3 LETTER FROM THE EDITOR 5 JOIE GADSDEN 7 ZORINA AMEN 11 ISAIAH CARTER 13 AVIANCE HAWKES 17 PARRISH MAJESTIC 19 SARAN TOURE 23 TIFFANY PHILLIPS
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TWO YEAR ANNIVERSARY EDITION
Table of
contents 2
LETTER FROM THE EDITOR
T
his is the ninth issue of ILLESTHETIC Magazine (pronounced ill-aesthetic), an ArtByLuna
Collection publication, founded by page editor and art director, Calah Jones. The first issue of this magazine was published in April of 2017, making this issue the two year anniversary edition. 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.
The vision for ILLESTHETIC Magazine is to give these
artists the voice and audience they may not have. Visual arts are often overlooked. Knowing this, ILLESTHETIC Magazine's goal is to help change this perspective and give visual artists the audience they may not have had before. This magazine is quarterly, meaning there are four issues each year. Each magazine can be purchased as a hard copy through our website at www.illestheticmag.com.
— Calah Jones
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Meet the
creators
calah
wanyeh
summer
shae
jade
lizz
ali
corrine
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photography BY photosbyDAVIDM.COM
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JOIE GADSDEN written by Shae Harris
I
n a world of feminine beauty,
that being around African American
there’s so much behind makeup.
artists and creatives keeps her “going
Joie Gadsden of North West D.C., is
and thriving.” Gadsden’s proudest
a freelance MUA who fell in love with
achievement as a creator was being
makeup since the 7th grade. Since the
selected to be apart of the Anastasia
age of 12, Gadsden says she’s been
Beverly Hills PR list which was a “dream
“obsessed ever since.” Starting off as
come true.”
just a hobby Gadsden later realized
how skilled she was at her passion.
most frustrating things about being a
Now, at 20 years old, she continues to
makeup artist is the creative block. “Not
perfect her craft in makeup. Starting off,
being able to create when needed or
her mother gave her famous makeup
when you’re wanted can make you feel
artist Sam Fine’s ‘Fine Beauty’ makeup
stagnant,” she explained. Receiving
guide and a Tyra Banks book on how
outside help from her parents and
to perfect being a makeup artist. Those
the brands such as Ayele&Co, Nola
books still inspire Gadsden to this day.
Skinsentials, Aeva Beauty and more, is
one of her best feelings. Gadsden wants
Other hobbies, which
Gadsden explains that the
incorporated her talents, were
to travel and work side by side with
cheerleading and dance. She also
some of the top brands of makeup while
enjoys coloring and drawing during
also owning her own studio to share her
her spare time. Gadsden, being a
talents. Gadsden has no regrets on her
makeup artist, sees her talent not
journey and is “very grateful for every
just as a hobby but as a career path.
life lesson” that has come her way. The
Her biggest inspiration came from
best advice that Gadsden gives is to,
makeup artist and creator Danessa
“test yourself and not to be afraid to put
Myricks, her Sam Fine collection,
yourself out there and try new things.
British makeup artist Pat McGrath and
Always follow your gut!”
Gadsden’s mother. She mentioned
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ZORINA AMEN
written by CORRINE Harris
Z
7
orina Amen is a 23-year-old
passion in her paint and transforming it
artist from Virginia Beach,
into beautiful artwork. One of her main
Virginia who is as talented but also as
beliefs is that art should come from the
humble as they come. Throughout her
soul, not the ego. From a young age,
journey as an artist, Amen has found
being an artist was written in the cards
inspiration for her work from her father,
for Amen. Teachers, classmates, and
art teachers, and love. Her journey as
family have been the artist’s biggest
an artist began as a child although she
supporters throughout her journey. Her
doesn’t necessarily look at that time as
father was her first art instructor, but the
the start of her art career. Amen states
artist has also taken several art classes.
that “creating is natural to all of us.
Amen even attended a Visual and
Everyone was an artist as a kid”. Despite
Performing Arts Academy in her teenage
the societal pressure to suppress
years and is now studying Graphic
individual creativity, Amen made art a
Design at Tidewater Community College.
part of her identity.
to lessons from the mentors she looks up
Art is something that lives within
Amen has paid close attention
her as she “lives, breathes, and sleeps”
to. However, the artist admits that she is
it and strives to create 24/7. Although
still learning and growing. She embodies
she dabbles in various art mediums,
the phrase “trusting the process” and
oil painting is her ultimate go to. The
uses it to her advantage.
artist prides herself on mixing love and
photography BY JADE BROWN 8
photography BY JADE BROWN 9
To her, she has had the perfect
MoMA. However, since her childhood
journey as an artist because it has
that dream has drastically changed.
been one that led her to where she is
As she’s searched for her true identity,
today. Therefore, she wouldn’t change
Amen has discovered that having her
anything she’s encountered in the
life centered around a career isn’t as
past nor does she think too far into the
intriguing of a picture as society has
future.
painted it to be. The artist has whole
The artist is in the right place
heartedly embraced where she is as
at the right time and wouldn’t rather be
an artist and makes it a priority to
anywhere else. That doesn’t necessarily
experiment with her creativity.
mean that her journey has been perfect.
Amen admits to hitting a few bumps
dedicated to her art but she’s also
along the way. One of her biggest
dedicated to self-growth. As an artist,
concerns as an artist is the difficulty
she has one goal: to embrace her
of turning her passion into a career.
journey of self-discovery. Her lack
She constantly battles with the societal
of desire to control her journey is a
stigma that having an art career is
characteristic that is admirable to say
impossible unless you’re lucky.
the least. When she lacks motivation or
inspiration, she meditates and self-
Many people may look at
It’s apparent that Amen is
Amen’s artwork and have a plethora
heals until she’s in a creative space
of interpretations. In Amen’s opinion,
again. She has found pure joy in the
that’s what makes art beautiful. She
liberation from society’s standards and
even advises beginning artist to create
expectations. Although she doesn’t
for themselves and not worry about
know exactly where she is headed,
what others think. As a child, she had
she has her passion and love for art to
dreams of moving to New York and
accompany her along the way!
seeing her artwork displayed at the
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photography BY WANYEH HILL 11
ISAIAH CARTER written by CALAH JONES
I
saiah Carter was born in Yonkers,
models, but it’s been a long time since
New York where he drew his
I’ve done a model promotion. I don’t
inspiration to start photography and film.
really do that anymore, my clientele is
Now, primarily focusing on videography
usually music artists,” he said.
and dabbing a little into 3D animation,
Carter resides in Chesterfield, Virginia
to New York but also loves Virginia
with his daughter Milani. Carter has
because of the cheaper cost of living.
filmed commercials for local clothing
“Everything in New York is so fast and
brands and barbershops. He said
hectic, but I love the city so much and
he has always enjoyed visuals and
being in that type of environment,” he
decided one day to get his own camera
explained. Richmond, Virginia, which
and create some visuals of his own.
is closest to Carter, is the closest
“Watching music videos on MTV Jams
he can get to city life. “Doing videos
definitely inspired me in my childhood,”
is something I do want to do,” he
he mentioned. Carter watched how
expressed, “I want to branch out into
people reacted to these videos and how
doing movies, and my end goal is doing
they felt about them. It was fascinating
micro videos, cinematic long projects.”
to him seeing what people pictured
when they listened to a song.
entrepreneurs is to keep their path
clear. “You want to be financially stable?
Majority of Carter’s clients are
Carter aspires to move back
His advice to other
from Instagram. “Every video I make
Focus on that. There are going to be
is different, and so is the process. It
a lot of people who don’t understand
depends on how complex it is, how
what you’re trying to do because it’s not
specific the client wants the video, and
the average job. I haven’t worked for a
if I have to travel,” he said. Carter has
corporate job in almost a year,” Carter
traveled to New York, California, Florida,
said. “My mom is like ‘you have to get a
North Carolina, New Jersey, Washington
job at some point’ but I’m doing alright.”
D.C., and of course, Virginia where he
Carter believes that you creating your
lives now. It wasn’t until a year ago that
own job feels better when it’s something
Carter turned from photography over to
that you want to do and something you
motion picture. “I used to take photos of
started.
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AVIANCE HAWKES written by CALAH JONES
A
playlists on SoundCloud, which is kind
Hampton, Virginia and currently
of how she got her fame. Along with
lives in Richmond, Virginia. The young
her love for music, her creative style
artist also goes by ‘BoyGirl’ because
is what makes her stand out. Hawkes
of her tomboyish style and her girly
still DJ’s now at house shows and
demeanor. Hawkes expresses herself
events. Hawkes currently studies at
in several creative outlets, one being
Virginia Commonwealth University in
modeling. “I’m an all-around individual,”
Mass Communications as a Broadcast
she said. Being a jack of all trades
Journalism major. Hawkes works for
keeps Hawkes well-rounded in the art
Ink Magazine in Richmond, VA. She
community. “I DJ, I produce music,
wants to be a writer for a magazine, an
I design, I do art, I like to style and
editor, or even own her own magazine
model, and I also do graffiti. I was
someday. “We just have so many
always into art. I would draw a lot and
opportunities especially in the city, so
make collages. I saw it as just a kid in
that’s where I want to be,” she said.
my room doing arts and crafts. Then
Hawkes aspires to live in New York City
I realized by like tenth or ninth grade
one day to excel in her career. “My
year in high school that I had a love for
dream, though, is to travel the world and
music,” she explained.
find new ways to influence my culture.”
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viance Hawkes was born in
Hawkes mixes and makes
photography BY WANYEH HILL
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photography BY WANYEH HILL 15
Hawkes is inspired by
she makes. Some of her symbols that
graffiti artist Sean Wotherspoon for
you may see reoccurring in her work
his whimsical and pop style used in
are eyeballs, bright neon colors, and
his art. “I’m also really inspired by
references from the 90s. Hawkes pieces
Editorial Magazine and UNIF, as well,”
together her own outfits from thrift
she explained. UNIF is a lifestyle
stores, as well. She has designed bags,
clothing brand is a family owned and
hats, patches, pins, and even shirts.
operated clothing company located in
“People just love my style and I find that
Los Angeles. They are known for their
really inspiring. It just makes me want to
grunge esthetics and techno influences,
keep being myself so I can motivate and
similar to that of Hawkes’s style.
inspire more people to be themselves
“School is my biggest
and to be original.”
milestone right now. It takes a lot of
time from my schedule. I have to make
Hawkes doesn’t waste any time on just
Although her schedule is busy,
time for me to actually create,” she
one thing. She is motivated to exceed in
expressed. Aside from music, styling,
her different crafts. “Everything comes
and working at Ink Magazine, Hawkes
with work,” she said, “it’s honestly all
enjoys making collages. She takes
about dedication. You have to be ready
images and clips from other magazines
to be tired. You just have to realize that
and pieces them together to make
in order for you to do what you want,
her own art. She sometimes uses this
you have to do the necessary now.”
art for the covers of her playlists that
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photography BY JADE BROWN 17
PARRISH MAJESTIC written by ALI PHAM
P
arrish Majestic, whose full name
Restaurant on Granby street in Norfolk,
is Parrish Majestic Gwaltney, is
VA, Kicks Sneaker Laundry and Shoe
from Queens, New York and currently
Repair in Virginia Beach, VA, and Blush
resides in Chesapeake, VA where he
Beauty Bar which is now closed and
has his own studio. He started doing
was in Virginia Beach, VA. Majestic is
murals in 2018. When asked about why
planning to do a big mural in Virginia
he became a muralist, Majestic said,
Beach this May of 2019. He said that
“It kind of just happened organically.
he’s “just waiting on the green light.”
I always knew I wanted to paint large
Doing murals are very easy to him but
scale, just didn’t know when it was
the hardest thing about being a muralist
going to happen. After I did my first wall
is dealing with specific tasks which
for a local salon I got so many referrals I
could turn out to range from 3 days to a
had no choice.”
month long.
His family motivates him to
A lot of people enjoy Majestic’s
provide the world with his artwork while
murals. When they walk in to the
his peers give him creativity and allow
restaurant or sneaker repair shop and
him to express himself. Majestic does
see it, they get to see his signature
not think you need to be in school to
on the walls. Although he’s only been
do great artwork. He usually does not
doing murals for a year, the young artist
take that long to do his murals. He
has memorable attractions from the
can do 30ft by 30ft walls in 4-5 hours
audience with his artwork, so far. Some
and he likes to use primary colors in
advice that Majestic said that he wants
his artwork. Murals are not cheap but
younger generations to know is that
people usually have money to buy it
“practice makes things perfect and to
if they need a wall, restroom, dining
always create your own style.” So, what
room, etc., painted for their company.
makes murals different from other visual
Majestic usually works on his artwork
arts? Majestic said, "It’s pretty cut and
alone despite the mural industry being
dry to me because experience really
so large. “The marketing aspect attracts
shows after a mural is done. You can
a ton of people,” Majestic said.
see a clear difference between a rookie
and a pro with other mediums.” With
The muralist has murals in
many locations around the 757 such
a bunch of other muralists out there,
as the Sewells Point Elementary School
Majestic is ready to compete to show
in Norfolk, VA, Culture Lounge &
how his artwork is no joke.
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SARAN TOURE
written by CORRINE Harris
F
19
or as long as she could
to break rules because art doesn’t
remember, Saran Toure
have them. This concept shaped
has always been a creative as she
her learning process as an artist.
excelled in art classes from a young
The artist contributes a portion of
age. Now, at the age of 24, Toure is
her knowledge to her high school
a painter located in Woodbridge, VA.
art class but she’s mostly self-
Surprisingly, there were times that
taught. Although being self-taught
art wasn’t the main priority in her life.
hasn’t set her back, Toure feels that
The artist put art on the back burner
having a formal education from a
as she studied Health Science at
university would’ve given her more
VCU. However, her desire to create
of an advantage. However, despite
always seeped through the cracks
a lack of formal training, she finds
causing her to sketch in her free
her journey to be one that has been
time. It wasn’t until the age of 21
beautiful as she continuously creates
that her passion to create made its
to grow as an artist. Hard work and
everlasting appearance.
progression are seen all over each
new piece of work. Initially the artist
Although there are many
life factors that sometimes get in
kept her journey to herself, but she
the way, the artist overcomes these
now reaches out to other artist for
obstacles by using art as an outlet.
advice and guidance.
In her opinion, Toure doesn’t have
photography BY WANYEH HILL 20
photography BY WANYEH HILL 21
Her vibrant and fun art work
the artist creates space for the lack of
are inspired by music and other artists.
inspiration. She believes that creativity
Toure states that she can’t picture a
isn’t a constant flow and by allowing
life without music and that “it’s really
herself to take breaks, inspiration comes
been such a blessing for me and sparks
back to her. In addition, she also enjoys
creativity in me”. Lyrics and musical
listening to podcasts and watching
artists provide inspiration that allow
YouTube videos. “Hearing positivity and
her to create her unique artwork. The
advice from successful individuals helps
artist is also greatly motivated by artists’
lift me up”.
vulnerability. Two of her favorites are
Frida Kahlo and Jean-Michel Basquiat
researches other artists and catches
because their artwork commands
up on art related news. Like many
attention. Although she looks up to
people, the demands of being an adult
other artists, her artwork is an attention
at times prevent her from creating when
catcher itself. Some of her pieces are
she wants. Despite the odds, she still
hung up in various homes. “My artwork
creates when she is able. Currently,
has traveled places I have yet to go”
she is working on a website where
which the artist states is one of her
she will post and sell her artwork. Her
proudest accomplishments.
advice to other artists is to “keep that
dedication and drive to get better and
Toure compares her artwork
When she’s not creating, Toure
as an intense hobby or a “hobby on it’s
you will thrive”. Advice that she herself
10th cup of coffee”. Art is something
follows. It’s evident that her passion for
she holds dear and near to her heart.
art will be the driving force that turns her
However, like most, there are times when
intense hobby into a career one day.
she lacks motivation. During these times,
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photography BY summer williams
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TIFFANY PHILLIPS written by Shae Harris
T
iffany Phillips was born and
volunteering with her sorority sisters in
raised in Fairfax, Virginia. She
Gamma Phi Delta.
was introduced to her talents of dance
and choreography by her mother at just 3
frustration and times of triumph and the
years old. Beginning in tap, ballet and even
proudest moment for Phillips is after every
gymnastics, Phillips stated how she “loved it
recital and performance. “All of the hard
and never stopped." Phillips is now 30 and
work and weeks of practices and stress,
involves herself heavily into the performing
the sense of pride from the performers,”
arts. She stated how she “always wanted
Phillips expressed, “it’s rewarding to have a
to become a dance instructor and to be in
part in creating that.” As far as frustration,
more performances.” Phillips mentions two
Phillips mentions that it can sometimes be
mentors/individuals that have helped pave
challenging to work and collaborate with
the passion for dance that she has today.
other creative directors. However, as a
The most notable, Anne Boyle with the
creative, Phillips believes that you have to
Dance Etc., and the late Fabian Barnes of
be flexible!
Dance Institute of Washington.
amount of support from her family and
Phillips also has inspirations as
Every creative has times of
Phillips receives an abundant
to why she loves dance. Phillips calls it the
friends who mention opportunities and
“trifecta plus one” which includes Debbie
support her performances. Having being
Allen, Arthur Mitchell and Alvin Ailey and,
an instructor for over a decade, Phillips
of course, her mother. Phillips incorporates
continues to see herself on stage or in a
her style of dance from, “all three of those
dance studio. Her advice to other creatives
creative directors who have used the
is to“focus on your vision, be open to all
universal language of art to break barriers
styles of dance, and give back and share
in their time, first by associating an African
your art with the community.” Her main
American face and body with classical
goal is to have a “successful company
dance. Also, using their tools to spread a
with all ages and working towards a youth
message during times of segregation and
company.” In the future, Phillips plans to
racism”. Phillips sees dance as a career
expand the dance fitness side to seniors,
and occupational opportunity to “grow
as well. “There is power in motion and
spiritually and professionally.” Phillips is
everyone should be included in that vision,”
drawn to anything that involves performing
she said. Living with no regrets, Phillips
arts, theatre plays, the opera, dance
continues to grow and find a method to
performances and even art galleries. She
what she calls “the madness.”
also enjoys reading romance novels and
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ILLESTHETIC Visual Arts Magazine was published by ArtByLuna Collections.
www.illestheticmag.com