The Experience Magazine #7 BLUE Edition

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Content P.8 REST IN POWER: The 5 Pointz Revisited by Vice Royed P.12 The Art of an Intellect: Steven Frank P.22 Tis’ The Season: Bernadee McCartney P.24 Little Me: Nina Palomba

Creative Director/ Chief Editor/ Graphic Designer: Jason Stone Executive Director : Simonette White Managing Director: Christina Badroe Head of Photography : Jonathan Alonso Marketing Director: Teniola Sodeinde

E X perience

Other Contributions: David “Vice Royed� Rodriguez Bernadee McCartney, Steve Gatez, Ady Bry, Shavon Mitchell, Rilwan Ameen, Toni Benjamin

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Rest In Power By: Vice Royed

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55Pointz Pointz

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There are events and situations in our lives that can create a change in us unwillingly, yet change is a constant thing whether good or bad. It’s happening everywhere and will continue to do so. Still what society lacks is acknowledging change and accepting it, because in return acknowledgment is the key to progressive change.

This year became an infamous year in the world of street art as artists saw the beginning stages of the destruction of 5 Pointz.

This was somewhat an inevitable change since the location of 5 Pointz is privately owned. For many artists this was overwhelming and crushing causing much anger and controversy over the decision. Artists and the public who supported 5 Pointz couldn’t understand how something so dear to many would be replaced so quickly but change was necessary in this situation.

The building itself was dubbed the “Graffiti Mecca” in New York City.

Locals and artists from around the world would come and lace up the building with their skills. New murals and paintings flooded each wall constantly. It was the last of its kind. I remember when I was a teenager I had the privilege everyday on my way to La Guardia High School in Manhattan to take the 7 train and pass by 5 Pointz right before dipping into the tunnel that connects Queens to Manhattan. I always looked forward to it.

It always inspired me to create but create something that made me

create something that made me connect with the world around me.

When I would arrive to school I knew kids that lived deeply in this lifestyle. We would talk graffiti and tag up each other’s black books.

I had tons of them, always finding the right style and perfecting it. It was more than just graffiti to me and to many others. It was the last spot in NYC that would inspire the unbounded minds and talents of youth and expression.

But as many people would say all good things must come to an end.

5 Pointz was too good and it was too unrestricted. It was always privately owned and with the expansion of Long Island City’s hipster neighborhood at the forefront it was doomed to see its demise sooner or later. What we have to take with us in this situation for those that really care about the legacy of 5 Pointz is that with every end there is also a new beginning.

It’s the cycle of life with everything.

Artists devoted to the true meaning of 5 Pointz should realize that it’s out of our hands now but to keep a grudge against this change is what shouldn’t be done. Instead that same energy should be used to create new options and new 5 Pointz’s. It’s true we will never get another 5 Pointz but we can create a better one. One that will be ever lasting. One that will never see its demise. One that will inspire once more. One that will have the respect of the city and the world. Let us begin but let us never forget.

Rest in Power 5 Pointz.

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Interview by: Teniola Sodeinde Photography by: Jonathan Alonso Edited by: Jason Stone

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Steven Frank an upcoming artist from NYC had deep sincerities to share with EXPM. He is as culturally aware and knowledgable of his surroundings as he is his art. The profound messaging he institutes into his artwork can be mindblowing for the audience and provoke some cognizant space to reflect and re-evalutate. You can’t help but want to learn more on the thought processes of this artist. Steven remains inspiring the youth of NYC, as well as being involved with The Future Project, an educational program that has one of his masterpieces displayed in an art center in Ghana.

His talents don’t cease there, he is also a poet that has performed throughout the tri-state area, and other cities throughout the country.

His ambition has no bounds and his ability to speak truths through his spoken word, as well as through illustration will take his career to undiscovered heights.

This guy is, without a doubt, an artist to look out for. True talent, as

out for. True talent, as eager and as sharp, will be an influential timepiece for our generation.

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TS: Tell us, what makes you so unique from other artists in the art scene?

SF: I am a poet, an artist and a creator. I come from a place where the appreciators of art become the artists. Thank you Internet. Like millions of people passionate in visual art, I too became the artist. My art is my expression, my experience. It is a perspective of a person true to himself and his intentions. I am unique in that I am like you. An individual inspired, influenced and in love with art, who intends to interpret the world. My art is more than words, more than images; there is an underlying messagea thought provoking experience for all.

TS: How long have you been creating your original art masterpieces? When did you start to take it seriously?

SF: As a child I was constantly drawing. I created drawings on white paper, took crayons and made my own coloring book. During my adolescent years I abandoned visual art. I saw the talent of my peers and didn’t see it in myself so I gravitated towards poetry. My last semester in SUNY Oneonta I took two art classes and found a passion for visual messaging. I didn’t start putting pencil to paper until 2011.

It was my New Year’s resolution to sketch art. I began painting December 28th, 2012. That was the day the first panel of a piece entitled, “Golden Teeth” was created. I painted previously, but since December 2012 I have created at least one painting every week.

TS: Since you graduated from SUNY Oneonta, what have been some of your most notable achievements?

SF: After graduating SUNY Oneonta I was given the opportunity to travel to different states performing spoken word. I have performed in places like Colorado, Pennsylvania and, of course, the tri-state area. I opened up for a sold out poetic show entitled “The SpeakEasy,” which took place in a historic poetry cafe in the Lower Eastside. I raffled a painting at that show. It was an amazing moment. Since Oneonta I have mentored young Harlem artists, created 75 plus paintings and I currently have a piece in Africa within an art center in Ghana.

TS: After seeing your work on Instagram, I was thoroughly impressed. How would you describe your artistic style?

SF: My work can be described many different ways.

The term that stands out the most to me is “bold”. I appreciate this term in that it encompasses my raw painting techniques, surreal imagery and overall visual messaging; as I hold nothing back from the viewer.

TS: You probably get this question a lot, but a rising artist like yourself will understand why we ask. What artists have really inspired your work?

SF: At different times in my life I have encountered inspirational works. It made me want to work, to create, to continue an artistic discussion with the world. Disney inspires me in its messaging, music & imagination.

Other artists have made statements I have reflected upon such as Picasso, Dali, Tim Burton and Ron English.

They challenge the viewer. Today, social media has allowed me to follow the works of artists of my generation like @nosego @2oceans @incarceratedjerkfaces .

TS: A British artist named Banksy took New York City Streets by storm in a Month residency of Street Art. Firstly, how do you feel about his artwork and his way of branding?

Secondly, Will you ever delve into the street art scene, or do you mostly work with canvas?

SF: I followed Banksy’s “Better Out Than In” NYC exhibit. I find Banksy to be the Batman of our time, no one knows his true identity and he makes a positive impact on the streets. I saw the documentary “Exit Through the Gift Shop” and appreciated it. I look at the messages, the symbols, the signs and something in my mind connects with Banksy’s creativity. It is valuable messaging. I agree with street art. Coming from NYC where you are forced to see aggressive advertising, I often take pictures of street art. Their messaging is deeper than “buy me” It’s free, but valuable.

Street art is not vandalism. Maybe one day I will partake in my own creative way.

TS: What artists/clients have you worked with/ for, so far?

SF: For the most part I work alone. Most of my pieces live at home. Many visitors have called it a gallery. The only artists I have collaborated with are David “Vice Royed” for an on-going vector art project and Jarlyne Batista, a graphic designer. I created cover art for Izzy Man’s “Symphony”, June Pezzotti’s “HouseWarming” and RAWPoets’ “RAW Love 1 & 2”. I am currently working with Washington Heights’ music producer Frankie P on a poetic audio book project entitled “Lonely Genius Syndrome” releasing in the future.

TS: We also love “Radio Tongue”. How did you get to collaborate with Viceroyed?

SF: Thank you, David did an amazing job. Radio Tongue was originally a sketch made for Izzy Man’s “Symphony”. I am very fond of vector art and was looking to recreate sketches; Radio Tongue is one sketch in a sketchbook of hundreds like it. After seeing Vice Royed’s “Purped Out” and it’s progress throughout I decided to contact David.

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“I am a poet, an artist and I come from a a place where the appreciators of art become the artists.

Thank you Internet.�

creator.

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TS: Ahem...Be honest, which do you feel is your strongest art piece to date?

SF: I believe all my pieces are strong collectively and individually. If I had to name a piece that reigns supreme it would be “Golden Teeth”. Golden Teeth is a 10-canvas piece joined together by mouths.

Each canvas stands alone, but together it creates a dialog delving into societal elements that transcends beyond the civilization it depicts. I believe this piece is strong; it highlights loves, pains, vices, hopes and more.

when it comes to happiness and acceptance. This painting is a reflection of what it means to be forced into following something that is not you. I visit this thought numerous times within my art. It speaks of a prospective truth to our world.

TS: Do you have any of your works in art galleries? If so, which ones are hosting your works?

SF: I do not currently have any pieces for show in an art gallery. As a collaborative effort with The Future Project, I was able to ship a piece entitled “YoUniverse” to Ghana to be displayed in a communal art TS: How do you feel you can comcenter developed to provide an outlet for pete with this piece with future the art appreciators of the community. works?

The Future Project is a start-up innovaSF: Golden Teeth started it all. Since tive education company whose goal is to Golden Teeth’s conception I have created allow young dreamers to utilize their pasover 75 pieces. I am evolving as an artist. sions to affect positive change. Mentoring I do not see my work as self-competition. several “dreamers” led to the opening of All of my pieces compliment each other the Ghana art center. on some level. One underlying theme in my art is the use of gold paint. Gold has TS: Any upcoming events we should a deep meaning in my work; it represents be looking forward to? “value” among other things. The future I am involved with several upcoming for my art would be one worth watching. projects. Unfortunately, I cannot speak much on them as they are in the infant TS: For me, The Native Clown stages of development. Be on the look Frowns, Decapitated is one of your out for more information in the months to most captivating pieces. What income. spired this masterpiece? What is its meaning?

To check out Steven Frank’s newSF: The Native Clown Frowns, Decapitated est masterpieces, follow him on is conversation about the whitewashing of instagram @Franken_steve. For America. America has decimated culture commissioned pieces email him at in so many ways. Christmas, for example, stevenfmonzon@gmail.com. Webis a corporate conspiracy along with site coming soon! Support a young Valentine’s Day. Cinco de Mayo is an insult artist! to true Mexican culture. Johnny Depp is not a Native American. As a non-Spanish speaking Latino, I can say America is successful in its attempts of assimilation.

The Native Clown is dressed in happiness, a happiness painted through propaganda.

American media is often suggestive when

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e h T ’ s i T eason S

That time of year where the world and everyone in it thinks about the festivities, family members coming over, reunions, what will be on the dinner menu, what gifts they are going to buy or what cruises they might venture on is here yet again! I speak of none other than the Christmas Season. And yes, some people do celebrate Christmas by cruising! Times are indeed changing. What makes the season so special? What makes people a bit nicer during this time? What is it about Christmas that makes us all want to give a little more, and hate a lot less?

I have come up with are the right answers to my questions. Here are a few reasons I believe that Christmas is the best Holiday year round and why people are positively affected.

The Christmas Tree: There is nothing like a Christmas tree to start the season off right! The fresh smell of the season lives in each branch and if you even get a fake tree, something so magical resonates and carries into your household that you cannot help but get into character. Santa Costumes anyone?

The Christmas Lights: What is Christmas tree without Christmas Lights? Nothing!

The Lights make the Tree come to life and in doing so, we come to life. We decorate our homes and offices and neighborhood streets and this light spreads a message that resonates with the peace and love the season brings.

Santa Clause: Now Now Now, I hope you all have been Nice and not Naughty because Santa is coming to town! We all grew up hearing about Santa Clause and in 2013, the stories of Santa are still here and more than ever. OH how the children love the idea of this magic Santa climbing down their chimneys and leaving just what they asked for. The Story of St. Nick ignites a giving spirit and whether you believed as a child or not, just the idea of such a man, such a giving person inspires us all to give love, especially during this season.

The Star: The Story of the birth of Jesus is a significant part of this season’s festivities. The wise men followed a star which led them to the baby boy, and as the song says “He comes from the glorious kingdom.” Those who know the story will be familiar with the gifts they brought to Jesus, Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh.

Elaborate gifts for a new born baby. Somehow, this started what we can all free to call ‘the gift that keeps on giving.’ Could this possibly be another reason we love so hard and give so much at this time of year? Think about it.

The Carols: For me, this is probably what affects me most. There is nothing like hearing those Christmas Carols ring through the air. On the first day of Christmas, Silent Night, Fall on your Knees, Oh Holy Night and more contemporary sounds such as Last Christmas by Wham and Mariah Carey’s All I want for Christmas remind us year after year that Christmas is indeed a season ‘to be jolly.’ There is just something about the notes and the softness of the music that make everyone feel good, happy, relaxed and ready to take on the pending New Year.

The Company: People are happier at Christmas and so the company is usually better. Coupled with the Black Christmas Cakes, The Eggnog, some Sorrel (from Jamaica),Ham, Roasted Chicken, baked goodies such as the ginger bread cookies and some cinnamon and apple tea all contribute to the pleasantness of the festivities. All we have to do is top it all off with a giant red Christmas bow!

The New Year: The promise of a New Year brings hope for everyone. We all want to believe that the previous year and all its troubles will be a thing of the past. Everyone wants and wishes for the new start that comes with a new calendar and that is also celebrated this time of year. I am definitely one for leaving things behind and just getting the ball a rolling positively in a New Year. This prospects cheers up the spirit and enlightens the soul. We all want to believe that better is coming.

Giving: Finally is the giving. This is the one season a year when every and anyone expects to receive a gift and to give a gift. It makes people feel special knowing that someone is going to think about them, someone has deemed them special and deserving during this season. Over the years I have learned that giving does not have to be in the form of a tangible gift, it can be an act of kindness, words of blessing, volunteering to help someone in need or even helping a blind person across a busy street. The idea is to be selfless and this is something usually demonstrated during this time.

How do you celebrate the holidays? What inspires you the most during this season?

Remember, while you “Deck the Halls with boughs of Holly” that regardless of how you enjoy it all, always embody the spirit of the season, which is kindness and giving. Let our aim be to do this all year and not just at Christmas. Happy Holidays everyone!

- Bernadee McCartney

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LITTLE ME Nina Palomba Interview by: Simonette White Photography by: Jonathan Alonso Edited by: Jason Stone

Hat on, pencil in hand, doodles and donuts on her mind?

Nina Palomba is a fresh Cartoonist, with tons of creativity and imagination running wild, she can’t just keep her talents at drawing. There is no denying her admiration for old school cartoons, as her knack for black and white drawings is where she is most joyous. With youthful and inspiring displays of character, her cartooning reflects her own personal growth and daily instances. As she builds her brand, her artwork and product gains more and more attention, currently being showcased in the National Museum of Wildlife Art in Jackson, Wyoming and allowing her to create her own gallery “Better Left Unsaid A Solo Exhibition”, which opened up in Chicago.

Nina’s world consists of numerous daily doodles on random sheets of paper, anything she can draw on, she will.

The life of a true artist will only desire to do what she loves to do and ceaselessly pursue her gifts, as Nina has insisted with her own. Falling asleep and waking up while still drawing, screams nothing but love and persistence.

Her enthusiasm and honesty reads through as she speaks to Experience on the different ways she practices expressing her art, the birth of “Little Me”, and how she’s grown as an artist.

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SW: What/Who influences you in the world of art?

NP: Hm, I’d say there is a lot of work and a lot of people that inspire me in the art world, but it doesn’t necessarily influence me directly. I love and look up to the work of Kagan McLeod, Al Columbia, My Dead Pony, Alex Raymond, Jack Kirby, Max Fleischer, J.C. Leyendecker. I’m definitely a hoarder of things, old comics, old magazines, toys, anything miniature and cute. There is a lot of wonderful stuff out there, and I’d say my brain does a good job retaining everything I look at everyday. Somehow that gets sorted out to influence me when I need it.

SW: What is your fascination with black and white drawings?

NP: I’ve always admired old cartoons, mainly Betty Boop. My love for the style has been with me since I was a little kid. I first learned how to draw from a cartooning book all about traditional cartooning techniques. It was all about styles from the forties.

So basically I was straight up learning how to draw in a black and white style only. This absolutely stuck with me. I think there is something really special about monochromatic work. High contrast is awesome. Confident black lines are magic. Aesthetically, I’m just drawn to it, its a comfortable world for me as a viewer and an artist.

SW: Your doodles (to me) resemble the early drawings of Felix the Cat, Mickey Mouse or a Raggedy Andy. Where do you pull inspiration from to create your style of drawing?

NP: I have never pulled anything directly to create a style. Drawing a specific way shouldn’t be forced, it should just come to you through discovery and your love for making things. Early cartoons have always been a big part of my life and always will be. I’d say that through drawing constantly since I was a kid, through learning traditional techniques of drawing cartoons, and watching Betty Boop on repeat, my “style” just came to me. l found how to represent me through drawing and have begun to make a little world for myself. I’m inspired by a lot of great things, a lot in which have nothing to do with anything I’m creating specifically but they all inspire

me to keep drawing! Which in the end makes me push what I’m doing further.

SW: Your doodles are like your diary. You are literally drawing specific moments from your day to day, how important are these doodles to your daily life?

NP: My doodles are my everything! Well, besides food and family of course. I literally can’t stop drawing. I draw when I wake up, fall asleep drawing, then wake up and do it all again. That’s not even an exaggeration. If I go a day or two without drawing something I can actually feel a difference in how my days are. I don’t think about much when drawing, that’s what I like about it. It just comes natural to me and has always been my vice for bad days or bad things. It’s gotten me through a lot. Drawing is much more to me than making “art” or being an “artist” or making it big and all that. It’s just an extension of me and one of the biggest parts of my life.

SW: Why did you come up with the concept of “Little Me” and decide to share these bits of your life with your audience?

NP: I came up with Little Me at a pretty crazy part of my life. It came out of a failed attempt at journaling. I’m not much of a writer. Randomly I doodled up a little character of me in a notebook. Over time I guess I just got really into it. Writing short little bits came quick once I developed the character and honestly I just ran with the whole thing. Everything just started to fall into place as far as it becoming a comic strip, even the name. It was kind of a ‘meant to be’ thing. Little Me is absolutely a comic diary.

Making it a public thing took a while to be okay with. Little Me is very personal, but to share small moments with people has become very special.

I’ve had people tell me that it cheers them up and makes their day better. Making people laugh and be happy is all I want to do with my drawings. Little me has been a consistent and rewarding way to do so. I want people to know me and my work, through Little Me as a comic, people can do that! It’s a honest way of sharing a little bit of me with people that care about what I do.

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SW: As you grow as an artist and an adult, do you feel the nature of your drawings have matured as well? Because there seems to be something very youthful with your illustrations and artwork.

NP: As I grow up there is definitely a more serious side coming out of my graphite illustrative work. It tends to be a lot more mature in subject matter as well as how it is drawn, but there are still connections to the youthful things. I do love all the light hearted stuff. I’m not too good at being serious.

Cartoons are my favorite, and mine tend to be ridiculously goofy at times. It’s hard to say if my body of work has matured overall because depending on what I am making the context of the work absolutely changes. There will always be a silly side though. I can’t really escape that just because of who I am as a person.

The possibilities are now endless.

SW: Tell me about “Secret World” and the concept behind this great idea in a jar!

NP: That piece is currently part of a show at the National Museum of Wildlife Art in Jackson, Wyoming.

The show is a collection of found objects and artifacts of sorts. I love miniatures and decided to take a stab at it. It was difficult! Making things has always been my escape so I decided to try to capture that somehow. Here in New York my physical escape from the craziness has been my room. I’ve got all my toys and comics in there. So I was thinking about how I could present that idea. “Secret World” to me, is an illustration of the adventures and discoveries you make that lead you to what you love, and how SW: I noticed all your drawn characters have that can result to you being fully immersed in the joy blushed cheeks, what does it mean to you to of what you do. have this specific detail?

SW: So how long did it take you to paint on NP: When developing my characters I randomly the walls and set up “Better Left Unsaid started doing it along with dunce caps, plugs, x’s A Solo Exhibition” in Chicago? Is it still in and little crosses on the hands and stuff. At that place now? point, it definitely had some meaning, because my NP: Oh man. It took me three straight days basically. work was a little more heavy. Now I just do it withI had to install that while doing final projects, prepout thinking because its just a part of how I draw ping for another show and working. Time was super I guess. Sometimes the cheeks are emphasized or limited so I had to crank it out as fast as possible. stylized differently depending on the illustration to It turned out pretty cool, I learned a ton and have add emotion or what not, but I’d say that now it’s just simply a little signature mark to my work. Maybe a lot of ideas for new installations because of it. my characters are just all nervous or in love. Which I It went down in April, it was a pretty short show.

Hopefully I can do another one in the future! am totally okay with.

SW: When did your drawing expand to digital illustrations and graphic design?

NP: I was actually doing graphic design prior to really getting into my cartooning. Cartooning was always just what I did on the side, it was never something I considered my “artwork.” I’ve always loved making things on the computer, but got pretty bored by graphic design. It wasn’t until my last couple semesters in school that I really let the cartoons take over. As soon as I figured out “my style” and mixed it with the digital stuff it was game over. The

SW: Constructively speaking, how differently does it feel for you when you spray paint the doodles rather than draw them on sheets of paper?

NP: Well, I’m still learning the spray paint stuff. It’s fairly new to me. The biggest difference is just the scale. Nailing proportions is a challenge but in the best way possible. I’m still figuring out what I want to do with spray paint, but in the mean time I’m just practicing by doing characters and figuring out can control.

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“Drawing is muc making “art” or making it big an an extension of biggest parts of

ch more to me than being an “artist” or nd all that. It’s just me and one of the f my life.”

SW: The amount of different products you have are endless and so creative! What is “Fluffy Whut?” ? And how did you come to create it?

NP: Fluffy Whut! That’s probably one of my favorite things I’ve ever made. Fluffy Whut is a toy I made just as a side project to mess with people. It’s basically homemade silly putty gone wrong. I’ve always been obsessed with marshmallow fluff cause it’s like cartoon food. It’s so funny. Fluffy Whut is a parody slash spin off of that I guess. It was in a show last summer and I poured it out all over the gallery. The gallery assistants got all freaked out because they thought I ruined the floor. People also kept sticking there fingers all sneakily to soon freak out and think that they “broke” it, then get all nervous and scurry away like nothing happened. Meanwhile their finger marks remained in the goop for like an hour. haha.

It’s my practical joke to the art world I suppose.

Anything Gaga. Joy Rich would rule. I want to make shoes, so any badass company that would give me a chance would be incredible. I’ve been designing stuff for the past two years for a brand I am starting on my own, but more on that this spring.

SW: What are you currently working on?

Projects? Galleries?

NP: I just started a new set of illustrations that are a mash up of pretty gals and funny text. Super photorealistic and done in pencil. I’m excited. No gallery stuff unfortunately, hopefully something soon.

You can find Nina Palomba on Instagram @ theninapalomba follow her and check out her daily drawings! For more information on all her ventures and artwork, visit blog.ninapalomba.com and www.ninapalomba.com!

SW: What brings you the most peace, drawing or donuts? ;) Drawings of donuts.

SW: Anyone or any company you see yourself designing for in the future or would want to collaborate with? Who have you designed for so far?

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Thank You! From The EXPERIENCE

2013

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