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MAGAZINE
REBECCA POWELL COVER PH OTO SH OT BY R EBECCA POW EL L MODEL, PAU LA PHO UN SAVATH
+MORE CHRIS SMART DA M E T R I I N E L S O N STEVEN WILLIAMS ELEXISS ALLISON QUINTON MEADOWS
FROM ARTICLES TO INTERVIEWS illesthetic is taking it to the next level, we're taking a break from the magazine to do a podcast series
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JULY 2019
VOL 10
tabl of 1
le
table of contents
3
letter from the editor
5
ELEXISS ALLISON
7
DAMETRII NELSON
9
STEVEN WILLIAMS
11
REBECCA POWELL
15
CHRIS SMART
17
QUINTON MEADOWS
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meet the creators
2
L FR
LETTER FROM THE EDITOR
T
his is the tenth volume of ILLESTHETIC Magazine (pronounced ill-aesthetic), an ArtByLuna
Collection publication, founded by page editor and art
director, Calah Jones. The first volume of this magazine was
published in April of 2017. We started the magazine with the
intention to give young writers and journalists an opportunity to write for their own magazine and to feature local visual artists. With our success, we have been able to feature several visual artists in D.C., Maryland, and Virginia, where we are based.
Visual artists include, but are not limited to, sculptors, graphic designers, painters, photographers, illustrators, culinary artists, fashion designers, tattoo artists, and more.
In our next series, we are taking a break from the
magazine to start video podcasts of the personal interviews we have with the artists! Each month will be a new artist that we feature and they'll have their own photoshoot with our team. Videos can be watched on YouTube, and will also be up on
our website. We will continue with Volume 11 for ILLESTHETIC Magazine soon, but in the meantime, stay tuned in for more with ILLESTHETIC.
Visual arts are often overlooked and unappreciated.
Knowing this, ILLESTHETIC's goal is to help change this
perspective and give visual artists the audience they may not have had before. All of the magazines and future videos can be read and viewed on our website at www.illestheticmag. com.
written by cALAH JONES
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LETT ROM 44
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E L E X I S S p h o t o g r a p h e d by Wa n y e h H i l l
pea you E
lexiss Allison is a well-known artist in the 757
In fact, Allison stated that being in this magazine
and 804. She’s a painter, photographer,
is her most memorable response to her art thus
filmmaker, stylist and business owner. She likes to
far. “For a while, I was kind of stuck in this mood
call herself a creator because of her many talents.
thinking no one really noticed me,” she explained.
Born in Detroit, Michigan and raised in Richmond,
“It’s kind of gave me that boost I needed. It’s
Virginia, Allison has spread her talents throughout
really appreciated.”
much of Virginia. Allison wasn’t entirely too sure
about what pushed her to create in the beginning,
body art, creating characters and turning models
but later dawned on her in the first grade that she
into photographs that resemble paintings. Allison
was destined for creativity. She made her art her
hopes that her art inspires more people each day,
reality.
but something that really inspires her to create
Having always seeing herself as being
One way of creating that Allison enjoys is
her art is music. Music channels her emotions and
in tune with the arts, Allison has separated herself
sparks up ideas she explained. Allison has been
from others through her own vision. Allison said,
working on a few practice music videos for a few
“the hardest thing about what I do is putting
of her friends set to be released this summer. She
myself out there and getting people to notice
also states that she’s “looking forward to watching
me. It’s not easy to gain a good following of
my progression as I move forward.”
supporters and keep them interested. It’s really
a learning experience.” She really gained her
fashion photography. “Those photos will be shown
creative side in high school where she surrounded
through a monthly look book for my sunglass
herself with a lot of creative thinkers and doers
company,” she explained. “I have tons of new and
who she could be herself around. Allison
exciting things ahead of me!” When asked about
expressed a memory of her signing up for an art
a future profession, Allison stated that she would
class freshman year of high school where she
love to be a director, mainly for independent films
ended up in advanced art. She states, “It was
and music videos. “I’d definitely also dabble in a
my favorite class. I could escape the madness
little fashion here-and-there, as well, designing
and from there on out it was my first way of
accessories such as handbags, shades, and
self-expression,” she said. In college, Allison
shoes.” Allison would love to work with some of
formed a love for filmmaking and photography. “I
her favorite musicians and actors/actresses, either
figured out ways to use the camera to express my
through music videos or photoshoots. Artists such
feelings or convey my own message.”
as Lakeith Stanfield, Tessa Thompson, Donald
Glover, Janelle Monae, Solange, Erykah Badu,
Wanting to share her talents with other
Recently, Allison decided to start doing
artists has also been big for Allison. She wants to
and many more people with a distinct style.
put a light on the female artists in Virginia. When
creating, an artist has to have the space to create
imagine a life without art. However, her second
and think. Allison said, “my room is normally my
passion, next to being a creator is psychology. “I
work environment. I lock myself in my room, I
have a small obsession with the human mind and
paint on the floor or I nestle myself in my bed with
its functions,” she expressed. Her advice to other
my laptop for hours editing photos or footage.
artists is to be yourself, unapologetically. “Don’t
I work best alone and with music playing.” Not
be afraid to push boundaries, there are no rules.
caring about the opinions of others and just
Lose yourself and find yourself in art. Speak your
creating what she pleases brings fulfillment to her.
truth.”
Allison stated that it’s really hard to
written by Shae Harris 6
7
D A M E T R I I p h o t o g r a p h e d by i va n h a r r i s
A
t the age of 11, Dametrii Nelson traded in
frustrating but also the most rewarding things he’s
his natural talent for art with the intentions
ever done. Despite the amount of diligent work
of never looking back. Although he had been
that is required, Nelson continues to strive and
drawing since the age of 4, Nelson decided to
inspire those he encounters. His main goal as a
pursue his desire to play basketball in the NBA. It
creator is to help others become more aligned
wasn’t long before Nelson’s true artistic self was
with themselves. To do this, he creates art with the
awoken, leading him to delve into his artwork once
goal of helping people bridge the gap between
again. Currently, the artist is located in Northern
their dreams and their reality.
Virginia where he works as an entertainer,
illustrator, painter, and more. Nelson is an artist
to people giving up on their dreams. For most,
with an in-home gallery, a thriving business, and
it’s the dreaded creative block. What has allowed
an extreme amount of passion. Each day, he
Nelson to create such a successful career as
strives to be the representation for young black
an artist is his ability to use the creative block
boys that he did not see in his own childhood.
as an advantage. “I am the money bag” states
the artists. Nelson uses this phrase whenever he
Although the artist doesn’t have any
There are many factors that contribute
regrets, he wishes that he would’ve never stopped
feels loss about what to create. He expresses that
creating in his youth. Fortunately, despite his
the most important thing is to simply just create.
break, Nelson was able to pursue his dream of
Whatever he feels or thinks will end up on a
being a creator. Being self-aware has helped
canvas because he has confidence that someone
Nelson become a better creator. In his early 20’s
somewhere will relate to it. In his eyes, creative
the artist began meditating and writing down
blocks are a challenge to step out of his comfort
his dreams. Although it took a while for these
zone which he accepts every time.
practices to take effect, Nelson began to gain
more clarity which translated through his artwork.
in art during his youth, Nelson was able to
The artist speaks of dreaming of galaxies, which
bounce back and create a name for himself. He
later became his favorite subject to paint. Nelson
contributes most of this to his family as they’ve
allowed his dreams to become his reality on each
always supported him and encouraged him to
canvas, creating some of his most powerful work.
create. In fact, from his family came the word that
Nelson would use to describe his artwork: vicious.
Nelson is a creator in the true sense
Despite his uncertainty about a career
of the word. During his adulthood, the artist
To him, it means that his work is nothing less than
has worked as an illustrator, graphic designer,
great. With his desire to explore the realm of his
entertainer, and even a business owner. A year
inner self and help others achieve the same, this
ago, Nelson along with his partner created a
artist is a living example of the phrase “it’s only a
business named V.I.B.E.S. The artist admits that
failure if you stop”.
starting this business has been one of the most
written by corrine Harris
8
S
WE ARE
cooba Steve, whose real name is Steven
and blues. In the winter, he likes dark tone colors
Williams, is a wardrobe artist out of Baltimore,
such as grey, olive, black, and maroon.
Maryland. Williams is currently twenty-two and
is attending Morgan State University where he is
also has his own business called “Opulent Styles.”
majoring in Family and Consumer Science with a
Williams said what people like about his artwork
concentration in Fashion Merchandising. Williams
the most is that he is humble. “I can relate to my
planned to become a doctor when he grew up
clients and still get my job done,” he expressed.
until he got to high school and discovered his
He takes criticism very well because he can learn
love for fashion. His favorite wardrobe artists
from what he needs to fix to make his business
are Kolin Carter, J. Bolin, and Zadrian Smith.
better.
Williams expressed that he likes how you can
take something simple and turn it into something
stylist can be hard at times. “If there is a
beautiful.
wardrobe malfunction and you have to fix and
Seeing others prosper and flourish
Along with attending school, Williams
Williams said that being a wardrobe
sew the garment back together, that can take
in their crafts motivates Williams to push even
time,” he explained. His other challenges are
harder at his craft. “Growing up in Baltimore,”
trying to “stand out.” The art world can get pretty
Williams said, “I’ve seen people simply give up
competitive with things such as photography,
on themselves, whether they lose themselves
wardrobe styling, make up, and videography.
to the streets, drugs, or to peer pressure. Ever
His advice is to not beat themselves up and that
since I was a young boy, I told myself I would
it takes time to work a craft. “The process of
always put my city first and help others along
becoming a wardrobe artist was not hard, but I
the way. There’s creative people from Baltimore
was nervous at first. I kept doubting himself and I
and it is time for our talents to be displayed.”
thought that I wasn’t going to be successful,” he
Williams believes that the best thing about being
said, “But, I eventually turned it around and that’s
a wardrobe artist is watching people’s confidence
when I started Opulent Styles.” No matter the
grow in front of them. He always encourages his
struggles Williams has been through or might face
clients to try different things. Williams likes to
later on, he is determined to not give up.
use colors based on the season. He likes to use
bright, neon colors, especially yellows, oranges,
written by ALI PHAM
9
E E m o d e l , m a r c e l l a m y l e s p h o t o g r a p h e d by s t e v e n w i l l i a m s
10
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m o d e l , j e n n y e n v y p h o t o g r a p h e d by R E B E C C A P O W E L L
R
ebecca Powell is a photographer from
Holmes is an inspiration to Powell and she tries
Tacoma, Washington but did not get into
to test out different lighting techniques just like
photography until she moved to Virginia after
how Holmes is at lighting. Powell explained that
she moved to Charleston, South Carolina in
being a photographer can be hard just like any
2016. Her fiancé, at the time, was in the Navy
other job can be. The lighting of a photograph
and once he graduated, they moved to Virginia
might not be ideal or if someone has no interest
where they eventually got married. Powell is
in being in a photo it can take up a good
twenty-five years-old and she decided one
amount of time. When she tries to take a photo
day to buy a camera which piqued her journey
of an animal she has to wait for it to look her
into photography. Powell said the beach is her
way to capture a great photo. Powell likes the
favorite spot for portraits.
challenges of photography because it makes it
interesting and fun.
Even though she’s only started her
career in photography about a year and a half
ago, Powell said “I’ve always had an interest in
been able to meet some really great people that
photography, when I was a kid my mom used
lead her into new opportunities. She even got to
to let me play with her polaroid cameras and I
go behind the scenes at some really interesting
thought those things were like magic. To this
places where she was able to pet a rhino and
day, instant film is one of my favorite mediums
capture great photos. This is one of the reasons
because I love being able to hold a physical
why Powell thinks there is nothing bad about
photograph in my hands that you took only a
being a photographer other than being at a
few minutes prior. No waiting, no editing, none
place without your camera. She takes photos of
of that! It’s timeless and simple and raw.”
all sorts of things but started off taking pictures
of animals at the zoo.
One of the world’s most successful
Being a photographer, Powell has
and prolific travel photographers Robert
12
go for
Powell will always believe that the
of glass. She usually works alone but always
photography industry will be here and that people
encourages a friend or family member to come
love to look at a frozen memory in their lives and
with her if it makes the comfortable in front of a
look at it over and over again. Her use of warm
camera. Powell loves to take pictures of animals
colors in her portraiture is eye grabbing, and the
the most because they are unpredictable and you
animalistic nature of her work and the environment
do not know what picture you are going to get.
around it is perfect for her style. Powell is still
figuring out what will make her artwork standout
keep up with her passion for photography and
form others, but she says people will know her
schedule. She said, “If you are thinking about
artwork when they see the warm colors. She also
pursuing your passion or dream career, my advice
has started to experiment with black and white
would be to just go for it.” Powell’s passion
photography.
for photography and traveling will take her far
as a photographer. Powell might have better
Powell says there will always be people
Powell’s husband encourages her to
who like your work and those who do not, but
equipment in the future and it can turn her artwork
do not let people stop you from pursuing your
into a masterpiece. It can sometimes be difficult
passion. Besides photography, Powell also
to follow your dreams, but Powell’s passion to
loves to travel, read, and hike. She tries to live
create great photos will never stop. From animals
the moments of places she’s traveled with her
to models, who knows what the young traveling
own eyes instead of being too focused on taking
photographer has in store next.
pictures of it all and seeing it through a piece
written by ali pham
13
m o d e l , j e n n y e n v y p h o t o g r a p h e d by R E B E C C A P O W E L L
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C
hris Smart’s passion is photography. Born
Smart surrounds himself with nothing but
and raised in Richmond, Virginia, he takes
creatives. 95% of the individuals he’s around are
his camera everywhere he goes. Photography
in fact designers, painters, singers, musicians
has been a huge part of his life since he was a
and, of course, photographers. One place he
toddler. Smart stated that his grandmother always
would love to travel and even live in is Japan.
had a camera in her hand so he was always
Being obsessed with the Japanese culture, it
around it. His whole family really influenced his
made an impact on his craft. One thing Chris
creative abilities. His mother sings and has one
Smart can say about his craft that he would
uncle that is an artist/musician. What inspires
change is his lack of sleep. Working so hard,
him the most are artists like Jacob Bannon, Dali,
he tends to miss out on getting rest. His editing
H.T Giger, David Choe, Nick Knight, Virgil Abloh,
can be tedious and can take a long while but his
Todd McFarlane, and Mamoru Oshii.
finished products never disappoint.
Not particularly being a “in the studio”
Smart describes his style as futuristic surrealism
type of guy, he prefers to be out and about in a
and is influenced by so much that it can be hard
different environment. Smart stated that he, “is
to pinpoint. Smart’s niche in photography is the
trying to capture free movement”. He’s big on
portrait/fashion and commercial photography.
the “anything can happen feeling” which allows
his mind to wander more and find better visuals
is being able to communicate his idea that he’s
because of it.
exploring. Utilizing the sun more than artificial
lighting, he likes to convey realness into his shots.
Smart states that he cannot live without
How Smart envisions a successful shoot
art itself or the freedom to create it. In his craft,
One person he would like to shoot is the famous
Smart sees himself creating but on a larger scale
singer Rihanna because he loves her style and
in five years. He’s aiming to have his work in a
thinks that she would be fun to create with.
huge gallery or, even own his own gallery bringing
forth his creative director side and directing films,
Sony A7ii with a 85mm 1.4 lens. One of his best
as well. This year, Smart has moved forward
memories was shooting Styles P for his music
to start filming his debut film in Richmond,
video! One word to describe Chris Smart is
Virginia. Along his journey in photography, Smart
passionate. Two things to remember Smart by are
discovered that he disliked doing wedding
that he is passionate about the people he knows
photography. Smart said, “the money was good,
and befriends and that he is passionate, almost to
but the passion wasn’t there,” and it almost
a fault, about his art. “I will always stay loyal and
made him stop shooting altogether. With that,
honest to my craft and wherever it may take me,”
he pushed his focus on shooting fashion and
he said.
The main camera he creates with is a
portraits.
written by Shae Harris
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C H R I S p h o t o g r a p h e d by Wa n y e h H i l l
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N G 17
Q U I N T O N p h o t o g r a p h e d by J A D E B R O W N
EVE GIVE F
or some people, dancing is simply just a
However, he is planning on relocating to Los
hobby; but for Quinton Meadows, dancing
Angeles, California to further pursue his career
is a lifestyle. Quinton, who now prefers to go
and at that point he would be more of a student
by Quinton Lover, is a 21 year-old native of
than a teacher. With the move, he is concerned
Richmond, Virginia. Lover, which is actually his
about finding his niche and a place to fit in with
middle name, used to always give him so many
dance. He believes the mindset is completely
negative reviews growing up. However, now he
different there.
appreciates the uniqueness and history behind
it and is using it to his advantage as his stage
weight on his name in LA and to be traveling
name.
internationally. In five years, he also feels like that
Lover first started dancing 10 years ago
In five years, Lover plans to have more
will be his expiration with living in LA. He does not
when he was only 11 years old by accident. He
plan on living there forever. He wants to then just
attended a ball at his church and the members of
travel internationally and take a dance company
the dance ministry admired his skills so much they
with him; which he is still debating on doing at
recruited him to join them. At first, he struggled
the moment. Other than dancing, Lover also sings
and had to face many hard steps and stones but
a little, does photography, writes poetry, and
eventually was able to turn it into a positive. Now
has started to act a little as well. When he isn’t
his favorite genres of dance include modern,
dancing or doing anything art related, he likes to
ballet, hip-hop and praise being number one
spend his time watching movies and trying new
since that is where he originated. He has also
foods and cuisines.
dabbled a little in contemporary and lyrical as
well though. Naturally being quick on his feet, he
and turn it into a career, Lover advises them
would love to one day be able to master the art of
to never stop trying and to never give up.
tap because it has so many layers and sub notes.
They are going to experience a lot of negative
commentary and a lot of people saying that dance
Lover sometimes finds different dancers
To anyone who wants to start dancing
on the internet and social media that he looks up
is never going to be enough to survive off. In the
to from time to time, but his friends are his biggest
beginning, he says that will be true, but it’ll just
inspiration. They keep him going. From when
be about being persistent and sticking with it
he first started dancing and wasn’t as talented
and it will eventually pay off. He took a class with
and trained as he is now, his friends kept him
one of Beyoncé’s dancers once and hearing her
motivated to get going and pushing through.
say that “dance is now enough” is what made
He’s met a lot of those friends through his dance
him to continue pursuing dance. He also says
travels, which is what he loves the most about
that finding a great support group is also very
dancing. Lover has experienced a lot of different
beneficial. There were a lot of times when he
communities through dance; Virginia, North
wanted to just give up and call it quits, but his
Carolina, Florida, and California; and they are all
friends motivated him to keep going.
very different. Ultimately, he very much wants to
be an international traveling dancer.
quote that Lover created for himself to always live
by. He is a fond believer that there has been a
Being an introverted extrovert, Lover
“Create your own constellation” is a
regrets not stepping out of his shell and comfort
pathway that has been paved for everyone, but
zone more in order to explore more into the
there are certain routes that you can take to that
dance world. He believes everything happens
path. He believes that a person should create
for a reason but does wish he would have
their own constellation and following their own
started dancing earlier in life than at the age
stars. No one can tell you what life to live. You
of 11. Currently, Lover is using dance to teach.
create your own path to follow.
written by JASMINE STYLES 18
mee the 19
et e
meet the creators
founder calah jones writer corrine harris writer ali pham writer shae harris writer jasmine styles photographer
jade brown
photographer
wanyeh hill
20
ILLESTHETIC Visual Arts Magazine was published by ArtByLuna Collections.
www.illestheticmag.com