She is Fierce : Zine - Issue MINUS ONE

LIMITED EDITION | ZINE ISSUE MINUS ONE

YOU'RE ONE OF 7 BILLION PEOPLE ON THIS PLANET WE'RE SO GLAD YOU’RE HERE

hang out with us: insta/facey/twitts :: @sheisfiercemag SIGN UP TO CONTRIBUTORS LIST (NOT ONLY FOR THE BRAVE) WWW.SHEISFIERCEMAG.CO.UK sheisfierce@icloud.com COVERBEAUT:

Nina Nesbitt

oh hiya!

WHO RUNS THIS MOTHER? oh wow, hello you..

We’re the trio behind this Zine. The ones who’ve been searching for you since October 2015. You, the girls with the curious hearts, fidgety paws and messy hair.

She is Fierce is more than a magazine - it’s a collective. We want to create a platform for you (young creative femmes), to show off your work in the best possible way. We want you to be as much a part of this journey as we are.

If you haven’t already, hit us up via the website and we’ll get you signed up! we believe that the mainstream magazines on offer for you are pretty uninspiring. We know that you're a feisty lot, and that there’s more to you than celebrity gossip and lipgloss. that’s why we’re doing this, to give you a chance to create your own type of media instead of being fed what some old stuffies ‘think’ you’ll like.

OUR AIM IS THREEFOLD: 1) TO CHALLENGE THE ‘SAMEY’ MAINSTREAM MAGAZINE OFFERINGS FOR YOUNG FEMALES 2) TO ENCOURAGE CREATIVE COLLABORATIONS. KINDNESS INSTEAD OF COMPETITION. 3) INCREASE THE VALUE OF PRINT FOR YOUNG PEOPLE. PUBLISHED ON PAPER YEAH?!

So we’ve called this issue ‘minus one’ because it’s limited edition, just 300 were printed, so count yourself lucky to have one in your paws! the next issue will be printed in early august and we want you to be part of it. we aim to print 1,500 of those ba’boys. If you’re aged 14+ and would like the opportunity to see your work published, check out our guide on page 38.

THANKS TO THE MARVEL THAT IS KIRSTY MACLAUGHLAN WHO DREW OUR PORTRAITS FOR THIS PAGE (YUP, THOSE PICS ARE DRAWN USING MARKER AND PENCIL!) AND MASSIVE KUDOS TO ALL THE OTHER BoLSHY BABES WHO TOOK A PUNT ON US AND CONTRIBUTED TO THIS FIRST ISSUE, WITHOUT YOU WE COULD’NT HAVE CREATED SUCH A WONDROUS ZINE. YOU’Re A TALENTED BUNCH AND WE HOPE YOU’VE ENJOYED THE RIDE! ALSO, ANOTHER LOVELY TIP OF THE CAP TO OUR KICKSTARTER BACKERS, ALL OF YOU MEAN SO MUCH TO US, WE COULDN’T HAVE MADE THIS LOVELY PRINT EDITION POSSIBLE WITHOUT YOUR BUCKS SO THANK’YA THANK’YA. SPECIAL SHOUT OUTS TO MR THOMAZI, JOEY, JEN AND PAUL, ANGIE & DISCO FOR BEING SO GENEROUS. OK YOU GUYS.. HERE GOES! X CHECK OUT lovely Kirsty MacLaughlan AT www.kmillustration.co.uk

SHE IS FIERCE MAG | LIMITED EDITION | ZINE | ISSUE MINUS ONE

6 Feature :: hey jenni sparks - how'd you get there?

8 FEATURE :: nina nesbitt - a letter to myself

10 FEATURE :: hannah gledhill - art/beat 12 FEATURE :: FLORA FAIRWEATHER MORE THAN POMPOMS 13 FEATURE :: OLIVIA YOUNG - CREATIVE SPARK 16 FEATURE :: RIDIN' THE WAVES 18 TRACY GREEN :: IN ON THE ACT 20 LOOKY LOOKY :: BEST TREASURE MADE BY GIRLS 22 CHARLOTTE-JADE ILLUSTRATION FEATURE

24 TUTORIAL :: DENIM DAYZ 25 TUTORIAL :: GOLDEN FEATHER GARLAND = SUBMISSIONS = 26 LAURA : ART // HEBA : POETRY 28 SKY : ART // kamille : writing // issie : art

30 johanna : art // aimee : short story 32 patricia : art // millie : poetry // illustration : anya 34 LUCY HUTCHCRAFT : FASHION 36 MEGAN : LETTERING // FIONNUALA : ART 37 WE ARE WHAT WE REPEATEDLY DO - A CHALLENGE 38 JOIN THE GANG : HOW TO SUBMIT

LASHES & NECKLACE BY FROMNICLOVE.ETSY.COM SEE MORE ON PAGE 21 IMAGE BY SAM @ WWW.PAPERANGELPHOTOGRAPHY.CO.UK

inside

FEATURE

HEY JENNI SPARKS! HOW’D YOU GET THERE? Meet our awesome new pal, Jenni Sparks [27] an illustrator from Burnham-On-Sea in Somerset. Following her dreams has taken her to the big bright lights of London to illustrate for some of the UK’s biggest names. Here she tells us a bit about how she got to be where she’s at...

Drawing has been an essential part of who I am since I first picked up a pencil. Drawing has been an escape from reality and my favourite thing to do. I used to draw on every surface I could get my pen on: my bunk bed, the desks at school, friends’ arms, and even school books (which I got told off for). There’s something incredible about creating new things and being able to draw your own world.

I got good grades in academic subjects such as History and English. I always got really average grades in Art, but when it came to deciding on my A-levels I realised it made sense to choose the subject that I enjoyed the most. I believe that if you are really passionate about something then you will learn how to do it. At the age of 16, I sat down at the

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dinner table and declared to my Mum “I’ve decided what I want to be. I want to be an artist.” She was a little concerned, but supported me in my decision.

After finishing school and sixth form I still wanted to be an artist so I applied for fine art degrees at various universities, and got rejected by all of them. Despite being disheartened, I then applied and was accepted for a foundation degree in Art and Design at a nearby college. I got very average grades, but during that time I realised that illustration was the route that I wanted to take, and managed to complete the year. I then applied for an Illustration degree at the University of Plymouth, and scraped my way in after being told by the head of year that he was ‘taking a gamble on me’.

Once again I didn’t get amazing grades for my first year of uni. Even though the teaching and facilities were excellent, I preferred to be alone at home working instead of in the studio with everyone else. At the end of the first year my tutor told me in front of the class that if I didn’t work harder then I’d be working in minimum-wage jobs for the rest of my life. I think that sort of kicked me into gear because in my final year I took my degree seriously, and ended up graduating with a pretty good grade. My parents were a little concerned about me finding a job - a creative degree was not seen as much of an asset for a young person about to enter the workforce.

"I applied for fine art degrees at various universities and got rejected by all of them" However, after my studies was when I flourished the most - I’ve always hated being told what to do and realising that I was out on my own and that it was my responsibility to make my dreams into reality gave me a big rush.

I kept a book of goals, breaking down my plan to become an illustrator into daily tasks. I divided my time between working at a coffee shop and drawing in my bedroom. I emailed other illustrators for advice, made a website, and started several social media accounts where I would post my work. I decided that I wanted to move to London because that was where the creative industries were. I never doubted myself and I focused on the amazing things that could happen. I look back now and that was probably the most exciting period of my life so far.

Through a combination of hard work, saving money, luck, and good friends, I finally had the opportunity to move to London. In 2012 I moved and managed to get a job working in an art gallery. Within my first week at my new job I received a phone call

from a print and homeware company called Evermade, who asked me to draw a map of London. It needed to be finished in time for the Queen’s jubilee and the Olympic games. This gave me only 3 months to do a very detailed map, and as I hadn’t drawn a map before or even had a paid piece of work, it was a huge challenge. However I excitedly accepted the commission and divided my time between working at the gallery and working on the map. It was the most challenging few months of my life! I was definitely thrown in at the deep end, but I’m glad that was the case because it really taught me what I am capable of.

I never really thought that map of London would be the thing that kickstarted my career as a professional illustrator, but it did. My mum bought a copy and I was so happy because that meant that I would get some money to pay the rent. I really didn’t expect it to sell very well, but when I received my first pay check from the map sales, I jumped up and down because I was so happy!

After people saw my map of London I started receiving commissions from other companies, and over the years I have drawn Paris, New York, Berlin, San Francisco, plus other things such as t-shirts, magazines, even animation.

I’ve travelled around the world, had exhibitions, met some amazing people and now I have a studio space in East London. I get to work with some really good clients and at the moment one of my maps has been enlarged and spread across the floor at Gatwick airport. I love my job! I think if you work hard enough and remain positive and enthusiastic about what you want to do, eventually you will get there: so dream big!

hello@jennisparks.com www.jennisparks.com @jennisparks 7

FEATURE

Hey Nina! Well this is weird! haha So, right now you’re good, you are. You might not be able to imagine what the future holds, but I’m telling you, you’re going to be fine.

It takes a while to find true friends, but now you’re 15, you’ve found your friends for life. These guys will always be your mates, and although you’ll eventually be in different places, doing different things, you’ll stay great friends and meet up whenever you are in the same place. You’re going to make a lot more too! It’s good to have a variety of different friends, like best mates, going out mates, and your childhood mates. I know it’s a difficult time being at school, being a teenager where EVERYONE worries about who they’re friends with, or being popular, but all this becomes SO irrelevant. All I’ll say is get rid of fake friends, don’t hang out with people that make you feel like crap. Surround yourself with positive people that love and care about you.

I know Mum’s always encouraging you to find something that makes you happy and to do something you enjoy. Honestly, this is the best advice, ever! It’s always really important, doing things for yourself, not just because people want you to do it, or becasue it’s the ‘done thing’. Stop getting stressed about what grades you’ll get in subjects you don’t like. Don’t get overly worried about failing exams either, you’ve been taught it so you know it! It’s not the be all and end all, and there are so many different routes. Set yourself little goals as well as big ones and remember, as long as you work hard at the things you love, you’ll be alright!

Whenever you can, work with people who inspire you. I know (obviously, because we’re the same person!) that family and friends are really important to you, but ANYONE who inspires you creatively to write is important too. It’s really cool that you’re able to document people and things through your music and not many people will inspire you to write songs – so if they do, they’re the ones to keep around!

Stop with the worrying about what one person thinks of you, or wondering if ‘that guy’ likes you. Happiness and being confident in yourself is key. My tip for love would be... don’t bother haha! Be single, don’t put pressure on finding ‘the one’. No relationship is a fairytale, you have to persevere with things if you want them to work. Find someone that makes you feel good about yourself, don’t get confused between love and infatuation and always be in control of your own feelings. Trust me on this (and stop rolling your eyes!). I’ve found that relationships that are based on infatuation or that make you feel completely out of control don’t last compared to being best mates with the person and having a healthy relationship that you feel in control of.

Hold onto your dreams of becoming a singer/songwriter and moving to London, and work toward them every day because it WILL happen. Moving to London and becoming completely independent will be a significant thing for sure, but surrounding yourself with those good friends you’ve made (and are yet to make) will make it easier. I promise.

You’re going to experience so many different highs and lows... seriously, I’m excited for you haha.

Getting to travel around the world with your music will be amazing, I look back on some of the shows I’ve played and places I’ve been and I’m like “Ah that really happened!” So take the time to appreciate them.

Little Nina (yes, I am patronising you!), you’ve absolutely no idea how much harder life gets when you become an adult. I thought everything was so important when I was your age but I look back and I’m like, “what was all that about?!” It’s just really important that you enjoy the moment and don’t grow up too fast!

If I could tell you just one other thing: have fun, don’t work TOO hard. Remember to take time to go out with friends or whatever you like doing. Like I said, there’ll be highs and lows in your life, so make sure you cherish the positives. And the things that aren't so great? That’s the stuff great songs are made of...

Love

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Nina X

TO

M RO

NINA NINA F

She may be only 21, but a LOT has happened for singer/songwriter Nina Nesbitt since she was writing and uploading songs to Youtube at just 15 years old. Her debut album, Peroxide went to No. 1 in the iTunes charts just hours after its release and she’s performed at Glastonbury, V-festival and T in the Park. We wondered what advice nina would give to her 15 year old self if she had the chance, so she wrote her a letter... keep up with nina ON TWITTER/INSTA @ninanesbitt OR FACEY @NINANESBITTMUSIC

FEATURE

ART/BEAT

From collage to interactive video, and from strumming a guitar to setting up a record label.Hannah is a true creative and has never been afraid to try new things. Want to know how to follow your dreams and play to your talents? Our girl H is all the inspo you need...

ROCKING THE NATURAL CREATIVITY When I was younger, whatever I was making had to be a certain way. Like my first handbag. Ripped denim was totally a thing in the 90s and I was emphatic about how the rips should look on the pocket, what fabric should go underneath and any details I was trying to add. I don’t think this strange attention to detail ever went away!

GOING TO ART SCHOOL? NO BRAINER! I literally didn’t know what else to do. My Art Foundation was senseless fun – I loved it! I do remember wondering though what good it was to anyone. I went on to do a Fine Art Degree as it was the most open and versatile of the arts. It naturally became more theoretical - I wanted to know what I was making and why.

MEDIUM SERVES THE MESSAGE After exploring loads of areas I ended up making videos, which I’d never been interested in before. Interactive and digital technology was becoming more of a thing, and I befriended a technician who taught me how to do real time computer programming. I made a series of interactive videos for my final pieces, and in 2006, I got selected as a semi finalist for New Contemporaries. Then I decided digital work wasn’t for me, and I went back to basics: I started drawing and painting and simplifying my art.

COLLAGE WITH A MESSAGE IS MY JAM Linder Sterling a feminist collage artist and musician, uses subjects from old magazines in the 50s. When I saw her work, I thought I want to try this! I couldn’t believe how much more polished and pasteurised everything 10

had become since the 1950s! Women then looked more individual somehow, despite being more stereotyped. I decided to take these modern images of women and try and insert some mystery and spirit back into them. To do this I used recycled materials, National Geographic mags, pictures of landscapes and unglamorous newspaper journalism.

When I was working on that project, I started thinking about why I was cutting these women out of magazines and wondered what had happened to the identities of these women before they had reached me as a viewer.

THE GUITAR = MY EMOTIONAL COMPANION I started playing guitar at a very lost time in my life, when I was living in Melbourne - I had a lot of time on my hands and I slowly taught myself the guitar. This was a long and painful process at times - it literally can hurt your fingers! I knew I liked the sound of the guitar, but it was more than that – I identified with it.

MULTI-SKILLED AND PROUD The problem with doing lots of creative things is that it’s hard to say to people what you do, to become something concrete and ‘sellable’. I think it’s easier to find work in one thing that you do exceptionally well and people trust that you are experienced and great at what you do. I never felt like I had that quality! My advice is: do something for the pure enjoyment or challenge of it, and if you connect with the activity of it, hold on to it! Try and find time for it along the way – you only get better at things you spend time doing and the enjoyment and reward grows with that it.

KEEP YOUR MIND OPEN! There’s nothing more rewarding than trusting something you want to do and allowing yourself to learn it. Be open to learning something and then stick with it. I had no plan to be a musician but allowing myself to try became the motivation and it ended up bringing more opportunities.

It keeps me moving forward!

INSTA @ Hannahherzblut

FEATURE

YOU JUST GOTTA GET IT DONE When I was 26,I had to make myself play in public. This was the first time I’d done anything performance based.

I set up an acoustic folk night at the café I worked in, to allow amateur musicians and poets a chance to play.

Eventually I started to work with some friends, a drummer and a bassist and we formed a band. We made our first EP in 2012. We had to raise some money to be able to release it, so we ran a cocktail bar at a festival and raised enough money to press a record.

We thought if we were doing that, we needed a record label and so we just we created our own; 7 Eye Records. Social media helps us get shows, hear what people think, share our music and keep a relationship with our audiences. Let people hear!!

FEATURE Flora Fairweather [AKA Hollie Foster] has successfully used her crafting and photography skills to whip up a thriving Instagram business and has over 10,000 followers. Good egg that she is, she’s agreed to share some of her secrets to help you wannabe entrepreneurs out there.

YOU DON’T NEED A QUALIFICATION At least not to prove how good you are. But a creative education gives you a chance to try a zillion mediums so you can continue to refine your craft. I started off wanting to paint, then be a photographer, then potter, life drawer, photographer again, and settled into illustration at uni. Now I’m using my camera pretty much all day - and being confident in photography is the key to my business.

FIND YOUR ‘UNIQUE TOUCH’ There are so so many small businesses all ‘hand making’ the same things - same colours, same techniques, same photography. It took me 12 years to perfect a hobby and turn it into something commercial-looking enough to succeed, but ‘charming’ enough for people to want what I make. The balance of the two was pretty tricky - I tried lots of gimmicky ideas but it wasn’t until I made my neon pompoms that things started to move faster!

RELAX WITH THE FOLLOWERS ALREADY I’ve only just started to relax and post photos even if I know full well they won’t ‘recruit’ 20 new people or 500 likes. I usually post them anyway because they’ll look nice next to the other photos.

I want the whole page to look beautiful! I have a lot of followers now, but getting to that point took a LOT of hashtags, loop giveaways and sending out freebies the same as everyone else does!!

ENGAGEMENT IS EVERYTHING Every night I answer comments and post photos, reply to DMs etc. It’s amazing to be right there when people are complimenting my things, so I try to thank them all. I’m always grateful for the interaction - it actually makes your page look even better because other people see the conversations!

ENJOY PERFECTING YOUR DETAIL Don’t feel you have to rush, and only show the world what you’re 100% happy with. It’s too late deleting something that’s already been seen by 500 people! It’s so much better having 5 amazing products, being showcased by amazing photography rather than 20 amateur products with terrible photography!

And on that note... ditch the iPhone camera!! Sure, cameras are bulky and annoying with all the leads and batteries, but I can pinpoint the day my Instagram feed went from iPhone to Nikon d3300!

TRUST YOUR TALENTS Don’t presume your favourite subject at school or uni will be the one you end up doing. If you’re truly creative, you have to roll with it and trust you’ll end up in the right spot! Trends, techniques and talents evolve so quickly that you could literally find yourself doing ANYTHING!!!

THREE TIPS FOR UPPING THOSE SALES

Get creative with photos

To portray an item you’re selling, show it in use, or gift wrapped... even showing it unfinished increases people’s connection with it so they somehow want it more!

Have a flash sale

I have one every few months which is refreshing for me and my followers - I think they really appreciate the big discounts during that time so don’t mind buying during the rest of the months!

Ask for opinions

YOU HAVE TO CHECK OUT HER AMAZING FEED AT: INSTA/FACEY @FLORAFAIRWEATHER WWW.FLORAFAIRWEATHER.COM 12

Before a product is finished, I ask about colour combos for pompoms or what type of wool to use.

I get a much better response about the finished item, and making what people want absolutely increases sales!

g n u o Y a i Oliv

k r a p s e v rc eati OLIVIA YOUNG, FREELANCE ART DIRECTOR, IS THE TALENTED GAL BEHIND FLOTSAM + JETSAM HERE SHE TELLS US A FEW THINGS ABOUT HER ROUTE TO SUCCESS – AND GIVES US SOME TOP ADVICE ON HOW TO JUGGLE A CREATIVE CAREER ABOUT ME I’M PROUD TO BE PART OF A CREATIVE FAMILY. My mum and dad always encouraged me to read, watch films, make things, draw, paint, sew, whatever. My Dad is a journalist and has published loads of books. My mum’s background is historical textile design and she was trained in beauty therapy and theatrical make up. She’s also a top baker, and is constantly knitting, crocheting, collecting antique linens and lace and making beautiful things. My sister used to model and is now a florist, and one grandpa is a full-time artist. → → 13

FEATURE

I’VE ALWAYS LOVED ART. We always had access to paints and pencils at home, so that’s what I chose to occupy myself with. When I was super little I just wanted to be Smart Arty from Zzzap, and wear a big blue smock and paint all day. Then I wanted to be a tattoo artist for years.

I fell out of love with art briefly at high school. It was so regimented, and I never felt like I was learning any new techniques or theories. I still sketched at home on the side, thank God, and didn’t abandon it completely.

I THOUGHT I WAS WEIRD AT SCHOOL. All teenagers think they’re weird, so looking back I’m not sure if I really was weird or I just thought I was. I remember very clearly not identifying with the popular girls. I wasn’t allowed to wear make up, and was (and still am) bright ginger. I wasn’t exactly Prom Queen! I was a bit of a dreamer, obsessed with fairytales, but never covered up that I wanted to learn - Hermione Granger was a big influence! That said, I went through all the normal teenage dramas. I had very strong feminist principles, though, so whilst other girls would giggle at the boys slapping their bottoms I would explode with rage.

I HAD A LIGHTBULB MOMENT IN MY LATE TEENS. I was just floating through a course called Design in Film and Television until we did a term on production design. The second we started it, I knew that this was what I wanted to learn. In the second year I saw a flyer for the BBC Design Internship and realised that was my ticket out of Hull, and into the film industry. I worked so hard to get my portfolio together, constantly writing and emailing to people to try and get some experience. After I got on to the internship, I did a full year of working in the art departments on shows like Call the Midwife and a couple of films. I then had to do the scary thing of becoming freelance. After a tough six months, I started advertising myself as an art director, and here I am two years later.

FLOTSAM + JETSAM KEEPS ME GOING, MENTALLY AND CREATIVELY. When I was first an Art Director, I found myself getting very sad and upset, and not knowing why. Then I realised I hadn’t drawn or painted anything for well over a year that wasn’t for someone else. So I started painting and sketching again. Someone at my Mum’s cafe saw me and wanted to buy one of my pieces, and from there, Flotsam + Jetsam was born! The name was inspired by my love affair with the sea and water. I’m drawn to marine colours and tend to use them over and over again.

things i’ve learned WITH A LOT OF CREATIVE JOBS, THERE’S NO SUCH THING AS A TYPICAL DAY. I can be out prop buying at the shops or making something for a job; I could be at a meeting or a recce looking at a location we want to film in, and checking it out from an art department point of view. I could be doing budgets, costings, inventories, invoices, OR I could have a day where I’m painting tattoo hands and mermaid treasure chests for customers in America. My job is flexible, ever-changing and exciting.

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FEATURE

IT’S SO IMPORTANT TO MANAGE YOUR TIME. There are periods in any freelancer’s life where you’re not very busy – it’s just natural. I used to get depressed and down on the days ‘off’ that I had, instead of relishing them! Being in the art department, your job is so full on and intense and dizzying when you are working, you need to enjoy your time away. Lists are the key! If I know I’ve got orders to do, I’ll dedicate one half of my day to Flotsam and Jetsam, then the other half to my normal job.

SELF-DOUBT CAN BE CRIPPLING. Every single job I’m on I will doubt myself in some way! I stay awake at night panicking that a client won’t like something, or I could have done this or that better. But I wouldn’t change that part of me. It means I care about my job which I do.

olivia & a colleague celebrating after wrapping up a shoot!

EVERYONE MAKES MISTAKES SOMETIMES. I’ve had a LOT of embarrassing moments in my career. I once thought a top Disney producer was a cold caller, so just kept hanging up on him and telling him to go away.

I’ve spilt paint and liquid latex on irreplaceable props. I’ve completely ruined certain set builds because I’m so bad at maths and got a tiny sum wrong. I’ve turned up to a shoot at a completely wrong random location because I followed Google Maps. I’ve fallen over on set, in front of the camera, while they were shooting. I’ve knocked over actors by accident. I’m a total calamity!

DON’T BE AFRAID TO ASK FOR HELP. Everyone’s in the same boat, and no one knows what the hell they’re doing. Everyone, and I mean everyone is insecure about something – we’re all human. If you’re new at something or you’ve never done it before just say it. Say it loud and proud! You’ll find people will actually want to help you if you just admit ‘Hey, look, I have no idea what I’m doing here.’ If you’re honest people want to help.

HEALTH AND HAPPINESS REALLY ARE THE MOST IMPORTANT VALUABLE THINGS IN LIFE. The biggest motivation in my life is to be happy. I’ve got a motto – the harder you work, the luckier you are. Don’t know if it’s true but I’ve done alright by sticking by it. I hope my career takes me to a place where I’m happy and creatively fulfilled. I would love to live by the sea, with my own studio. get your mitts on olivia’s amazing creations on etsy www.flotsamandjetsamart.etsy.com instagram @flotsamandjetsamart_ or check out her business page at www.oliviayoungart.com 15

Ridin’ the Waves Dee Ripoll, champion surfer AND lawyer, talks to us about sport, friendship and proving people wrong...

.SURFING LOOKS SO EXHILARATING! HOW DOES IT FEEL?

Surfing is honestly the most liberating feeling I have ever experienced. When you’re in the ocean, nothing else matters. I had a moment when I was in the Maldives just looking around me and out to the vast expanse of ocean… I felt so tiny. The feeling I got when I caught waves out there and watched the colourful coral under my feet, was just so special. Ultimately, you are getting time to spend in a completely different world when you’re in the ocean. It’s really special. Surfing makes me feel alive.

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s

.WHEN DID YOUR LOVE OF SURFING START?

WHAT’S THE LIFE OF A PRO SURFER LIKE?

I played in all the sports teams at school and loved being outside and active, but I didn’t start surfing til my last year at university. In 2011, just as I was qualifying as a solicitor I also became Ladies Scottish Surfing Champion. From that point, all I wanted to do was surf. I made my life about it. I passed my surf beach lifeguard exam and my surf instructor exams a month later. From there I went to run Granite Reef Surf School in Aberdeen where I gained confidence. After a few months of that, I knew I wanted more and I got a job in Hossegor in France, teaching surfing. Ultimately I decided to set up my own surf school in Scotland on my return - Coldwater Surf School.

A lot of last year was about travelling, experiencing new cultures and becoming comfortable in the ocean again.

It’s always the place I felt most myself and to have even a fraction of that feeling back again just feels incredible. I work hard every day on my rehab exercises and also work hard on my fitness and training and try to keep focused.

Remaining grounded and thankful is a big part of keeping your mind in a good place. In my free time I like playing drums, going to gigs, horse riding and spending time with my beautiful pony Fidget (I’ve had her for 19 years), spending time with my family and friends, going on adventures and trying new things - I don’t like sitting still!

.BEFORE THAT YOU QUALIFIED AS A LAWYER... WHAT MADE YOU GO .IN THAT DIRECTION?

I had always wanted to be a PE teacher and I got in to do PE teaching, but my Higher results were so good that I also applied for Law. The headmistress told me she didn’t think I was academic and that I would struggle with law.

Well that was like flying a red flag at a bull! From that day on, I was determined to prove her wrong. And I did! Four years later I graduated from Aberdeen University with a 2:1 in Law. I wrote her a letter and sent her a copy of my degree certificate - just so she wouldn’t forget me! Moral of the story…don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t. .DID YOU FEEL SUPPORTED TO MAKE THE JUMP FROM LAW TO SURFING?

FAMILY AND FRIENDSHIPS ARE OBVIOUSLY VERY IMPORTANT TO YOU.

My family were incredible after the accident. To be honest, I don’t know that I could have overcome those challenges without them and my friends. Psychologically I really struggled - I’ve had to work hard physically and mentally to find “Dee” again. I was so lucky and day by day with their help, I gained strength.

Friendships mean a lot to me. I invest a lot in people and wear my heart on my sleeve. When people let you down, this is when you get hurt and realise who your true friends are. Good friends will have your back no matter what and I know who mine are. I would have their back through anything just as they would for me!

WHO OR WHAT INSPIRES YOU?

I think my family were nervous. I’d worked so hard that after 7 years of studying and completing my traineeship to qualify as a lawyer, they couldn’t understand why I would want to throw it all away. Everyone was very supportive, though, and it all worked out. .NOW YOU’RE BACK TO DOING BOTH. HOW DID THAT COME .ABOUT?

After a car accident a couple of years ago that left me seriously injured, I didn’t want to look at the ocean, let alone think about surfing or my surf school. Luckily I had my law career to fall back on. Since then it has been a balancing act I guess.

Now I feel like I’ve a good balance. I work 3 days a week as a lawyer and travel lots! I’d like to compete again but I'm not putting pressure on myself. This year has been about travelling and gaining confidence, getting that love back for the ocean and overcoming my fears. With the Surf School opening again in March 2016, all of my hard work, dedication and facing my fears is paying off!

My sister, Susan - she’s my best friend. I’m inspired by people pushing boundaries. People who are achieving what everyone else thinks is unachievable. People who defy the odds. People who never give up. Having the confidence to achieve your goals and to never give up no matter what life throws at you is so important.

YOU’RE SUCH A BRAVE, .AMBITIOUS PERSON. WHAT’S NEXT .FOR YOU?

To get Coldwater Surf School running again…that’ll be a massive day for me when I take out that first lesson of aspiring young surfers in Scotland! They’re the future! I want to be able to provide a platform for kids who are passionate about it and really want to make surfing their path in life.

FOLLOW DEE ON INSTA @DEE_RIPPER 17

IN ON THE ACT Tracy wanted to be an actress from the age of three, but had a revelation when she first saw Bugsy Malone. “At one point a gorgeous, rosy-cheeked, big-eyed, frizzy-haired black beauty enters and immediately starts to jazz dance,” she says. “I remember seeing that thinking...

‘Oh my god what is this? I want to be her – how can I do what she’s doing on TV?”

FEATURE

Tracy Green, 31, is an actress from Essex, UK. Here she shares a few things you should bear in mind if you fancy going down the acting path yourself!

7 :: You can make social media work for you.

4 :: Non-actors don’t understand.

1 :: First, you need the right agent.

This can be a challenge in itself. There are a billion other actors also searching for an agent, and these other actresses will look just like you. Yes, we all have our unique differences, but the reality is there is a big pool of actresses out there and the competition is fierce.

2 :: If you want an acting job, book a holiday!

That’s a saying in the industry. When you start getting the auditions you’ve got to be prepared mentally. You have to fully commit yourself and accept you can’t make that awesome party, or that holiday you booked because you’ve just got a recall for a play that you forgot you auditioned for.

3 :: You’ll need a Plan B job.

You’ll be juggling a lot, which means you have to have an understanding and supportive ‘Plan B’ job. By understanding I mean that can be dropped at short notice to attend an audition i.e. if a commercial comes in the next day.

Your ‘Plan B’ job needs to be of a fairly decent wage that affords you a living but has constant flexibility.

Actors do make it look easy and a lot of people don’t truly understand what we go through to get that particular role. I get asked quite often, “Why don’t you just go to Eastenders?” If only it was that easy! Actually I don’t want it to be that easy. I wouldn’t want it handed to me on a plate.

5 :: Rejection is part of the process.

‘Dealing with rejection’ is a downside of acting. It can make you feel slightly inadequate, but I actually think it makes you stronger. It’s also part of the job and industry you’ve chosen to be in.

There are so many different factors that come into casting someone – it’s such a vitally important task for a role to be filled correctly. If it wasn’t meant to be, you have still made contact with that casting director, who may go on to call you in for something you’re more suitable for.

6 :: You build a real connection with the people you work with.

What I love about the industry is that you’re constantly meeting and encountering lots of different people from totally different walks of life and backgrounds. One of the other downsides, though, is saying goodbye to the cast and crew once you’ve completed a project. On set or in theatre, you immediately become very close once you’ve experienced working together.

I have a Facebook actress page but I never use it. Vimeo is where my showreel is uploaded and it’s the perfect platform for showing people in the industry. Twitter is where I tweet about anything and everything acting related, whether that be shows I’ve just seen or to promote a show I’m in, highlight my work, highlight other actors, show support, network and connect.

8 :: You have to really want it.

Being an actress is very unsettling for some as there are no guarantees and it’s very up and down. Being an artist is a lifestyle choice – your job IS your life.

It’s not the normal stabilised Monday to Friday 9-6. But I love it! The reality is, acting has to be something that you want to do in your heart and soul.

9 :: You can use your self-doubt to drive you…

Every actor will have doubts; it’s only natural. I think even the most accomplished, confident actor gets that feeling. That’s why a lot of actors don’t watch their own performances. There are no scores, there is no marking and we want to make our performances believable and honest. Self-doubt will happen, especially if you’re dealing with rejection.

10 :: but keep that self-belief.

I’ve never ever doubted my talent as an actress. You’ve got to feel self belief.

If you don’t have any, then there’s no point you being in this industry. You’ll take that self-belief with you into the audition room and it will allow you to stand with ease and confidence.

CATCH TRACY ON TWITTER OR INSTA @FLORAMARIASTYLE 19

LOOKY

Flying Pig Glitter Clutch Bag

by Luna on the Moon

LOOKY

We legit can’t cope with this bag!

The wonderfully kooky Kirsty hand makes these ba’boys at home in London’s East End. Smothering things in glitter is her speciality.

THESE ARE SOME OF THE SUPER TALENTED GIRLS WE FOUND ON OUR WAY TO CREATING THIS ZINE. CHECK OUT THEIR TREASURE!

20

£90 www.lunaonthemoon.co.uk (Insta @lunaonthemoon)

Fizz Necklace

by Pompomzigzag Lucy is from Sheffield and makes a wondrous variety of cool necklaces including this beaut made from cable cord.

Her ugly beads are also worth checking out� #notreallyugly

£12 www.pompomzigzag.com (Insta @pompomzigzag)

Lucky Penny Necklace

by Lucky Little Acorns Maia takes lovely pennies and stamps whatever you want onto them. She’ll even search for a specific year right back to 1971 if you ask nicely!

cross stitch kit by geeky stitching company Jess is a complete darl’.

She has this fabbo stitching club, you get a neat new design and everything you need to make it!

We’ve got a tutorial from Jess coming up in the next issue. We can’t actually wait!

£12 www.geekystitchingcompany.co.uk (Insta @geeky_stitching_co)

£12 www.luckylittleacorns.com (Insta @luckylittlemuma)

Super Magic Wand

by Sparkle Child London Okay okay, so we know we should probably grow up sometime *rolls eyes*� but until then, you’ll find us flapping about with this AMAZINGLY glittery, ribbony wand made by our pal Kristal.

£22 www.sparklechild.com (Insta @sparklechildlondon)

FINDS

Enamel Eye Pin

by CouCou Souzette

Juliette was one of the first gals we stumbled across on Instagram that we were keen to feature in the magazine. She’s from Paris don’t ya know. Her designs genuinely make us happy. You’ll be hard pushed to pick just the one pin. Don’t say we didn’t warn ya!

£8.76 www.coucousuzette.etsy.com (Insta @coucousuzette)

Shell Notebook & Tattoo Hands

by Flotsam & Jetsam So, Olivia, who we met on page 14, is obsessed by the sea. She makes these awesome notebooks out of shells... uh huh, SHELLS! Check out her custom ‘tattoo hands’ too, they’re lovely!

£16 each www.flotsamandjetsamart.etsy.com (Insta @flotsamandjetsamart_)

Acrylic Heart Necklace

by FromNicLove Nicola was the lovely lass who gave us the artwork for our gorgeous contents page. This laser cut heart necklace is as cool as they come. Handmade by the adorable (and self-taught!) Nicola. Available in different colours and you can pick a gold or silver chain too.

Her glittery eyelashes are to die for. Seriously.

£15.28 www.fromniclove.etsy.com (Insta @fromniclove)

21

CHARLOTTE-JADE CHARLOTTE-JADE

MEET LOVELY CHARLOTTE-JADE. AN ILLUSTRATOR AND PRINT DESIGNER WHO STUDIED AT CAMBERWELL COLLEGE OF ART. CHARLOTTE-JADE IS THE GIRL WHO CAME UP WITH THE AMAZING DIGITAL WALLPAPER WE GAVE AWAY TO OUR BACKERS ON KICKSTARTER. WWW.CHARLOTTE-JADE.CO.UK

@CHARLOTTEJADE_DESIGN

THE GANG

MY WORK: Aside from creating patterns and doing bespoke wallpaper, I also get a variety of illustration commissions. I have recently worked for Universal Record Label designing album artwork, created a whole new range of coffee packaging for Smith’s Coffee company and I’ve also been designing bespoke wedding stationery.

These commissions mostly come through my website or through my name being passed on through clients or friends.

HOW I WORK: I mostly use pencil but I do also like to use paint sometimes and combining the two mediums adds real variety to my patterns. I then scan my drawings/paintings onto my computer and edit them digitally, playing around with colours and so on. These drawings then transpire into digital patterns. I love both hand drawing and digital design. I like being able to pick up a pencil and get my ideas and designs immediately onto paper, but I love being able to take my designs from 2D drawings into 3D objects.

WHAT INSPIRES ME: I’m primarily inspired by plants, foliage and animals when creating my patterns and draw a lot of influence from the beauty in nature. Fashion is another huge inspiration for me, as I love keeping up to date with styles from the runway and current fashion trends. I love spending the day visiting art exhibitions or wandering round the V&A looking at vintage prints.

FAVE ARTISTS/DESIGNERS: I love William Morris!

His work is absolutely incredible - the detail in his designs is stunning and I love his creative patterns. Also, Timorous Beasties are a fantastic company and I love their design style and use of colour. Their detailed wallpapers and interiors are amazing. I also love the work of Kelly Smith.

She is a fantastic fashion illustrator!

THINKING OF STUDYING A CREATIVE SUBJECT? Do it! It gives you time to experiment and try different avenues of design which maybe you never knew existed.

Universities have fantastic facilities, you are guided by tutors with a huge wealth of knowledge and you are surrounded by other creative people, which is so inspiring and exciting.

STARTING YOUR OWN BUSINESS? Aim to stand out. There are so many amazingly talented surface designers out there. Incorporate your own personal style into your designs.

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TUTORIAL

denim dayz Ripped jeans are everywhere. Rips IN jeans are everywhere. The trusty knee rip being the more ‘classic/classy’ version of the full on thigh to ankle shred that our Grandmas love so much... (Jokes)

Anyway, if your jean collection ain’t looking rebellious enough... here’s a quick tuto on how to step up your jean game with a bit of rough embroidery.

1

Firstly pick your jeans. I found this old pair of ‘mom’ jeans that admittedly make my bottom look a rather funky shape.

(a do or die mission for these ba’boys)

2

Firstly, get’em on. You’ll need to ‘place’ your knees by sketching out in chalk. (Honestly, having your knees IN the jeans will save you from a holes too high or too low disaster). Do one line where you want the cut to be and another for stitching your quote onto.

Do some gentle snips vertically ‘up’ into the jeans to loosen off some of the strings. This helps to make the rips more authentic.

We’d LOVE to see your take on this tutorial, so show us over on Instagram/Twitter/Facebook @sheisfiercemag and we’ll feature the best of them all!

4 Roughly sketch out your quote. I just guessed the size of the words and blocked them in as a guide. (If you’ve gone for a particularly long quote, you could do half on one knee and half on the other)

5

Now, TAKE ‘EM OFF!!

3

Cut along your ‘cut’ line with sharp scissors. I chopped seam to seam, but if you want a daintier look, just cut a smaller line.

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SECURE YOUR THREAD. ET VOILÀ, YOU’VE GOT SOME BAD’ASS REVAMPED JEANS TO ROCK!

Grab your embroidery thread and split it. It’s generally too thick for denim so I split mine down to 3 strands. Tie a knot (obvs) and get stitching. I wasn’t particularly neat, it gives more of a grungy vibe.

TUTORIAL

GOLDEN FEATHER GARLAND These feathery delights are crazy beautiful. Use them to brighten up your room or give as gifts to the deserving humans in your life.

So, I grabbed all of the stuff for this project on eBay for under £9 (apart from the tape, paintbrush and thread which I had already). We got 50 white feathers for £2.50 with free postage, so if you can get your hands on those you’ll have enough to make 5 garlands (or one really long one!).

THERE’S HEAPS OF PAINT AND GLITTER LEFT OVER FOR OTHER PROJECTS TOO

You’ll need Masking/Washi tape Paint brush White feathers Gold paint Glitter Pale coloured thread

- YAY!

1 Pop your feathers onto a large piece of paper.

5 LEAVE FOR A FEW MINUTES BEFORE GENTLY SHAKING THE EXCESS GLITTER OFF!

2 Stick the feathers down with tape to mask off the part you’re going to paint

6 Gently peel off the tape and place feathers somewhere safe to dry properly for a few hours.

3 Paint the tip of the feather with

your gold paint. Go with the grain of the feather and try not to use too much paint otherwise you’ll lose the pretty texture

(WE MIXED IT UP A LITTLE AND DID SOME STRIPES AND STUFF TOO…)

4 On some or all of the feathers, sprinkle some glitter onto the wet paint

7 fiddly bit! Grab your thread and about 10cm in, tie on your first feather Continue to tie on as many feathers as you like, leaving an 8-10cm gap between each one until you’ve got a lovely feather garland.

They’re so light that I just used some washi tape to stick up!

Let us see how you style your fabulozo feathers on instagram/twitter or facey @sheisfiercemag

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SU B M I S S I O NS

THE GANG

9am greets me blissfully As rays of sunshine sneak through the opening of my curtains And not long after sunshine crawls between my bed sheets and seeps into the cavities of my bones I feel wonderful in the presence of an unprecedented energy lighting up my soul And for once the world is working with me and not against me

\\ ART: GREEN & SHARP \\

BY LAURA BEI aged 21

The following pages are filled with beautiful work submitted by a VERY talented crew of girls.

Massive high fives for helping us get to where we’re at today and for trusting us with your lovely work.

You were all such complete dreams to work with.

If you’d like to submit something for the next issue... shoot it through to, sheisfierce@icloud.com

All the time I thought about how fierce (sharp, angular) combines with delicate (smooth, gentle) and came up with this. I also added a little bit of dark and moody feeling to it while editing.

INSTA @nulaura BLOG - laurabei.weebly.com Society6 - Society6.com/laurabei \\ POEM \\

BY HEBA MOUBARAK aged 19 INSTA @_hebamoubarak 27

THE GANG

// DANCER DRAWING //

BY SKY WINTERS aged 14 I think art is what I want to do later in life, I love it so much. I also want to make a difference in the world and change things for the better, and I would like do that through art somehow. Maybe to bring awareness to certain things through art?

When I was 7 my family and I went on a 9 month trip around the world to film the indigenous people of the world as they shared their wisdom with us, and my parents made a documentary called Down to Earth. It just premiered in France, which was very exciting. I hope that this will also be a good foundation for me to help me in my goals in life. Currently I am doing my GCSEs and I play piano outside school and do four hours of dance a week. I absolutely love to dance.

INSTA @skywinters_

28

THE GANG

\\ TIGER MIXED MEDIA \\

BY ISSIE WILLIAMS aged 15 I love drawing, painting, sketching and all things artsy! I’m an air cadet and my lifelong ambition is to become a pilot in the RAF. I used acrylic paint, and my iPhone camera for the image of my friend. I was inspired by Charlotte Caron. I love the way she uses people and animals, it’s so beautiful and unique. Her work captures the idea that animals and humans aren’t so different from each other after all, and that’s why I love it so much. \\ SHORT STORY \\

BY KAMILLE SUAYAN aged 16 I have experience in photography, graphic design and videography.

I’ve been a candid photographer for school events as well as events run by large nonprofit organisations. In my free time, I like to take pictures using my iPhone or my Canon 20D. Writing is one of my passions, and I really want to build up my portfolio outside of my English class.

INSTA @elli.mak \\ MARA WESTBROOK \\

BY AIMEE MACDONALD aged 15 [page 30/31] I live in Edinburgh but absolutely adore travelling: some of my favourite destinations include London, Paris and New York, though my to-travel list stretches on for miles. I’m super into fashion, movies, politics, reading - or rather, hoarding books - and writing.

For the vast majority of my life, I’ve wanted to be a journalist and/or writer, and now I am 15, that aspiration still hasn’t changed!

AIMEE’S WATTPAD @blossymac \\ BEACH DEMON PAINTING \\

BY JOHANNA OST aged 32 [page 30] Johanna is a Swedish artist/illustrator who’s recently followed her dream to move to the UK. www.johannaost.com johanna.etsy.com INSTA @johannaost

S

tanding at 4 feet, 11 inches, I have consistently been one of the shortest on my volleyball teams. Volleyball, however, is dominated by people a foot taller than me, and to be quite honest, I often feel like an ant compared to a lot of my teammates. With this being said, however, I haven’t let my genetics deter me from participating in the sport in one way or another. I guess you could say, though I be little, I be fierce. Even though I was cut from the high school junior volleyball team this year, I’ve been able to channel my passion for the sport by helping coach girls younger than me. Even when I walked into the gym the first day of practice and saw that they were half a foot taller than me, I vowed to myself that I would still give them everything.

I’ve learned from all of the years I had played the sport. While some people may have expected me to quit after I got cut from the high school team, I refuse to give up the sport I have loved for almost half of my life.

Anyone who is an athlete, whether amateur or professional, would agree and say that to grow and “be successful” in a sport, one must be in a mental state of confidence or ferocity. No one ever finished a race in first place or won the championships without some kind of push of ferocity and a positive mentality to go along with it. After realising the kind of “fierce” mental state I had to be in, the game that I had loved for five years changed. I grew to love it even more.

My mentality, I soon figured, would be the key to passing a ball that was coming at me at the speed of light. It would be the secret to hitting or serving a volleyball across the court with ease and great confidence.

Athletes are some of the “fiercest” people you’ll ever meet. They push themselves to great extents in order to grow and learn, and they train for long hours to win championships and tournaments, but this idea of being fierce can be seen in the people all around us. Sometimes, Beyoncé is the first thing that comes to mind when someone says the word “fierce”, but we should remember that we are all capable of being fierce. Maybe we aren’t on a stage singing to a crowd of 70,000 people, but it is always important to remember that each and every one of us has the ability to be equally confident, ferocious, positive, and ultimately, “fierce”.

29

THE GANG

Mara Westbrook’s dreams were filled with mythical creatures, mist shrouded oceans and midnight blue skies.

Her mind was constantly buzzing and her imagination was as alive, colourful and abstract as the sketches and paintings that filled her notepads and lined her bedroom walls.

“Miss Westbrook, I am positive that whatever you are currently drawing has absolutely nothing to do with the late works of Vincent Van Gogh.” → 30

“Class.” Mrs Myers' cool, monotone voice cut through the hushed chatter of the students. “Please remember to submit your final entries for judging. The deadline is today, at the end of this period.”

This time, Mara really did stop what she was doing. Every year, all art students at Woodworth High entered their best piece of artwork into a competition. The prize for winning? An entire art show in the local gallery, exhibiting all of the winner’s work.

The entire competition had become somewhat prestigious, and the final exhibition was attended by successful art critics and famed gallery owners from across the world. Everyone knew it was a one way ticket to artistic success. A ticket that had been awarded only to traditional, classic artists for as long as Mara could remember.

She silently cursed herself as she watched her classmates reach into their pristine art folders and take out their competition entries. The girl next to her had painted a delicate landscape of the countryside in spring, while the boy across the table had produced a strikingly lifelike self-portrait.

Mara adverted her gaze to her own folder: adorned with flowers drawn from black Sharpie and streaked with shimmering paints.

It was nearly overflowing, but not with anything that would even qualify to enter the competition in the first place.

Brushing her unruly red hair from her face in frustration, Mara worked up the courage to glance at the clock. Ten minutes till the bell rung. Ten minutes to produce a traditional masterpiece worthy to compete against her skilled classmates. She let out a loud groan, which attracted the attention of her best friend and artist-extraordinaire, Ivy, who was proudly holding out a stunning oil painting for Mrs Myers to collect.

“You have nothing to complain about, Mara, your work is amazing!”

“My work is not even worth submitting.” Mara retorted.

Everything she did was too bright, too bold, too abstract. Too different from the school’s idea of what ‘art’ was supposed to be.

Yet, Ivy merely rolled her eyes dramatically, setting down her own piece. Mara did nothing to stop her as she approached, snatching Mara’s brimming folder and beginning to lay out the various paintings and sketches within.

THE GANG

M

ara looked up from her charcoal drawing of a dragon, silhouetted against a jagged and barren mountain range. “I’m sorry, Mrs Myers.” She opened the battered Art History textbook, barely suppressing a sigh as the stern old women stalked back to her neatly arranged desk. It seemed as though ‘sorry’ was all Mara had been saying in Art class recently. Sorry for painting a great ship on a treacherous sea rather than completing the essay. Sorry for sketching a medieval castle adorned with vines and flowers in the corner of the assignment worksheet. Sorry for attempting to create something new and exciting rather than copying the works of previous artists.

After several minutes of silence and careful deliberation on Ivy’s part, Mara’s friend pointed to a watercolour painting. “This one, Mara.” She said, an excited smile tugging at the corners of her mouth. “You should submit this one.”

The painting was beautiful; it was one of Mara’s favourites, in fact. Despite this, she had kept it at the bottom of her folder ever since she had done it – out of sight and away from the harsh scrutiny and cruel criticism of Mrs Myers. It was a depiction of herself, standing in a world of her own creation.

Turquoise waters lapped at Mara’s feet and velvety wings sprouted from her shoulder blades. The painting was more than just colours on a page – it was Mara. It was her thoughts and her dreams and her wild imagination, hidden among the paint strokes against canvas.

“Be brave, Mara. You never know what could happen.”

Before Mara could think of an objection, the screeching of the school bell resounded in her ears and Mrs Myers, her arms already laden with canvas and cartridge paper, outstretched one of her bony hands. The time for creating a new piece had been over long ago.

Be brave. Mara held up the painting with slightly shaking hands, ignoring the disapproving glare of her teacher. This was her work. This was her work and if it didn’t win, then so what. Mara’s hands stilled as the old women snatched the painting from her.

A strange and comforting confidence washed over her and, for the first time in a long time, she wanted people to see what she had created. Mara was proud of this watercolour depiction of her dreams.

∆∆∆ A month had passed, the winner had been announced and the white washed walls of the local gallery were adorned with colour and the sheer beauty of imagination. Mara’s dreams were alive and on display – a prospect that had once been positively terrifying, but now filled her with excitement for the years to come. She danced through the crowded rooms, dodging critics, gallery owners, friends and family.

For Mara Westbrook’s dreams were filled with mythical creatures, mist shrouded oceans and midnight blue skies, now laid bare for the world to see.

Find out more about Aimee the author and johanna the artist on page 25 31

POEM poem poem

THE GANG 32

II may may have have cracks cracks II may may show show weakness weakness II may may have have flaws flaws But But we’re we’re all all equal equal Sometimes I think I’m about Sometimes I think I’m about to to crumble crumble Then I remember Then I remember II am am loved loved II am strong am strong II am am brave brave And, And, Am Fierce Fierce II Am

I’m Moldavian but I moved to Northamptonshire 3 years ago.

THE GANG

\\ NATIVE AMERICAN \\

BY PATRICIA CEBAN aged 15

I am really passionate about art and science. I’ve played the piano, violin and sang in a choir since the age of 7.

My biggest ambition in life is to become a radiographer, I am fascinated with the human body and how we work. But also I’d love to dedicate myself to art, be it painting, photography or makeup. I also believe in gender equality.

INSTAGRAM @patricia_bmth \\ POEM \\

BY MILLIE GRATRIX aged 17 Millie is 17 from Leicester in England I’m studying Creative Media and I’d really like to go into the film industry to become a director. I like making ideas come to life so I’d love to be a part of the film making process in the future. I don’t write poetry a lot but I do love to read poetry!

YOU CAN FOLLOW MILLIE ON INSTA @millieeeroseee \\ FASHION ILLUSTRATION \\

BY ANYA VOLCHENKOVA aged 18 I use pencils and watercolor for my illustrations. I’m currently studying fashion design in Moscow, Russia and my ambitions are to become a Fashion Designer.

FOLLOW ANYA ON INSTA @anya_volchenkova

33

THE GANG

M

y name is Lucy and I’m from North East England and currently living in Edinburgh. I’m 20 years old and I have just finished my 2nd year at Edinburgh College of Art studying Performance Costume.

34

I’ve a mixture of experience, for example, I worked for online fashion company, RAT&BOA in Summer 2015. I emailed customers, organised their website, and assisted with planning photo shoots. I did work experience with Disney’s new live-action ‘Beauty and the Beast’ film in London, where I assisted the set decoration department; I was also lucky enough to assist on ‘Bridget Jones’ Baby’ the third of the BJD films. I shadowed/ assisted costume designer Steven Noble and his team.

At the end of last year, I was part of a Manchester fashion-based project for students called BLUE WITH ENVY (@bluewithenvyjackets), where I was given a vintage denim jacket and could do whatever I fancied with it. This project was run by Manchester School of Art students and focused on the upcycling of old clothing. I wanted my jacket to reflect our inner ‘FIERCE’, and for the person who’s wearing it to feel like they can take on the world.

Recently, a new and upcoming fashion

INSTAGRAM @lucyhutchcraft lucy_hutchraft@hotmail.com

My ambition is to continue doing what I love: designing, making, and creating magical arty things for people to look at.

If you’d like any more info about Lucy and her work, you can find her at:

company called ENCHANTED REBELS asked me to design and make ten denim jackets for their first collection, which should hopefully be up and running from June this year. I have a lot of fun creating the jackets and I’m planning to start customising and selling more.

THE GANG

L O V E L Y L U C Y

35

THE GANG

\\ WORDS : BE KIND TO YOURSELF \\

BY MEGAN PORTER aged 25 Megan is from Falkirk in lovely Scotland. You can buy prints from her lovely Etsy shop, or shoot her an email for a custom order!

MEGAN ON INSTA @porterandbramble etsy.com/porterandbramble 36

\\ ART : HOT PINK IS NEVER ‘TOO MUCH’ \\

BY FIONNUALA MOTTISHAW aged 20 Fionnuala studies at Edinburgh College of Art and hopes to continue as an artist. She's particularly interested in art therapy. This piece was created using collaged paper and pencil. www.mottishaw.wordpress.com

WE ARE WHAT WE REPEATEDLY DO [LET'S IGNORE THE LONG LIES AND NETFLIX BINGES FOR NOW... ]

AS YOU KNOW, WE’VE ALWAYS GOT OUR PEEPERS PEELED FOR LOVELY WORK FOR FUTURE ISSUES. AND WE KNOW THAT SHOWING OUR WORK OFF TO THE WORLD CAN BE A BIT DAUNTING. WE’VE COME UP WITH SOMETHING TO GIVE YOU A LIL’ KICK UP THE BACKSIDE...

SO GOOGLE TOLD US THAT A ‘HABIT’ CAN BE FORMED IN 21 DAYS. AND OBVIOUSLY GOOGLE IS THE BOSS OF THE PLANET, SO WE THOUGHT WE’D USE THIS AS A ‘UNLEASH YOUR INNER SCREAMING CREATIVE’ PROJECT...

EVERY DAY - FOR 21 DAYS - WE WANT YOU TO CREATE SOMETHING AWESOME. SET ASIDE AS LITTLE AS 5 MINUTES EACH DAY TO WRITE, MAKE, STITCH, DRAW, TYPE, PAINT, PHOTOGRAPH, SING, DANCE... WHATEVER FLOATS YOUR BOAT, AND SHARE IT ON INSTAGRAM. THE IDEA IS TO LOOSEN UP YOUR IMAGINATION AND GET YOU INTO A CREATIVE ROUTINE, IF YOU’VE NOT ALREADY GOT ONE! NO RESTRICTIONS, AND THE ONLY RULE IS THAT YOU STICK TO IT FOR (AT LEAST) 21 DAYS. TAG’EM UP WITH #21DAYTROOPER AND WE CAN ALL INSPIRE EACH OTHER...

WE’RE UP FOR IT IF YOU ARE. @SHEISFIERCEMAG

JOIN THE GANG BE PART OF THE LAUNCH ISSUE, 96 PAGES OF PURE GORGEOUSNESS. IF YOU’RE UP FOR IT... HERE’S OUR SUBMISSION GUIDE WHAT TO SUBMIT ARTICLES. Articles don’t have to be long, however, we ARE looking for something with a start, a middle and an end, obviously. They can be in story form, either fact or fiction.

MUSIC. Links to your Vimeo or YouTube would work, we can embed these ba’boys onto the website and share on social.

ARTWORK. Hey, we love art here at She is Fierce - it’s one of our main passions. Whether it’s digital, sculpture, sketching or crayons, we really don't care. If you love it, let us see it and we’ll help to get it noticed!

VIDEOS/GIFS. We can only support video links that we can embed at the moment. So upload to Vimeo/YouTube and send us the link!

RESEARCH. Research a subject and write an article or opinion piece on it.

This is a brilliant way of learning new things. Kind of like a school project, but YOU get to choose the subject!

TUTORIALS. If you have a great idea for a crafty make, digital design, dance or other skill that you’d like to share, type it up, add a few photos and send it in or make a tutorial video! Make sure to list everything you need, and explain in a clear, concise and fun way.

PATTERNS. Knitter, crochet, dressmaker? Send us your patterns or images to get’em shared!

POETRY. If you are interested in writing poetry or songwriting, we’d love to see/ hear those.

All of your submissions are important to us, All that we ask is that you are proud as punch of each piece you send through. Because if you are, then we’ll know that you’ve worked your little butts off.

We’ll always endeavour to publish as many of them as we can as long as THEY meet the criteria of these guidelines and FIt the ethos of SHE IS FIERCE. NOW THAT WE’RE IN IT AS A TEAM, IF YOU NEED ANY HELP OR ADVICE ON YOUR SUBMISSION, ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS HOLLER. WE AIN'T KEEN ON STICKING TO RULES, SO NOT GOING TO GIVE YOU A HUGE LIST OF THOSE, BUT PLEASE MAKE SURE TO glance over our ‘no-no’ LIST below before you start!

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PHOTOGRAPHY. If you’re submitting photography, please ensure that you have the rights to the images. We are happy to show off YOUR work, not the work of someone else.

INTERVIEWS. Have you discovered a brilliant new talent, or have a favourite artist, or someone you know that’s done something brilliant? Why not interview them? Contact us before doing so with an outline of your idea, we’d need to okay this one if you’re using SHE IS FIERCE as an ‘in’.

LANGUAGE TIMOTHY! NO SWEARING PLEASE NO NUDITY. JUST NO TO THAT

CREATE WITHOUT BEING PERSONAL, OR MEAN TO ANYONE. NOBODY LIKES MEAN GIRLS NO PLAGIARISM. DON’T PASS SOMEONE ELSE’S WORK OFF AS YOUR OWN SUBMIT YOUR TREASURE TO sheisfierce@icloud.com 38

BYE! THANKS FOR COMING...

YOU ARE PART OF THIS PLACE