
have, creates an ideal environ-
pain. When we can see that the
ment for conflict. Even the annoy-
person who just drove past us like
ances we feel toward others – their
a maniac, or our rude co-worker,
attitudes or opposing beliefs, their
or our angry partner is actually in
mannerisms and expressions, the
some sort of pain (otherwise there
Most everyone I know feels drawn
things they might say or do, the
wouldn’t be the aggression) then
to the idea of peace – inner
way they drive – have the opposite
we can begin to understand, “Ah,
peace, a peaceful home, a
effect of what most of us really
this person is suffering. It is not
peaceful country, a peaceful
want, which is peace.
about me. Perhaps the best thing I
world. But what does it take to
So what would it look like to
can do in this moment is offer them
have it? As we all know, peace
cultivate an inner sense of peace
compassion, for their suffering is not
isn’t an easy goal.
in a way that promotes external
unlike my own.”
Wars and invasions have pre-
peace? We would begin by taking
What people need most of all
vailed in the world throughout his-
responsibility for our feelings. We
is compassion for their ignorance
tory. In order for this to be the case,
are a society addicted to blaming
and the way they inadvertently
I think the majority of people who
others for our own unwanted cir-
hurt others.
live on the planet are at war within
cumstances. We wouldn’t do this
So maybe you will join me on a
themselves. How could it be any
anymore. Instead, we would work
quest for peace. But let’s not just
other way?
through disturbing thoughts and
talk about it or march for it or won-
If we have mini-wars within us,
emotions, refusing to fling them out
der why it hasn’t happened yet.
what do we do about them? This
into the world the way we some-
Let’s actually cultivate it within our-
is an important question for all suc-
times do. Instead of taking oppor-
selves. In this way no matter what
cessful peacemakers. If you be-
tunities to express our hostilities to-
happens in our world we can know
lieve, like I do, that inner conflict
ward others, we would express
our own role has been to actively
ultimately leads to wars in the
them constructively (exercise, jour-
promote peace.
world, then doing our own inner
naling, singing, dancing, releasing
housekeeping is the most powerful
the sounds of hostility in healing
Dr. Christina Grant is a holistic healer
way we can contribute to plane-
ways). And we might even think
and spiritual counselor who works in per-
tary peace.
about cultivating compassion and
son and by phone. She has helped hun-
understanding for our own suffer-
dreds of people attain physical, mental,
ing.
emotional and spiritual well-being
The noble goal of seeking a more peaceful environment includes fostering serenity and har-
“If we could read the secret his-
through personal transformation. Her
mony in our innermost selves. If
tory of our enemies, we should find
writing is published nationwide. She is
each of us maintained our own
in each man’s life sorrow and suf-
co-author of Eight Minute Muse and is
serenity, we would never consider
fering enough to disarm all hostil-
completing a book with a fresh perspective
invading or harming another per-
ity.”
on women’s health.
son or “tribe.” It wouldn’t even occur to us. 28 A Distinctive style
This quote by Henry Wordsworth Longfellow appears to reveal our
www.christinagrant.com
30 A Distinctive style
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32 A Distinctive style
A Distinctive style 33
www.racingforachange.blogspot.com 34 A Distinctive style
RACING FOR A CHANGE Marathons, Bandanas and a Cure
R
ather than putting her life
“I was trying on hats and ball
Cancer patients can request their
on hold during cancer
caps—anything
my
bandana directly from Cashea or
treatments,
head,” Cashea said. “Then I went
through friends and family—and
to
through my sock drawer and
they can choose their favorite
enhance the lives of others. The
found four bandanas. I knew that
color! Many ask to have the ban-
young Georgia native, a die-hard
this would really work for a lot of
dana personalized with a name or
vegetarian who has been living
people.”
a saying, something Cashea is
Cashea
Arrington
21-year-old decided
to
cover
with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma for
happy to do. She is hoping that as
the last few months, understands
Cashea jumped right in with both
people recover from their can-
every nuance of a disease that
feet, literally, and planned to
cer—hair grows back and lives get
must be dealt with on a daily basis.
make a bandana for every mile
back to normal—they will “pay it
she logged in her training for an
forward” and share both the ban-
“I was diagnosed on November
upcoming marathon to raise funds
dana and the spirit that goes with
13th,” Cashea said when I caught
for the Leukemia and Lymphoma
it.
up with this busy young woman.
Society. Setting her goal at 200
Then she added, “Friday the 13 ,”
bandanas for as many cancer
“The favorite color seems to be
with a wry laugh. “At this point, I’ve
patients, she spread the word to
camouflage,” Cashea said. “I think
done six rounds of chemo and my
friends and family via email, Face-
that’s appropriate because it is the
next round starts in June.”
book, and her own blog. The
color used when people are fight-
response has been overwhelming.
ing. We’re basically fighting, too.”
th
Enduring the chemotherapy was
Not only has Cashea surpassed her
one thing, but when Cashea
original goal, her idea has grown
Note: Cashea Arrington can be
began to lose her hair—on her 21st
to include people all over the U.S.
reached via Facebook and at
birthday, no less—she felt she had
and even some foreign countries.
racingforachange.blogspot.com.
feel better about her appearance.
“A man in Germany is sending me
Cashea just doesn’t quit! She is
Rejecting wigs as expensive, un-
fabric
bandanas,”
also teaming up with Spiritjump.org
comfortable, and obvious, Cashea
Cashea, who has personally sewn
and Cards 4 Cancer. She’s actively
needed an acceptable alterna-
and personalized 150 bandanas to
looking for team leaders in every
tive. When she found it, she instinc-
this point, commented. “My new
state and, of course, donations for
tively knew that many others must
goal is to have 1,000 bandanas
her marathon, as well as money
feel same way.
distributed by the time I start my
and/or fabric for bandanas. If you
second
want to help Cashea please visit
to do something to make herself to
summer.”
make
round
of
chemo
this
her website for more information.
A Distinctive style 35
www.bengoode.com
Ben GOODe photography 36 A Distinctive style
DREAM THE IMPOSSIBLE DOCUMENTARY SERIES
Honda is a company founded by a
Honda proudly presents these thought-
dreamer. And they believe in the
provoking stories—told through the ex-
Power of Dreams.
perience of visionaries, friends, and as-
In this spirit, they have created a series of short documentary films celebrating those who have the courage to turn failure into success, and to forge dreams into a better future. Empowered by their deeply held beliefs and guiding philosophies, these individuals
sociates
of
Honda—as
captured
through the candid perspectives of renowned filmmakers Derek Cianfrance and Joe Berlinger. SEE LIVING WITH ROBOTS AT:
www.dreams.honda.com/#/allstories
make the impossible real.
A Distinctive style 37
Photographer Katie Meehan
The Beauty Corner WITH
Shelly Ballestero Shelly is a licensed esthetician, make-up artist, beauty contributor to CBN.com, and author.
Spring Clean your Beauty Cabinet According to the FDA, cosmetics
aging makeup—even though it’s
two years (some have no expira-
aren’t required by law to have ex-
got preservatives in it to stave off
tion date depending on the ingre-
piration dates. Old makeup is a
the infiltration (and sorry, germs still
dients that are added). Quick tip:
breeding ground for bacteria, and
get in no matter how gentle and
Use a disposable applicator and
yet how many of us have mascara
clean you are when using it). It’s a
the front of your hand as a palette.
or lipstick or even foundation from
losing battle.
years ago? Even though healthconscious companies are voluntarily adding expiration dates to their
packaging,
a
product’s
safety may go bad long before the designated date if it hasn’t been stored properly. In fact, cos-
Concealer has a shelf life of six to
How long can we keep our cos-
eight months, sometimes more de-
metics and skincare products, and
pending on the ingredients.
is there a way to extend their shelf life to protect ourselves from infections like pink eye and skin breakouts?
Powders, including eye shadows and blush, last one to two years. Mascara lasts for three months. Never pump your mascara, as air
metics that are exposed to high
Here’s the beauty breakdown:
temperatures or sunlight or are
Makeup
Clean your wand with tissue every
opened and examined by con-
Liquid foundation lasts three to six
couple of days to help prevent
sumers prior to purchase may sub-
months. Cream foundation can
clumping.
stantially deteriorate before the
last four to six months. Foundation
expiration date. All makeup starts
in a pump dispenser will last a little
out with a little bacteria in it from
longer because it is less exposed to
the get-go. Then once you open it,
air than jar foundation. If founda-
airborne bacteria swarms in. Add
tion has a higher percentage of
the bacteria from your hands and
pigment, such as mineral powder
you’ve got a war against your
makeup, then you have a year to
38 A Distinctive style
just pushes back into the tube.
Lip gloss and lipstick have a shelf life of one year sometimes longer but only by a few months or so. I had spoken to Monave’s company www.monave.com about the expiration of their lipgloss and it will last a year and a half be-
cause of the vitamin E and castor
Makeup sponges need to be
on the cosmetic counter when
oil which helps to extend the shelf
cleaned after every use. Toss within
people constantly stick their hands
life (and a natural preservative).
one to two months, or when the
in the makeup and try it on without
sponges show wear and tear. For
asking for help. Please be careful
longer-lasting sponges, Beauty-
at the counters and make sure
blender (www.beautyblender.net)
pencils are sharpened and tools
is an excellent choice. Shaped like
are used when makeup is applied.
a teardrop, it’s nontoxic, odor-free,
Beauty WiSdoM
Eye and lip pencils will stay fresh over a year with continued sharpening. You’ll know when it has gone bad if it crumbles. Skincare & Body WaSheS Facial cleansers and moisturizers are good for about six months, unless these products have acids in them like glycolic acid, salicylic acid and beta hydroxyl acid— then they will have a longer shelf life. Try putting eye cream in the fridge—it makes tired eyes feel alive and it keeps it out of the heat. Quick tip: If you don’t want to keep it in the fridge with your food, get a cosmetic fridge. Check out www.frontgate.com or
latex-free and lasts up to four months
(plus
if
you
send
it
back they will recycle it for you). You could also try a flock sponge, an
inexpensive
tive
tool
from
and
produc-
Jane
Iredale
(www.janeiredaledirect.com) that lasts three to four months or longer. Nail polish has one to two years, if you see orange or other funky stuff going on at the top and the original color is, lets say pink…it went bad.
A little common sense goes a long way: Wash your hands before applying makeup and skincare products to prevent the spreading of bacteria, keep lids firmly screwed on and use spatulas (or your kids craft sticks) or Q-tips for products in a jar. These general guidelines can help keep you safe and give you confidence when purchasing and preserving products. And remember, like the old saying goes: When in
www.amazon.com and search for
Scent-SiBlity
doubt, throw it out—especially if
“cosmetic cooler.”
According to Annette Green of
there’s no date.
away after one year, but if it has vitamin C in it, the nutrients can lose potency before a year. Sunscreens need to be tossed
the Fragrance Foundation, your perfume
should
last
from
six
months to a year. Storing it in the fridge does not extend the life of a fragrance. In fact, it can disrupt the balance of the perfume and
within a year.
eau de parfum. However, after-
Natural body washes last for six
shave
months.
chilled.
Brushes should be washed regu-
Sharing iS not So caring
larly, as often as once a week, with
Sharing makeup heightens the risk
mild soap and warm water, or you
for infection because it increases
can use a spray brush cleaner. You
the risk of contamination. Don’t do
can also use alcohol—it’s a little
it! And speaking of sharing, how
harsh, but it works for emergencies.
about those testers located at de-
Good brushes are expensive, so if
partment store cosmetic counters?
you want to protect your invest-
I used to work at a popular cos-
ment, pick up The Brush Guard
metic counter 15 years ago, and
(www.thebrushguard.com).
procedures have not changed
and
cologne
may
be
much. It’s hard to keep your eyes
http://www.flickr.com/photos/9738004@N08/ Photo by George Hall
Facial toner should be thrown
A Distinctive style 39
Photo: Jonathan Dennis Stylist: Cynthia Altoriso Hair/Makeup: Erica Grey
40 A Distinctive style
Summer Rayne Oakes Eco-Model Extraordinaire By Rita Cook
S
o who is Summer Rayne
Tell me a little about who you are
Talk about your projects, you had
Oakes, well we thought
as a person — three words to
a book that just came out too.
you’d never ask. Describing
describe yourself.
herself as an eco-model, she actually
didn’t
coin
that
term,
instead she says “About eight years ago now, I started doing what
I
call
cause-related
or
values-based modeling—aligning my values with who I am as a
I’ve wanted to write a book since
I had this same question on my
I was 13; it’s just not the same book
college application, except it
I ended up writing. My book is en-
asked “What three objects best
titled Style, Naturally: The savvy
describe you and why?” My
shopping guide to sustainable
answer would be the same: A
fashion
magnifying lens, a swatch of
Books). I wanted to write a book
&
beauty
(Chronicle
that looks and feels and reads like
person and assisting companies,
a style guide, but would touch
programs, designers and projects
upon greater issues like conserva-
be better stewards. The media
tion, organics, women’s issues,
started referring to me as “The
and fair trade, without feeling so
Eco-Model,” but it’s more than
daunting. I was able to accom-
about being the face for a
plish this with some witty personal
greener brand.”
vignettes, great girl-on-the-street
So, modeling career, check; green
style profiles, awesome designer
lifestyle and good causes she
profiles, and more than 500 color
cares about, check and what
images and product reviews. I
else; well, even a book that has
wanted a book that was very
just hit bookstores. Read on!
global, very accessible, something that each woman can make their
What was your first big break?
own, and overall would fly in the
It’s been a lot of hard work every
Velcro, and a bridge. Magnifying
face of what most people think
day—there’s never been that
lens: I’m very analytical … I like to
“green” is. One of my main goals
“one thing.”
look at complex issues closely and
is to push the environmental con-
try to figure them out. Velcro:
versation forward by keeping it
Once I find something I like, I stick
fresh and real. I wanted to ac-
to it - no matter how challenging.
complish that with this book; for
A bridge: I love connecting dis-
one, it’s on recycled paper, veg-
parate groups together. You get
etable-based inks, and 1 percent
more accomplished that way,
for the planet with proceeds going
hence the reason why I started in
to Energy Action, but it looks,
the space of sustainability and
reads and feels “invisibly green.” I
Where did you grow up and how did that contribute to the person you are today? I was born and raised in Northeastern Pennsylvania. My house was bordered by farm, fields and forest, so it was a perfect place for a curious kid who liked getting dirty.
fashion.
Continued next page
Summer Rayne Oakes
Photo: Jonathan Dennis Stylist: Cynthia Altoriso Hair/Makeup: Erica Grey
Photo: Jonathan Dennis Stylist: Cynthia Altoriso Hair/Makeup: Erica Grey
Photographer:Rodney Young Hair/Makeup: Jasmine Irbrahim
Photographer: Joe Moe Makeup: Lotstar Hair (Aveda): Denis Clendennen
Photo: Jonathan Dennis Stylist: Cynthia Altoriso Hair/Makeup: Erica Grey
Photo: Jonathan Dennis Stylist: Cynthia Altoriso Hair/Makeup: Erica Grey Photo: Portico Home
Photo: Jonathan Dennis Stylist: Cynthia Altoriso Hair/Makeup: Erica Grey
Photographer: Esther Havens Photographer:Ninelle Efremova Hair/Makeup: Cassandra Renee
Photo: Jonathan Dennis Stylist: Cynthia Altoriso Hair/Makeup: Erica Grey
Photographer: Joe Moe Makeup: Lotstar Hair (Aveda): Denis Clendennen Photo: Esther Havens Photographer: Esther Havens
Photo: Jonathan Dennis Stylist: Cynthia Altoriso Hair/Makeup: Erica Grey
Photo: Jonathan Dennis Stylist: Cynthia Altoriso Hair/Makeup: Erica Grey
Photographer: Esther Havens
Photographer: Esther Havens
Photographer: Joe Moe Makeup: Lotstar Hair (Aveda): Denis Clendennen Photographer: Esther Havens
www.SummerRayne.net Style, Naturally: The Savvy Shopping Guide to Sustainable Fashion and Beauty ORDER ON AMAZON 42 A Distinctive style
Photographer: Esther Havens
wanted a book that would sit
search, public relations, risk man-
I’m also helping re-launch Portico
comfortably between Tim Gunn’s
agement, and the like. The best
Home. They’re whole home textile,
Guide to Quality, Taste & Style and
clients for me are ones that I can
bath robe, linen and towel lines
The Lucky Style Guide, and do be-
represent both in front of the cam-
are certified organic which hit the
lieve we accomplished that be-
era as well as behind-the-scenes.
market in June 2009.
tween the patience and vision of
I’m a very hands-on-person. I like
the graphics design team and
to be involved and know that you
photographers.
need to be fully immersed in a
You are an eco-model, activist and authority on all things sustainable in fashion and beauty, can you talk about that a little for me? I originally came into the fashion industry as a covert-model - a wolf in sheep’s clothing so to speak. I was in university and looking for in-
project for it to be successful. I know we can truly make things better if we put our minds, hearts, and some sweat equity into it.
On another front, I work with a partner—Allan Schwarz—out in Mozambique on nearly two dozen sustainable forestry programs in Mozambique. Locals are trained to do forest enrichment planting and make the highest-valued
What made you decide to be-
products out of the forests, which
come an activist and what is your
include high-end furniture, kitchen-
biggest project in this regard at
ware, jewelry/accessories, and a
the moment?
newly launched personal care product line.
novative ways to communicate
You know, it’s quite simple really. I
sustainability. My environmental
love nature. I love being out in na-
Lastly, has been a move more into
research kept pointing me to
ture; I love what nature brings to
media. I work closely as a corre-
something much bigger than the
people; and I believe in healthy
spondent
science lab. I originally thought I’d
ecosystems and a healthy quality
work’s Planet Green and have
partner with other personalities,
of life. I really found myself at a
filmed a number of shows. It’s
models and celebrities to help de-
young age in the world around
been really amazing - climbing
velop cool environmental pro-
me. I immersed myself in Native
250 feet in the air on the belly of a
grams, but many people in the
American history, knowledge and
wind turbine, swimming in the Pa-
space couldn’t manage to do it
culture - and do believe all of my
cific Trash Vortex - an area of trash
because their “work” conflicted
advocacy and activism stemmed
twice the size of Texas in the Pa-
with their values - meaning they’d
from there.
cific Ocean; learning about biodi-
have to fly out and film a movie for six months or they’d go and model for a company that was-less-thanimpressive socially and environmentally. The collar didn’t match the cuff. I thought, “Geez, if I can bring in my values and raise the bar - use my expertise, image and passion to create change, then why not?” Two of my partners and I run a mad cool strategic communications and brand management
firm
(SJR)
that
assists
companies and organizations on sustainability issues, market re-
I have a few biggies in the fire in terms of launches. I’m collaborating with Payless on the launch of their green shoe and accessories line, Zoe & Zac, which launched in April 2009. It’s a fun project and an incredible learning experience for everyone involved. They’ve been great partners. They allow me to push the envelope and we’re tak-
with
Discovery
Net-
gestors on cow farms; shooting with Tommy Lee and Ludacris for Battleground Earth. I’ve also done work with MTV’s Real World this past season, taking the cast around through their pimped-out green house. I have a couple other programs and projects in the work, but I can’t spill the beans quite yet.
ing what we learn to see how we
This past spring, I worked with En-
can use sustainability as a source
ergy Action on PowerShift 09 in
of innovation across the other
D.C., which is the largest lobby
lines.
Continued next page A Distinctive style 43
Portico PURE. ORGANIC. GENIUS
44 A Distinctive style
day on climate change in the his-
and asked professors why they
What would you be doing if not in
tory of the United States. The
weren’t teaching students about
your current career?
coolest thing about it is that it is run
sustainability and many replied,
entirely by teens, tweens and 20-
“Well, it’s not in the text books
somethings. In 2007, we had 6,000
yet.” I was like, “WHAT!?! If we
young people show up from all 50
have to wait for this stuff to be in
states and 300 Congressional Dis-
the text books, we’re going to get
tricts and it was the first time
nowhere. We’ve got to start now.”
young people testified to the gov-
Also, just hopped on board a few
ernment
on
climate
change.
These were not paid lobbyists, but young citizens merely fighting for their democratic rights - passionate for change. This past year (2009) we expected double the amount of young people. There was
green
tours,
workshops,
months ago as Acting Editor for the avant-garde environmental magazine, ABOVE. (www.abovemagazine.com). Right now it’s available throughout Europe (not launched in the states yet). What are your five year goals?
I would be working on large-scale ecosystem-based restoration and management programs. I love being in the complexity of issues that intersect with environment, politics, culture and economy. I’m comfortable in the unknown. I often joke that if I wanted a definitive answer, I’d be a mathematician. Two plus two equals four and that’s it. But when you get into the science and social side of issues, well that’s a whole other ballpark. There’s always more questions than there are answers - and best
speakers, music, rallies, and most
Flow like water. Empower more
importantly - lobby days to talk
people, keep the conversation
with
moving forward, build more rela-
Tell me something about you no
tionships, and grow our business …
one else knows?
our
Representatives
and
elected officials. What are you working on in the future?
doors to more opportunities and ideas. My life is very organic that
Interactive sustainability educational programs; I launched a curriculum called ECOFASHION 101 (www.ecofashion101.com) back in 2005, which was met with some success, but I’m prepared to start expanding on the idea and programs. The United Nations Environmental
Programme
(UNEP)
recently called to obtain the curriculum for possible use in developing
All that really helps open up the
nations,
which
I
hope
happens. Going to college was a dream for me and I really feel strongly about educating young people and my peers. I speak at a lot of schools
way (no pun intended).
practices change all the time.
I’ll tell you something not many people know: I’ve been raising insects since I was a young girl. I’m fascinated by them! One of my
Aside from that, I have a couple of
majors in school was Entomology -
very cool projects in the pipeline
the study of insects - and I raise ex-
that will take a couple years to de-
otic arthropods at home. I have
velop, so I’m sure life will evolve
Madagascar hissing cockroaches,
rapidly, so I won’t even begin to
giant black African millipedes,
guess what my next five years are
desert millipedes, Hercules bee-
going to look like.
tles, blue death-feigning beetles,
Is there anything you would change in your life?
red-back darkling beetles, common darkling beetles and assassin bugs. They’re great pets to have,
No. Never. But maybe I’m just too
especially if you’re not home
young to think I made any “mis-
much. They don’t need that much
takes.”
attention.
Was this your dream? If this is the impossible, then yes. A Distinctive style 45
Pura bottles are a the environmentally friendly choice. 38 billion plastic bottles are dumped in landfills every year and it takes almost 1,000 years for them to decompose. Reusable stainless bottles keep plastic out of the landfills. Be part of the solution not part of the problem. Love the pura bottles, easy to clean, environmentally friendly and they come in great colors. Thumbs up on the Pura Bottles! www.purastainless.com
LaVigne Organic Skincare is dedicated to making natural products that both heal damaged skin and protect against the effects of day-to-day stresses from our environment. All our products are 100% satisfaction guaranteed. This is one of my favorite products because of how creamy it is and how it made my face super soft. I would order it again! www.lavigneorganics.com
editor’S pickS
This non-aerosol mist neutralizes all odors, and it's chemical-free, non-toxic, and safe for you and the environment. Each droplet contains active electrical ions (nature's own air cleaners) that attract, neutralize and continuously clean the air you breathe. I was a little leary when I heard about this product, mostly because everyone has a different idea of what smells good, but I put my preconceived notions aside and tried it with an open mind. You know what? It really does smell great and it really, really works. I was totally surprised! I gave some to a friend of mine that is allergic to everything and she loved it too. This is a wonderful product that I’ll always keep in the office and at home. www.miarose.com 46 46 AADistinctive Distinctivestyle style
Finally a “natural” perfume that actually smells fantastic! My favorite is Yuzu Citrus. Citrusy, lemon verbena notes in harmony with exotic Indian harshingar and galbanum with a hint of honey absolute. Yummy! www.artemisiaperfume.com
Ladies this is a purchase you can not be without this summer! These shoes are so comfortable you won’t want to take them off—ever! They stylish and easy to clean and they come in every color you can possibly imagine...with heals or without, with flowers or without, you get the idea. They even have a whole catalog with white wedding shoes. I will be getting more for sure! www.shoesthatloveyou.com
The Gaya handbags have a unique design and feminie look. They look like high-quality leather yet their price is surprisingly affordable. I received the handbag shown above and it’s my new favorite bag! I know you’ll love their new spring line! www.gaya.ca
A dear friend recommended this product to me and said it is fantastic! I’ve heard nothing but good about it from others too, as they say it is far superior to other products on the market. They all notice a huge difference in their skin and all fine lines are going away. As I write this my U 24K Serum is on it’s way :-( so I’ll have to report, in detail in the next issue. www.beauticreams.com A ADistinctive Distinctive style style 47 47
Photographer Katie Meehan
48 AADistinctive Distinctivestyle style 48
“Your make-up is just an accent.” ~ Shelly Ballestero By Ginger Brashinger
“
Your skin is a sponge.” So says
user. Consumers might use up to
Shelly Ballestero, someone who
25 products a day—anything
knows all about it. An estheti-
from the shampoo, conditioner,
cian,
beauty
consultant,
and
gels, and hairspray we use on
makeup artist, Shelly is also the au-
our hair to the lotion and polish
thor of Beauty by God, a book for
we use on our feet. Treating the
anyone with questions about be-
skin right, Ballestero says, is as
coming beautiful inside and out.
important to good health as
Although Shelly’s Christian attitude prevails throughout her dis-
eating your fruits and vegetables.
cussions of her own challenging
“The skin is our first line of de-
journey to physical, mental and
fense against the toxins of the
spiritual
world,” she said. “It’s our shield,
health,
her
frustration
emerges when she talks about what we unwittingly do to ourselves. “We go against a healthy system
our armor.” The Ballestero family, Shelly and her husband, Angelo and their
sons
Angelo,
11
and
in so many ways,” Shelly noted.
Christopher, 8, use no toxic
“People may eat healthy foods,
chemicals of any type and there
organic foods, and think they are
are none in their home. In fact,
doing the right thing. They are, but
Shelly began mixing her own skin
they need to take it a step further.”
care products from natural sources
Ballestero has become very par-
about five years ago in her own
ticular about what she puts on her
kitchen.
body as well as in her body, fueled
But the seed of her discontent
by the knowledge that our skin is
began while Shelly was watching
the largest organ and absorbs
a makeup artist apply makeup on
what we put on it. The chemicals
an actress. She couldn’t help but
in skin, hair, hygiene, and make-up
think about the amount of toxins
products, according to Ballestero,
entering the actress’s body every
leach into our bodies, most likely
day, and that not only troubled
without a second thought by the
her, it got her thinking. She be-
came a “label detective.” While researching safe skin care alternatives for her book, Shelly discovered that, although the overthe-counter products contained too many toxins, “natural” products were not necessarily any better. “Natural doesn’t always mean it’s good,” Ballestero said. “The FDA (Food and Drug Administration) doesn’t regulate skin care products and many of them have hidden toxins.” Continued next page ADistinctive Distinctive style style 49 49 A
50 A Distinctive style
Ballestero wanted to help others Photographer Katie Meehan
who might experience the extreme symptoms
of
congestion
and
headaches which she experienced when around people with heavily scented products. “I was tired of seeing people die,” Shelly said, having lost her father to cancer shortly before beginning work on her book. “I said to my husband, ‘I wish there was an honest book out there that would tell the truth about how to achieve a healthy body inside and out.’” Angelo Ballestero told his wife to write the book herself. Cost-conscious Ballestero got to work creating a realistic approach to beauty and health, realizing that not everyone could throw out everything they had and start over. “I thought about how I could reach people who can’t afford to make all the changes at once they might need to make,” Shelly said. “I knew I had to think way outside the box.” Beauty by God, a book with a conservative price tag despite the priceless information, educates the reader on a variety of topics. Covering everything from “organic” labels and mixing home-made skin care products to increasing one’s self-esteem, Ballestero’s passion for people resonates. “I want your true beauty to come
OrDEr SHElly’S BOOK: http://www.beautybygodbook.com VISIT HEr WEBSITE:
http://www.shellyballestero.com
ENJOy HEr BlOG:
http://www.beautybygod.blogspot.com
through,” Ballestero, who believes in ‘less is better,’ said. “Your makeup is just an accent.” A Distinctive style 51
52 A Distinctive style
www.lolipop.ca
A Distinctive style 53
54 A Distinctive style
Dr. David Suzuki By Peter Mack
D
avid Suzuki, Co-Founder of the David Suzuki Foundation, is an award-winning scientist, environmentalist and broadcaster. He is renowned for his radio and television programs that explain the complexities of the natural sciences in a compelling, easily understood way. If I were to list all of Dr. Suzuki’s achievements and awards I would need another 100 pages for this issue. Suffice to say he ‘knows his stuff’ as we say in Australia. Born one hundred percent Japanese genetically and a third generation Canadian he is immensely proud of his dual heritage, a mix that even he finds interesting. He was born in British Columbia 1936 to a loving but not wealthy family. At the onset of World war II even though he, his parents and sisters were all born, raised and educated in Canada they were deprived of all rights of citizenship. Everything that his parents had worked for was taken from them and the whole family was sent to what can only be described as a concentration camp in the Rockies. When the war ended they were offered two choices. ‘Give up your citizenship and we’ll send you back to Japan or get the hell out of British Columbia.’ They decided to go east of the Rockies and set up home in Ontario. In David’s words (smiling)”You can see why I’m such a screwed up person.” He has a great sense of humour and laughs easily and wholesomely but the passion emerges when he talks about his work and his family. When he is relaxing he tries to sleep in the same bed as his wife and not some hotel or motel on the other side of the country or, like too often has been the case, the world. To do this he has cut down on travelling and drastically reduced his
own carbon footprint. References to his lifetimes work are never far from the surface. He and his family are heavy duty anglers, campers, hikers and canoeists. They never fish to catch and release they have only ever fished for food and never for sport. Catch and release is against their principles, they believe that if you’re not going to eat it don’t fish for it. David has five children from two families; four girls and a boy and from his first family there are three teenage grandchildren. His passion at the moment is his new grandson, who is eight months old, and he has taken the ‘Interesting mix’ to a new level in the family’s genetic make up. He is half American Indian and he lives with his daughter and her husband in northern BC. “My wife and I are over the moon with this little boy.” This is a whole new chapter in the Suzuki lives as they have all been adopted by the Haida tribe and are completely enchanted by them. The area where the reserve is has also captivated the family. With less travel and a moderately short distance, he and his wife get to see their daughter and grandson a lot more which is great.” He has a number of fond memories to relate to but his favourite is about his father who was his hero. He was dying of cancer at eighty five years of age when David moved in with him for what turned out to be the last month of his life. They had many conversations and he never once heard his father talk about his fancy car or buildings or other gains but only about his emotional wealth. “David” he used to say “You know; I am a rich man, I have friends, family, neighbours what more can a man want?” He only talked about what they all did together and the enjoyment he re-
ceived from it. His father couldn’t see the point in fancy plasma televisions or cars. Still stuck in the sixties and seventies with his music, he reckons he’s in a time warp. Joni Mitchell, Bob Dylan, Joan Baez, Credence Clearwater…”That’s my time; I’m stuck there.” He doesn’t read fiction books anymore but receives enjoyment from books about and by people he admires. Tim Flannery’s The Weather Makers is a fantastic book that he has recently finished. Most of his books are about our relationships with mother earth. After his first visit to Australia in 1989, he fell in love with the country and the people, and has been there a great many times. As the distance is so far, the carbon footprint so immense, he has cut back on those trips as well as visits to some of the worlds most majestic places, The Amazon, Serengeti, Galapagos, Arctic. His focus is now more on where he lives in BC, and in fact he believes it is one of the most incredible places on the planet anyway. The future holds a number of things in store for Suzuki but his main target is retirement. He is hoping that his two daughters from his present marriage will gain their PhD’s and take over the reins of his life’s work. They are both sensationally beautiful and very, very charismatic and he hopes they will also take over his television program that has been running for over thirty years. No interview with Dr Suzuki can be complete in such short commentary so please go to our website: www.adistinctiveworld.net and go to the David Suzuki page to see Peter’s interview in full including Dr Suzuki’s thoughts on some important environmental questions. A Distinctive style 55
www.lisalorenzpaintings.com 56 A Distinctive style
Lisa Lorenz Paintings CoLourfuL Canvases Lively and vibrant in colour, Lisa's paintings are creative, expressive, and stylized. Her lively, imaginative compositions and strikingly effective use of colours evoke in us a sense of happiness and a smile.
A Distinctive style 57
58 A Distinctive style
Photographer Joan Marcus
Tim
MARTIN Gleason
PLAYS By Ted Gambordella A Distinctive Style recently had the pleasure of interviewing Tim Martin Gleason, the star of Phantom of the Opera, when it was showing at Music Hall at Fair Park Dallas; he is an articulate, charming and talented performer who brings vigor, and excitement with every performance. He gave us a good insight into who he is and then graciously answered some of our questions. The Dallas press reviews showed him to be a flawless, passionate singer with a voice as close to perfection as is possible. He plays the role his way and characterizes the Phantom to be a more vulnerable malefactor than we have come to expect and it works. His portrayal of an emotionally fragile character gives the role its own signature. Gleason, a native of New Jersey is one of those fortunate and indeed brave people who suddenly decided he wasn’t prepared to live the utterly boring corporate life so he packed his bags for New York to pursue his dream. He had been singing all his life but oddly only took his first lesson at 26 years of age. He had always harbored dreams of being a star after he realized his ambition to be a baseball player had all but evaporated. In 1977 while enjoying one (or three) too many drinks one night in a piano bar singing, mostly to himself, he was discovered by an agent.
Not long afterwards he was touring the country in a van with the cast of the children’s production of “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.” The tour was 13 weeks of motels, rough sleeping and cafeteria audiences but it gave him a good grounding into the industry. He was performing in one of the Mecca’s of the industry, New York and was ‘on his way.’ ADS: How long have you been with Phantom? Gleason: I have been with Phantom since 2001, for nine years continuously but with different companies. This tour has been running for three and a half years. I did the Broadway production as Raoul for a year, and then they asked me to open the Las Vegas Company which I did for a year and a half, then back to Broadway for two years. Then about a year ago they asked me to become the full-time Phantom, which I’ve been doing, and it’s been an absolute blessing! ADS: Is it easy to stay in character after all these performances? Gleason: Laughs, well I wouldn’t have a job I guess, if it wasn’t, but that’s the challenge, after doing it so long. Having done the show with so many different Christine’s, with so many different companies, it really does stay fresh. The reaction from the people is so genuine and so sincere, that that keeps you going as well.
ADS: Did you know much about the Phantom roll before you took it? Gleason: Not really, I’d seen it a couple times. Of all the big Cameron Mackintosh shows of the Phantom, Les Misérables, and Miss Saigon, Phantom is the one show I never thought I would do. I wanted to play Chris in Miss Saigon so bad, and Les Mis, I thought someday I’d have to do Les Mis, but here I am in Phantom. I just knew it was a very difficult thing and that’s why I never thought I’d be part of it, but here I am. ADS: You’ve had such great reviews about your talent as an actor and a singer. Did you ever have voice lessons? Gleason: I never took a voice lesson until I was 28 years old. I’ve been singing in church choir from the time I was about 6 years old. And I never studied it, I never took acting classes, I just wanted to be a baseball player. I played baseball in high school, I was pretty terrible but I was good enough to make the team. Then I changed my cleats into running shoes to go do play practice at night. I would do the musicals there. I was only doing musicals because it was fun and I could sign a little but it was never a goal of mine until I got into my late 20’s when I decided I had to do something with my life. Continued next page A Distinctive style 59
Photographer Wendy Lee ADS: How do you stay fresh after all of these years of performing? Gleason: The bigwigs come out about once a month, the people from New York, to look at the show to make sure the show is still what it should be, and they stay on you. That is their job, they really help with that and they push you really hard. No one slacks off. No one gets lazy. Not at all. ADS: You mentioned that the audience inspires you. What kind of audience do you like? Gleason: Well, I like an audience that likes the show (laughs). Every audience is different, every audience reacts differently ... for example we played Durham which, was a very polite and reserved audience. They loved the show, they clapped and cheered but only at the end of the show ... the audience was sophisticated and was listening. They didn’t want to miss anything. This also shows a lot of respect towards the performers. ADS: Everyone wants to know how you put on your mask? Gleason: It takes about an hour, and basically I just sit in a chair, a make-up chair, and our make-up 60 A Distinctive style
artist does everything. He uses two wigs and two prosthetic pieces, then make-up all around that. ... It’s a nice way to center yourself and get focused for the role. It is not painful; it feels sticky, but when it dries you don’t even feel it. ADS: So what is next for you Tim? Gleason: This tour has been running for 17 years and is ending in November. March 14 was the last show in Dallas and it will never be back again. People come and go, but the tour continues. Eventually somewhere down the road they may redesign the show ... at the moment there are no plans. This will be the end of my job with this tour. But there are still shows going on in Las Vegas and in New York on Broadway. So who knows, they say once you’re with Phantom you never leave. But I am sure there will be other opportunities. Mr. Gleason is a proud member of AEA. For a full list of theatres and roles, visit him online at TimMartinGleason.com. Ted Gambordella is the author of 42 books and 38 DVD's. Find out more at: www.tedgambordella.com
Photographer Joan Marcus A Distinctive style 61
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A Distinctive style 63
www.crudethemovie.com
64 A Distinctive style
CRUDE THE REAL PRICE OF OIL Sometimes it's easy to forget just what a dirty, messy, polluting process it is to get crude oil out of the ground so we can turn it into fuel. That's because most of the pollution takes place "somewhere else" -- in another country, in another part of the world.
behalf of 30,000 rainforest dwellers. Berlinger shows both sides of the story, which is by turns sad, outrageous and inspiring, but never preachy. The filmmaker leaves conclusions up to you.
The indigenous people of the Ecuadorian Amazon don't have that luxury. As we see in "CRUDE", a documentary from award-winning filmmaker Joe Berlinger, the rainforest where they live has been polluted across an area the size of Rhode Island in an effort to extract black gold. It's an environmental disaster referred to in the film as being thirty times more devastating than the Exxon Valdez spill.
(That said, OMG, it's so obvious that Chevron-Texaco needs to admit responsibility, and fix this mess. I mean, come on, failing to clean up ponds of sludge? Just covering them with dirt and letting people build homes on top of them? Fouling drinking water sources that now shimmer with the rainbow slick of oil? And responding to a twenty-day old baby, covered with sores from bathing in that polluted water, by blaming it all on "poor sanitation" -- lame.)
"CRUDE" is the story of the $27 billion-dollar, multi-year environmental lawsuit brought against Texaco -- now owned by Chevron -- on
In many ways, "CRUDE" is a classic David and Goliath story. We meet lead attorney Pablo Fajardo, the young Ecuadorean trial lawyer
who put himself through law school -- this is his first case. Ever. You can't help rooting for this hero who has sacrificed so much to help his country. By comparison, the Chevron executives seem like cold, corrupted corporate shills, particularly when juxtaposed with footage of a brave but helpless mother of a teenage girl dying of cancer. There is also an impressive appearance by Sting's wife, Trudie Styler, who has been instrumental in helping get clean water to the people of the region. "CRUDE" is about of human rights, environmental stewardship, and the question of international corporate responsibility. It's also a wellconstructed story that Sundance (and seemingly every other festivals) deemed worthy of seeing.
A Distinctive style 65
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66 A Distinctive style
.ets w w
Sa U n tow n o utt B / hop s / m y.co
“Button, button, who’s got the button?” By Ginger Brashinger
P
am Biesen is a born recy-
Biesen, granted an Illinois Artisan
cler. Nothing, but nothing,
designation in 2009, creates artistic
should be discarded, in her
impact with a handful of antique
view, until it is truly worn out. That’s
buttons and a saucy sprinkling of
a lesson begun in childhood.
bling buttons for a melding of past
“I had my own notion of what a
and present.
experience – eBay” for new finds. So many buttons, so little time. “My high school art teacher told us that an artist does not reuse materials,” Biesen recalled. “Even as a compliant 16-year-old, I knew there
scavenger hunt was,” Biesen said
“A common button from 150 years
was something wrong with that
about her earliest recycling memo-
ago becomes completely modern
statement.”
ries. “I would get out our wagon
and trendy,” Biesen noted.
and go door-to-door asking neighbors for their old stuff. Empty perfume bottles, bric-a-brac, those were treasures to me.”
Happily, Biesen has never lived ac-
Her personal research has afforded
cording to that philosophy. Her art
Biesen the uncanny ability to pick
reflects her life.
up a button, any button, and reveal where and when it was made,
When growing up Biesen spied an
as well as the media from which it
“Button, button, who’s got the
old barrel filled with hundreds of
was created. That ability has led to
button?”
moldy buttons, she immediately
her designing “heirloom bracelets”
asked the owner if she could have
which, in turn, allows others with a
it, “just like a 10-year-old.”
family stash of buttons to have
“I couldn’t help myself,” Biesen laughs. Serendipity - Her recycling instincts kicked in as she pondered what to do with all those buttons. Coupled with her life-long artistic bent (“I knew from a young age that I saw things differently from other people”), she began to create individual pieces of art - art with a past as well as a future.
them recycled into wearable art. Everything is fodder for the artistic and the recycling mill, even on the business side of things. It’s not un-
The age of a button does not always determine its value. Bakelite buttons, which were made until 1970, are presently ranked No. 1 in value and might well be sitting in Mom’s sewing basket. Chinas, jet, picture buttons
usual to see Biesen “garbage pick-
(metal
ing” for her display stands, her
painted on them), and celluloids
favorite find being a candy rack
from
she picked up on her Route 66 tour.
second as desirable buttons.
buttons the
with
Victorian
pictures era
rank
As for her button quests, Biesen pe-
Biesen’s newest artistic pursuits
ruses antique and resale stores, at-
are original fabric designs using
tends auctions, and makes use of
natural materials and recyclable
the ultimate “eco-friendly shopping
wrapping paper.
A Distinctive style 67
68 A Distinctive style
A new art of living on the sea is born
WHY WHY (Wally Hermès Yachts) is the
echoes Luca Bassani Antivari.
In comparison to a yacht of the
stunning result between the ultra-
Our aim was to reduce diesel
same size, WHY 58x38 has re-
expensive luxury brand Hermès,
consumption per year and per
duced drastically its energy
and one of the world's premiere
yacht: 20 to 30 % for propulsion
consumption, saving up to 200
yacht builders, Wally. The WHY is a
and 40 to 50 % for generation.”
tons of diesel per year.
sustainable yacht unlike any seen
Thanks to its specific hull, WHY
The WHY R & D program in-
before,
58x38 requires less power at
cluded a tank testing for hull
cruising speed than a boat of
stability in the SSPA facilities in
equal size. Its diesel-electric
Sweden, and constructioned of
propulsion is the most efficient
a full-scale mock-up in order to
motorisation today, and the sur-
allow the design team to fine
“We were very interested in cre-
face of the photovoltaic pan-
tune the living areas correctly in
ating a yacht that has a low en-
els, almost 900 square metres,
accordance
vironmental
covers most of the boat’s auxil-
unique shape.
36,000 square foot, energy-saving, costing
an
estimated
$150.8 million.
Sustainability impact,”
says
Pierre-Alexis Dumas. “Its rela-
with
the
hull’s
iary system needs. “The WHY 58X38 yacht looks
tionship with the sea must be respectful and easy. WHY offers a
WHY Research and Develop-
very unfamiliar. Space is the
new way of moving over water
ment optimized this project’s
greatest luxury on the sea, but I
by creating an innovative way
energy consumption by improv-
believe the new luxury will be
of managing and recycling its
ing the isolation of the yacht
the time to enjoy it,” concludes
sources and uses of energy.”
and the heat recovery of its en-
Pierre-Alexis Dumas.
gines, and has also investigated “If you want to go totally eco-
he latest wind energy produc-
logical, the only solution is sail-
tion and wind propulsion system
ing. The reality is that today, 90
technologies.
% of the market is powerboats,
A Distinctive style 69
70 A Distinctive style
A Distinctive style 71
72 A Distinctive style
New Zealand Ferry Company accelerates profits by slowing down Fullers Group a NZ Tourism Com-
The total cost of implementing
The audits found on average
pany actually followed through
the energy efficiency improve-
each business could save 15% of
on an initiative identified by the
ments recommended by the TEEP
energy consumption and 15% of
Tourism Energy Efficiency Program
energy
than
energy costs by introducing a va-
(TEEP.) The financial rewards on
$150,000. The savings will recover
riety of measures around things
the Waiheke Island service are
that investment within six months.
like heating, lighting, water use,
audit
was
less
staggering.
and changing energy plans or CEO Douglas Hudson says ”We
providers. Often the return on in-
The savings identified are prima-
are pleased with the outcome of
vestment is less than a year.
rily associated with operating ves-
the audit and it’s heartening to
sels at a slightly slower speed
see evidence that our efforts are
Tourism is one of New Zealand’s
when appropriate, applying new
already making good progress. In
top foreign exchange earners,
technology foul release coatings
terms of vessel fuel efficiency, the
worth $59 million per day. Their
on vessels and propellers, and im-
audit identified the design and
environment is the primary reason
proving the efficiency of lighting.
condition of propellers as some of
that international travellers visit.
the most important factors. New
Energy efficiency has been just
The TEEP energy audit found that
propellers have recently been
one of the avenues that the in-
Fullers already had good energy
purchased for some of the vessels
dustry is engaging with, along
efficiency
and their effect on performance
with waste, water, community
given the constraints of maintain-
will
and conservation initiatives.
ing a high-speed ferry service with
whether to upgrade propellers on
a fixed schedule. But, its annual
other vessels. We are also already
energy bill could be reduced by
using antifouling systems with
over a quarter of a million dollars
great results and recognise the
(about 7% of its annual energy
opportunity to trial some of the
bill) and carbon emissions cut by
upgraded, more advanced prod-
715 tonnes.
ucts,” says Mr Hudson.
measures
in
place
determine
the
decision
A Distinctive style 73
WINNER OF 26 INTERNATIONAL AWARDS! 10 Audience Choice Awards including the 2004 Sundance Film Festival.
74 A Distinctive style
The Corporation If Academy Awards were given for films most likely to start arguments at dinner tables, this hot-button polemic would have won the 2005 Oscar hands down. It begins with the revelation that, according to a Supreme Court ruling, a corporation must be considered a person rather than an entity. Under this definition, reasons profiler Robert Hare, corporations can be categorized as psychopathic because they exhibit a personality disorder: that of single-mindedly pursuing their objectives without regard for the people in and around them.
Watch the full documentary online at:
www.topdocumentaryfilms.com/the-corporation
A Distinctive style 75
76 A Distinctive style
“Kids are ultimately the ones who are inheriting the earth.” ~ Ally Maize By Ginger Brashinger
A
lly Maize is a young woman
her parents about how she could
“Even though it might not be of the
who doesn’t let the grass
make a difference, Maize con-
magnitude it was stated, it’s still a
grow under her feet—not
ceived the Green Youth Move-
huge problem,” Maize noted. “It’s
ment.
going to be that large of a problem
that she would mind if it did! In fact, her mission is to make the world as “green” as possible.
if we don’t change anything.” Now, she’s driving her hybrid vehicle all over the city. Whether it’s a
The goal of GYM is to educate as
The force behind “GYM-Green
Girl Scout meeting, a high school
many young people as possible.
Youth Movement,” Maize planted
seminar, or a Head Start program,
Although her time with the group is
the seeds of this organization at the
Maize is on a tear to get the word
limited, she plans to pass the torch
tender age of 15. It’s blossomed
out to as many young people as
to younger group members when
into a nonprofit group of con-
possible that they can and must
she moves on to Emory University in
cerned teens who want to take an
make a difference.
Georgia in the Fall, “the greenest
active role in bettering their world.
campus in the United States.” “I cater to whoever the audience
“I was learning about the environ-
is,” Maize said. “I spoke to a kinder-
“Our group caters to kids because
ment in my science classes,” Maize
garten class in Beverly Hills about
we are ultimately the ones who are
said, “and we watched An Incon-
garden planting. I’ll go back there
inheriting the earth,” Maize said
venient Truth. I realized I hadn’t
on Earth Day to see what they’ve
passionately. “It’s important that
known the magnitude of the prob-
done. Some groups get pledge
we’re the ones who step up now.
lems in the world.”
sheets they can put on their refrig-
Instead of trying to change habits
erators with 10 different things they
when we’re older, we try to instill
Maize began to pay more atten-
can pledge to change for the ben-
the right habits in the kids’ daily lives
tion to environmental issues, check-
efit of the environment. We make it
now.”
ing out news over the Internet and
really kid-friendly.” www.greenyouthmovement.org
reading articles about the earth’s ecological dilemmas. Through dis-
Her reaction to those who may
cussions with her parents, initially
think global warming has been
about the type of car she would
overstated?
drive, and then brainstorming with A Distinctive style 77
78 A Distinctive style
I want to tell anyone from anywhere, You can do anything you want to do. ~ Desmond Blair By Ginger Brashinger
I
f a passion is truly a passion,
coloring, tracing, and drawing.
“When the parents of my students
then it’s always in the driver’s
“She would make me redo what-
talk to me,” Desmond said, “it kind
seat. There is no choice. There
ever I colored on a page, over and
of puts them at ease about the
over until I colored within the lines,”
scope of capability of their child.”
are no obstacles. For no one is that more true than for Desmond Blair, a young man
Desmond remembers. “By the age of four, I had it down.”
A role model as well as an inspiration, Desmond Blair is on the verge
who embraced the irony of his life’s
And, Desmond Blair has never
of the rest of his life. As a recent
passion—to be an artist despite the
looked back. With the encourage-
graduate, he’s now putting his shy
fact that he was born without
ment of people who believed in
self out there, looking for a job to
hands.
him, from Miss Prince who “chan-
fulfill his passion.
“I’ve always had a fascination
neled” his talent in third grade, to
“My focus shifted in grad school,”
with cartoons,” Desmond notes.
his middle school art teachers, Miss
Blair said, revealing flexibility un-
But, that fascination wasn’t just with
Henry and Mr. Sledge, Blair found
usual in one so young. Not only did
watching, even at the age of
his style as an artist and animator.
he become aware of his limitations,
three.
Using his arms, rather than prosthet-
but he used that knowledge to find
ics, the artist inside him prevailed.
a way to fit into the industry he
“I wanted to know how they took a static image and made it move.”
He acknowledges challenges on
Shy and self-conscious outside of
his way to undergraduate and
“If one thing doesn’t work for me,
his family circle, Desmond was con-
graduate degrees in art and tech-
let me do what does work,” Blair
stantly encouraged by his mother,
nology, but as one of his mentors
said.
Joyce, and his grandmother, Leila,
put it, he always “manages to do it
with whom he has lived in the
and do it well.”
Dallas, Texas area for all of his 23
loves.
For Desmond Blair, what “does work” is moving from 2D to 3D, the
Blair currently teaches an intro-
wave of the future—a timely move.
ductory class in 3D computer mod-
His personal future? A graphic
Joyce Blair, a single mother, subtly
eling at the University of Texas at
novel.
worked on building her son’s confi-
Dallas, his alma mater, as well as
“I think I have a really interesting
dence and character, reminding
completing an internship at the
story to tell,” Blair, said, stating what
him often to take his arms out of his
Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Chil-
is obvious to others. “I have a ton of
pockets when he would hide them,
dren. Giving back to an institution
stories, a ton of characters and the
conscious of his physical difference.
which has been like a second
sub context of my stories will be for
“Just be yourself,” she would tell
home for him, a place where he
people born with disabilities. I want
was given ongoing care and ther-
to tell anyone from anywhere, ‘You
And, Grandmother Leila saw
apy throughout his life, Desmond
can do anything you want to do.’”
what being himself meant for
teaches and inspires other children
Desmond, encouraging his love of
with disabilities.
years.
him.
www.blairmediadigital.com A Distinctive style 79