1:56 is the BEST! This picture says it ALL though.

MORE LAUGHS!

“We started out with some popular brands relative to Idaho Falls, along with brands that had not yet been greatly exposed to our area. We opened the original store in 2006, a small shop in the Grand Teton Mall. From there, our following began to grow, and more inventory was needed to keep up with the demands of our customers. We later moved to a larger spot in the mall to establish more displays and more recognized brands.” -Prestige Streetwear

Read the full story over at The Hundreds…

The heart of Mandela’s success lies in the fact that he was able to master his own mind. In his interview with Oprah, he shares that imprisonment gave him the opportunity to do so in a way that physical freedom would not have allowed. It is a clear testament that some periods of physical stagnation in our lives serve a higher purpose that, if you can get beyond the discomfort of being forced to wait: you will learn not only how to endure; but gain clarity in your vision as well.

Another huge fact of import that Mandela’s life exemplifies is his understanding of who/what his true enemy is. We often fight the person and not the mindset- the oppressor and not the oppression itself. Mandela understood how to separate the two. This concept was first introduced to me by Dr. King; now that I have seen in detail another great leader employ this concept, it is indelibly written in my understanding of leadership. Mandela speaks briefly on this concept in the interview above when Oprah asks him how he avoided bitterness.

It is amazing to me that neither his, nor his wife Winnie’s spirit were ever broken after everything not only they, but their entire family suffered throughout his imprisonment. Mandela quotes that throughout the entire ordeal he never once thought that he would spend the rest of his life imprisoned. That had he thought this way, it would’ve stolen his hope; and that’s one thing in prison that a man must have at any cost. Regardless of your religious beliefs, faith is defined as the evidence of things not seen, and the substance of things hoped for. Had Mandela had no hope, he would not have had any faith to lean on. What are you hoping for?

Mandela shares so many quality experiences that show true leadership in action, that I’ve literally broke out my highlighter and am treating it like a textbook! I’m on the last stretch of completing this book but wanted to share my thoughts now- especially considering all that’s going on with Nelson Mandela. He’s recently been back to the hospital with a lung infection as he approaches his 95th Bday next month, so keep him in your prayers. There’s also a movie set to release January of 2014 in which Idris Elba will play the role of Mandela in the story of his life. The first promo poster was just released a few days ago.

If you’re looking to increase your leadership, broaden your understanding of global history and culture, or just looking for a great book to read period; then I encourage you to try this one. I got mine from Amazon.

Do you see sounds? Or do numbers always have an associated color when you see them??? Synesthesia- 13 minutes

More from Ramachandran

I define it as what one sees with his/her eyes closed. This question appeals to the poet in you; how do you define vision, and where does it come from?

Vision for me is the vessel that contains the iconographies of my past, present and future; it’s a fragile and intimate curiosity that inhabits the metaphysical space of our perceived reality or subconsciousness.

The content of my work is grounded in emotive narratives that can be expressed or experience through motifs found in nature such as accumulation of flora and fauna. At times vision is not about knowing where you’re going but more so igniting creativity as a way to maneuver through challenges as they arise.

 
The vision that you have for yourself and art serve as a proverbial roadmap for where you’re striving to go. They also serve as a strong conviction, or beckoning to create- to push for growth and progress towards that destination. Do you believe it’s possible for one to have an undeniable vision such as this, and still remain stagnant?

Definitely, while one may be gifted with an undeniable vision, it may take some time sorting the archetypes of these proverbial roadmaps. In the African proverb, “nobody is born wise and wisdom does not come overnight.” Moments of reflection are a natural part of being human; it enables you to search and understand a deeper reason for existing. Being stagnant is a healthy opportunity for the human mind to explore abstraction and self-interpretation.

Without thinking twice, I switched my major second semester of junior year from Illustration to Ceramics

Artists quite often develop tunnel vision with their work. This has its positive and negative consequences. Share with me what you’ve learned from your experiences with tunnel vision.

As a recent college graduate of the Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA), the greatest challenge for me has been the perk of “institutional tunnel vision”, in which I was forced to make work that fulfilled the classroom quota. During the course of my career as a student majoring in Illustration at MICA, I spent the majority of my time developing and refining my skills. But toward the end of my first semester of junior year, I realized that my heart was no longer in the Department and I wanted to do something more physical and hands on with my work.

So without thinking twice, I switched my major second semester of junior year from Illustration to Ceramics. In using the ceramic processes (greenware, bisque firing, glazing and glazed firing), I became fascinated by the physical properties of clay as a raw and malleable structure. Following the greenware state, which rendered the clay more permanent in its ability to capture minuscule details in its raw form; ceramics enabled me to draw parallels between a composition and a more structured version of the chaos that is my mind.

Your Rêve Series is my hands down favorite for its execution in showing such fusion between human and nature. To me it expresses a genuine oneness with our world at its most natural state, despite all of our manmade societal progress. In honor of the title, what was your dream for this series?

The “Rêve Series” is the shortened title for Double Consciousness, which explores the cultural disparity of self-visualization, assimilation and transnational identity. Using direct or suggested human figure, I’m interested in exploring narratives of vulnerability, isolation and alienation. The lettuce, which stems from the aster or sunflower family, Asteraceae, serves as a metaphor for internal organs of the human body
(such as the heart and lungs). The veins, arteries and capillaries are all aspects of the underlying theme of strength and the present experiences that we share with nature.

Our present interactions with nature are symbolic through connections of the “root” and “stem” of the plant. This connection is part of the bigger picture of Life and how it’s categorized and dissected in many fashions in the search for balance and truth. Earth is an all-encompassing web that connects every being on the same vibration. The mineral, the vegetable and the animal, are all parts of what it means to be human. We are gifted with consciousness to use our animal instincts to navigate our way through the limited span of our existence.

In my dreams the scenery is very factual and authentic, I’m able to feel, taste and smell the surrounding environment.  The color green is repeated primarily through all the figures in the dream because of its nature like atmosphere, but it also symbolizes growth, harmony, freshness, and fertility. Green has a strong emotional correspondence with safety and it also has healing properties suggesting stability and endurance.

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Your art is culturally eclectic; pulling from many different tribal and aboriginal influences to create works that speak volumes about you as a person. But honestly, they speak for those cultures as well. Is this your intention? Do you carry a responsibility to pay homage to those who established the Earth before us?

To a certain extent, yes, this is my honest intention. The different tribal patterns and geometry serves as an integral part of communication within the psychological characterization of my work. I’m interested in developing characters that will not only absorb the viewer through a trans-bodily experience of these tribal societies but also stem as inner working of the mind.

The visual component of my work examines the different discourses of fears and desires through mood, color, forms and textile designs inspired by the euro-rhetoric interpretation of these tribal societies. I’m interested in the creation narratives of humanlike forms, animals, and hybrid creatures that inhabit the mythologies of these cultures. My work is an investigation of the visual language of dreams and references found in Aesop’s fables. I hope to better understand my humanity and purpose through their oral and written lore’s. With my work I hope to connect the viewer with an authentic and cultural purity of these tribes, while honoring them respectfully.

You proudly wear the title of dreamer, which to me is synonymous with visionary. What came of your dreams in 2012, and how have they grown in 2013?

In 2012 I dreamt about being more honest with myself as a student, mentor and artist. I wanted to find a way of making work that exceeded the boundaries of the viewer and concentrated more on engaging the physical work in a timeless space that couldn’t be defined. I wanted to make work that reflected the meditative process of how we’re rooted with the earth.

So with the coming of 2013, I wanted to further develop my work to its fullest potential. My newest body of work resides with Monsters from various part of the world. The “Monstrum Series” investigates the pan-cultural relationship of fear and desire we share from one culture to the next. A culture’s monsters embody its most acute anxieties and serves as representations of both our extroverted and repressed subconscious. Different tribal cultures create and ascribe meaning to monsters, giving them characteristics derived from their most deep-rooted fears and taboos. The “Monstrum Series” is my response of these cultural proscriptions and how they represent the taboos of the societies that spawn them.

Click the image above of Morel to see more of his amazing work at his website moreldouet.com

Listen to The Violent Truth

Can you be powerfully anointed with a gift and yet be un-appointed?

Searching for Sugarman is one of the most incredible music documentaries I’ve seen- and the reason why is because the story itself is one of the most incredible I’ve heard! Enormously gifted, yet virtually unkown in his homeland- Searching for Sugarman tells the story of 70′s singer/songwriter Rodriguez, and how his music career fades into construction work and odd jobs to feed his family. The magic of the story is that he’s bigger than the Beatles in a country besides America, and tracked down by a reporter and record store owner native to that country who refused to acquiesce to the many rumors of his suicide and death. Check out Searching for Sugarman 

Check out the collab between myself and Kale. 180 (Wonatey)

I follow Dropping Gems from a distance. They’re a small indie label based out of Portland with a really good ear for music. Their lineup spans quite a few styles of artists and their latest email put me up on a new one. Natasha Kmeto. She’s been hard at work in 2013 hitting up some big festivals including SXSW, and releasing two projects this year. The second of which, called Crisis brings this strongly infectious single called Idiot Proof. Listen ^

Dropping Gems

released 12 September 2010
Written By: Adam IVY

Music in White was Snare Jordan (Jordan Kelley of Cherub) and I’s follow up release to Open Art Surgery. There were some small projects released in between, but none could compare to the amount of effort, technicality, and love that went into this project. I consider this my best compilation of music to date. Every track is completely original in lyrics, tracks 3 and 10 are the only songs not produced by Snare. We each experienced levels of growth in our personal lives, especially me coming to a point of having my first child and approaching marriage. I wanted to capture such growth and passion in the title and when it came to me while staring at the ceiling fan lost in the state between awareness and sleep, I knew it was straight from my spirit. I really hope you enjoy listening as much as I enjoyed the process of creating this final product. So many memories attached to this!

released 01 April 2009
Written By: Adam IVY
Produced by: Snare Jordan
Copyright: Intelligent Visionary Youth Music
Cover Art: The hands of Evan Hill

Open Art Surgery was Snare Jordan (Jordan Kelley of Cherub) and I’s first completely original music project completed as a duo. This album was the  first time we felt we had developed a unique sound after doing quite a bit of experimenting and fumbling. In hindsight though, this album was a big experiment in itself and I think that’s why the name stuck so well. We wanted to defy the usual song structure and formality, while executing with precision. Did we accomplish that? Who knows, doesn’t matter it was fun, memorable, and a necessary part of our growth toward our next project Music In White!

released 31 December 2007                            
Written By: Adam IVY
Produced by: Snare Jordan
Copyright: Intelligent Visionary Youth Music
Cover Art: The Hands of Evan Hill

It’s an interesting sound that Virginia based, Qugo Boss and Cello Figaro have put together. It reminds me of Kanye’s, Lost In The World as far as vocal arranging, but still it’s own animal. I imagine this video garnering undivided attention anywhere it’s played because of its sonic unexpectedness, as well as the undisputed eye candy. Check out Qugo Boss feat. Cello Figaro in Velvet

Last year I was blessed to interview Andres Gallardo, a New York based artist who believes the same and has been walking the talk to the point he’s running instagram with his latest project I call, dropping gems. New artwork (gems) everyday “dropped” in random places all around your hood with a hint pic posted up as bait for his followers to bite like piranha. Fresh off the celebration of his hundredth gem, at a status where new fans are coming by the day from all over, Andres is growing in his own creativity while inspiring and leading others to do the same. Here’s what the man has to say for himself….

And I present to you the #Jamesdean #marilynmonroe gem table with my favorite @warsan quote “you are terrifying and strange and beautiful something not everyone knows how to love”

You’ve definitely grown since the last time we spoke Andres! What’s some of the biggest differences you notice in yourself and artwork?

The biggest difference has probably been my desire to connect with people more than ever. This current “Gem” project was inspired by this desire to share and give while putting more work out there. I create these pieces with love and I hope it inspires people to do the same with whatever gifts that they have. As artists I truly believe in creating pieces for self expression but I also think that our work can do way more than that. My hope is that when someone finds a piece maybe for that second whatever problem they have may pause and they’ll be able to enjoy the moment. Its crazy what art can do.

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Yea last year when we spoke I could tell you were really learning how your work could connect with people. Especially from an activist standpoint with the Trayvon Martin stencils you started doing. Dropping Gems like you’ve been consistently doing now is an entirely new way of connecting though. What’s that experience like for you seeing a complete stranger experience your work for the first time?

To be honest, seeing strangers encounter my work for the first time is incredibly inspiring. It has been the motivation to keep creating. On the back of all the pieces I write, “congrats if you found this. Please post and tag me.” The reason I do this is so I can see the photos of the smiles and how happy they are for finding the gems.

It is an insane experience to hear of how the number of people looking for the gems is growing. Everyday I’ve been getting requests from all over to send gems to their city and it’s showing me how much bigger than me this is becoming. I truly hope to send gems to as many places as possible. There’s so much love being shown and I truly appreciate the feedback from everyone. It’s just the beginning.

The “A Love Like” series are probably some of my favorite gems hands down (Zamunda!!!!) So let’s switch it up a bit, fill in the blank:

A blank canvas is a love like… BRINGING SOMETHING TO LIFE THAT SEEMED TO HAVE NO POTENTIAL

Great sex is a love like… COMPLETELY LOSING YOURSELF WITH SOMEONE ELSE IN EUPHORIA

God is a love like… SACRIFICE AND MERCY AND UNCONDITIONAL LOVE

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First NYC, then LA. What’s it take to get some gem love out here in ATL or in any other city for that matter? (But especially ATL!)

I’d be down to send some your way when any of my friends or any one in general are willing to take gems with them I’m down to send some. ATL would be great!! My goal is to spread them as much as possible. I have a trip to Paris in September and I can’t wait to spread some gems in Europe! It’s all just becoming a beautiful artistic experience with all the amazing folks excited about finding the gems. Let’s get some to ATL!!

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http://instagram.com/artofandres#

http://artofandresgems.tumblr.com/

http://artofandres.com/

How about some girl on girl???? Guy on guy?….. Ok Guy on Girl, some tears, a few expletives, and surprisingly super-rare wallpaper all set to the new band from Dublin, Satori Je’s debut video, “You’re Only Apart.”

Satori Je are Ruben Rae and Haru Ki. Like the bastard child of True Romance and Pulp Fiction soundtracks they were born to an unforgiving world on 12/12/12. They are just back from supporting Dirty Beaches in Hong Kong and have since hooked up with Babysweet Sessions (Two Door Cinema Club, Cast Of Cheers) for their debut video. They are currently recording their debut album set for release towards the end of 2013.

https://www.facebook.com/SatoriJe

*As a music fan digging through a lot of crates for my vinyl collection as of late, this video gets extra love for featuring the wax!

**It’s something really disgusting about the act of kissing, but then again it’s cool when it’s you and that person… I guess. Any thoughts???

“This is God given I don’t even have talent, but on the scale of man I’m a God given balance”

http://www.arsineymusic.com/

I saw this in the alcohol aisle of a grocery store on Super Bowl Sunday. It caught my eye so I figured I’d try it but when I got to the counter it turned out that I’d have to wait a few hours to legally purchase the six pack since it wasn’t 12pm yet. Oh well… A couple of weeks later I’m shopping for a new taste again and the obnoxious blue bulldog kicking the shit out out the helpless blueberry catches my eye again. Long story short, I’m really glad it did! This premium lager with a blueberry finish is my current favorite “flavored” beer. 8% alcohol to the average 4-6 is also an added plus. Try it and let me know if my tastebuds are in line with yours or not!

What’s the inspiration behind the name Nativ, and the mantra behind the brand?

For me, the name “Nativ.” came about after painstakingly going through the naming process anyone deals with when they want to create an extension of themselves.  I chose the word native because I want everyone to feel as if they are or can be a part of this brand.  Everyone is a native of somewhere, whether they’re proud of it or not, and that has had some type of influence and has made you who you are today.  So with that, the mantra of Nativ. Label is more so about staying true to who you are, and creating awareness through self confidence.  Our motto is “E Pluribus Unum” which we interpret as the mantra of the individual over society, as it only takes one person to spark a movement and create a revolution.

Have you ever seen Solipsism??? It’s a really interesting film that takes that mantra to the extreme.

Ha no I have not but I’ll definitely check it out.

Streetwear is like the sports of fashion to me because of how people connect with and ride for their favorite brands; similar to a team. Some teams have unique fans that really make the team stand out, like Philly fans or the Raiders for example. What type of person/fan will connect with Nativ?

First of all let me say I like this question, being that I’m a big sports nut.  I don’t necessarily see a type of person appearance wise, rather than I could see people with a certain same mentality connecting with Nativ.  I believe the person that will want to support Nativ is the type of person who enjoys being apart of something that is about stirring things up, being apart of the system yet saying fuck the system type of thing.  With my designs I have a split personality sometimes, everything seems to be subtle and then comes across outspoken or vice versa.  But to answer your question in the simplest terms, a person that wears/supports Nativ is not a fair weather fan.

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What are some brands you personally connect with?

There are so many brands that have contributed in different ways so I’ll just begin naming brands in no particular order…  The Hundreds, HUF, 10DEEP, Staple, Benny Gold, Diamond Supply Co, ONLY,  and Acapulco Gold just to name a few.  I not only give kudos to these brands for their design aesthetic by creating their own unique niche in a time where street wear has a lot of lame brands out there, but also on how they carry themselves as businesses that stay connected to their fan base, especially The Hundreds.

It’s crazy how fast time flies, but also really dope to see how your artwork’s grown from when I first saw you doing stencils living at The Grove; what’s the biggest difference you see in your work?

Damn I’m stoked you remember those days, that brings me back haha.  But the biggest difference I would say besides the “formal art training”  aspect at the University of Tennessee, would be that my work has more meaning now.  And not trying to sound to artsy but there is a bigger picture I’m trying to create besides “Oh hey that looks cool, let’s screen print it”.

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Nati Label’s debut pop up show is this weekend March 8-10 in Nashville, Tn. Like the Nativ fanpage for all the details by clicking the link below.

Nativ Label

Made with a variety of tools, like a guitar, a mandolin, Moog synths, digital synths, and built over layers of cinematic soundscapes and custom monster sounds, this self-titled debut concept album was a year+ labor of D.I.Y. love. It was designed from the beginning to be a story without words or visual assistance.

There’s plenty of late nights going into this futuristic animated short film entitled The Augmented about a detective involved in a sinister case of child disappearances. Dark subject! The film’s release date is March 31st but co-director and producer, Simon saw fit to reach out on Vimeo and share with us the release of the first trailer. Check it out below.

My hardcover copy of Banksy’s book, You Are An Acceptable Level Of Threat And If You Weren’t You Would Know About It. It’s a well executed book from layout to writing filled with imagery from the most infamous graffiti artist in the world. This book is hands down the best collection of Banksy’s work from his emergence in the early 90′s, through his rise to notoriety, to fine art gallery big spending on his street art. Published by CarpetBombingCulture who claim, “We make books. You buy them. Your life is better.”

http://visualspeaker.tumblr.com/

This is beautiful! Photojournalist and Emmy award winning director, Alan Spearman is excellent at visual personification of testimony and struggle. In this selection entitled April, we see a bridge built between the #youth and innocence of Faith; and the wise experience of Hattie Mae. Both manifested through a symbolic tree.

Faith Jackson’s smile obscures the pain of the past and her fear of bullets flying past her mother’s apartment in the Soulsville neighborhood of Memphis. But Faith has a refuge: A magnolia tree that she has named April gives her comfort. She enters April through a hole in the trunk and waters her and checks her heartbeat. Nearby, Hattie Mae is a fading echo of the young girl. The ailing older woman looks back and dreams of youth and health. She places handwritten messages on a giant battered tree stump in her front yard telling those who pass to live now.

Alan Spearman
IVYBetty Staff Picks on Vimeo

IVYBetty: The body is the best canvas for the fact it’s an amazing work of art itself. Can you articulate your appreciation for the body and how it affects your approach?

Risha Rox: I refer to myself as a corporeal artist. My approach is an acknowledgement of the human body as the temple of the Most High, made in the literal image of God. My work operates in the literal surface and at the figurative core.

I see faces and figures everywhere. I had an artistic mentor who used to always encourage me to deviate from the human form and begin to work with my characters and concepts in the abstract. Interestingly enough, once I began to apply paint to the living, breathing canvas, my work began to naturally embrace the abstract. I guess the surrender to a lifelong preoccupation through the blatant engagement of the human face and form, somehow freed up my subconscious artist mind.

You had very real reasons for switching your tattoo gun to an airbrush. Is there anything you learned from tattooing that you’re still able to use now?

Yes the fundamental principles of light, shade and shadow take a place of extreme cartoon-like importance in tattooing as well as my work. I also find similarities in the importance of design quality, composition and most of all, working with a canvas that is ever bending, stretching and shifting.

The story is everything. It’s what in most cases makes us fall in love with any work of art. Your makeup applications not only personify stories but quite often are a story in themselves. What makes a great story to you?

This is an interesting question since my artwork is actually (secretly) a vehicle for storytelling. I believe that a great story is one that tells the listener something either ancient or new. As far as I’m concerned, there is a very fine line separating the two. A great story is hypnotic and melodic; the words lull you into a trance which then opens the doorway to imagination.

A great story makes sense on the surface, but somehow confounds the listener, setting into motion workings on a deeper level of the mind, invading his/her dreams and creating reflections in the waking life. Personally, obviously, I enjoy illustrated stories.

If beauty is a fundamental quality of the divine, then it must also be a fundamental quality of we who are made in the image of the Most High.

Hail Mary is really intense all around! Each portrayal of Mary embodies a different sector of the human personality from pain and sorrow; happiness grace and love in the middle; to a polar extreme in rage. As the creator did you have to embody those things yourself; similar to an actor getting into character, in order to make sure the Mary you created was true to the realm she was to represent?

The whole thing was a very synthesized process. Yes, the characters are complex, but they are of my own imagining. The visual images occurred to me at the same time or really even first, so it was not difficult at all to stay true to my own vision. If you look at the sketches, you will see that the images are pretty much what I always intended them to be, so all I had to do was ensure that the images matched what was already in my mind. All of the thoughts, ideas and inspirations involved were things that have occupied my subconscious, art and dreamscapes for a very long time so it was just a matter of letting it all flow out and organizing it.

I did have to find team members who could embody and execute my vision. Militia, a female metal singer was my muse for this project. I presented her with the sketches, she was down and she was actually the perfect vessel. She was a total natural being a performer and a badass woman. She also had her own abiding interest in the goddess as personified by the virgin Mary, or Erzullie as she is known in Haiti. I knew that I wanted a longtime artistic partner of mine, the amazing Tresse Agoche to create the headpieces (a crown, a ship’s steering wheel and a thorny nest), to which she agreed. The idea then occurred to me to maintain an all brown female team, so I asked my then roommate, photographer Ja’tovia Gary to capture the images. Having a long honed vision, specific sketches as a reference point and an all star team made the execution of my vision fairly smooth.

She is the answer to our deepest wonderings about ourselves. With no judgement, she simply guides and reassures.

The Sea Line Woman is my favorite because to me she is the balance, she is the “traditional” beauty. As if that word could even apply here! But as we know all too well from life, perfect balance is almost nonexistent. Which is why she truly stands as a North Star symbol of navigation to what we could be. For today’s individual would you say that the Sea Line Woman represents perfection or perfectly flawed?

Perfection does not interest me and has no place in this story, except in the most broad, ‘every-thing/moment/entity is perfect’ kind of way. Sea Line Woman represents pure grace. She is the acknowledgement and acceptance of our myriad personal flaws as individuals and as a species. She is the answer to our deepest wonderings about ourselves. With no judgement, she simply guides and reassures. Sea Line Woman is the perpetual ingenue, the horizon between womanhood and girlhood. So awed was she by her own grace, despite her imperfections, in being chosen as the ultimate vessel for transformation, she now lovingly extends this grace to all of us.

Our Lady of Rage explores rage’s lesser known role as a white hot explosion of righteousness, as a natural function of the mother.

Beyond anger, true rage is a powerful and dangerous weapon of the subconscious because it knows no fear, no insecurity, and no control. Your portrayal of Our Lady of Rage shows Mary transformed into a rage activated by the evil of the world done to her child. But overall do you believe that rage is strictly our righteous defense mechanism to evil, or something that can itself be evil and misused?

Every tool can be misused. The story of rage as a manifestation of evil is a story that is too often told. Our Lady of Rage explores rage’s lesser known role as a white hot explosion of righteousness, as a natural function of the mother. She offers us protection. She simultaneously acknowledges, engages, and slaughters our own shadow via reflection and illumination. She is the demon slayer. She would save us from ourselves as readily as she would save us from another.

Regardless of the emotion, there is beauty to be found in each portrayal of Mary, just as us in life. So I want to ask; as precisely as you can put it, what is beauty?

Beauty is a fundamental quality of the divine. Therefore it is potent, yet subtle, ineffable and difficult to grasp. Beauty is also a powerful tool for penetration and can pierce the senses, the heart, the soul, the loins, the womb and the mind. Once pierced, something is expelled and something else enters, therefore beauty is also an agent of change. Beauty is one of myriad paths which can lead us back to ourselves. If beauty is a fundamental quality of the divine, then it must also be a fundamental quality of we who are made in the image of the Most High.

What was best about 2012, and what’s next for Risha Rox in 2013?

In 2012 I pierced ground and planted seeds. The dark, rich loam was enhanced by daily libation with all manner of precious bodily fluids. In 2013, the Earth will warm and swell; the rain will come unbidden. 2013 will bring forth abundantly the sweet fruit of my mind, body and spirit. I will share my fruit and between savoring, smiling and spitting pits, I will take the time to ask you how it tastes…

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Many thanks to you Risha for being extremely transparent in your perceptions and artwork. I’m very proud of this interview.

I’ll leave the readers with this question… What is beautiful to you?

Risha Rox

These paintings attempt to disobey a world that demands concrete decisions, a world that requires us to eat all meat or none at all or to be entirely for a war or entirely against it. The masked creatures exist in a familiar place, where fiction and nonfiction are one in the same and where emotional closure is always just one step away. The characters are bruised, sore, bony, and contorted, but they are not victims. Their world is just more sophisticated than our own; a world where contradictions can coexist, where intimacy is not linked to fear, where humility often looks like integrity, and where everyone knows that taking a deep breath in requires the very act of pushing it back out.

My name is Emma and I am a producer introducing a quirky little animated film titled ‘ Cabbit.

The entire film was made with Sharpies and a Mac Mini and I suspect it was the toxic fumes from the markers that actually inspired some of the imagery. It has taken us three painstaking years to produce this thing due to the fact that the artist Soogie deals with a chronic illness. I am hoping that this work will reach the type of reader that your website caters to and give the video the kind of attention it deserves.

Charisma is just as important as technique and you’ve definitely got it! What makes SheStreet different and captivating?

I believe what makes me different and captivating is my approach to the music, as well as character and power of the “hit”. I attempt to give you an experience as well as entertain. My character provokes a lot of emotion from me , so in return I seek to move the emotions of others!

Memphis is the home of Jookin and I see it in your art. But to grow as a dancer you’ve had to push and expose yourself to new things. How has California helped you grow as a dancer?

California has helped me grow TREMENDOUSLY as a dancer! My willingness to be open minded about all styles really helped me receive more. My inspiration is constant. Now Jookin is definitely what I grew up around, so somehow it manages to “sneak out” through my movement! Lol! I Love That! I’ve found myself more into the expansion of my movement vocabulary than any particular style!

A lot of people don’t realize just how far a career in dance can go, or the doors that it can open. What has it done for you and your career?

You can go as far as you want to go in ANYTHING!!!!!! Dance is my vice! On my journey to my ultimate goal I’ve had some amazing experiences!!! I’ve been allowed to work professionally with dancers that I look up to! It’s given me hands on experiences with televised productions and Live shows! Which definitely scratches my itch for Performing Arts! It’ll open that the door to a lot more than that if you dream big enough and work hard enough!

Battling is such a part of hip hop culture whether musically or in dance. You’re no stranger to it. Do you enjoy the competition? Does it change your approach in comparison to dancing outside of a battle?

Oh yes! I like competing! It helps me to grow!!! It’s like sparring! Every Athlete has to practice! Plus…. It’s a respect thing! I really appreciate exchanging with an amazing dancer! It inspires me!

Anything physical like sports, dance, etc. requires instinct and trust to let the body take over to a certain extent. Do you trust your instincts and body 100%?

Yes! You have to!!! Doubts = Mistakes It can also cause you to be less willing to try newer things! That’s a no no!

Have you ever been injured from dancing? If so did it affect your trust in your body once you recovered?

No serious injuries! Thank God….. Lets keep it going!

Emotion can be a powerful tool for a dancer. What has your experience taught you about dancing off of emotion?

Dancing from your emotions is what I call honest dancing!!!! Dance from your Soul!!! All styles of dance aren’t universal, but souls are!!!!!!

What was the best of 2012, and what’s good for 2013?

I think the best thing about 2012 was the learning process I had! I’m quite excited about the seeds planted!!! 2013 I believe we can all plan to see the fruits of some labor and even more growth!

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Absolute pleasure SHEstreet, your appreciation and gratitude showed throughout the entire process. We were humbled.

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Control Freakz

Risha Rox is an incredibly talented makeup artist able to use her medium unlike any other I’ve seen. The makeup becomes a language with which stories are told. That’s why our full feature with her is ALL YOURS Monday, February 18th.

The human form is the most fascinating and enduring of artistic subjects. In my work, subject becomes canvas. Through my paintings on flesh, I engage in a modern practice of two ancient traditions, body painting and storytelling. Via this practice, I explore the human potential for evolution and evoke lucidity within the waking dream commonly perceived as reality.

My art is deeply informed by my heritage as a Black Los Angelina and a Jamaican of East Indian decent. Also woven into my work are my childhood and adolescent adventures in the great Marian shrine known as Los Angeles and twilight goat slaughters followed by moonlit prayers in Ontario. There is magic, mayem and death as I approached adulthood in Berkeley/Oakland. Also, velvet black nights and matrilineal meridian lines in mystic Jamaica and misty London, where thicker than fog blood ties have summoned me each decade of my life. My present story of womanhood in Bed Stuy is also strongly represented. Utterly spellbound by the prismatic spectrum of humanness, themes of divinity and carnality can be found throughout my work.

RishaRox.com

I believe James Dean was the embodiment of a “Rebel.” The way he lived his life was raw and candid. In every role he played he left you craving for more, because of how emotionally attached he made you to all his characters. The artwork in this collection was inspired by Dean’s legendary “Torn Sweater” photo-shoot. I have always loved the way the lens seemed to capture him in such a raw, unabashed way. It’s one of the earliest glimpses into who this complex man would become. And I could not resist the urge to dedicate a series of pieces to the man who is forever remembered as the ultimate “Rebel”. – Kerry Laster

Check out the entire project along with other powerful images of iconic artists interpreted through the #Vision of Kerry at Phantomkay.com

This short film by Les Courtisans immerses us in the visual history of Louis Vuitton trunks; jumping back and forth between the many designs developed by the house throughout the years; a graphic explosion at crossroads between the late 19th and early 21st century. An immersive light installation that explores part of the richness of the Maison and reveals layers of savoir-faire, innovation and dreams.

Les Courtisans consists of Directors Edouard Delage and Alexandre Plicque-Gurlitt who each individually have worked with a number of internationally successful brands including Audi, Hugo Boss, Lacoste and more. More of their work can be found here Music: “Brotherhood” by Cassius (Ed Banger Records / Because Music)