THE LOCAL APRIL 2018
CREATIVE
6Visualfeatured Artists Tinysunthing Khari Kamau Rameeze Edwards Ramon “Motza” Knight and others
Support Local Talent
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THE LOCAL Creative
CONTENTS 4 Editors Note 6 Contributors ILLUSTRATION 10 Tinysunthing 14 Khari Kamau PAINTING 20 Ramon “Motza” Knight 24 The Artist Javier
APRIL 2018 ISSUE
GRAPHIC DESIGN 30 Rameeze Edwards PHOTOGRAPHY 36 Jurne Bailey
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Editor’s Note
to the rest of the art world on an international level. This is to say that he promotion of the visual artists is not only useful to these creatives but also to Jamaica’s development as it realtes building world renound recognition. Jamaica must start investing in the talents, skills and the overall culture of its people in order for us to grow as nation. The country cannot afford to not capitalize on its own resources i.e the very capable young visual talents emerging within country. It is anticipated that this project will implore the Government and corporate entities to invest in the talents of upcoming visual creatives and within that process aid visual artists of Jamaica in building recognition for their name and craft. It is hoped that through this project, a myriad of opportunities will become available to our local creatives as well as the development of new and steady clientele for these creatives who are ready to work hard to develop their career. The magazine will highlight the talents, drive and capabilities of upcoming Jamaican visual artists through interview columns. Discussions will be held on how well the Jamaican government is making use of its resources as it relates to creatives, employment and productivity.
Deciding to become a visual artist can become a very dismal thought at times because there has always been a lot of doubt surrounding the feasibility of the career path. Especially if you decide to pursue the arts as a home grown Jamaican where I am sure you have heard a million times growing up how much of a bad idea it is and that you should aspire to get a real job. This magazine is intended to inspire our up and coming visual minds of Jamaica to continue creating and also realize that there is value and power in their talent and chosen career path For me as an artist myself, there is always a feeling that in order for an artist to “buss” you need to be known on a more international basis. I am saying this to say that being an artist in Jamaica does feel very limiting most times as it relates to opportunities. Though there are some opportunities avaiable, none big enough to develop our creators career wise as well as help create a prestigious air around the Jamaican art community as a collective and
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The Local creative is being created to inspire the consciousness and mindsets of the people of Jamaica. We aim to capture the hearts of its viewers urging them to be support our young visual creatives as well as motivate and inspire our local creatives to believe in their craft.
Abigail Titus, Creative Director, Production Manager, Designer, Founder of the Local Creative Series.
Contributors Featured Artists Tinysunthing Khari Kamau The Artist Javier Ramon “Motza“ Knight Rameeze Edwards Jurne Bailey
Advertisers Jean-Andre Lawrence Thristan Newman
Design Consultant Rameeze Edwards
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Abigail “Tiny Sun Thing” Titus Space Tree, 2016
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DIGITAL ILLUSTRATION Abigail “Tiny Sun Thing” Titus Tinysunthings, 2016
TINY SUN THING Who is Tinysunthing? My name is Abigail Titus but I also go by the title “Tinysunthing”. I am a self taught 20 year old freelance visual artist and digital illustrator. My work features a mixture of portraits illustrations as well as more abstract-like pieces aimed at creating a new worlld or a journey for its viewers.. My artwork has been exhibited in a few local exhibitions namely, Kingston on the Edge, ARTive Art Show and a number of small exhibitions at the University of Technology, Centre for the Arts. I have also previously worked on a collaboration project with the Paint Jamaica Mural Project on Fleet St., Downtown, Jamaica. How long have you been creating? I have been making art pretty much all my life but I really started to take it seriously in 2014 when I started working digitally and it’s been nothing but greatness since then. Who or what are your biggest influences? My biggest influencers are artists such as Taj Francis, Kokab, Maxprentis. I have always admired the vibrancy of their work as well as the intricasy of their line work and have tried to bring across a feeling of vibrancy in my work. Ive also always drawn inspiration from comics and different cartoon drawing styles growing up over the years. What does creativity mean to you? Creativity is like birth. It is making something new and beautiful, compeletely of your design and giving it to a world that first gave to you. Do you think the government or larger corporate entities in Jamaica are making enough use of its local talent as it relates to the visual arts? No, I dont think so, I know they do have the occasional competition including JCDC among others. However, as it relates to the creation of career oppurtunities, I dont think enough is being done to help develop ‘upcoming’ local talent. What kind of opportunities would you want to see made available to artists such as yourself? The government and these corporate entities could start hiring upcoming talent to work on materal for their advertising campaign other related projects instead of relying on already established and/or international creatives.
Abigail “Tiny Sun Thing” Titus Sad Punk Gyal 2016
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Instagram: @tinysunthing Email: tinysunthings@gmail.com
TINYSUNTHING 11
Abigail “Tiny Sun Thing” Titus Space Whale, 2017 Abigail “Tiny Sun Thing” Titus
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Abigail “Tiny Sun Thing” Titus Space Whale, 2017
Abigail “Tiny Sun Thing” Titus Space Island, 2016
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KHARI KAMAU Who is Khari Kamau?
My name is Khari Kamau, 20 year old illustrator/ graphic artist.
How long have you been creating? I’ve been making art my entire life. My mother is also an artist and would always get me involved in her own creations.
Who or what are your biggest influences? I think the biggest influence in my art is the wide variety of art that my parents collect as well as expose me to.
Do you think the government or larger corporate entities in Jamaica are making enough use of its local talent as it relates to the visual arts? There is an effort being made by corporate entities although more can be done.
What kind of opportunities would you w ant to see made available to artists such as yourself? Most importantly i want to see more strives for change allowing young artists to improve design in everyday life. Something as simple as a public space being repainted. It would be so much better hiring an artist to at least pick the colours.
What does creativity mean to you? Creativity to me is going outside of the box and still connecting to people. Instagram: @kharikamau Email: kharikamau@gmail.com
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Painting The Artist Javier, 2018
RAMON “MOTZA” KNIGHT motzaramon@gmail.com
Who is MOTZA? My name is Ramon Knight and I’ve been moving through mediums. Photography, collage, and paint to name a few. How long have you been creating? I used to sculpt with foil when I was 7. Making up my own pokemons, giving them names and powers and everything. That’s the oldest memory I have making things. Who or what are your biggest influences? I’d say it’s the economy and the environment. It’s annoying being an artist in Kingston. You don’t get taken seriously half the time unless there’s an elite air around you. It’s how a lot of photographers don’t get jobs until they’ve photographed somebody famous. Or consigned by somebody famous. It’s how the National Gallery invited me to show my work but didn’t want me messing up their walls (because I’m a nobody), but they let Matthew Mccarthy paint the same walls (because he’s somebody).
it makes me the most money of all my other mediums, so I keep doing it. I like making documentaries the most but no one is paying me to make them. Music videos are more the thing here. There’s a greater demand for it and celeb/ entertainment vlogs and that kind of thing. I talked to Jamila about getting my documentary featured on film night at New Wave’s. They’ve had multiple screening since then and I’ve heard nothing from her. Navigating a space like this does take a toll on me and my art. The runaround, being shut out of spaces, trying to find a place my art fits. People will say it’s a part of the game and you just have to be smart about it, but usually they are the same people benefiting from the structure of elitism.
Do you think the government or larger corporate entities in Jamaica are making enough use of its local talent as it relates to the visual arts? They’re making use yes, exploiting us. Those of us who even manage to land a job. My video portfolio landed me I don’t always want to be thinking about a job as an assistant graphic designer money but I have to. The brokeness once. Weird things like that happen limits me. So as tired as I am of painting, where you’ll get hired based on your
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portfolio (or so it appears), then they pile on a lot of unrelated work. I didn’t edit a single video while I was there. Yeah sure, in this “competitive” market it makes sense to bring a wide skill set to any job, but it’s just kooky sometimes the things they ask of us, while underpaying us. What kind of opportunities would you want to see made available to artists such as yourself? I think a free open space to set up little booths like a flea market would be really helpful. Markets pop up occasionally but they aren’t free. You can’t even really do anything in public parks (there’s even a fee to film or photograph at Hope Gardens). I think spaces need to free up so things can happen. So artist can get creative. A grant for public art projects would be helpful too. Or smaller grants for artist who just need some money to buy paint or a camera lens or some software or something. Clubs like JAFTA give you access to a bunch of resources but not for free. There’s little support for artist just trying to buy art supplies. Artist who just need money for transportation, money to buy paint and canvas and those things. Small grants would be helpful.
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Ramon Knight Untitled, 2016
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Ramon Knight Untitled, 2016
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The artist Javier
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the artist avier
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Who is Javier? My name is Javier, contemporary artist, my prefered medium right now is acrylic paint, i’m always experimenting with different mediums. I do a lot of contemporary abstracts and minimalist line drawings. I didn’t attend art school, i went to architecture school at Utech. Previous exhibitions include Liguanea Art Festival,and Christman in October at the Olympia Gallery. How long have you been creating? I have been a creative ever since i can remember, but i have been painting full time for about 3 yrs now. Who or what are your biggest influences? I take influence from a lot of sources, where do i begin. Artists that influence my art and painting style includes Jackson Pollock and his drip abstracts, his amazing painting textures and his performance like action painting method, Richard Hambleton’s shadow man paintings and neo-expressionist Jean-Michel Basquiat. I’m a huge fan of street art and graffiti so an artist like cope2 comes to mind. Joan Mitchell and Lee krasner are also huge influences when it comes to colours.
levels to show and sell their work. I would love to see more government sponsored community street art projects being done. What does creativity mean to you? Creativity has always been a part of me, it is one of the best ways to express myself, to express my individuality, its therapeutic, i get to share a part of myself with someone else, that alone is an amazing feeling.
The Artist Javier Untitled, 2018
Instagram: @kharikamau Email: theartistjavier@gmail.com
Do you think the government or larger corporate entities in Jamaica are making enough use of its local talent as it relates to the visual arts? Personally no, as a full time artist, i don’t think so. We have a huge range of very talented creatives struggling to find opportunities to show and sell their art, a lot more can be done. What kind of opportunities would you want to see made available to artists such as yourself? Firstly, i would love to see artists being paid fairly for the time and effort used to create their art. I would love to see more corporate sponsored art grants, art shows, art sales and exhibitions, creating opportunities for artists at all
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The Artist Javier Untitles, 2018
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The Artist Javier Untitled, 2018
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GRAPHIC DESIGN
Rameeze Edwards City Scape, 2018
Instagram: @rare13designs Email: rameeze13@gmail.com
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Rameeze Edwards
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RARE1
DESIGNS Who is “Rameeze”? If you don’t know me yet you all will (maniacal laughter). My name is Rameeze Edwards or rare13 Design if you’re looking for me on social media. I am a graphic designer/ creator/ multimedia creator/animator/content provider/ advertiser, basically any hat I choose to wear in the moment. How long have you been creating? Creating has always been with me starting from a small age when I would be drawing in the back of my note books to coming up with ideas for new tv shows or cartoons (toot toot). However, as a graphic designer I would say I have been using different softwares and tools for about 4 years now. Who or what are your biggest influences? My biggest influence I would say is seeing works of other persons whatever the field. I like admiring the ability of others and try to reach and surpass that. I know it may not be healthy to compare yourself to others but let’s be honest is there a better measuring stick when it comes to art. Do you think the government or larger corporate entities in Jamaica are making enough use of its local talent as it relates to the visual arts? I think the government realizes there is talent a foot and I do believe it takes measure to incorporate its visual talents into things. I think the problem comes when your old fashion mindset only accepts paintings of ackee or dance so to speak. My work represents my Jamaica and that’s what I think they should learn to accept. What kind of opportunities would you want to see made available to artists such as yourself? Give me an avenue to flourish and I will. What does creativity mean to you? Creativity is the ability to think for yourself. To formulate something beautiful or horrific from the smallest idea. Creativity is making the complex understandable.
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Photography Jurne Bailey (Camerashy Media Productions) Yannick Reid, 2018
JURNEE BAILEY
Eric J. Howard JURNE BAILEY, 2018
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Instagram: @jurneeb@gmail.com Email: jurneeb@gmail.com
Who is “Camerashy”? Jurneé “CAMERASHY” Bailey is a lifestyle/fashion photographer and aspiring film producer. She is approaching the finish line in her BA in Communication Arts and Technology, majoring in Advertising & Journalism. Jurneé has an unconditional love of all visual art and draws inspiration from elements ranging from, random people, to a particular painting/illustration. How long have you been creating? I’ve been creating for just over 3 years. Thankfully, I had to do a photography module within the first year of my course. I haven’t put my cameras down since. Who or what are your biggest influences? Who: Yannick Reid, Nickii Kane, Jo Beneé Jordan Morris What: Current Events, Other creators’
artwork, People of different cultures, Music. Do you think the government or larger corporate entities in Jamaica are making enough use of its local talent as it relates to the visual arts? I’ve often seen paintings done by local artists in the offices of government institutions as well as corporate entities. However, I don’t believe there is ENOUGH display/recognition for today’s visual creators. There is a myriad of visual artists in Jamaica and just about a handful are being noticed, and their work “made use of”. There is such a great opportunity for revenue for these creators and the government, if only there was greater investment in the talents of these individuals. What kind of opportunities would you want to see made available to artists such as yourself? Well personally, more events like the Indiggo:
Art of Expression Conference would motivate me to be a better artist or to produce higher quality of work. Indiggo is not a government created event, and I think that’s where the problem lies. We as creators are in a position where we have to put on our own events, to either motivate other creators or gain recognition ourselves; and even then we are a small circle. Therefore the only people that actually know about us and are invested in our works, is US. So onus is on the government to really show some interest. We can do it on our own; however it takes a significantly longer time in my opinion. What does creativity mean to you? Creativity is being able to unapologetically express myself through my art, without caution or remorse and doing so in the way that is unique to me.
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Jurne Bailey (Camerashy Media Production) Ceejarts, 2018
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Jurne Bailey (Camerashy Media Production) LILA IKE, 2018
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Ways to stay Creative
1. Carry a notebook everywhere.
Ideas can come from anywhere and at any time. Be sure to walk with a book to write down or sketch out your great ideas so you don’t forget them.
2. Be Open.
It’s important to get outside your own head once in awhile and see the world from someone else’s perspective Always leave your mind open to new ideas, concepts and ways of thinking. This will widden your mind’s creative library and help to give your design depth.
3. Surround yourself with creative people. Having like minded people in your space will help you to stay motivated and focused on your vision.
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4. Practice, Practice, Practice. Practice is the only way to become proficient in a new skill or behavior. As creatives, we need to embrace the discomfort of being beginners in order to continue to grow and improve.
5. Get Feedback.
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Dont force it If it isn’t working, it isn’t working. Don’t force your self to do something that does not feel right.
Great design isn’t created in a bubble. No matter how experienced or talented an artist is, collaboration is necessary. Effective feedback can turn a good design into a great design.
6. Do more of what makes you happy. You are likely to be way more productive and feel more of a sense of accomplishment if you are doing something that you enjoy.
7. Allow yourself to make mistakes. Allow yourself the creative room to slip up because sometimes the greatest ideas and/or lessons are learnt from the mistakes you make along your journey.
8. Go somehwere new. It is important to step away from your usual environment to refresh your mind and experience new things. Travel or simply go to that new coffee shop down the street, you never know what kind of inspiring things you could encounter.
9. Take breaks. Dont exhoust your creative juices! Take some time to step away from your projects and refresh your mind and return with fresh eyes.
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The Local
CREATIVE Special thanks to everyone who contributed to this issue of The Local Creative. To our featured artists and advertisers - thank you for sharing my vision and for helping me create a platform for our island’s visual artists. - Abigail Titus
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The Local
CREATIVE MAGAZINE
A p r o m ot i o n a l M a g a z i n e - E m a i l : t i t u s a b i g a i l 1 1 @ g m a i l . co m