Tae Magazine Issue 2

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

1 January 2015 | TheArtElephant.com

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

From TAE’s humble beginnings, I have always fit our readers into two categories; those who are creative and recognize it and creatives that have yet to discover their talent. TAE travels, discovers, and shares art and creativity with the world, in hopes that we inspire EVERYONE to explore their creative side. Creativity is as important to the world as a heartbeat to the body. Imagine a world devoid of unique ideas. Our television would be strictly for news and documentaries, advertising would be mind-numbing, making the Super Bowl a drag! Pinterest would be a website dedicated to off-centered family photos, and our homes would remain artless and stark. Fortunately, the human race is artistically innovative; in fact, we are without limits. This issue of TAE showcases an amazing spread of artists and features that will be sure to stoke your creative fire and inspire you to do what you love!

TAE has taken me many places, from Thailand to Honduras and now all over the Pacific Northwest. Over the past few months, I’ve traveled from Northern California to Vancouver, British Columbia and explored every wonderful nook and

cranny in between. Of the places I’ve visited, my favorite city is Portland, Oregon. The art culture is on point, the food is amazing, and the people are fantastically friendly. While this issue of TAE Magazine is inspired by photography, it has also been heavily influenced by my beloved PDX. Many of our wonderful creative writers were discovered there, as well as ideas for some of our featured articles. See the back of the magazine for some of my travel photos!

Now, what is photography inspired, you ask? It means that we LOVE photography and have gathered a wide array of photo stories to share with you. Our feature story and cover photo celebrates a photographer in the Netherlands who spends his summers cycling across European countrysides shooting photos. His images are stunning and his story, inspiring. This issue's photographers share photos of their travels, the people they meet, and helpful professional photography tips. If photography is not your passion, don’t fret! This issue also covers POW WOW HAWAII, the world’s favorite street art festival, Lana Chromium the body artist, and a few brand new sections! From horoscopes to music, we have you covered.

Dive in and join the TAE Movement. Happy 2015#TaeMagazine

We're here to inspire...

2

instagram.com/theartelephant

01/15Contents

Editor's Note

Meet the Team

PhotographySouls of Society

A Photographic Journey Of Learning From Others

Imagination & DecisionPeter Lang - Fashion, Travel,

and Lifestyle Photographer

PHotOCycLE Dutch Photographer, Lauren

Vernue Cycles Across Europe

TAE TravelsThe Pacific Northwest

From Mountain to Ocean and Everywhere in Between

TAE InspirationThe Henn House Part IIShort Story With Illustrations

by Graham Smith

Winter HoroscopesFor the Creative Individual

Top 10 Albums That Help You Make Better Art

Color Me SexyWhy Artists Have That Special “Something”

Lost ArtThree Great Art Schools You

Might Not Know Existed

TAE MagazineThis magazine was designed by Chantelle Lamoreaux of TAE Creative Group.

26

7

19

31

57

13

17

23

41

47

www.grahamsmithillustration.com

01/15Contents

Check out the HoroscopesWe have an all new section in TAE!

Horoscopes for the creative individual!

A Special Thanks To Graham SmithTalented San Diego illustrator, Graham Smith illustrated artwork for our featured short story

“The Henn House - Part II.”

Photography TipsFor photography tips, be sure to read “Souls of

Society” and “Imagination & Decision.”

Street ArtThe Berlin WallsThe Rise Of German Street Art

Savage HabbitColor Washed Walls of Jersey City

POW WOW HAWAIIThe Quickly Growing Wall Art Project

Mixed MediumsArt by Lana ChromiumIf Body Is A Canvas, Paint Is A Second Beautiful Skin

Letting GoThe Art and Philosophy of Amanda Steines

Best Typographers In 2014 TAE’s Favorite handlettering geniuses

Françoise NiellyFaces As Cities and Blades As Brushes

FashionRangRageSupporting India’s Hand Painters

Wanderlust & WildheartsAn Old World Boutique with A Timeless View

11

27

43

16

25

29

49

39

53

grahamsmithillustration.com

The TAE Team

Contributors

Chantelle LamoreauxCreator/ Editor in Chief / Art Director / Photographer

@theartelephant

TAJLYNLead Creative Writertajlyncreative.com

Charity MarchandtCreative Writer@msmarchandt

Lindsey IrishCreative Writer

Darren N. BorrowsCreative Writer

Kristin LowryCreative Writer

Graham SmithIllustrator / Artist

Carrie BrysonSenior Editor

Nick DeckAssistant Editor

Noushin NourizadehCreative Editor@noushinnouri

Sean OBrienLead Creative Writer@MMAWriterSean

Nick DeckCreative Writer

Justine MiddletonCreative Writer

Jessica HoardCreative Writer

@jesshoard

Emily S. SmithCreative Writer@emilysofiasmith

twitter.com/mmawritersean

twitter.com/msmarchandt

twitter.com/jesshoard

twitter.com/emilysofiasmith


https://twitter.com/rainy_machine

theperfectlifecompany.com

lostinasupermarket.com

twitter.com/noushinnouri


theartelephant.com

JOIN THE MOVEMENT & CONNECT WITH US

T H E A R T E L E P H A N T . C O M

Facebook: facebook.com/theartelephant

Pinterest: pinterest.com/theartelephant

Vimeo: vimeo.com/theartelephant

Twitter: twitter.com/theartelephant

Instagram: instagram.com/theartelephant

Google+: theartelephant

https://plus.google.com/b/101250659943173557540/101250659943173557540/posts


theartelephant.com

Photography

Souls Of Societya photographic Journey of learning from others By nick deck

When was the last time you truly connected with a complete stranger?What was it that brought the two of you together? If you’re wracking that big brain to come up with an answer, let’s be clear aboutsomething, you’re not alone. The great majority of us pass an abundance of perfectly delightful people on the street every day, especially if we find ourselves residing in a more metropolitan conurbation, yet even a simple “hello” is becoming increasingly rare. As the population retreats further into the comfort of their phone comas, it’s easy to appreciate the beauty of this artist and his project “Souls of Society.” Dijon Bowden is a storyteller. In school, he came to be a filmmaker; he writes, he acts, and for the last few years, he shoots photos. It’s his talent for telling stories that shines through so brightly in this particular series. In each frame, his subjects tell their tale to the camera and in turn, to Bowden’s audience. The haphazard meeting of a potential subject on the street leads to an interview, creating an opening for honest connection.


“Everyone we pass has the capacity to teach us something profound if we’re willing to engage,

be present, and listen. This project is my journey of awakening through learning

from people all over the world.”

With a relationship established, Dijon is able to capture a depth of his subject that would elude the casual passerby. Take a chance, open up, explore the world and those with whom you share it. On your next adventure into your city, you may discover something you never knew you were looking for. See more – soulsofsociety.comBook sneak peak - http://eepurl.com/82_rzsupport dijon’s project - http://www.patreon.com/soulsofsociety

Photography tips and inspirational advice As a portrait photographer, the most important thing is connecting with the person you’re shooting. Look at them and give them a genuine compliment about something you like about them. That idea extends beyond photography. In life I’m sure you’re heard, “It’s not what you know, but who you know.” Relationships are everything. Nurture your relationships by expressing love to everyone you meet.

As far as the technical aspect of photography, I like to focus on the eyes with a very shallow depth of field. That’s because I’m focused on the soul. How you shoot depends on what you see and how you want to represent that thing. I think a photograph is “good” if it conveys the photographer’s vision. Experiment to find your own way of seeing the world and your own way of representing it. Remember, you have gifts for the world that no one else has, you’re doing a disservice to everyone if you’re not fully yourself.”

S O U L S O F S O C I E T Y . C O M10

Street Art

The Berlin Wallsthe rise of German street art by lindsey Irish

In a city so long defined by its wall, it’s no wonder that Berlin boasts some of the most beautiful walls in the world decades after the Cold War’s memorable conclusion. Berlin’s walls now signify something far greater than the oppression of Cold War Germany—they represent a city budding with cutting edge ideas, unbridled artistic expression, and an ever-growing multinational population. Amidst the many painted walls of Berlin, these eight artists, both rising stars and established writers, are doing their part to help define Berlin as an epicenter of contemporary European art.

This Berlin based artist, whose identity remains strictly anonymous, is one of the city’s most famous writers. His or her work is characterized by life-size stenciled black and white images of fashionable women posing confidetly from a variety of angles, with a thought bubble-like “XOOOOX” coming out from them. XOOOOX’s work is ambiguous in its symbolic meaning, but many critics consider the pieces symbolic of the juxtaposition between high fashion aesthetics and the grey grunge of urban cityscapes.

The Swiss artist known simply as “Robi,” has made his mark on the Berlin graffiti scene with his vibrant, surreal multilayer stencil pieces. His work often uses childlike images paired with adult messages to convey the disconnect between the innocence of the human spirit and society’s expectations.

In a male dominated street art scene, English born street artist, Vanesa Longchamp, is making her mark on the walls of Berlin with her dreamy waif-like images. VLong’s pieces are spray painted by hand and in her own words are, “Always melting, always dissolving, always dripping, perhaps to represent an inner state of emotions, that of sadness and disappointment, that of coming out of fantasy and getting in touch with reality, leading to a state of inner peace. An absolutely necessary catharsis.”

French born artist, MTO, also known as “Mateo,” although officially retired from the street art scene in Berlin, is among one of the most well-known and respected writers. MTO is still resident of Berlin, his work continues to draw attention. He is best known for producing hyper-realistic pieces depicting icons from pop culture.

XOOOOX Robi the Dog VLong MTO


Alias is one of Berlin’s most prolific street artists and quickly rose to fame with his stenciled pieces that most often feature young males in varying states of anger, dismay, or sadness. Little is known about Alias, other than his gender, but he continues to fill galleries across Europe with his depictions of youthful disillusionment.

Unlike the other street artists mentioned in this article, 1UpCrew is not a single entity, but rather, an anonymous graffiti collective allegedly comprised of Berlin’s best street artists. 1UpCrew is best known for their fearless tagging feats, most notably tagging entire sections the U-Bahn metro. They also often tag the highest sections of buildings, a stunt only achieved by carefully hanging upside down from the structure’s roof.

Italian artist Alice Pasquine, aka “AliCé,” is a frequent visitor to Berlin’s art scene, and her stunning pieces depicting the tenderness and joy of small human moments can be found scattered throughout the city. Some of her works cover entire walls, while others can be found tucked away between phone booths and bricks. AliCé’s pieces are revered for capturing the appearance of being straight from the pages of an artist’s notebook.

Anonymous to the public, Herr von Bias, a native of Berlin, is nevertheless known for his surreal and sometimes unsettling cartoonish pieces. His pieces take well-known cartoon figures and distort them to convey the startling results of capitalist ideals.

Alias AliCé1UpCrew Herr Von Bias

12

Illustration by Graham Smith



theartelephant.com

TAE Inspiration

written by tajlyn & Illustrated by Graham smith

i felt warm. I wanted to do this because I was tired of the inevitable questions facing my mid twenties. When are you going to grow up? Isn’t it time you pay off those bills and gather stability in life? But I still owed money on the money and I was starving for a mental escape from the force-fed habitual practices of adulthood.

I pulled off my army colored vest and stretched out the zipper on the top of my faded jeans. I flipped my hair back, stepping into the white screen and hot light. I cannot tell you I wasn’t scared. I was nervous this might return to haunt me. What if anyone found out? Would I pollute my reputation because I volunteered to be photographed in this way? Physically, my upper body had the strength of a kitten. Mentally, I bucked my head down and in like a bullet on speed. It was my first naked photoshoot: a questionable and liberating experience.

That afternoon I left my concerns, doubts and worries in the backdrop. When the shoot was over, I glanced down at the camera. My ribs slightly etched across the soft bone, my hips poking against light freckled skin. It wasn’t air-brushed or sexualized. I was standing there, looking down, up and finally away from the lens. In the reflected screen I saw a two-dimensional representation of myself looking back, in a way I’d never seen before.

For 26 years I criticized my figure. Standing in front of the mirror every morning I saw a familiar shape, mark, color and texture. When the photographer showed me the picture, it was obvious I was looking at someone else, a person I’d never seen in my life: a creature made of raw hide and frame, spotted with sunburn, filled with guts.

She confronted me, I confronted her. I noted the softness in her tummy and the imbalance between her wide hips and small chest. Yet, I

decided to embrace the embellished shell of an exterior. I was sure I could make something with the complexity of her DNA and that is what I would discover in my first year out in the West.

Back at the Henn House everyone was going, as the Hare put it, “banana cakes”. The back liquor room housed a sex den where patrons and bartenders wandered in late at night high on life, whiskey and bad decisions.

We didn’t care about the variety of music. We didn’t need new music. This was no hipster bar and nobody was trying to make a statement here. We wanted our favorites - Fleetwood Mac, The Rolling Stones, The Animals, Pink Floyd, The Doors, Led Zepplin, Aretha Franklin, The Beatles. We all had one or two songs in particular that we liked to sing and we took turns practicing like a group of kids in the back of a garage.

Our flock was growing. The Hare, Queen Henn and I were joined by a parade of delightful and dysfunctional young men and women. All brave, all strong and all terribly lost in some strange transitional period in their lives.

The Meer Cat was the sweetest. All of one hundred pounds and shy of five feet tall, she was the most adorable thing in the room, naturally. I developed a soft spot for her early on. After the loss of her mentor, she wedged in the thick of her own personal mess. The safety of the universe was viciously lifted overnight and the protection of her parental figure evaporated. For the Meer Cat, the world seemed a little too heavy and lonely for her small shoulders and large heart to carry.

the henn house - part ii

14

like the rest of us, internally volleying our personal turmoil back and forth, she found shots of Jamo as a floating device in her sinking ship.

One night the seas docked us a couple sailors from New Zealand and South Africa. As handsome and charming as they were, you could barely understand a word they said. It was never entirely clear if it was the thick accents or the booze slurring their sentences like a blender.

Stationed in California for a fishing trip, they left the ship in search of two things: beer and girls. We had both in stock.

You couldn’t deny how adorable and good-hearted they were. Baby was a young thing - too young to be at the bars but too much of a man to sit at home and miss out on all the fun. Jack Mackerel was tall, thin and always found bar side with a coy grin and a beer in his dirt dusted hand. These two were inseparable and became a force to reckon with if anyone tried to lay a hand on one of our own.

We never asked permission to harness the building, but by summer it was evident who was running the place. We were so entrenched in the worn wooden space, we hardly thought of it as a “public” establishment anymore.

Bands would come in booked for a gig. If we didn’t like them, we took over. The Hare was usually the first to step onto the stage. Gracefully, she would grab the microphone and request a duet. Before the band had a chance to recover, she would steal the performance and by the end the band would be forced to follow her lead.

We stopped going to clubs and other bars. Why go there when we can all be together at the Henn and do what we want? It was official. We had lost our minds and our morals were next on the hit list.

Money was flooding into the Henn House just as quickly as it was leaving. Business was up but numbers were down. Bottles went missing, cash disappeared and free shots led to better tips but the paper work wasn’t adding up.

We didn’t want to call it stealing. Nobody was willingly going to admit that. We never walked out with a bottle in our hand {maybe in our stomach}. Management turned a blind eye to our parade of characters: the rich, the homeless, the high rollers, the blind, the singers, the dancers, the ball busters, the cute girls and the smooth talking sailors.

Our guilty gluttony slid by for months unnoticed until word got out to the city. Hendrick’s Tavern was under investigation.

to be continued...


Mixed Mediums

Art by Lana ChromiumIf Body Is a canvas, paint Is a second Beautiful skin by Justine middleton

Next time if you are going to themed event and you haven’t got a thing to wear, perhaps you might consider getting your costume painted on by artist Lana Chromium and become a walking work of art. Decorative and provocative, her body art is as much fine art as it is makeup and costume. For while she is also an accomplished illustrator, graphic designer, batik artist, painter, portraitist and all-around fine artist, Lana Chromium’s most immediately recognizable and head-turning medium is her application of paint to the bare human form (done by either paint brush or airbrush). There is just something alluring to her decoration of skin, costuming on flesh and accentuating the human form that boldly comes alive with a certain element of drama given the fleeting nature of her body of work . Imagine the evanescent nature of a chalk drawing, or graffiti art scheduled to be washed away, and it is this sense of urgency applied to a living being that makes body art have a special sort of intrigue. Without a set theme, and given to change with the needs of the occasion, her body paint has drawn inspiration from all sorts of places, ranging from the Day of the Dead (which was also the inspiration for her recent art show of acrylic painting), to the metallic toned hues of a robot-themed video, to black-light-neon psychedelia, to the gentle, ornamental touches of blue ornaments from “Motherland Ornaments” series.

Originally from Russia, Lana took to the whole rigorously art-schooled path starting in childhood. After college, she found her way out of the eastern blocs of the ice tray into sunny San Diego where she now happily resides. There, she initially fell in with a small community of body painters, and as time and mastery of the art would dictate, found her way to solo pursuits. Some additional work she has done with the human form could be her interpretations of the expecting mother’s canvas, breathing life onto the surface of biology and humanity’s most moving evolutions of the human form—the baby in its mother’s womb. Lana has fondly described artistic interpretation of the human body as a “bodypainting – beautiful art form giving us new meaning of composition, vision and based on beauty of human body .”

Art by Lana Chromium www.artbychromium.com

16

Hey Aries, it’s about time to let your freak flag fly as 2014 comes to close. Your creative fuel is on fire, and this is your chance to experiment with new outlets of inspiration. By the New Year, you will be ready to pull back on the reigns, but do not abandon your newfound inspiration, put it to good use! Apply structure to your madness and you will find yourself set for up for a successful creative business venture in 2015.

Friendly, balanced and social, you are great company and flourish in group settings. As you embark on new projects in 2015, look to those in your social circle for inspiration. This mash up of ideas will only help you accomplish more in the upcoming winter months. Strength in numbers will be a critical part of the creative process for you.

You’ve come a long way in 2014 already, Scorpio. As you continue to put aside your stubborn and jealous traits, you allow the best parts of you to shine including sensuality, intellect, and passion. Tricky as it may be, you will have to continue to work hard to remain on this path as you enter the New Year. If you do, you may see the financial benefits of your creative outlets flourish. Do not veer off track; you are on your way to accomplishing a long term goal.

With such an inquisitive wandering spirit, it’s time for you to hit the road! You love to travel and if you can budget wisely, your creative outlets will benefit from exploration. You enjoy the outdoors more than any other sign, so take that dream vacation you’ve been talking about. This is not a waste a time, but an essential experience for inspiring your artistic soul.

With an instinct for hard work and shining creativity, the strong Taurus is no wilting flower. As 2015 approaches, you may find yourself under exceeding pressure to accomplish a task at hand. Your best advice is to step back and look at your creative outlet with a fresh set of eyes. Sometimes it is best to put a problem to rest for a day or two and return to it once you have a clear mind. Do not overanalyze the problem and allow your stubborn nature take the back seat for a change in the winter months ahead.

There’s never a dull moment with you around Gemini! With your double headed personality, you can be a bit up and down, shifting personalities from serious to light hearted on a daily basis. You may struggle with focus in an upcoming creative outlet – whether it is graphic design, music or art, you have two pairs of eyes and never know which one is best to choose. But who says you have to? With such a rare gift, why not incorporate both visions into your work in 2015! With so much understanding, you are bound to find success and resonate with creative forces.

Illustration by Chantelle Lamoreaux


Your focus on finance will continue to improve throughout the winter months. You may be busier than ever, but it will all pay off by the spring when you will have more time to kick back. Although you often neglect your love life to pursue work opportunities, it might benefit you to dig deeper into your emotional side in the next few months. Once you settle those questions lingering in your heart, you will be free to focus once again on upcoming projects and work opportunities.

Your imaginative and problem solving spirit will be of great use to those around you in the upcoming months. Many friends and family look to you for advice because you have a rare gift to help and educate both sides of an argu-ment. Creative professionals are lingering just outside your social circle, and in the New Year your well maintained reputation will make their way to them. This will present innovative work opportunities that you never even dreamed were possible.

You are just a guppy fish in a pool of creativity right now. As you grow and develop, you are pulling in all the right energy to create a strong foundation for yourself as a creative individual. Although you may not always be considered a leader, you will demonstrate all the signs of a mature swimmer. It appears in 2015 the current is flowing in your favor, and all the right steps seem to be in place to expand your artistic abilities.

It appears your sensitive shell has taken a beating over the past year. But do not worry, 2015 is year of great change for you Cancer, but only if you choose it to be. With such a sentimental soul, it is easier for you to hold onto the past, but this will not serve you in the winter season. You must choose to harness the new wave of creative juices headed in your direction and let the past be put to rest. The future looks bright, so get out of your shell and make the most of it!

Leo, we know winter is not your favorite time of the year. So why not mix things up as 2015 approaches? You favor warm climates and we all know how much you love the spotlight so it might be time to move to a new city with more creative opportunities. If you do, you may find there to be a wealth of experiences ahead. Do not hold back, this is season of growth for you. With your level of confidence, you will adapt well to this new environment.

While you are talented, you do not like to boast and often keep to yourself about your many hidden talents. It’s time to make a move. Got an interest in photography, design, music, writing? Look into internship or assistant jobs where you can harness your passion and be guided by a mentor who will bring your vision to life. Put on your helmet Virgo, it’s time to make yourself more vulnerable to these creative circles. You won’t regret it.

18

Photography

Imagination & Decisionpeter lang - fashion, travel, and lifestyle photographer by sean obrian

The decision of when to take the picture, and the imagination to determine what the best light, angle, etc is to capture the subject of the photo exactly as the artist sees it. Treating photography like a science, Peter Lang has proclaimed he is not a photographer. Rather, he is an artist, and a historian of sorts, who recognized very early on the importance of documenting his experiences and use the pictures to tell a compelling visual story. The unique and diverse experiences that he partakes in regularly, from fashion to travel and lifestyle, from concert to product, allow “unique and memorable experiences. It’s not just what and how you do something, it’s also where you do it. I do my best to combine photography sessions with new experiences. You must take advantage of the world around you. Every month I travel within my state of California to take advantage of the beautiful cities and wondrous natural landscapes. As a person and a photographer it’s also important

Photography is a subtle blend of imagination and decision.


http://stylishlyme.com/

to increase your perspective by seeing more and more of the world.” Peter focuses as much on learning about the world around him as he does about capturing it through his lens. A true artist, Peter’s recent work in Barcelona is a testament to his ambition as a photographer as it intertwines with his travels and ideas.

In his own words, Peter described the challenge and the process of setting up shots to match what he sees in his mind beforehand. “The challenge I face when shooting travel photography outdoors is capturing the moment seen by the eye. The environmental factors impact exposure, contrast, white balance, etc... and our eyes are amazing in the speed they adjust to compensate for these factors. The camera isn’t as fast especially if you’re like me and shoot in Manual mode. Like a gunslinger ready to pull the trigger at any moment you have to adjust your settings as you go from place to place. I used to wait to adjust my camera settings once I was ready

to shoot my next photo. This doesn’t work if you’re trying to capture a fleeting moment in time. Now, I’m mindful of the world around me and the elements being provided, availability of light and the speed of the objects around me. These two components allow me to predict the appropriate exposure and shutter speed to capture those blink of an eye moments.” It is hard for the camera to keep up with the eye in terms of adjustments, and their are so many ever changing factors involved in getting the right shot.

The stunning Barcelona photograph set presented by Peter Lang showcases an intimate knowledge of both color and lighting, and the coalescence of the two. Shots seem too crisp to be real, with a diverse palette of coloring that showcases the natural beauty of the subjects while also creating an emotion in the viewer, knowing that what you are viewing is the true and unique moment that was captured by the artist first and the

camera second. The marriage between Peter Lang’s idea and the subject is joined in each photo, and it is evident that the all the senses were needed to capture this photographic moment in time. Each photo is an experience, and the vivid and stark contrasts between all the subjects transport the viewer into the picture, and you can feel the heat of the sun as it warms the subject, and smell the fresh fruit and vegetables from the garden stands as the color washes over you. This is not photography, it is traveling without going anywhere. Peter says himself that spur of the moment shots are more difficult, because “For set shots, photographs that are planned, you’ll have more time to prepare.

I often see the photo in my mind’s eye and then adjust the camera settings to attain the desired result.” While on the fly photography, the many variables change in a seconds notice, so when the shot is available, it has to be taken.

20

Inspired by Peter’s images from his travels, here are 5 tips from the master himself, meant to assist you in the art of photography, and not just taking pictures:

Commit to the light. The most critical component to travel photography is the light. Go to locations right before dawn to avoid harsh shadows and the masses of people.

The more uncomfortable you are, the better the photograph. Put yourself in awkward positions, head on the floor or hanging out a window, to gain a new visual perspective.

Use your lens to make people smile. Most people don’t want the camera pointed in their direction. That said, you can bring life to an interaction by acknowledging the subject and playing with their fear of being photographed in a friendly way.

Tell your story. Everyone has a camera on the phone and can be a “photographer,” but what makes for great images is when you tell your story and share your experiences.

Bring a zoom lens. With so many things to photograph outdoors, make sure you have the option to get in close or pullback for the full view. A prime lens will make it difficult to capture the variety of options available to you.

Perhaps the best advice that Peter can give is what has inspired so many to take up photography as a hobby and then fall in love with it - the travel. To put it in perspective, Peter recommends that you, “Never wait for opportunities to shoot. Grab your camera, go outside and just walk. The best photographers I’ve seen travel for the experiences and document it with a camera.”

22

12345

http://stylishlyme.com/

a portland, oregon based writer, teacher and performing artist. she has curated independent films via filmed by Bikefestival, produced events and is a regular contributor at the drainage.net visit her at www.charitymarchandt.com

1

by Charity Marchandt

2

4

5

3


www.charitymarchandt.com

TAE Inspiration

10 Albumsthat help you make Better art by charity marchandt

no makeup- summer cannibals (New Moss) This Portland, Oregon band has risen to visibility much like the foam on a good tap of beer- slowly and surely. Shoegaze distortion is sharpened by grungy tones. Jessica Boudreaux handles the vocal and guitar leads like she trained in the trenches of riot grrrl voice school.

treats-sleigh Bells(Mom+Pop/Neet) ) If you took Lords of Acid and made them have a sit down with the Julie Ruin and Karen O of the Yeah Yeah Yeah’s, you’d have this album. Throw some paint on a wall.

vindata-vindataThis dj is constantly traveling the world spreading his addictive and geometric mixes. His interpretation of Flume’s Sleepless and Little Dragon’s Little Man will have you put him on constant rotation. Follow him on Sound Cloud.

everybody else Is doing It, so why can’t we- the cranberries(Island) A timeless perfect snapshot of typical 90’s chill alternative. Dolores O’Riordan’s sharp voice is still relevant today as she cuts through atmospherics.

worlds collide-apctolyptica(20-20 Ent, Jive, Zomba BMG) This album is a the 6th studio creative from this Finnish symphonic metal band that boasts guest artists like Corey Tailor, Cristina Scabbia and Till Lindeman among others. Darkness and symphony that blow what Evanescence was trying to consistently do out of the room.

die fledermaus-Johann stauss(Decca with Dame Kiri Te Kanawa) A whimsical opera about a gent who gets duped into dressing as a bat for amasquerade sees him walking home alone. For revenge, he sets in motion games of mistaken identity on his friends. There are waltzes, romance without saccharine, and memorable pieces that get stuck in your head and make you happy.

award winning-GrammiesThis experimental, neo-wave almost duo is bringing acid jazz to the future. Noah Bernstein plays the saxophone while pedaling effects with Dan Sutherland laying drums and samplers. Every piece of sound wall has a danceable quality and they’ve often been asked to collaborate by visual artists and contemporary dancers in venues like Holocene.

dirty radio-sallie ford and the sound outside (Partisan Records) Sallie Ford just has this incredibly un-definable voice that doesn’t have to beg you to get stuff done. It’s rockabilly and blues rolled together, yet is utterly defiant. The typical band grouping of guitar and drums is transformed into a warm dance hall sound. It’s time to get to work.

one cello x 16: natoma- Zoe KeatingThis female composer is the queen of looping. Cello’s growl, croon, cry, laugh and resound in every song. Zoe is able to give the Cello the voice it’s always wished for and made it sound like six of them are playing together.

wampire- wampire (Polyvinyl Records) The last time I saw thisfantastic crew was at PDX Pop Now! last summer. They had set up a waffle and pancake station on stage. With half the crew doning bath robes they flipped breakfast cakes to the audience during smoking sets of synth, twanging guitar and well-behaved brass. When you listen to their music, you feel that Wampire is always flipping pancakes to you.

1 6

7

8

9

10

2

4

5

3

24

Mixed Mediums

Letting Go the art and philosophy of amanda steines by sean obrian

astels flourish in the expert hand of artist. Each of Ms. Steines works is a specific handpicked snapshot, a person, place, or event that she has frozen and documented. They capture a moment in time that stood out to the artist as worth capturing. In her own words, Steine discusses some of the influential artists that inspired her and helped her to create her style.

P 25 January 2015 | TheArtElephant.com

amandasteines.sqsp.com

She explains, “Some of my favorite artists are Edgar Degas and Mary Cassatt (I know it’s cliche to like Impressionist art), but what I loved about their work is that their subjects are often doing very simple and mundane activities. Their art is peaceful, beautiful, and takes you there as if you know that person. I guess that’s what I would like to achieve as well. I want people to be curious about the subjects they see in my work. I want them to wonder about their lives and hopefully feel a connection to them.”

Each picture represents a unique feeling, a shared emotion with the artist. Ms. Steines allows us a glance into her understanding of the subject, and the impact of said subject on her. The lines are bold but subtle, and although the subject may seem simplistic and focused, it is anything but, as a further review of the work will show. The pastel medium works extremely well for this style, as it is both glamorous and elegant, and at the same time, persuasive and endearing.

The warmth and love with which the work was created resonates throughout and provides a depth of character that makes the subject seem alive. In her own words, Ms. Steines states that her art is accessible, meaning that art is everywhere, and she has taken it upon herself to showcase that art wherever she finds it. “There are fabulous, interesting, and inspirational people everywhere. I hope that portraying these people in everyday situations helps people feel that beauty is not some outside thing, but everywhere for them to enjoy and appreciate and feel apart of (it).” A woman walking in a light snowstorm; a man pouring liquor into a glass; simple everyday activities that, when taken on by such an artist as Amanda Steines, become a study in the beauty found all around us. She is showing us the way to appreciate this beauty, and the art world at large is better for it.

A self-proclaimed advice junkie, Ms. Steines relates the best advice she has received thus far in her career - “The life coach Marie Forleo ends each of her vlogs with, ‘Stay on your game and keep going for your dreams, because the world needs that special gift that only you have.’ So many times I’ve felt like I’m lost in a sea of aspiring artist. The reality is, I may not become rich and famous, and that’s alright. My art is something positive in other peoples lives. I’m putting out good in the world, and alone is incredibly sat-isfying.” Incredibly profound, and honest about her reluctance to really put herself out there, Ms. Steines’ ridiculous talent is rising above any confidence issues she may have experienced. Her focus going forward is to produce more material, and, “In upcoming years, I would like to work on larger pieces that have more of an abstract quality to them. To do that I need to work on “letting go” like I mentioned earlier. If the past portfolio is any indication, “letting go” is going to be an experience that we will all enjoy.

26

Street Art

Savage Habbit color washed walls of Jersey city bytajlyn

Savage Habbit Murals Project is going above and beyond to paint the town red after the success of their recent KickStarter campaign. Thanks to 52 generous backers, the project exceeded their pledge goal of $3,000 in October, raking in just shy of $4,500 to help fund several new wall murals in Jersey City this year.

Founded in 2011, Savage Habbit is a public art initiative in Hudson County, New Jersey focused on the cultural revitalization of their city, turning once desolate and unattractive spaces into vibrant murals and uniting residents regardless of their cultural difference. “Squirrels are the king rodents of the streets – their habits take them from digging psychotically to ending up as the complimentary roadkill of the day. In the same way, we dig up the best of the art world to supplement your days with our savage habbit and love for art,” the project says.

What started as an art blog developed into a tangible city-wide creative venture showcasing international, national, and local artists throughout Jersey and Union City. Throughout the past two years, the

project has designed 13 murals with hopes to finish out several more by the end of 2014.

The creative energy behind Savage Habit is fueled by the relationship between artists and their art blog. According to the project’s founders, “We are able to work on a more personal level with them encouraging full artistic creativity on the walls with a variety of styles of work, ranging from traditional painterly approaches to bold and exciting characters. We like to think it’s about creating a family experience.”

Organized through the permission of property owners, the artists are hand selected to create an inspiring outdoor experience to coincide with the neighborhood or business.

Art in the Hudson County community has recently evolved into a viable and happening scene. The community energy and excitement for art, particularly public art, is a powerful way to bring in cultural revenue to the Jersey neighborhoods.

According to the project team, “At the end of the day, muralism is communication and Hudson County has a lot to say

and murals can become the outlet for these voices.”

The Savage Habbit Murals Project is sustained through self-funding with the

help of occasional donations by art enthusiasts and local supporters. Their

team is currently developing three more walls murals in downtown and The Heights of Jersey City.

Currently, most of the walls have been funded directly by project members. With an initial bank of $3,000, the team was able to stretch and budget almost 14 walls. Recent pledges from their 2014 Kickstarter will directly fund items such as paint, rollers, brushes, scaffolding, lifts, food, water, and other essentials for their hard working team of painters.“This is an opportunity to be a part of a greater community project. We are eager to build upon what we have already accomplished and bring Hudson County to the forefront of the current global street art scene.”

please visit savage habbit’s mural project for more information about their upcoming projects.


https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/savagehabbit/savage-habbit-murals-project

rob draper Rob Draper is a freelance designer, artist, illustrator, and typographer based in the U.K. His coffee project has been featured in Design Taxi, the Daily Mail and numerous style art and culture blogs from around the world. Rob also teaches design, illustration and graffiti to young people, leading

community projects in the U.K.

Gemma o’BrienGemma O’Brien is a Sydney-based typographer, hand-letterer and illustrator. She learned letterpress in college and has been obsessed with type ever since. At 21, she produced an experimental video, in which she inscribed her body with hand lettering, that caught the attention of Font Shop’s Jurgen Siebert and earned her an invitation to speak Germany’s 2009 Typo Berlin design conference. Since then she’s been collaborating with clients like Woolworths, Vodafone, Smirnoff, Canon, and The New York Times. She has also worked with various advertising agencies.

Jen mussariJen Mussari is lettering artist, illustrator, fine artist, designer, community member, dog sitter (prefers cats), collector of things, Tattly artist, sign painter, etc. She is based out of Brooklyn by way of Philadelphia, Baltimore, and San Francisco. Some of her clients include Squarespace, Airbnb, Kickstarter, Shopify, Patagonia, the Art Director’s Club, EMI, Capitol Records, Target, West Elm, Penguin Books, Adobe, LOGAN, Pentagram, 72andSunny, CreativeMornings, and Smilebooth.

erik marinovichErik Marinovich is a letterist and designer based in San Francisco. He is a co-founder of Friends of Type and has worked for clients such as The New York Times, Wired, Metropolis magazine, GAP, Lincoln Motor Company, and Nike. He also freelances for various ad agencies such as: Landor, Brand Union, and Anomaly in New York. He was named Letter Cult’s Person of the Year 2011, and in 2012 co-founded Title Case, a lettering and design studio with fellow letterer Jessica Hische.

dana tanamachiDana Tanamachi-Williams is a Texas-born, Brooklyn-based graphic designer and letterer who enjoys living a quiet life and working with her hands. After designing Broadway show posters at SpotCo, Dana opened her own design & lettering boutique, Tanamachi Studio. She has worked on clients such as Google, The Ace Hotel, West Elm, and Bloomingdale’s. In 2011, she was named a Young Gun (YG9) by the Art Directors Club and a Young Creative to Watch by HOW Magazine. In 2012, Dana had the unique honor of creating custom cover art for O, HOW, and TIME Magazines, as well as an exclusive product line for Target in late 2013.

luke lucasLuke Lucas is a freelance creative, art director, illustrator, designer, and typographer from Melbourne, Australia. He specializes in type because he loves that the same word, passage or even letter can be treated in bunch of different ways and embody entirely different meanings. Through subtleties like a slight shift in line weight, the elongation of a tail or the arc you use, a letter can go from contemporary to traditional or happy to sad in a single stroke. In the past, he has worked art publications, Fourinarow Magazine and life lounge. He is now a full time freelancer.

Mixed Mediums

Best Typographers in 2014tae’s favorite handlettering geniuses by Kristin lowrey

30

Photography

PHotOCycLE dutch photographer, lauren vernue cycles across europe By nick deck

Most of us pick up photography as an amateur hobby and only take it as far as convenience allows. We bring our camera on a road trip or to a special event we attend, each time hoping to capture our best. Then there are those who take the art to a level that requires one to push past comfort and convenience, driving themselves forward fueled by passion and resolve. Dutch photographer, Lauren Vernue, has been traveling Europe every spring, in search of his perfect photo. When you consider he’s done it all by bicycle, you begin to glimpse his dedication to the craft.

Spain


http://www.laurenvermue.com

Vernue’s initial experience with his father’s camera may have led to its eventual destruction, but it established the foundation for his distinctive style. While Lauren spent a year at The Royal Art Academy in The Hague, he refers to himself as self-taught, drawing techniques and inspiration from others he admires, and mostly from the natural world around him. Nature’s beauty is so often taken for granted and simply slowing down offers a new perspective on scenes ordinarily overlooked.

Ireland

Norway Spain

32

Norway

“I’m most happy when i’m surrounded by nature, it gives me a kind of patience in where i can wait or walk for hours

looking for the right shot i want to take.”

Norway

Alps

Spain Montblanc


What makes traveling by bicycle unique is limited speed, and therefore the inability to hurry. So much of what is seen while cycling is often missed in a car. Traveling from place to place would normally be done quickly, so as to allow more time upon arrival in a particular destination. For Lauren, the journey becomes a source of inspiration and a time to reflect, a chance to admire the scenes he just left behind. It also allows for Lauren to shoot with the rising or setting sun basking his subjects in his favorite lighting.

“When I look back at the photos, I can feel it in my body, I know exactly what I went through to get that picture. If I’m on top of a mountain pass and look

back down, I see the road I barely managed to get up, or I see a wet landscape where I just had days and days of constant rain, where it’s just clearing up with the first sunshine.”

Often the scenes along the way create the ideal subject for his next photograph. In the past five years, Vernue has ridden through Belgium, Luxembourg, Scotland, Ireland, Germany, France and most recently southern Spain. As Lauren sets out, an initial week of aches and pains gives way to what he describes as “the possibility to see every layer of a country.” Commuting by bicycle is a way of life in The Netherlands, so his

natural affinity for this type of travel is easily understood. He describes, however, that his sleeping arrangements are often of the most difficult parts to traveling as he does. No hotels, no guest houses, just a man in a tent in an unfamiliar place.

The raw magnificence of Europe’s natural landscapes offer an abundance to be admired, and the preparation and devotion of one man allows the rest of us a stunning glimpse of what is at hand should we venture beyond our comfort zone.

Norway

38

In the midst of developing a creative start-up company, Neeti Jain was approached by a local Jaipur painter who expressed one of his biggest concerns as a creative individual living in South Asia.“Artist has no value in India; we can’t run our home through this profession,” he told her. This statement would forever motivate Neeti and her husband Gagan to turn their dreams of owning and operating Rangrage, a hand-painted apparel and home decor company into a reality. In the following two years, Neeti and Gagan would go on to not only build the foundation of a successful business, but to also directly impact and improve the lives of artistic students and professionals living in India.

The idea to found a company collection of unique hand painted items came to Neeti after a phone call with her husband. While travelling in Paris, Gagan’s told his wife about the outpouring of support and praise he received for the hand painted denim produced by the couple.

“The reaction of people there became a trigger for us to explore hand painting on apparels or wearable art,” Neeti said.

Based out of Oman, the couple decided to launch their pilot project and export a few sample shirts to the artists of Jaipur to be painted. According to Neeti, the initial project started off with a bang. “Those T-shirts sold like hot cakes. We were amazed at [the] discovery of such a cool and simple business idea. Send stuff to India, get it painted and sell it in Gulf, nothing could be better.”

Three months later, the couple approached the artists of Jaipur again with a follow-up request for more paintings. It was during this time Neeti realized the hardship facing many artists living in India. She found out many of the painters had abandoned their creative talents to seek jobs with more financial stability. The couple decided it was time to make a serious investment in their dream, and for the next two years their savings went directly into building the foundation of Rangrage.

At first, the couple struggled to create a platform for artists in India. According to Neeti, they had no clue where to begin their search for


Fashion

RANGRAGEsupporting India’s hand painters by tajlyn

these talented individuals. So they knocked on the doors of colleges and Googled where to find hobby classes with a focus on artwork.

“Slowly we started getting painters,” Neeti said.

Not only was it a challenge to find the artists in India, it was also difficult to streamline the creative process. According to the couple, it became a complicated task to bring all of their employees onto a common platform, where they all shared the same level of clarity about product design.

In an effort to bring structure to the creative madness, the company developed training classes, painting and care instructions, and introduced quality check forms to their employees.

“As all efforts yield result, in time, our painters also took time to reach that quality benchmark,” she said.

In the beginning stages, mistakes were made. Neeti said some of the initial shirts became so hard from the paint thickness

that it became a daunting task to fold them. Those mishap items would later be displayed in the Rangrage Gallery as a way to “preserve our mistakes with care and move on.”

Neeti and her company continue to follow one Mantra, “Keep working on a product [until] the time you get it right and set such high standards that it becomes difficult to copy.”

Neeti and her husband pride their company on its two pillars: painters and product. The Rangrage Foundation was developed to help bridge the gap in both.

“Our artists are [the] soul of Rangrage. Coming from different financial and geographic backgrounds, we train them to explore the creativity within them. Some of our painters are homemakers, struggling with their families and kids; they stay awake late in [the] night to create magic of their hands on our merchandise.”

The Rangrage Art Foundation is a NGO that aims to build a network of struggling artists, students, and housewives who

are inclined towards painting. Rangrage has created a platform to make their art commercially viable, elevate their financial condition, and give them a stable and sustainable career option.

Neeti and Gagan’s employees work daily to create apparel and decor including shirts, wall frames, cushions, clocks, photo frames, trays, and coasters. The company is currently developing a line of ties, bags, clutches, and belts.

“Today, we find it so enriching to see our products appreciated by customers not only in India, but across the globe,” Neeti says. “For us it has been a humbling experience to see that we have been able to build and support the network of artists that we set out for.”

40

rangrage.in/

TAE Inspiration

COLOR ME SEXYwhy artists have that special “something” by Jessica hoard

High school was such a simpler time, a polarized world.There were those girls who dated the “jocks,” or wanted to, at least. Girls who went to football games and homecoming dances. Girls who squealed when they passed the captain of the basketball team in the hall. And then there were the other girls. Girls who swooned over the boys who were in a band, boys who wore leather jackets and smoked outside at lunch. Boys who wrote (bad, though we didn’t think so at the time) poetry. In a word: artists.

No matter what “type” you were, most of us human beings, both male and female, are inexplicably attracted to creative types, some of us more than others. We don’t even necessarily know why. It’s just hardwired into our DNA. Artists, the original bad boys. Or girls, as the case may be. Full of fire, and their allusiveness can be intoxicating. But what is that allure they have, which, at times, almost seems hypnotic? An actress friend of mine once said, “I don’t know what it is about artists, man. All of them are screwed up in some way or another, and I think that’s attractive. Does that make me weird?” Maybe it does. But if so, she’s got plenty of company.

When it comes down to it, there is just something about creatives that has a strong sexual appeal to others. We tend to view artists as more sensitive than other people, more passionate. They have the ability to be both vulnerable and confident at the same time. They live by their own rules, are free spirited and impetuous, and that’s exciting. I asked a group of my friends, most of whom are artists and in relationships with artists, what they thought about it all. One said “I think the appeal lies in the endless possibilities of what could happen. It’s exciting!” But perhaps, my friend, Annie, summed it up best when she said, “They could be the ugliest dude in the world, but to me, a guy who cares about his art and has talent can make my panties drop.” And that just about says it all.

Visual Artists. They’re mysterious. They’re dangerous. And oh, are they tortured. Everything we women are drawn to, even if it is against our own will. If women want a man to “fix,” this is the guy. Cool on the outside, possibly slightly insane on the inside, but then, that’s the appeal. They’re like a box of cereal with a prize in it, you never know what you’re going to find. They are a wild adventure, and just being with them can be an adrenaline rush. If there’s anyone who can out-rockstar a rockstar, it’s an artist.

Musicians. Like the snake charmer to his snake, the Pied Piper to children, musicians have a hold over the rest of us that is undeniable and unshakeable. Music is like some magical language that casts a spell over all who listen, and those that know how to speak it can, well, they can pretty well get whatever they want. Just ask Pamela Des Barres. Or pretty much any straight female. Because a drumstick in the hand, or a guitar hung around the neck is basically catnip to us ladies.

Writers. Mad, bad, and danger-ous to know, as Lord Byron was once described by his lover. Writers live in a world of their own making. But we somehow believe we will be that one special person who can break down the wall, enter their secret world, and live there with them happily ever after. And maybe we can. It’s worth taking the chance. They’re clever, witty, romantic. And they always know the right thing to say, whether they mean it or not. Well, of course they would. That’s their job, isn’t it?

Actors. What is it that we love so much about actors? Is it simply a matter of exposure? Those we watch in our favorite TV shows or movies, we come to feel like we know. Is it because they get to live the life we wish we could, traveling the world, rubbing elbows with the beautiful people? Or is it more? Their charm? Their ability to feel things so deeply (or, at least, to seem to)? Because, really, there is no bigger turn on than watching a great actor giving a masterful, emotionally vibrant performance.

Dancers. Amazing physique, strength, stamina. They are in touch with their bodies, and they know how to use them. One night, I met a young, beautiful, funny guy who was studying to be a doctor. I know, right? He also happened to be a dancer and slightly femme, so I assumed he was gay. He and some mutual friends invited me over for an after-party, and I declined. The next time I saw those friends, guess what they said. “Why didn’t you come over? He was into you! Didn’t you notice?” Turns out he was straight. Guess that’s what I get for stereotyping.

42

Street Art

POW WOW HAWAIIthe Quickly Growing wall art project bysean obrian

hat started out as a good idea and a once-a-year meet up has blossomed into an ever-growing artist conglomerate that showcases different formats and works. Showcasing the power of artistic endeavors, this week long event started in Hawaii, where it became a place to meet and interact with other artists and exchange ideas and influences. Now, having expanded into a global network of artists, there are multiple events like gallery shows, lectures, schools for art and music, live art installations, and even a creative space named Lana Lane Studios, POW! WOW! has taken the art world by storm.

W 43 January 2015 | TheArtElephant.com

http://powwowhawaii.com/

The central, week long event is still held each year, and in 2015, it takes place during Valentine’s week in February. The event brings together over 100 international and local artists, and they work side by side to create beautiful pieces of art in many formats, with a majority of the past event pieces being collaborative murals. The mixing of styles at this event brings a subtle blending of artistic talents, and seems to enhance each artist, as they feed off each other’s ideas and creations.

The murals are the dominant art form for POW! WOW!, as they create what I believe to be the essence of artistic integration - street art that is functional and offers an idea or vibe to a “blank canvas”, generally a wall or side of a building. The finished product is there for everyone in the community to enjoy and look at, and in some cases, take solace in or be inspired by the artists’ vision. The POW! WOW! website does a great job of explaining the vision, as well as

showcasing some of these monumental works that have come out of the yearly event, not only in Hawaii, but Portland and Taiwan as well. These works are not in galleries; they are not behind velvet ropes with do not touch signs staged all over the place. They are artistic expressions available to anyone - they are street art at its finest, and most accessible.

Perhaps my favorite piece is a wall located at Keawe and Auahi Street in Hawaii. Created by artist James Jean, at first glance, it is a minimalist piece with just a simple outline and some patterns. As your eye delves deeper, it becomes so much more. The red color utilized against the white background creates a bold, arresting look, and the recognition that it is actually a two-story high wall entirely covered by a

All photo credit: powwowhawaii.com

44

work of extreme detail lends to the impressiveness of the piece. It depicts a girl kneeling, covered in shredded ribbons and being pelted with what appears to be rain drops. I love the direction the art takes me upon viewing, as my eyes tend to slide in the same direction as the raindrops each time I look at it. Just a wonderful showcase of not only the artistic talents of James Jean, but how art can create beauty where once there was simply a blank wall.

Another favorite is the geometric pattern work of Aaron de la Cruz, which is on permanent display at Bevy, a restaurant/bar in Honolulu.Created in 2014, the pattern starts at the top of a wall, and

continues in a rambling, jumbling cascade of shapes and patterns. Three quarters of the way down, the pattern stops, and not in a smooth transitionally stop. It is abrupt, and choppy, and requires the viewer to look at the entirety of the piece. Then, the pattern drips to the bottom, as if the paint was so heavily slathered on the wall, and the artist left so quickly, that it naturally ran down the wall. The entirety of the piece

makes it look like this was a collaborative effort between de la Cruz and gravity. Just a wonderfully uplifting mural that struck me for some reason, and kept me looking at it repeatedly.

POW! WOW! Hawaii has come a long way since the humble beginnings, but there is still much more ahead. From collaborative works, to more events, and more artists, the end result of this expansion is more unbelievable beauty to see. And that is a good thing for all of us.

All photo credit: powwowhawaii.com


46

PROMOTION

theperfectlifecompany.com/11-day-detox


TAE Inspiration

Lost Artthree Great art schools you might not Know existed by darren n. Bowens

so art is your passion huh? Well that’s fine and dandy if you want to be a regular sketch pad artist who sits on the bench at the local park, and scribbles out masterpieces that will most likely remain undocumented, and for the most part unseen by prominent collectors of the art communi-ty. But if you’re ready to jettison the title of starving artist, ready to become more than an Etch a Sketch legend, ready to be known

for more important feats than designing the banner of your high school’s homecoming dance, then the time has come to actually study art, and master it at the graduate level. Yes, we’re talking about college. The place where fraternities and sororities dominate popularity contest, and ramen noodles evolve into full course meals. Yes college.

Even though four years of lengthy lectures from seasoned professors and late night study sessions for mid-terms and finals can be incredibly gruesome, the benefits of a higher education by far outweigh trying to sale your artwork on EBay and soliciting your talents on Craigslist. A college degree in art, rather it be visual or performing, can assist you in actually securing a high paying job,

while doing daily what it is that you love to do most. More importantly it can help you develop into a renowned name in the coterie of art enthusiast. With that in mind, we have researched numerous colleges and universities that offer degrees in the arts. What we discovered is that there are countless art schools that even Rembrandt would be intrigued by; however most of them were the obvious universities such as Julliard, The Art institute of Chicago, and Yale University. Not that theses schools should not be touted as the best of the best in regards to what they offer educationally, but they are incredibly costly to attend, and their admissions criteria is insanely competitive. With that in mind, we have compiled a list of our top three art schools that are often over looked, underrated, or forgotten.


The schools were judged according to the following five criteria: 1. location 2. diversity of fine arts majors offered3. cost of tuition 4. notable alumni 5. post undergraduate level programs

Jackson State Universitylocated in beautiful Jackson, mississippi (The largest city in Mississippi by population) Jackson state university prides itself on its Department of Art, which happens to be the first art program in Mississippi to be accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). Furthermore, Jackson State University is one of only four HBCU schools with an accredited program in art. At Jackson State Uni-versity, students gain a valuable knowledge and understanding of art in the forms of graphic design, art history, and art appreciation. More importantly, the university has developed partnerships throughout the community so that its students can take advantage of the numerous advertising agencies that Jackson, Mississippi offers. Art students in their senior year are challenged by the opportunity of participating in a semester-long internship program that places the importance on the hands on learning approach. In addition to state of the art computer labs, drawing, and painting studios, Jackson University is strategically located within walking distance of The Mississippi Museum of Art and the Smith Robertson Museum and Cultural Center. The cost to attend Jackson University is competitive and averages roughly about 280.00 per credit hour. Some of Jackson State’s notable alum includes Tonea Stewart, actress, In the Heat of the Night, A Time to Kill; and Cassandra Wilson, Grammy award-winning jazz artist. To find out more about the Department of Art at Jackson State University please call 601.979.2040, or email [email protected].

The Art Academy of CincinnatiIts website is as creative and savvy as the talent that this university fosters and produces. The Art Academy of Cincinnati is a staple in the downtown core of the booming metropolis, and offers some of the finest art education in the country. Students who attend the Art Academy of Cincinnati are treated to a plethora of friendly and knowledgeable instructors. The Academy is a privately funded college of art and design, and its mission is to provide personalized education within the realm of visual arts. The school is focused on offering its students majors in drawing, illustration, painting, and photography just to name a few, but it also places tremendous emphasis on educating the community at large. That’s why the school takes a great deal of pride in its adult and teen studio classes, as well as Camp Art Academy, an award winning interactive art experience for young campers. Classes at the university fall within the range of about $17,000.00 annually for both in and out of state tuition. Some famous alumni of the university include Tom Wesselmann, pop artist of The Great American Nude series of paintings, and Roy Cleveland Nuse (1885-1975) a Pennsylvania Impressionist artist and a respected teacher at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts. To learn more about the Art Academy of Cincinnati please visit www.artacademy.edu

Virginia Commonwealth University In addition to being perhaps one of the most historic cities in the United states,and one of the most popular mid sized cities on the east coast, Richmond, Virginia is thriving with culture, and home to a great art centered community and university. Virginia Commonwealth University is ranked number one on our list simply because it is equivalent to heaven for the eccentric mind. Virginia Commonwealth University or VCU as it is more commonly referred to is attractive in every way imaginable. Over the course of the last few years, its men’s basketball team has reached new heights such as upsetting Duke University, reaching the Final Four, and joining the Atlantic 10 Athletic Conference. This has generated tremendous buzz about the university in recent years, and has led to an almost fanatical VCU fan base. Long story short, this university offers everything that one could ever want in a college including a medical school, a well funded engineering department, and a well versed faculty. By now you should be just licking your chops to learn more about this university right? Don’t worry, there’s more for us to reveal. If being housed in the central core of the beautiful and upbeat river front city of Richmond, with all of its awesome shopping centers, luxury condos, extravagant annual festivals, and close proximity to other major metropolitan cities wasn’t enough, perhaps the thought of knowing that VCU still prides itself as being a school of the arts will push you over the top. VCU offers over fifteen different undergraduate art majors, widely ranging from cinematography and film/video production, to sculpture, illustration, fine studio arts, and interior design. Grad school you ask? No worries, VCU has got that covered too. The school takes pride in offering graduate degrees in majors such as theater arts, design and visual communications, and art history, criticism, and conservation. VCU makes number one on our list because it offers it all. Need an internship with a fortune 500 company? VCU provides that too. VCU continuously ranks the No. 1 public university graduate school of arts and design in the nation by U.S. News & World Report, and has produced three MacArthur “genius” award winners and seven Guggenheim Fellowships among its faculty and alumni. For more information about Virginia Commonwealth University please them online or email [email protected].

48

Mixed Mediums

Françoise Niellyfaces as cities and Blades as Brushes by emily s. smith

n the global market of ideas, pens have gained a pretty notorious reputation for surpassing the sword’s mightiness. Wielding them, wordsmiths and artists of all mediums convey the ideas that skewer tradition, break barriers, and slice openings in old perceptions of society, humanity, and life itself. That’s some truly inestimable power. So, what happens when the sword is the pen? What happens when a knife’s edge is dipped in every color of oil paint and raised to cut an explosively lively and vibrant rug on a canvas that’s as much a ballroom floor as a battlefield? Well, anything could happen. It all depends on who’s brandishing that sword and what story they’re keen on telling when the colors strike the surface. In the case of Françoise Nielly, the sword is a palette knife. The story? How the human face reflects the intense energies of sensuality and urbanity.

With a cutting edge, Nielly creates. She summons the unseen fervors at work in hearts, communities, and cultures and gives them new dimensions, new ways to excite and command our senses.

You might say that her work is a very organic form of wizardry, if you can handle the dual-metaphor of a sword and a wand. We all feel and dwell in a spectrum of emotion and commotion as rich as the visible color spectrum itself, which is what Nielly seems to express through these faces and the way in which she portrays them. Growing up as an architect’s daughter in the midst of the eclectic waterside splendors of Cannes and Saint-Tropez, she draws from both the energy that the landscapes impart and an instinct that guides her ambitious dance of applying, layering, and juxtaposing colors. From these bright shades, faces spring forth, every bit as authentic and nuanced as our own.


http://www.francoise-nielly.com/

ot stopping there, Nielly heightens humanity in her portraits with a polychromatic twist, handing us a kaleidoscope through which to understand anything we might have missed about who we are. When we look through Nielly’s creative lens, the portraits register as cityscapes or visceral sceneries. Every face is a New York Times Square or French Riviera of raw, dramatic passion. The shadows cast by tilted chins aren’t dark, but they are distinct. The implied sources of light that emphasize the facial features don’t drown the subjects, but instead bathe them in a new kind of frenzy. From every angle comes the life that Nielly supplies in breathtaking abundance.

Author, architect, and capable swordswoman, Nielly shocks and sooths the world with her take on the brilliant dissonance at the nucleus of human existence. She erects bustling cities in the expressions of her subjects. Their lips purse, foreheads crease, and eyes seduce like the dreams of success we have as tenants and builders of societies that constantly challenge us. Her sword is a pen with which she tells us that we’re everything we ever imagined, andmight possibly imagine tomorrow.

52

Fashion

Wanderlust + WildheartsAn Old World Boutique with A Timeless View by Charity Marchandt

Practical approaches to sourcing materials in order to feed contemporary culture’s need for good fashion is often taken with skepticism. Capitalization of indigenous arts and crafts has become so mundane it’s easy to assume the Zuni turquoise figurine we might see in a glass case was carved in a factory.

One collector and designer is rising from the fog of geometric metal pendants and variegated tribal screen prints to remind us of the treasured artisanal processes that can inspire, if only we take a moment to investigate. At Wanderlust and Wild Hearts, a boutique on N. Mississippi in Portland, Oregon, owner Courtney Keene curates a mesmerizing collection of contemporary textiles, jewelry and art from across the globe. Plenty of shopkeepers claim to hand pick items that appeal to those with exotic taste, but what Courtney embarks on is genuine.

Each year she chooses a country with a rich artisanal tradition. She travels with her fiancé Murf to the chosen

Deer MedicineHot Pants

$72

region and without any guidelines other than tohopefully build relationships with locals, they dive into the culture. This open-hearted experience has led them to drink tea with monks and be privy to village ceremonies in Guatemala- a destination they are making a repeat visit to. Courtney and Murf eventually meet with artists and spend extended lengths of time personally selecting stones and textiles that exhibit original creativity rooted in the regions native methods, then paying whatever the artists require for compensation.

Courtney and Murf then return to Portland, Oregon where Courtney gets to work designing the jewelry line with the help of metalsmith Spooltown. As a graduate of FIT in N.Y.C., Courtney applies her perfected vision of exquisite lines and contrasting textures to create apparel while Murf handles screen printing. Other apparel carriers are featured in the shop like Teeki from


Deer MedicineHot Pants

$72

L.A. whose bright, varigated leggings are made from recycled water bottles, and Uma Pluma who are based in Portland, Oregon and focus on organic cotton materials from Nepal.

Wanderlust and Wildhearts also has an open-air booth at Portland Saturday Market in the spirit of adventuring that is open through the holiday season. At both the brick and mortar shop as well as the market, you can spy authentic and lovingly acquired artifacts, adornments, and figurines which do include Zuni sculpture and silver chosen from a recent trip to New Mexico via real silversmiths and not a turquoise mill.

There is warmth, wonder, and an infectious intrigue about the world around us when you enter Wanderlust and Wildhearts. Courtney and Murf effortlessly leave traditional salesmanship for others to push on the crowds, allowing the spirit, origins of craftsmanship in artist’s pieces to beckon us closer.

Gloria Tote - All Natural Arrows

$120

Abalone Inlay- Crescent$128

54

http://www.wanderlustandwildhearts.com/

PROMOTION

PROMOTION

manlydistribution.com

Fashion

Manly Distribution - TAE’s Top Picks

Whiskey Barrel CoastersThese coasters are made from old & used whiskey barrelsThe outer part will occasionally feature the distillery’sname, dates, type of whiskey or any additional markings left behind from the cooper. The inner part is the charred black look that all whiskey barrels have to go through before getting filled.

Floating Bamboo SunglassesYou never have to worry about losing these in the water because they float. We think they float because they are from Marz! Marz Universe sunglasses are lightweight, made of bamboo, and include polarized lenses. The hinges are top of the line, so you don't have to worry about overextending them.

Every Man's Belt - Made In The USAEvery man should have this belt. It is handmade of the highest gradematerials, beautifully crafted, and can be worn for years. The belt is made of 100% top grain leather, not bonded or stripped. The vintage brown color will retain marks of wear, ensuring it will grow in character for years of use, without sacrificing durability.

iPhone Sneak a TokeThe iPhone Sneak a Toke is a smoker's best friend, so if you like to light up while you get down, this Sneak a Toke is for you. Pack your stash in the swivel compartment, and get moving. Great hardwood for travel, pack it away and don't worry about it breaking. This rugged piece is unique and elegant in it's artisan craftsmanship, making it a piece you can be proud of owning.

Visit Manly Distribution online at

M A N L Y D I S T R I B U T I O N . C O M

receive 10% off orders equal to or above $50.00

Receive 10% OFF Code: TAEMag

manlydistribution.com

Photography

TAE Travels - The Pacific Northwestfrom mountains to oceans and everywhere in Between - a photo story By chantelle lamoreaux

Newport Beach, Oregon 57 January 2015 | TheArtElephant.com

theartelephant.com

Portland, Oregon

Newport Beach, Oregon

Vancouver, BC

Lincoln Beach, Oregon

58

Mount Shasta, California

Crater Lake, Oregon


Mount Shasta, California

Mount Shasta, CaliforniaLincoln Beach, Oregon

Portland, OregonPortland, Oregon

60

andylundmusic.com

Would you like to be part of TAE?

We are now accepting creative submissions for the next issue!To be considered by our 4 judges for a spot in the magazine, please submit 5 images along with

a link to your website to [email protected]

Are you an experienced creative writer? We are always looking for contributors to TAE Magazine and Blog! Email [email protected] with a link to your portfolio and our team will review your

submissions and connect with you within 24 hours.

T H E A R T E L E P H A N T . C O M

theartelepahnt.com

Designed By

TAE CREATIVE [email protected]

Facebook: Facebook.com TheArtElephant

Pinterest: pinterest.com/theartelephant

Vimeo: vimeo.com/theartelephant

Twitter: @TheArtElephant

Google+: The Art Elephant

Follow TAE on Instagram:

@TheArtElephant

theartelephant.com


Tae Magazine Issue 2

Documents

Transcript of Tae Magazine Issue 2