FEBRUARY 2014
MAGAZINE
ARTIST: DAN KITCHENER, “Liquid Light”
Street Art Save My Life Facebook.com/streetartsavemylife
WHAT THE FUNK’S INSIDE
5..................THE RUNDOWN 6.................. EDITOR’S NOTE 7................. OUTSPOKEN: TRACEY L. STYLES 9.................. WISE’S WISE ASS WORDS OF WISDOM by Almighty Wise 11................. BE THERE: A TALK WITH THE BLACK MEN 15................. Valentine’s Day: WWVD? by Chef Josie 19................ DAVENCE’S COSPLAY ZONE: MEN IN ARMOR! 37................. OUTFITS TO WOO THAT SPECIAL SOMEONE by Gerissa Russell 39................. CELEBRATE YOUR LIFE by Genese Roberson 45................. LOGAN’S CORNER 47................. FUSION: THE A+D GALLERY 4
E EDITOR-IN-CHIEF C.E. LAWTON SENIOR EDITOR GENESE NICOLE CREATIVE DIRECTORS C.E. LAWTON & GENESE NICOLE MANAGING EDITOR NAESHA MCDOWELL CONTRIBUTORS DAVENCE YOUNG, GERISSA RUSSELL, DEITY “ALMIGHTY” WISE, LOGAN “KARDASH” ADVERTISING info@funktheformulamag.com FUNKTHEFORMULAMAG.COM It’s the commentary of your life ... but better. Art. Culture. And Then some.
FOLLOW FUNKTHEFORMULA FACEBOOK.COM/FUNKTHEFORMULA TWITTER: @FUNKTHEFORMULA YOUTUBE.COM/FUNKTHEFORMULA INSTAGRAM: @FUNKTHEFORMULAMAG
COVER: Artist: Witit Karpkraikaew, “Reach For Love” Provided by Street Art Save My Life LEFT: Painting by artist and owner of Crayon Creative, Kelly Knowles
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EDITOR’S NOTE LOVE ... WHAT YOU DO Damn ... They say better late than never, don’t they? And while I understand, within that thought process, there’s so much of a cop out mentality encompassed, in my opinion, for the sake of excusing be fashionably late to the party. I’m not a big fan of it, but I do understand how life shuffles and deals cards. It’s February now, we’re still going to hit you with some of the coolest content, artists and writers, but make no mistake ... We Funk the Formula, but we never aim to disappoint. I’m not going to lie, it hasn’t been an easy few months (and I speak this aside from running a magazine or anything remotely affiliated). Just to get on a personal level with you as my readers. It’s been a tug of war, roller coaster ... One of those moments in life as we grow that we face that really have you take a huge step back and reflect on everything that has come to fruition in your life up to that very moment. And at the very moment, there’s only a couple choices you can really make that define your life thereafter: you can choose to stay down, let the pitfalls crumble you, and revert to a life of safety and security in entertaining the norm and the shadows and the naysayers. OR... You get up, step up, and you use what you’ve learned from those pitfalls, those unruly hands dealt, those unexpected occurances and those mistakes you may have made and you build a better you. A stronger you. I’m not trying to get all emotional here, I’m trying to give you what’s real. I really say this all to say this: No matter what life throws at you, no matter what may get in your way or appear as an obstacle, if you have a goal... A dream, an ultimate destination ... You steamroll forward. You love what you do, absolutely LOVE what you do, and you PUSH forward. Because nothing in this life truly worth having is easy to grasp. That’s why you go through competitions and tests to reach that pinnacle reward ... To reach that NEXT level. So reach for that next level and let no one or thing stand in your way. LOVE WHAT YOU DO. Let no one else or no circumstance make you feel otherwise. Happy Valentine’s Day ... Love EVERYDAY, though. What’s one day a year going to do for your lifetime? Happy Black History Month ... Be proud of who you are and your lineage. Respect it, embrace it and uphold it with every bit of power in you. -C.E. Have questions, suggests, comments? Feel free to contact us: info@funktheformulamag.com
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OUTSPOKEN Your words. Your thoughts. Out loud.
Tracy L. Styles “A LOVE STORY� We wrote the best love story ever told In human history, on any planet Or under sea. We wrote it with kisses, The words- wet and comfortable As peach cobbler under vanilla ice cream, Not made for the squeamish or hate mongers. What words can express the depth Of my happiness? We love in excess, Spilling and spending our love, Contaminating the world, Our love seeps 7
Through the door and floor boards. We’ll make love on deathbeds, Staying faithful until we meet each other again, Saving a place in the next life. Our vows stated so, past when death did us part, Past broken hearts of names mentioned with spite, We heal each other, feel each other . . . Time and space we deal each other The hand to succeed, we are all we need . . . We were amazing. They say you can’t live off of love alone, But our love alone lives off of itself, Indeed blossoming into an entity of its own, Taking on human traits. It breathes, It bleeds butterflies With pink and yellow wings, Making winter spring, surviving biblical plagues. Our love can turn locust into doves, Turning famine into a massive feast, Into a pet sweet as a peach -it can turn a beast.
Tracy L. Styles found his path early on. He fell in love with creating in various mediums from instrumentation to painting and hasn’t stopped yet. Displaying his artistic intensity in 2013 marked the start of his professional career, publishing four critically acclaimed books “The Pondering” “Memoirs of a Fatherless Youth” “The Curves of my Queen” and “Her Curves and my Mustache”. He continues on his quest to be one of the most prolific and provocative creators of his time. Setting release dates for his wide ranging, vast bodies of work.
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by
the Almighty Wise What’s up people! I know that you’ve probably sat in convos with friends and expressed your disdain for people who are hypocrites ... Probably talking about someone you know very well. While you were being a gossipin’ bitch-ass, you didn’t realize that YOU TOO are a FUCKIN’ HYPOCRITE! Yep ... While you’re thinking you’re some type of “good person,” and that you are somehow “immune to this disease” ... It is and has literally spread throughout your system, and the malignant diatribe eventually spews from your hypocritical lips. Awww, don’t get defensive bitch, just read the 10 reasons WHY you’re a hypocrite ... I’m pretty sure you’ve committed at least one of these hypocritical sins ...
: U O Y F I E T I R C O P Y H A E R A U O Y 1. 2.
Take a hard stance against racism, but is the first one to say “I’ll get a Mexican to do it” when thinking of cheap labor.
3.
Get mad at men (ladies) and call men dogs when they cheat, but justify a womans indiscretions with “she’s probably not getting the love/attention/good sex she needs at home.”
4. 9
Get mad and villify the local drug dealer in your neighborhood, but praise Jay-Z for how far he has “come up” from the hood.
Get mad at women (men) because they take men for child support/alimony, but will refuse to do anything to secure her financial stability.
5.
Put down a man who robs or steal to live, but have participated in Ponzi/ Pyramid schemes, conducted Insider Trading, and essentially stolen from retirement plans.
6.
Yell and curse out your own children, but get mad when they respond to others by yelling or cursing them out.
7. 8. 9. 10.
Put down fat/obese people by talking about their many “health issues” but smoke cigarettes and cigars.
Put down someone who smokes marjuana, uses cocaine/heroin, but is addicted to prescription medication.
Get mad at the hip-hop music that is playing on the radio because “all they talk about is sex, drugs, guns” but will not support conscious music.
Put down someone touting that “they are not your preference” but will consider “being with them” once you find out they are successful... financially.
*The views of this prophet WISE has been proven to come from a Holy book. It has been translated, and all of the “thous & thys” have been removed for a more “hip” approach. We are not sure wha t holy book...but...hey, just have faith, hea then.
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BE THERE
by
the Almighty Wise
( a TALK WITH THE BLACK MEN ) HEY BROTHER, My son, Naseem was born four years ago on June 17, 2008, three days after I celebrated my 36th Birthday. As a man who had lived for years without a child, the moment Naseem was born was scarier than the moment right before a “9” jammed on this dude who tried to “murk” me 12 feet from my building when I was 24 years old. I didn’t know what the f*ck to do. I knew he had to eat, he needed diapers, and I knew somehow I had to learn to be a father. Was I ready? ...Yeah right, I was used to blowing money fast ... and sadly I had to break my selfish HABIT ... Something I admit, was hard to do. This boy was not going to raise himself, and it took me a while to get into the swing of things. But although I was committed to change, I was wrestling with a lot of bad habits, & bad choices.... I WAS THERE. I NEVER LEFT, NOR DID I GIVE UP ON HIM.
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He is my son. I was NOT close to MY father, but my FATHER WAS THERE. Sure, there are things I wish I could change about our relationship, but I do understand who he was to me (R.I.P.) You brothers out there who run, duck, and hide from your responsibilities, but yet claim that you are MEN should be ASHAMED of yourself. But some of you “deadbeats” aren’t ... And I know why. A lot of you did not have a father in your home to even say “I was NOT close to MY father”. I saw many of my closest friends suffer without a dad, or a father to tell them “WTF are you doing, boy ... You better go to school/stop selling drugs/stay out of jail/stop breaking your mother’s heart! I was blessed, at times I felt “abnormal” ‘cause my father WAS HOME. Sheesh, can you imagine how f*cked up our society must be for you to feel “abnormal” ‘cause your dad WAS THERE???
BUT GUESS WHAT.... If you did not have a father and you don’t remember how much that sh*t hurt you, enough to say ... I’M NOT DOING THAT SH*T TO MY CHILD ... YOU AIN’T SHIT!!!!! (Yeah, I left the asterisk out of that one). YOU AIN’T SHIT. That pain alone should drive your ass to at least STAY. Running ‘cause you are scared is probably what your father did to you. You hated him for that, RIGHT? Guess who is going to hate you? Do you CARE that your child hates you, or do you say, “Well, I didn’t have my father, sheeeet, he’ll be fine ... He just gotta be strong too”???
Photo Courtesy of ourblackstars.com
Photo Courtesy of Joseph Matthew Photography
Many do not understand the impact the male figure has in the household. Media has fueled society to believe that the male is only there to pay for child support/pay bills/work like a slave/ and shut the f*ck up when it comes to decisions concerning the child’s welfare. (Speaking of welfare, you better not fall on hard times and need help ... They will make sure that your wife/girlfriend can and must do without you which is just another way to beat down the impact of the male figure.)
It’s time, brothers, to cut the crap. Everyday I learn or try to find new and improved ways to raise my son. Why? Not because I am a “father expert.” For the sake of argument, who or what is a “father expert” anyway? Nobody better raise their got-damn hand, cause no one is born with that curriculum, PERIOD. Stop worrying about when the new Jordan’s come out. Stop caring about Jay-Z’s bank account. Stop trying to be HARD and be A MAN ... ‘Cause that’s HARD enough. I said a MAN, fool, not a MALE ... There is a difference. First off .... BE THERE. Simply, just be there. And, no, I’m not saying stay sitting on your ass, do not work or take care of your child. I’m not insulting any man who is a house-husband, but unless you have a medical reason, GET 12
YOUR ASS UP AND OUT AND GET SOME GAINFUL EMPLOYMENT! Be a f*ckin’ MAN! This is why society and the media can make an argument about the “importance of males in the household.” I’m not fooled by that politically correct bulls*t! You wonder why our women are beaten down, stressed, and overall more masculine in their approach. You think that’s by accident? Nah, it’s by DESIGN. But you are not THERE to change that. I am not perfect. I just let some habits go. For the damn record, I was not on crack/dope/coke/ OR bathsalts, so you can stop speculating. You think that is the only habit that needs to be broken? What about your outlook on life? If “gettin’ dough” is all you care about then it becomes YOUR habit. Gotta fetish for phat asses? Can’t stop “chasin’ da b*tches” ... You gotta HABIT. If you’re a narcissist who graduated from Harvard/Yale/HBCU and is chasing success, but not your son down the hallway cause you are always busy ... You got a HABIT. It’s time for us to wake up brothers. But after all I’ve said above, we need to take this thing in baby steps (pun intended). Your child needs you. Your child is in pain when you are not there. Your child wears a scowl and acts out in class cause you’re not there. Your child is going to be diagnosed with A.D.H.D. because you are not there. Your child is going to be pumped with drugs (from the doctor or maybe from the streets) ‘cause you’re not there. Your child is gonna join a gang ‘cause you’re not there. Your child is gonna get himself a gun ‘cause you’re not there. And he will use it on someone. And then he’s gonna get arrested ‘cause you’re not there. And you know something ... YOUR CHILD WILL HATE YOU ‘CAUSE YOU’RE NOT THERE. Remember that ... ”Pain” YOU felt? Your child feels it too ... Because you were not there.
BE THERE. YOU CAN FIGURE OUT THE REST. JUST BE THERE.
Photo Courtesy of Huffingtonpost.com
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Valentine’sDay: ? D V WW
T
by Chef Josie Gordon
he Ancient Romans never celebrated Valentine’s Day the way we do. Quite honestly it wasn’t even a holiday of love. I can’t help but think that if they did choose it as a day for wooing, they’d certainly includes lots of meat, particularly lamb. It signified wealth, abundance, and if you really wanted to impress someone, it was certainly a brow-raiser. Lamb chops still have the same appeal but are tricky for some to cook at home. Frenching the bones can be tedious. Lamb legs or even the shanks are a preparation best left for larger crowds. So what’s an urbanite to do for their babe on VDay?
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Introducing: the ‘boneless lamb leg steak’. It’s certainly tender and you can cook it to medium doneness without a problem. The flavor is deep and unctuous just like you’d expect from lamb. This particular recipe gets a treatment from kumquats and meyer lemon which are quite common in February. The flavors have been rounded out by herbs and the sweetness of roasted vegetables. You’d send a clear message of care, love, health, and wealth serving this dish.
Citrus Lamb Leg Steak w/ Herbed Quinoa & Kale Salad Serves 2 Ingredients 2 boneless lamb steaks from the leg 4 kumquats, chopped fine 1 TB fresh mint, chopped 1 tsp extra virgin olive oil 2 tsp green chile pepper, chopped fine 1/4 tsp sea salt 1 cup quinoa 1 1/2 cups water 1/4 tsp salt 1 carrot, peeled 1 parsnip, peeled 1 small bulb fennel, sliced 1 whole garlic clove, peeled 2 kale leaves, ribs removed, chopped 1 sprig rosemary 4 kumquats, sliced 1.5 tsp extra virgin olive oil pinch salt mint leaves parsley leaves
Method Marinate the lamb steaks: Place the lamb steaks in a sealable plastic food bag. In a small bowl, stir together the chopped kumquats, mint, olive oil, chile pepper, and salt. Pour the mixture into the bag and seal after squeezing the air out. Rub the bag making sure the mixture covers the lamb steaks evenly. Refrigerate overnight or at least 4 hours.
Make the quinoa salad: Preheat the oven to 425F. Cut the carrot and parsnip into ½ inch pieces. In a bowl, mix together the carrot, parsnip, fennel, garlic clove, rosemary, and kumquats with the oil and salt. Place the ingredients on a parchment lined cookie sheet. Place the lemon slices, cut side down on the cookie sheet. Roast these items for 10 minutes. Remove the kale and set aside. Return the cookie sheet with the other vegetables to the oven for an additional 15 minutes. Set aside the lemon. Discard the rosemary and garlic clove. While the vegetables are roasting, prepare the quinoa. In a small saucepan, add the quinoa and water. Cover and let steam for 12-15 minutes. Quinoa should be fluffy when stirred. Mix the quinoa with the roasted vegetables, kale, mint, and parsley leaves. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
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Cook the lamb: Remove the lamb steaks from the sealed bag and pat dry with a paper towel. Heat a 9” ovenproof skillet with a drizzle of olive oil over high heat. While hot, place the steaks in the pan and sear on four sides for 1 minute each side. Place the pan in the oven and continue cooking for 3 minutes. Let the steaks rest for 2 minutes. Serve sliced steaks over the quinoa salad and dress with the juices of the roasted meyer lemon halves.
Food Network Chopped Champion, Chef Josie Gordon is the chef and owner of Lively Pala te in NYC. She has co-authored the dinner party bible “Party Like A Culinista” which was published by Lake Isle Press in 2011. Chef Josie’s mission is to heal people and strengthen their friendly bonds through meaningful social interaction over shared food. She’s your friendly neighborhood chef!
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ARTIST: Alexander Grebenyuk & Fox, “Untitled”
Street Art UTOPIA
www.streetartutopia.com
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Our main man, armor fabricator extraordinaire and resident cosplay connoisseur, Davence Young, is back this month with a photo spread of some amazing men of cosplay that show us how to really bring some of our favorite, suited up comic book characters to life!
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ERIC “SMOKE” MORAN 21
Hello fellow cosplay engineers! In this article I wanted to discuss and celebra te a bit those men tha t don the elabora te, huge, heavy, and often times HOT cosplay’s in the genre of heavy armors! These are the gentlemen (and some ladies) tha t walk around various conventions or special events dressed like transformers, or huge ba ttlemechs from the days of Gundam or Robotech. I have ga thered “a few good men” here to discuss just tha t topic. Those men are Mr. Mike Hagy, Mr. Michael ‘Knightmage’ Wilson, and last but certainly not least Mr. Eric Moran, also known as ‘Smoke.’ Welcome gentlemen, to the Cosplay Zone! Mike Hagy: Glad to be here, thanks for the honor. Eric Moran: Happy to be here. Michael Knightmage Wilson: Hello. Gentlemen, the honor is definitely mine, there is nothing like being in excellent like-minded company. This article is about men that love to wear the big bulky, amazingly awesome heavy armor cosplays and I could not think of 3 men to better talk to. So many years have you all been cosplaying? Michael Knightmage Wilson: 1 year. Mike Hagy: Three years now officially I think. Eric Moran: Before it was called cosplaying, heh heh, I was doing costuming as they called it back then on and off for over 30 years. Mike Hagy: Big time vet, this guy! Nice. All of you have been in the trenches, what were your inspirations for wanting to do it? Eric Moran: Too many. Mike Hagy: For me, it was the guys of the 501st. Wanting to be the action star you see on tv or as action figures. They got tired of dreaming about it and decided to start researching how to do it.
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Eric Moran: Trying to make it come to life. Michael Knightmage Wilson: Initially, I got into cosplaying for charity work. Being able to make a person that is ill smile is about the best feeling in the world. Once I attended my first convention I was hooked in ALL aspects. I just love to create and I love the reactions it gets from everyone. Call me crazy but I just want to inspire through cosplaying in any way I can. I always say I am not just cosplaying for myself but for others as well. Nice, using it to bring a smile to another’s face is definitely a great reason to do it, and yes Eric It can definitely be tricky trying to bridge the gap between a drawn character and how to make it fit on a real human body. Money and materials is always a hurdle to overcome when it comes to a great cosplay. Michael Knightmage Wilson: I’ve only done one heavy armor cosplay and even that I don’t think I would consider heavy. Probably the biggest challenge for me was designing to bring it to life. I wasn’t going off any specific pattern, so I was pretty much just winging it, actually I tend to do that with all my costumes. Eric Moran: I make sure to stock up at Home Depot, in fact I told my wife just to get me gift cards so I can stock up for the new year. Nice, now that is the gift that keeps on giving. Do any of you guys do pepakura files, scratch builds like me or a combo of both? Eric Moran: Both and I loves me some home depot! Michael Knightmage Wilson: I was looking into the pep builds for cyborg, but ended up saying the hell with it, ha ha. I’ve got a few other things in mind to do that would be great pep builds but I think I will stick to winging it. Eric Moran: I’ve always been a fan of armor suits like the Knights of the round table. As far as building, it was and still is a learning process with me and make no mistake , I’ve had a lot of help; collaborating to me, it’s a team effort with my suits so I always make sure to give credit where credit is due. Mike Hagy: Yeah Eric and I teamed up to work on Optimus Prime, from the fall of Cybertron game. Where there any challenges in building that since you guys do not live in the same state? Mike Hagy: Probably my most ambitious build for the sheer size and the short time we pumped it out and yeah, that aspect was hard Eric and I spent many hours on the phone hashing out size and scale, and his wife helped out by measuring his body for me. Yeah I know when I do a build for a client I always have 26
them do a duct taped dress form of themselves, and have them mail it flat to me that way I can stuff it on my end and build the armor right on it to ensure a proper fit. What was the most fun you had on that Optimus prime collaboration? Mike Hagy: For me ... I think it was finally seeing Eric receive all the pieces and seeing them get painted. The all the culmination of that hard work come together when he puts it on. Eric Moran: Talking about the idea and taking it on, and the showing to the world the end result. Michael Knightmage Wilson: Getting the right curves. Such a newbie when it comes to Eva foam so a lot trial and error. Mike Hagy: You did a great job for a first timer. I definitely love doing scratch builds, but 27
I pepakura templates are great for folks not used to making their own patterns or those that do not draw. Mike Hagy: I tend to lean more to the Pepakura template builds for mine, but I only use them as a base and build off of them to make them my own. I’ve attempted one scratch build with Gears of War stuff but I will work more with it in the coming year. Eric Moran: Sounds good. Michael, did you use a heat gun to achieve those curves or did you cut wedges then glue those sections together forcing the bend? Michael Knightmage Wilson: Mostly heat gun. I learned a few new tricks though for next time. Excellent! So gentlemen let me ask you this, what do you think is the single hardest
part of building a heavy suit of cosplay armor? Michael Knightmage Wilson: Actually wearing it comfortably. Eric Moran: Trial and ERROR!!! I can definitely relate to that. Eric Moran: So damn true, heh heh. Mike Hagy: Probably getting all the scales and sizes right so it not only looks good but flows well together. Yes, part of taking that 2d image and making it work on a human form. For me one of the trickiest things can be the harness, making all those different parts hang on your body the way they should but giving you as much comfort as possible. What has been some of the most crazy or unique reactions you gentlemen have received as a result of walking around at a show or
event in your cosplays? Eric Moran: Getting media attention. Michael Knightmage Wilson: Kids losing their stuff over seeing their favorite character. Mike Hagy: Since my big one is a Space Marine usually it’s the wow of sheer size and then it’s the different people who don’t know that the character is getting called Buzz Lightyear all the time. Hah hah a Buzz the space marine cosplay, now that would be a cool cosplay mashup. Mike Hagy: For sure! For me it was this one woman at kumoricon that literally ran up to me and dropped to her knees bowing to me in my cyborg cosplay saying she is not worthy. Michael Knightmage Wilson: Hah hah!
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MICHAEL “KNIGHTMAGE”WILSON
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Eric Moran: Heh heh. That was definitely the most unique reaction I ever had. Mike Hagy: Wow that was awesome! So gentlemen let me ask you this: How do you feel about seeing other folks at the same convention or event wearing the same character you are cosplaying? Michael Knightmage Wilson: I don’t care, heh heh. Eric Moran: I can’t wait to do a cosplay shoot with them. Mike Hagy: I haven’t had that issue yet since my ‘character’ is original but like Michael, it doesn’t really bother me I will actually go out of my way to introduce myself and compare notes. Nice, I loved it when I saw that Michael was doing a cyborg cosplay as well. Eric Moran: He has good taste. Yes he does. He and I sent messages back and forth showing each other’s progress throughout the building phase. I do find it odd when others get up in arms because they see someone else in a similar cosplay. Eric Moran: I say GET OVER IT! I agree! Michael Knightmage Wilson: It was fun to share the progress pics and such. There’s too many “unwritten” rules going around. I say there are no rules. Just do you. Mike Hagy: Exactly! No one has exclusive rights to cosplay a single character. It is for everyone to enjoy and have fun with. Mike Hagy: Yup! Are there any future heavy armor cosplays you guys are working on or are they still under wraps? Eric Moran: I just don’t let people know what I’m doing, so people are surprised. As for me, I like being the trend-sender and then let other people follow. I find it more fun and I love to see other people’s versions. Michael Knightmage Wilson: I’m still working out the logistics of Voltron. Another Cyborg and that’s about all I can think of. Mike Hagy: I share all of mine but I have ... Like 6-8 of them, Ha Ha! Two of my more dedicated ones are a Halo 4 Spartan and here recently the power armor 30
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Eric Moran: There are too many for me. Michael Knightmage Wilson: I’ve just found that I can do a lot of good using it. I’m living out a boyhood dream to become these characters, being proud of the creations that my hands made and lastly helping others in multiple ways. It’s a win win all the way around. Mike Hagy: It’s given me something to funnel all of my creative feelings. It’s an escape from reality to go home and unwind and work on armor or props and then the journey to the con, and putting it all on and stepping onto that floor to see all the reactions makes it all worth the while. Well said gentlemen. Ok last question Do you think guys in heavy armors are overshadowed in comparison to women in revealing cosplays when it comes to photographer’s wanting to take pics and the media in general?
Batman used against Superman in the Dark Knight Returns. Oh and Megatron.
Mike Hagy: I think it can go either way. I’ve seen first hand the excitement of everybody clamoring over to take photos of a big armored costume. But in the same sense, I’ve walked by the ‘revealing’ type of costumes and people standing around them fawning over them don’t even lose their focus from
Ah that will be epic, wait Eric didn’t you build a Megatron yourself? Eric Moran: Yes I did, but I cannot wait to see Mike’s version. Mike Hagy: I love Eric’s G1 Megatron. Eric Moran: Thanks Mike, But your Megatron from “Fall of Cybertron” is going to be fantastic! Michael, with your Voltron, are you going G1 with it, or doing a version based on the new one that came out. Michael Knightmage Wilson: More so G1. In case any of my readers do not know what G1 means, it stands for Generation 1 of any series. Eric Moran: I like both. So gentlemen, how has Cosplay influenced your lives?
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the woman, so it’s hard to say. Depends on the type of con-goers, I suppose. Michael Knightmage Wilson: I think men in general are overshadowed by the ladies. Let’s face it, sex sells. Most people rather see a female than a guy eight times out of ten. And there’s nothing wrong with that. In fact it somewhat motivates me. I’m still going to do the best that I can do. In no way do I get discouraged seeing the girls taking center stage. Yes I totally agree, I find it is a challenge to me and it forces me to up my game and skill set to make my cosplay as impressive as possible. There is so much work that goes into it, using different materials, different glues, tools, sealers, paints, etc. Mike Hagy: all that too! Michael Knightmage Wilson: The girls make some incredible stuff, too though. Man do they ever. Mike Hagy: This is true, as well. I have just as many female role models as I do male. Well gentlemen this has been my honor getting the chance to chat with you all. Michael Knightmage Wilson: No, thank you. Eric Moran: Thank you, as well. Mike Hagy: Absolutely! It was awesome! Now off with you, back to your cosplay labs and create something amazing!
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ARTIST: Barbara Scerbo, “Untitled”
Street Art Save My Life Facebook.com/streetartsavemylife
Outfits
to woo
that special
someone by Gerissa Russell aka Miss Giva Style
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omance is in the air. Chocolate hearts, roses, and greeting cards are everywhere. Buying a card or some candy from the store only shows that you’re doing what’s expected. Now if you really want to be romantic, ignore all of those common, drab, lackluster commercial products this Valentine’s Day. Going that extra mile to be creative will show that you really care. If you want to really be romantic take the time to find out what is special and meaningful to that special someone. That gesture will be worth more than the biggest chocolate heart. Ladies, one great way to show your significant other something special this season is a hot, sexy, and fierce silhouette. There is nothing like a scintillating peak of a decolletage or showing off your tantalizing curves in a sexy red hot ensemble. Red, while being the main color of the season is known to raise temperatures with scorching fierceness. The floral prints are very on trend but play up your girly flirty side. Cheetah print always brings that sexy pop of print. Heels are always the way to go when you’re feeling daring and give off a longer leg. Not to mention, Harper’s Index says heels raise your caboose 3% higher, while elongating the line and straightening posture (which makes you look more slender) and adds more of a pep in your step. I hope you enjoy browsing through the collection of great valentine silhouettes I have put together. All these pieces you see are from stores near you or online at Forever 21, Doll House, It’s Fashion, Burlington Coat Factory, and Conway.
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Celebrate Your Life By Genese Roberson
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n December 29, 2013 we celebrated the life of my grandfather, Deacon Minter James Roberson. One of the greatest men I know. One after another family and friends stepped up to share their fondest memories of the man I knew as grandpa. As I sat and listened, I couldn’t help but to wonder why do so many people wait until death arrives to finally celebrate life? We waste so much precious time on negativity, not realizing what a rare and special gift is this thing we call LIFE. Unlike any other species, humans can create and choose our own environment. All other walks of life must adapt, while we have the option to choose. That means we have the ability to create new situations, instead of drowning in negative ones that we really do not approve. Each day we can right our wrongs, and do better than what we did the day before. CELEBRATE LIFE. It also means that we can surround ourselves with people who love and support our hopes, dreams, and ideas. We don’t have to stay connected to people who create drama in our lives. CELEBRATE LIFE. Each and everyday when we wake up and our feet hit the ground not only do we have the opportunity to make the devil mad, but we also have the power to overcome our obstacles to achieve our goals. Again, CELEBRATE LIFE. Don’t wait until you are dead and gone to have someone else celebrate your life, when you can start celebrating on your own...today!!!
Genese Roberson is Editor In Chief of Bmoredivasent.com a Lifestyle Magazine
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Artist: Rockkar 32
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ARTIST: BORONDO/CANE MORTO, “Untitled”
Street Art Save My Life Facebook.com/streetartsavemylife
LOGAN’S CORNER A
s the New Year progresses, the countdown to whom will take over the year! I have been listening to a few artists (No Beyoncé, Kanye, and Rihanna) that will have a great year. I think people need to hear more different sounds and be sucked into what the radio plays. Just take a moment out to listen…
9th Wonder (producer) released his compilation “Jamla is the Squad” with help from a few indie rap artist. I like this 25 song production because it’s REAL HIP HOP! No album fillers, just straight rapping from unsigned and a few recognizable rappers. The album standout track includes “No competition” feat Talib Kweli, Elzhi and Phonte. This is definitely worth a listen. The compilation is available on iTunes now!
“May the Bitter Man Win” featuring Treasure Davis can be found on J.Cole’s latest mixtape endeavor, The Revenge of the Dreamers, which is a compilation of tracks from Cole and his artists on his new label, Dreamville. I never heard of Treasure Davis before but her voice is cute … Can’t wait to hear more from her! Overall, an AMAZING project.
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After being on a four year hiatus, Kelis is back! Her new album titled “Food” will be dropping 4/22/14. The “Milkshake” singer released the album’s first single “Jerk Ribs” (Love It) with the sounds of horns, strings and full orchestra. Kelis is always a ahead of her time with style and music so I’m amped to hear the full album!
Nipsey Hu$$le! I recently went to California and kept hearing about Nipsey Hu$$le, so I decided to check out his music. He put out 9 mixtapes, including the recently released “Crenshaw” for a $100 each copy, selling $100,000 in 24 hours (the backstory is even interesting). Standout tracks from the Cali gangsta rapper are “U See US,” “Summertime in the Cutlass” and “If You Were Mine”. The tracks are available on Datpiff.com.
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FUSION
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The A+D Gallery
A+D Presents Fusion Funk, defining art through inclusion and interactivity and aim to join artists to re-examine the creative expression. Professional artists and Pratt Alumni, Kelly Knowles and Karina Sharif are bringing their own fresh perspective to visual arts and fashion with their showcase of their respective brands at the A+D Gallery, located in Brooklyn, NY. They opened their doors early this winter, sharing their works for the eyes to feast on as well as take home for sale.
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After leaving Pratt, Knowles took the trip back home to the Bahamas and started her own studio. When perusing through the artistic tools she had available in her space, she found very little other than packs of crayons. While many would probably just start coloring on paper, maybe a canvas, maybe plank of wood, Knowles decided to take a different approach. Rather than color or draw, she decided to create molds and melt down the crayons in her possession and turn them into stand alone sculptures, pushing forth the conception o her brand, Crayon Creative. After attaining a Masters in Art Therapy and delving into the realm of artistic healing for children, Knowles felt it a great outlet for kids to employ the idea of turning the tool into the art. She created fun pieces in the shapes of little characters with a form of patchwork build of different colors, brining a quirkiness and spark of life to the hue-imbued pieces.
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To top off the Lovelene line, Sharif has introduced clothing designs, inspired by the graphic design work of college friend, Roxanne Phillips. Her Deity Prints push forth an idea of supernatural heroism while telling the story of a goddess’s journey in search of her destiny in a second life. Various graphics of a form of almost futuristic hieroglyphic symbolism adorn the dresses intermixed with the psychedelic, supernatural feel of tie dye mixtures in colors and patterns, giving off a form of cloudy yet free-flowing visual.
Lovelene, named after designer Karina Sharif’s mother, is a fashion line of bags and clothing with evidence of graphic, spiritual influence as well as a sense of defiance to the norm of typical accessory design. When one views her handbags, what may come to mind is the intricate detailing and attention to design and practicality. Circular-shaped handbags aren’t always the norm in chic handbag wear, but are very representative of Sharif’s ideas catering to the representation of endless flow and motion that the Circle embodies; not to mention the designer just has a great love for circles. Beyond the shape, one can definitely appreciate the choices in patterns and textures that are thoughtfully pulled together for the overall final designs of the bags. She accompanies the accessories with jewelry pieces of a natural feel in aesthetic but exemplary of a simple elegance.
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This is only the beginning of inspired and artistically defying works by these two young women and their A+D Gallery.
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You can check them out at 145 front st / 59 pearl street, shop 18 in Brooklyn, NY’s Dumbo area. https://www.facebook.com/ADGFUSION
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The new album available now on iTunes, Amazon, Google Play and more!
FunktheFormula, Inc. 2013