Ignite Magazine

ign te Dogwood & Holly their new album and inspiration

How-to: Feng Shui Top 5 photography apps for creatives

+ Interviews with creative entrepreneurs: Jessica Mae and Megan Wells may 2014 $4.99

May 2014 | IGNITE MAGAZINE 

i

May

Contents

Departments: 2 cao chocolates: Artisan Chocolate Shop 4 Jessica Mae: Fine-art and Film Photographer 6 Megan Wells: Artist and entrepreneur

Feature: 8 dogwood & holly: Bluegrass and folk band

How-to: 14 Jessica dies: Feng Shui specialist

Media pick’s: 18 top apps for photographers: Five apps that every photographer should have on their phone 20 movie review: Saving Mr. Banks 21 ignite your playlist: A music playlist compiled by the Ignite Magazine staff 22 events and calendar: A list of events for creatives

Ignite Magazine Staff: Tobi Walsh Editor-in-Chief

Ana Campbell Art Director

Josh Janney Writer

Shae Leitz Writer

Chelsea Walker Production Manager Photo credits: 1, 3 & 5. Ana Campbell. 2. Jessica Mae Photography. 4. Walt Disney. 6. Maegan Tintari.

ii 

IGNITE MAGAZINE | May 2014

A Note from our editor Hello, readers!

If you’re reading this then that means you have picked up the May 2014 issue of Ignite Magazine. It is you, the readers, which make this magazine possible. If you weren’t the unique and creative individuals you all are we would have nothing to write about. And Ignite would not exist. Plus, real people with real stories are a lot more interesting to write about than your average magazine article.

In this issue, you’ll get to read about some really exciting things! Our feature articles follows folk band Dogwood and Holly as they get ready to release their next album.

Interviewing them was such an amazing experience for our whole team. They were a blast to hang out with.

You’ll also get to take a trip to downtown Lynchburg where Shae showcases Cao Chocolates; a shop that started out as a simple hobby. Then Ana will introduce you to Megan Wells and Jessica Mae, two artists who are excelling in their trades. Chelsea walks you through how to make your home a feng shui paradise. Finally, Josh reviews Disney’s “Saving Mr. Banks.”

“Curiosity about life in all its aspects, I think, is still the secret of great creative people.”

-Leo Burnett

Speaking of the team, I am so grateful for each and every one of them. When we were grouped together for this project, I had my doubts. We were all very different. I pitched them my idea for a magazine and they brought it to life. The magazine we created together was anything better than anything I could have imagined.

And it’s all because of them.

So Ana, Shae, Chelsea, and Josh: Thank you for putting up with my disorganization and vague instructions this semester. You guys are the best team an editor-in-chief could ask for! We did it! We made a magazine!

Now, here it is…the first issue of Ignite Magazine.

Enjoy and happy creating!

-Tobi May 2014 | IGNITE MAGAZINE

1

CAO CHOCOLATES b y S h ae L e i tz | P h oto s A na Camp b ell Cao Artisan is a chocolate shop based in Lynchburg, VA. Owners, Carl and Mary Matice have been perfecting their skill since early 2010.

The Process The delicate art of making chocolate from bean to bar: harvesting, fermenting, drying, cracking, grinding, conching and tempering. The process is one of passion and commitment. Not only does it give joy to the consumers of the final product but the producers as well.

It is a process that takes weeks, but in the end the results are sweet and savory.

The Inspiration Mary and Carl Matice’s passion for this unique art

2

IGNITE MAGAZINE | May 2014

form started on an ordinary evening back in 2010 after watching the movie Chocolat. The two decided to read and research everything they could about chocolate making. With an enormous amount of support from family and friends, the Matices’ have been able to make all of their dreams come true.

What started as a marital hobby, turned into something bigger than they could have imagined. Four years later, the couple introduced Cao Artisan Chocolates to beautifully historic downtown Lynchburg, Virginia.

“We have come a long way and I am proud of where we ended up. We choose Lynchburg because of the students. We wanted to serve them,” Mary Matice said.

The Visual When the customer first walks in, their eyes fall upon a large countertop displaying an assortment of chocolate cakes, brownies and truffles that come with individual little gift boxes. Behind a glass counter, one can see the final steps of the “bean to bar” process as the liquid chocolate spins around in the round ceramic bowls. Off to the side, there are sandy white shelves that hold the famous to die for Cao Artisan Chocolate Bars.

Tucked away in the right corner there are cappuccino machines and fine Italian Gelato.

To the unique eye: The shop blooms with creativity and inspiration. A starving appetite for chocolate and for creativity fills building 908 of Main Street. Up the stairs and on the balcony, the walls hold framed drawings from children in different elementary schools. Down the stairs a tall oak shelving unit holds the handiwork of various aspiring artists around Lynchburg. Each of those creations can be admired and sold.

The Chase Genuine advice is scarce these days. For Mary Matice, there is a sense of authenticity and unpretentious admiration for passing on noteworthy guidance to anyone looking to follow their creative desires.

“Find your creativity and do it well,” Matice said.“Everybody is selling to the cheap these days. Make your product and make it the very best that it can be.”

“To be afraid to follow your dreams and to live your life creativly is a sorrow unlike any other. ” The Catch The ancient proverb that first inspired this positive attitude in both Mary and her husband can be found in Proverbs 22:29: “Do you see a man skillful in his work? He will stand before kings; he will not stand before obscure men.”

To be afraid to follow your dreams and to live your life creatively is a sorrow unlike any other. Find your passion and put your heart and soul into it, for you won’t just improve your own happiness, but the happiness and well being of others as well.

May 2014 | IGNITE MAGAZINE

3

Jessica Mae B y A na Camp b ell | P h oto s J ess i ca M ae Jessica Mae is a fine-art and film wedding photographer based in Virginia. Her work has been featured on Love & Lavender, United with Love, The Brides Café, Borrowed & Blue and many others.

Give us some background, how did you first get started in photography?

I got my first real taste for photography on a trip to Germany in high school. My dad let me take one of his old cameras with me. Even though I shot on auto and didn’t really know what I was doing, it sparked an interest.

Three words that describe your brand?

Soft, Light and Romantic

Who/what inspires you?

People and life. I try not to look at too many photography or wedding blogs because then I tend to compare myself to them. Instead I look at people and nature around me.

What is photography about to you?

Photography is a way to create beautiful art. It allows me to capture special memories in an artistic way.

What is your favorite kind of shoot?

Editorial/styled shoots are my favorite! They have all of the elements of a wedding day without time constraints.

4

IGNITE MAGAZINE | May 2014

How do you deal with the slow times in your business?

If I am in the mood to shoot, but don’t have anything, I shoot friends and family, plan a styled shoot or take my camera on a trip with me. However, I really enjoy slow times or the off season. Not a lot of weddings happen in the winter so I really enjoy having some down time after a very busy summer and fall season. It allows me to work on things that I don’t have time for in the busy season.

What is one piece of advice that you would give to new or even seasoned photographers?

Don’t compare yourself to others. Find what sets you apart. If you want to start your own business, make sure you have all of your ducks in row. Do it right: pay taxes, hire a CPA, get a business license. See if you can learn from an experienced photographer – second shoot or do an internship.

“Don’t let yourself get discouraged.

It’s hard when you see others achieving things you want to achieve, but work hard and you can get there too!”

Why film?

Why not film? The colors in film are unbeatable. No matter how much time you spend in front of the camera trying to get your digital images like film ones, they will never be exactly the same. Film has a larger range than digital. Highlights are lost a lot of times when shooting digital, but not with film. Even when you overexpose film handles light and highlights so well. Film has a “soul” that digital doesn’t and never will have. I love how it feels to shoot with film. Film has a softer and more romantic feel to it, which is my style. When I used to shoot digital, I could never get my images as soft as I wanted them to.

But when I started shooting film, I found what I was looking for. With shooting film I save so much time in front of the computer. I don’t have to edit film images!

That is huge timesaver for me when I have 30 weddings a year to edit.

To see more of Jessica’s work visit her website: www.jessicamaephoto.com Visit her blog to see daily snippets from her life and recent sessions: www.jessicamaephotoblog.com

May 2014 | IGNITE MAGAZINE

5

Megan wells B y A na Camp b ell | P h oto s A na Camp b ell Megan Wells is an artist located in Lynchburg, VA. Her Etsy shop includes hand lettering, calligraphy, and custom invitation design. Apart from Etsy, she also does freelance design/illustration and murals. Her art work has been featured on Minted.com and on the front page of Etsy.

What made you decide go into an art career?

I have always loved making stuff. When I was a high school art teacher, I wasn’t that interested in teaching. I just wanted to make stuff with the kids. Being a full-time artist was always my dream.

6 

IGNITE MAGAZINE | May 2014

Were you formally trained in your field of art?

Yes, I was an art major at the University of Florida, but dropped out after two years. I finished my art degree at Palm Beach Atlantic University.

Describe your brand in three words: Whimsical, funky and pretty.

Who/what inspires you?

Everything. I can find inspiration from under a brick. That is one thing that I am learning, is to narrow down what I am inspired from. I sometimes want to do everything, but I need to keep consistency in what I do.

Where do you draw your daily inspiration from?

How do you find inspiration when you are uninspired?

My coffee? Inspiration is always inside of me. I usually have a list of things I have to do each day, but I usually have 50 other ideas inside of my head. Lately, I am being inspired by flowers, florals, and patterns, which has lead me to create my own flowers. I create them based on what I think a cool flower would look like.

I wouldn’t say that I am uninspired, but sometimes I feel stuck. I can get to a point where I just don’t want to make stuff. In those cases I work on something that doesn’t matter. I will work in my sketchbook and make something only for me. Other times when I am working on a deadline, I just have to push through and make stuff. In those cases I’ll reward myself by eating a snack or working on something that I want to do after I get that project done.

Who/what inspires you to keep going in your art?

My husband is extremely supportive of me. There is also the people who have responded and have bought my work. God has made it clear that this is what He wants me to do. He has given me opportunities and success.

What kind of advice would you give to someone who also wants to start his or her own art business?

Do not let rejection stop you. You will get rejected 10 times more than you will be accepted. Be prepared to work your butt off. Know that you may have to have another job as you are trying to build your business.

“Stay true to your own style and ability. It is so easy to compare yourself and your work to what other people are doing, but let them do what they do and do what you do best.”

What is one of the best and worst decisions you have made with your handmade business?

I don’t think I have had a worst decision because all of my bad decisions have taught me to narrow down what I really love doing. I’ve taken jobs where I really wasn’t that passionate about. I was just doing them because I wanted the money.

What is one of the biggest challenges you have faced in your career and how did you overcome that?

I would say the biggest challenge was painting a 151 feet long mural downtown Lynchburg. I overcame it by praying a lot and working my butt off. Another challenge I’ve faced is that owning my own business I have to be the artist, my own secretary, and accountant. It is not just, I’m going to sit down and make stuff all day I am in charge of organizing everything.

Where in your career would you like to be in five years?

My dream is to have my art on products and to license it to cool stores like Anthropologie. I recently went to Anthropologie and as I was walking through the store, I saw the stationary section. I would pick out what brands and who the designers were just based upon the style.

Most of those artists started out like I did, with their own Etsy shop or freelance work. Now they are licensing to Anthropologie. However, I never want to be discontent or unthankful for where I am at already in my journey.

My goal will take many baby steps. Getting on the front page of Etsy and featured on Minted.com are some of those small steps.

To see more of Megan’s work visit her Etsy shop: www.etsy.com/makewells You can see more of her work and personal life on her blog: www.makewells.typepad.com

May 2014 | IGNITE MAGAZINE

7

DogwooD 8

IGNITE MAGAZINE | May 2014

& Holly

B y TOBI W A L S H | P h oto s A na Camp b ell May 2014 | IGNITE MAGAZINE

9

In a quiet neighborhood in Madison Heights, Virginia a boy dribbles a basketball up and down his driveway.

A woman with crazy white hair and a baggy grey shirt looks out her front door out on the dirt road that is Cherry Lane at a group of cars parked on the grass. Her black and white Chihuahua barks at her feet.

Neither the boy nor the woman is aware of what is happening only a few feet away in a one story brick house that does not have a number. A black Honda sits in the driveway sporting an “I voted for Ron Paul” bumper sticker. Yet, that is not what is important. What is important is what is going on below in the make-shift recording studio in the house’s basement.

Audrey Moore, the female vocals and mandolin player for the folkband Dogwood and Holly, which is based out of Lynchburg, Virginia sways along to the music. Her bandmates Owen Davenport (base) and Richie Worrell (male vocalist/guitar) stand beside her as they crowd around a Mac listening to their song “El Shaddai.”

“It sounds so good right there,” Moore grins. “It’s so epic like Pirates of the Caribbean!”

The comparison to the Disney movie gets a chuckle out of the group, but it is time to get back on topic…when is the new album coming out.

10

IGNITE MAGAZINE | May 2014

“We have one song left to record,” Worrell said. “Well, a song and a half. We have to finish writing it.”

“It is finished,” Davenport corrects him.

Worrell takes another sip of his Red Bull.

“But we still have to wait until Tim mixes it. We don’t have album artwork either. But we’re 85 percent of the way done,” Worrell said. “It’s really rewarding to sit here and listen to what we have done. I mean, we’ve been working on this since August.”

“It’s so epic like Pirates of the Caribbean!”

Most students at Liberty University are familiar with the name Dogwood and Holly. Since the band members are all students at the university, the group has performed at Open Mics, Convocation and even Coffeehouse. A past performance in Convocation back in August 2013 got them a standing ovation.

When the group decided that it was time for a second album, they went to their fan base for help. The group started a Kickerstarter page. And their fans were more than happy to help them out. Within weeks, the

band reached their goal and got started on their next project. Since it was fan funded, the group had high expectations. The second album needed to be perfect.

still remains unaware of what is happening down below their feet.

They begin to discuss the next few weeks.

“Richie and I grew up in a country town in southwestern Virginia called Galax,” Sawyer said. “Audrey was in our sister dorm. We met playing music around a campfire.”

“We have to get it done…hopefully before we leave,” Davensport said. He counts the number of weeks left of the semester on their hand. “We have four weeks left until Commencement.”

“I think we can get it done in two weeks,” Moore tells the group. “What do you think, Luke?”

The fourth member and banjo player, Luke Sawyer sits underneath the shelves built into the basement’s walls.

He just nods.

Their friend Tim, who is in charge of mixing the album spins around in his chair.

“I can Master it. It will be quicker than mixing the entire thing.”

The group looks at each other.

“Audrey, let’s get your vocals done since you sing better than all of us,” Davenport said.

The group gets back to work as the rest of Cherry Lane

Where it all started:

Sawyer said that the trio began playing at open mics all over Lynchburg and then began writing their own music. After a year, Richie brought up to the group that his friend Owen was a great bass player.

“We played a venue or two with Owen and decided to keep him,” Sawyer said.

Worrell never expected the band to be so popular around the Liberty campus.

“I think it has a lot to do with what’s been going on in music for the past few years,” Worrell said. “We’ve seen a lot of bands going back to American roots-style music.

People have been getting turned on to instruments that they would have never thought to be enjoyable beforehand, like the mandolin and the banjo.”

According to Worrell, when you listen to one of their albums, the listener gets to experience different themes and genres.

May 2014 | IGNITE MAGAZINE

11

“We all write music and lyrics in completely different ways,” Worrell said. “I tend to write the music first and then I write lyrics about specific theological and philosophical concepts. Audrey tends to write lyrics in a more experiential way, so her lyrics are more personal and give you a first-person narrative about something she’s experienced. And then Owen likes to tell stories, narratives AND write about concepts. He’s kind of a hybrid between my writing style and Audrey’s. It makes for a pretty unique and well-rounded listening experience.”

Their mission: As for a specific mission the group has for the band?

Moore says they do not really have one. But she believes that if you asked each member what they thought it was, they would give the same answers.

“We love music,” Moore said. “We love listening to it, writing it, arranging it, practicing it, and playing it.

Together we’ve created a space to do what we love and a platform to share it with other people. And I think that’s the goal: Enjoy music, and share it with our community.”

Sawyer has a bit of a different answer.

“For me, it’s all about bringing what we have created

12

IGNITE MAGAZINE | May 2014

to people who are searching for an unique style music,” Saywer said. “Really, it’s just fun to play good music to people who appreciate it.”

When asked about how the band handles writer’s block, Moore said that she was going through that right now.

“That’s the way it goes with art,” Moore said.

“Sometimes you are really inspired and productive, other times you’re pretty dry. There could be a hundred reasons for that. Maybe you’re in a different state emotionally, or you’re funneling your creative energy into another field, or you’re just busy doing life.”

“I think that’s the goal: Enjoy music, and share it with our community.”

Because of that, Moore said she is thankful for the band.

“If I’m not able to write much right now, one of them is, and they’re always willing to invite me into their creative process,” Moore said. “And I still get to enjoy playing good new music with my friends.”

What sets “Moth and Rust” apart: When it comes to their first album, Worrell believes that it was definitely a trial run for the group.

“We were still learning to write songs as a band and we were still forming our own style,” Worrell said. “The first album, Bonaparte, is pretty simple instrumentally, and is very vocally-focused.”

Worrell belives that the second album as a completey different feel.

“And yes!” Sawyer said. “We are SO excited for this album!”Worrell said that he s very proud of the songs on the new album, espeically El Shaddai.

“I wrote the song the day after the Sandy Hook Massacre, so it’s partly about that tragedy,” Worrell said. “But it’s also about how we as humans should relate to pain and suffering and our position relative to God in that suffering.”

Though there is no official release date for the album, the band hopes that they can release it before summer.

“Moth and Rust, is much more intricate and technical musically, while still retaining a vocal-focus,” Worrell said. Worrell said that this album explores various themes that the last album did notsuch as eternal significance amd the problem of evil.

Sawyer had something to say to the fans about their new album.

“We are super thankful for all the people that contributed to our album,” Sawyer said. “The fundraising process on Kickstarter was such an honor to be a part of. It was truly amazing to see how many people believe in our music.”

So are they excited about Moth and Dust?

Visit Amazon or iTunes to purchase their first album, Bonaparte. For updates on their second album like their Facebook page or follow them on Twitter and Instagram @DogwoodandHolly.

May 2014 | IGNITE MAGAZINE

13

The HOW TO guide to

The art of

FENG SHUI

BY CHELSEA WALKER | PHOTOS CHELSEA WALKER

14

IGNITE MAGAZINE | May 2014

Photo by: UGArdener

The Home should be a reflection of self. Physical blocks or barriers in your home can sometimes lead to blocks in other aspects of your life such as your creativity. So, how can this be fixed? The art of Feng Shui is one solution. Feng Shui is all about becoming aware of one’s self in an external way. Once you find the site of the problems, you can set it straight in that external way and allow it to flow inward.

“It at all boils down to living your life fully in the best way imaginable enhancing every aspect and living a balanced life, ” Said Jessica Dies, an up-andcoming Feng Shui consultant. “Feng

Shui means wind and water, so there’s always this natural balance of these elements.” Dies said that there should always be movement within a room. “When there is a block nothing moves,” said Dies.

“Feng Shui is all about having that balance and flow. It is about finding your balance in all aspects of your life and allowing that movement to happen and moving forward.”

May 2014 | IGNITE MAGAZINE

15

Getting Started Assessment is essentially the first step to Feng Shui. Walk around the space do you feel like you can move freely or do you feel uncomfortable. Are there “physical blocks”, such as a couch or chair or is there just ultimate sense of unease? The goal is to have energy moving freely throughout your home. If you find that a block does exist, it’s time to consult a bagua (pronounced ba-gwa) map. This is a chart of nine colored boxes that represents a specific situation in life that can be related to a specific part of your home. By using the bagua map to divide your home, you can improve the quality of life by improving the environment.

16

Suggested Remedies • Love and relationships: In this space, there needs to be even numbers of everything because you’re inviting a second person into your life.

• Creativity and Children: Use wind chimes and plants to liven the energy. The more open it is to light and space, the better off you’ll be.

• Helpful People and Travel: Things that represent travel, like maps, will help promote personal travel safety in this corner.

• Career and Life Purposes: What does the door look like? Entryway is very important what does it feel like when you walk into your space.

Red is the best color for the door

because it turns away negative energies.

• Health and Well-Being: Light and grounding is important in this corner.

Ground the room by using big items such as cabinets or hutches and use light to bring the energy upward.

• Wisdom and Knowledge: If you have books, this is where you want to put them. Be mindful of clutter since this space needs to have clarity. Put in living plants. It’s all about the growth of your personal wisdom and knowledge.

• Family and Community: Mirrors should be used here. They are used to remind you of family because they are the foundation of your life.

A b u n d ance & P r o sper i t y

Fame & R ep u tat i o n

Lo v e & R elat i o ns h i ps

Fam i l y & C o mm u n i t y

Healt h & W ell - Be i ng

C reat i v i t y & C h i l d ren

Wisdom & K n o wle d ge

Career & L i f e P u rp o se

Help f u l P eo ple & T rav el

IGNITE MAGAZINE | May 2014

Remedies continued • Abundance and Prosperity: Abundance refers to every aspect of our lives. Be aware of what the layout is and make it beautiful.

If you want to move forward financially, focus on this corner by put plants here. Write a personal check and putting it under the plant is said to help further your wealth.

• Fame and Reputation: Colors can empower the space like a range of oranges, reds and anything in between. Be sure to keep it clean and clutter free.

Feng Shui Check list: • Red ribbon Bagua map • Mini wind chimes • Mini bamboo plants • Clear crystals • Little mirrors • IChing coins • Essential oils: Sage is a basic energy clearing tool.

May 2014 | IGNITE MAGAZINE

17

Photography apps b y To b i W als h | P h oto s To b i W als h

Let’s face it. Not all of us with dreams of becoming a professional photographer can afford that high-end luxury camera. No, you just have your iPhone camera.

You know, the camera with low megapixels, takes grainy nighttime photos and awful flash. Fortunately, there are thousands of apps to choose from in the app store to make your pictures more professional. But how do you know what apps work and which don’t? I’ve taken the time to use and review what I think are the best photography apps on the market so you don’t have to! So let’s take a look:

Adobe Photoshop Express Price: Free (plus in-app purchases) How amazing is it that we live in a world where we can get Photoshop on our smartphones? This app works exactly like the desktop version of the classic photo editing software that we all experimented with in middle school. It’s great if you want to brighten those nighttime photos that have that classic grainy iPhone look. You can add filters, crop, and fix colors. It even corrects red-eye. To me, it feels like a fancy version of Instagram. There’s also a nice feature where you can print right to your local Walgreens. If you want more

VSCO CAM Price: Free This app has the same qualities as Afterlight except for that $0.99 price tag. The filters are determined by color and numbers. Each filter enhances the colors in your photos differently which is a nice alternative if you don’t like the overly cheesy filter look. A nice little bonus is that it has a “reset” feature. If you don’t like the way your edited photo came out, then you can start over with the original photo.

Mextures Price: $0.99 Feeling adventurous? Then Mextures is the app for you. I would not recommend this one for amatures just because the app is so much different than anything I have ever used. True to its name, this app allows its users to experiment by creating their very own filters.

Mextures comes with several different texture packs that you can add to your photos. Each texture pack has a different specialty. You can add as many as you want to a single photo. If you find a “mix” that you like, you can save it as “formula” that you can use again.

advanced features, those will cost you.

Studio

Afterlight

Price: Free

Price: $0.99 (plus in-app purchases)

After signing up for an account, this app allows you to add text to your photos. You can also add boarders and there are a few filters to play with as well. Even though you have to have an account to use this one, it gives you great inspiration for how to use the text feature without it looking too cheesy.

Out of all the apps, Afterlight is my personal favorite.

If you are familiar with Instagram, then you’ll be able to handle this app with no problem. You can adjust coloring, shadows and brightness. They also have some really cool filters to choose from that are better than your usual Instagram ones. If you “like” the app on Facebook, they will also give you a set of bonus filters for free! And who doesn’t like free?! Other notable features include the “dusting/lighting” option that gives your photos that vintage look.

18

IGNITE MAGAZINE | May 2014

May 2014 | IGNITE MAGAZINE

19

Saving Mr. Banks B y J o s h J anney The story behind Disney’s classic The Walt Disney Company is no stranger to rewriting the endings of stories in order to make them more emotionally pleasing to the average moviegoer. Their latest reimagining is the story how Walt Disney grudgingly collaborated with prickly Mary Poppins author P.L. Travers in order to make the 1964 classic of the same name. It is not a tale of a woman who felt betrayed by the Walt Disney Company and swore to never again let them adapt her works. Rather it is a charming story about how Walt Disney manages to make P.L. Travers fall under the Disney spell while also helping her come to terms with her past.

Despite the Disneyfied conclusion to the story, the film is an entertaining look at the creative process that goes into making a film. More importantly, it really delves into what inspires and drives people to want to tell certain stories. For

© Walt Disney Pictures

20

IGNITE MAGAZINE | May 2014

Disney (Tom Hanks), his desire to adapt the story is driven by his need to please his daughter who he promised he would make a Mary Poppins movie for when she was a child. For Travers (Emma Thompson), the Mary Poppins books were built from memories of her childhood in Australia. They were also a way of keeping her father (Colin Farrell) alive through the fictional character of Mr. Banks.

Emma Thompson knocks it out of the park as Travers, stealing almost every scene she is in. Despite her cold exterior, she conveys a vulnerability that makes it impossible not to sympathize with her character. It is a shame that Thompson was snubbed from the Oscar this year. Tom Hanks is likable as Walt Disney, but he never really becomes the character in the way that Thompson becomes Travers.

You are alway aware that you are watching Tom Hanks.

Though the banter between Disney and Travers is what most people will enjoy about the movie, the emotional center of the film is actually Travers relationship with her father, depicted in frequent flashbacks throughout the film. The flashbacks are somewhat of a double-edged sword for while they are vital to understanding what drives Travers they also often slow down the pace of the movie. It is not until the last third of the movie, in which the flashbacks take a darker turn that they begin to feel like something that demands the viewer’s attention.

Despite its flaws, “Saving Mr. Banks” is a fun, feel good movie boosted by great performances. It may be a bit one sided as the victors of Disney/Travers battle made the movie, but that does not stop one for enjoying the movie for what it is.

© Walt Disney Pictures

Ignite your playlist White Dress – Ben

Let it Go - Idina Menzel: Most songs encourage people to be themselves to get people to respect them. “Let it Go” tells its listeners the importance of finding self-acceptance even if people turn against you. If you want to reach your full creative potential, that is a great message to learn.

Rector: When I am working on something that requires creativity, I love listening to upbeat music that will get me in the right mood . “White Dress” has the perfect balance of a catchy melody and yet, it is still allows me to focus on what I am doing..

Ana Campbell

Josh Janney

I’m a Believer - Smash Mouth: Let’s be real right now, who doesn’t love this song? Not only is it fun, but it was in the Shrek Movie, It cannot get much better than that.

Whenever this song plays either on my Pandora or Spotify, expect to see me dancing like an idiot. I am not ashamed.

Shae Leitz

Long Time Traveller The Wailin’ Jennys: This song is a beautiful acapella piece that gives a soft, light-hearted feel to its listeners. Sometimes, it is important to lighten up in order to have a different prospective on a piece I am working on and this song is perfect for doing just that.

Chelsea Walker

El Shaddai - Dogwood & Holly: I love how the emotions of the song are so powerful! As a writer you really want to channel those emotions.

It’s overwhelming how Dogwood & Holly put so much soul and meaning into this song. And the Christian themes were very thought provoking.

Tobi Walsh

May 2014 | IGNITE MAGAZINE

21

Event

Calendar

May1st

Paint & Sip: Smith Memorial Building

The Lynchburg Junior League will be hosting this canvas painting event. Open to all ages. The event will be held from 6:45 to 9:00pm. Visit jrleaguelynchburg.org/events/ paint-sip for ticket information.

2

ND

First Friday: Downtown Lynchburg and Rivermont

Photo by: Jennie Park

On the First Friday of every month, local art organizations and galleries stay open late to debut performances, hold openings and exhibit new works. A free trolley runs from Downtown to Rivermont Avenue. For more information visit Lynchslanding.com/events/first fridaylynchburg .html

May 2nd Red Rooster Romos: Live at The White Hart Cafe.

The show starts at 6pm but be sure to get there early and claim a good spot because seating is limited. And while you’re there don’t forget to treat yourself to a cup of coffee.

22

IGNITE MAGAZINE | May 2014

4

TH Marry Poppins : The Tower Theater Enjoy this magical musical based on the books by P.L. Travers and the classic Walt Disney film. For information call 434-582-7328.

Photo by: Hugo Gamelas

5

Stress-Free Selling: Creativelive.com This is a two day on-line workshop hosted by John Jantsch author of Duct Tape Marketing.

Learn how to shift your thinking about the relationship between sales and marketing.

Go to Creativelive.com to enroll today.

TH

8

Indesign Fundamentals: Creativelive.com In the course you’ll lean to create books and catalogs, presentations, interactive PDF’s, and mobile and tablet apps. Go to Creativelive.com to enroll.

TH

10

Marry Poppins : The Tower Theater Enjoy this magical musical based on the books by P.L. Travers and the classic Walt Disney film. For information call 434-582-7328.

TH

Antique Rose Festival: Old City Cemetery The event will be held from 9:00am to 2:00pm. Cemetery “rosarians”–rose experts will lead guided tours at 10:00am and noon.

There will be planting demonstrations and tips on how to care for rose beds. For more information visits gravegarden.org

17

TH

Photo by: Tony Alter

21

TH

22

Monaca Powwow: Monacan Indian Nation Inc. Spend the weekend visiting with some of the finest native American crafts people and artists. A time filled with native drums and dancers in full regalia. For more information visit monacannation.com/powwow.shtml

27 28

Artist Bookie Abbot: Jones Memorial Library James Calloway Langhorne will give a lecture which coincides with the release of his book, “Scaisbrooke Langhorne Abbot: Lynchburg Painter.” Admission is free and the event will begin at 5 p.m.

Adobe Illustrator: Creativelive.com Join instructor Erica Gamet as she ND teaches you everything you need to know about illustrator, including basic tips and tools of Illustrator that will enhance your work. Visit Creativelive.com to enroll.

TH

16th-18th

Spring Pops Concert: George Washington High School Auditorium Danville Symphony Orchestra presents a Tribute to John Williams. Featuring music From Jaws to Jurassic Park and Superman to Schindler’s List, we pay tribute to America’s greatest film composer, Doors open at 7:30

TH

Studio Pass: Creativelive.com Learn how to get perfect guitar tones in the studio during this 10-hour class on tracking guitars. Go to Creativelive.com to enroll.

Blessing Offor: Live at The White Hart The show starts at 8pm but be sure to get there early as seating is limited. Don’t forget to treat yourself to a cup of coffee while you’re there.

May 2014 | IGNITE MAGAZINE

23

go ignite your

CREATITIVTY