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NEW DESIGN NEW STYLE CHECK OUT A NEW DESIGN WITH MORE VISUALS AND MORE PERSONAL INTERVIEWS
JULY 2017
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MEET UNIQUE VISUAL ARTISTS LEARN MORE ABOUT ARTISTS JAMEL LEWIS, LYNCIA BERRY, STEPH REID, SHAMON JONES AND ANIKA WILLIAMS
vol 2
cover photo by visual artist Jamel Lewis
ABOUT THE ZINE ILLESTHETIC Magazine (pronounced ill-aesthetic) is an ArtByLuna Collections publication founded by Calah Jones intended to give young writers and journalists an opportunity to write for their own magazine. The Zine features visual artists in the D.C., Maryland, and Virginia areas. 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 had before. Art is often overlooked, but ILLESTHETIC Magazine wants to help change this perspective. This magazine is quarterly meaning there are four issues per year. Each magazine can be purchased as a hard copy by emailing us through our website at www.illestheticmag.com. Here is our team.
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meet the team...
Calah Jones, 20 Art Director, Staff Writer
Larenz Johnson, 21 Editor-in-Chief, Staff Writer
Patrick Fletcher, 22 Photographer
Shae Harris, 22 Staff Writer
Kenya Williams, 21 Staff Writer
Julius Kaul, 19 Photographer, Staff Writer
Kenae Marilyn, 20 Staff Writer 2
Nathan Croslin, 19 Assistant Art Director
Lyncia Berry painter, model, photographer by Calah Jones 3
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photo by visual artist Nathan Croslin
M
odel, painter, gamer, and photographer
always tries to experiment with different mediums of art to find
Lyncia Berry does it all. She made her
the motivation to create.
unforgettable mark collaborating with Virginia artist Nathan
“I don’t have a specific style, but that’s something I
Croslin in the “.Skin” series to raise awareness about self-harm
want to find,” Berry said. She wants to be able to be good at
back in March 2017. Berry is from Saint Kitts on the west side
everything and try everything she can before she finds her own
of the Caribbean Islands. At only five years old, she moved to
style in art. “I want to make something of my own,” she said.
the United States. She has always been into art and claims to
Even though she doesn’t post her work as often,
get her artistic abilities from her mother. “If anything, I get
Berry still manages to sell her artwork across the country
it from her,” she explained, “My father builds so he’s always
through her social media pages and to family and friends who
making stuff and my mother paints and creates with me.”
support her. “I just use Facebook and Twitter for self promotion,
Berry has always identified herself as an artist, but it
but I’ve mailed paintings to Florida and North Carolina. I
wasn’t until grade school until she began taking advantage of
even did an art exchange with [Richmond artist] Marvin
her artistic talent. Deviant Art, the largest online art gallery and
Escobar,” she briefed. Her artwork was also displayed at the Old
community, is where Berry first started displaying her artwork.
Dominion University ‘Black Art Matters Part Two’ showcase in
“I used to draw a lot of anime and I would put my work
the fall of 2016.
online,” she explained, “I don’t really have any other social
Berry wants to take her art to the next level and learn
media outlets besides Facebook and Twitter. I used to be too
everything she can. “I just do abstract art for now, I like to paint
afraid to put my art out like that, so I kept it to myself.” Despite
my emotions on a canvas,” she explained. She even hopes to
Berry’s several artistic outlets, finding the motivation to create
one day create a mural somewhere. From three-dimensional
happens to be her greatest obstacle.
art and digital art to acrylic paints and modeling, there isn’t
“The hardest thing probably is feeling confident
anything she can’t do. “I can do anything, honestly, as long
about my art. I always compare myself to other artists,” Berry
as I put my mind to it,” Berry said. Follow Lyncia Berry on her
said. Sometimes comparing her art to other artists helps
Twitter @lynnichu.
motivate Berry to spark up something new. The young artist
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Jamel Lewis photographer by Shae Harris
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V
isual artistry is a very large aspect of art.
Some other DMV visual artists Lewis has collaborated
Photography is a highlight to the spectrum
with include photographers Joseph Ty Hicks, Midnight Geist
of what we deem as art today. Residing in Norfolk, Virginia,
(Nathan Croslin), Antny Rome (Anthony Rome), and NSIGHTZ
also referred to as the “757”, artist Jamel Lewis, a prospering
(Shamon Jones). "I've worked with Chuck Savage, SM-4K, Era
photographer and film major at Old Dominion University, shows
Hardaway, and a bunch of others throughout Virginia," he said.
off his craft around campus. Lewis aspires to build a network and
Despite Lewis's tragic robbery incident which resulted
make connections. In doing so, he travels to different locations to
in his old photography equipment being stolen from his home
capture some of his most unique shots.
early 2017, nothing stopped him from rebuilding and working
Raised in Laurel, Maryland, Lewis bounced around
to get back what he had. Nevertheless, his artistry and his
between there and Faytteville, North Carolina. The young artist
photography skills show through the photos themselves.
grew up watching his grandfather and uncle taking pictures of
Lewis’s pictures mostly capture street photography
family events which spiked his interest in photography. In middle
and portraits. “When you’re out in the street it’s always a new
school, he began recording church services at his church, New
experience,” Lewis said, “you have to be quick because you could
Life Christian Center in Laurel. Lewis claims his inspiration is from
always miss that moment. I like that pressure.” Lewis aspires
life. "Anything I may see, hear or experience I can pull from and
to do concert and lowlight photography one day. His favorite
create something with it."
photographer, NYC based Jamel Shabazz, also does street
Lewis didn't always identify himself as an artist. "I
photography.
halfway don't really identitfy myself as one now," he explained, "I
Something always sparks Lewis's interest. "I act on it
create purely off of current state and how I feel at that moment."
and come up with something beautiful," he explained, "without
Lewis became more serious about his craft between 2014 and
art, life would be super boring... I hate thinking about it."
2015. The aspiring artist also finds keeping ideas fresh and
Being passionate about his craft and his plans to further
original a hassle. "I'm kind of an introvert. I don't really like a lot
his skill into a career, Lewis pushes for his authentic appeal. “I
of the things others do so I tend to keep to myself," he expressed.
like the grit, the grime, the good and the bad. I’m going to show
Lewis sees photography, however, as an outlet. "I don't always
you exactly how it is,” he expressed. Lewis continues to conjure
have the te words I want to say so I can sometimes express them
different aspects of photography and bring them to surface
through photos. Capturing something visually appealing can last
within his own work. Lewis is a visual artist who can capture more
a lifetime," he said.
than just a picture.
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photos by visual artist Jamel Lewis
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Steph Reid illustrator by Julius Kaul 14
S
tephon Reid, known by most of his friends as
when you’re in an environment like that, a lot of things can go
Steph, is a 19-year-old Brooklyn-born illustrator
wrong, you yourself have to see right from wrong. And art was
with a mind just as humbling as his work itself. He is currently
what kept me on the right path.” When he was 13 years old,
attending VCU as a double major in art and religious studies.
Steph and his family moved from Brooklyn to Roanoke, VA,
Within both his life decisions and his artistic ability, Steph
where he graduated from William Flemming High School in
displays the defining theme to the artist that he is; choosing
2015.
passion over assurance. Throughout our conversation, he
By his senior year in high school, Steph had begun
alludes to the personal connection between his faith and
taking art serious as a career possibility, receiving praise from
his work... and how both are significant to his daily life. In
his teachers and fellow classmates. “People knew me as the
addition, Steph recounts his childhood, his high school years,
art kid in high school. I was voted most artistic senior year.”
his freshman year at VCU, and where he sits now as a young
Eventually choosing VCU over several other schools, Steph,
black artist who is Muslim. Steph is true to himself as he is true
like the rest of us, arrived his freshman year not knowing what
to his art; remaining humble both before God and his peers/
exactly lay ahead of him. “I kind of got knocked off my path…
critics.
at times it was frustrating in my art foundations class. I wasn’t From the Brooklyn neighborhood of East New York,
seeing the growth that I wanted to see as an artist. I wasn’t
Steph regularly drew sketches of cars and did graffiti as a child
getting the help and support I thought I would get coming
while growing up in the artistic and cultural powerhouse that
into one of the top art programs in the country.”
is Brooklyn, NY. Steph reminisces on this environment, stating,
Steph notes that in high school, art was never
“Seeing people like Joey Bada$$, whose neighborhood was
something that caused stress or hesitation, it was always
next to mine, to not only make it big, but to continue to carry
free-lance and genuine. Now, Steph was seriously questioning
and support his day ones…that inspires me to do the same.”
his own artistic ability, and considering majoring in business
He continues on to acknowledge the reality of growing up in
over his own passion that he’s honed since childhood. But
the neighborhood, “I realized Brooklyn isn’t an easy place to
the more he settled down and adapted, and began to have
grow up in. Especially comparing it to being here in Richmond
self-motivation, he soon realized he was nowhere near his full
or back in Roanoke, people in Brooklyn are just trying to
potential.
hustle and get theirs, they don’t care about other people…
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drawings by visual artist Steph Reid
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Several outside influences gave Steph a sense of
competitive to one another’s work. Steph adds, “Support goes
balance as an artist as well, such as art professors whom he
a long way. Whether it’s on social media or word-of-mouth,
could relate to so well, and of course other art students/friends
even a simple retweet is appreciated. But us hating on each
that supported him. “A part of me refocus can be credited
other doesn’t help anyone. If I hate one someone else, it looks
to seeing people like my professors who were in the same
bad on me. That artist could have been a possible connection,
position that I was in. Just being uncertain about everything.
you want to build bridges not burn them. We have to support
But they fought to the top. I’m on the right path for me now,
each other. People on the outside don’t know the reality of
that’s where I’m at.”
being an ambitious artist that is just starting out, some people
Almost all the work that Steph has done is physical,
even disrespect the art major as a whole as if it’s easier than
anything not on paper or on an illustration board he has
this or that. We have to support each other.”
scanned onto his personal computer. The tools he has used
Only recently converting, Steph is focused on his
to this point consist of pencil, pen, water colors, oils, and just
self-growth both as a person and an artist, and admits he has a
recently did he begin using markers. Mainly doing portraits
lot of room to do so. Art and Islam are both large parts of who
at first, Steph began using water colors his senior year and
Steph is and who he aspires to be. The aspects of both factors
focused less on realism when he got to VCU. In response to the
allow for him to simplify the various complexities of life. “I
underlying issue of “artist competition”, and how it is an issue,
can take what I know from art to my faith, and implicate it in
Steph says, “In high school I never really had competition. I was
my daily life. Be patient, be attentive to detail, always remain
doing what I wanted. But coming to VCU, I became friends with
humble and appreciative. The way I was drawn towards my
Bryce (Cobbs) and Taylen (Thrower) and they’re both artists.
faith is the same way I was drawn towards art. I am an artist
People like that are my competition, but it’s always positive.
because God gave me the ability to do so.” Steph is building
When I see something they do, it’s just like wow that concept
his brand towards his dream of becoming a professional
is dope. It’s funny because we all talk down on our own work.
illustrator for a career. In the future, he wants to travel the
But there’s zero negativity, they support me and I support
world, learn different cultures and religions, and eventually
them. It’s all love.” It is worth noting that even in one of the
become an art teacher/professor to spread the influence of art
top art programs in the state of Virginia, and one of the top
and to support young artists who aspire to express themselves
programs in the country, students are as supportive as they are
for a career.
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Anika Williams fashion designer by Larenz Johnson
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T
he fashion world has seen an influx in up and
“My brand is more than just hats but a message that I try to
coming brands with merchandise ranging from
continue to follow myself of making your vision become a reality.
simply hats to high quality jackets. With some of these brands
My work is to inspire others to do what they want to do whether it
there is a very specific message the creators want to get across,
be adults or young children once like myself,” Williams said.
such as the brand NOISIA. Created by Old Dominion University Senior Anika
Williams takes this a step further by using her brand to reach out to the community around her, saying, “(With my brand)
Williams, NOISIA is a line of hats with a simplistic design but a
I work with the community to spread this idea and give back in
heavy message of positivity and perseverance and as Williams
many creative efforts.” In the past Williams and NOISIA had a
says, seeks to, “Aid others in not only inspiration, but action.”
VISION WEEK, which Williams describes as, “a week of events
The name, stylized as NOISIV, is vision backwards. When asked
where we celebrated not only the brand and its growth but also
about the name, Williams stated, “VISION is one of my favorite
the ideals of inspiration, visualization and creation.”
words and is very representative of my brand and its reasoning. I
Included in the celebration was shedding light on
believe that it is important that we follow the visions that come to
local artists in various fields as well as collecting funds in order
us instead of using the restrictive word ‘can’t’.”The current design
to promote positivity and creativity in children and an open mic
stems from a sketch Williams made while on vacation, and after
night. Williams is a very busy woman, being Vice President
receiving approval from a few friends she stuck with it. Williams
of the Old Dominion University organization Success Without
is the driving force behind her brand, despite a friend offering
Limitations as well as being a Residential Assistant, but that
assistance occasionally.
doesn’t get in the way of her individual endeavors.
Although currently the brand is focused on hats,
“Being a woman of many interests, I tend to want to
Williams has plans of moving forward into other field, but she is
do a lot of things. It can be hectic, very hectic, but I would feel as
in no rush. “Eventually (other merchandise) will be something
if I weren’t doing enough if I toned it down. I am an ambitious
I would like to do but I want to focus on one thing at a time. If
woman and I love a challenge,” Williams said. She shows a
I put my energy in more than one thing there’s a possibility of
tremendous amount of support for the rising scene of the 757
limiting the potential for all things and compromising the value,”
area and puts importance on the support of local artists and
Williams said.
wishes the same from them, saying, “I love being a part of the
With fashion being such a competitive field, Williams feels that her passion is what separates her from other brands.
growing scene here in the 757. Show me love and you’ll see it back.”
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Shamon Jones photographer by Kenae Marilyn
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photo by visual artist Shamon Jones
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T
wenty-five year old Shamon Jones has
and relaxed time.” He does his best to make his clients feel
photographed many people around Norfolk,
comfortable and tries to interpret his vision for their shoot
Virginia, more specifically aspiring models and musicians.
while building a relationship at the same time. “The more
Originally from Yonkers, New York, he has made his
comfortable the client or subject the better the results of
presence known by his work in fashion photography. Going
the shoot will be,” he clarified. Jones sees himself as an up
by the name “NSIGHTZ”, Jones quickly made a way for
and coming visual artist in Virginia. “I feel like my way of
himself as a local freelance photographer. The aspiring
shooting, even if it’s fashion, street photography, or even
photographer got the name “NSIGHTZ” because he wanted
music, is to tell a story or make (people) actually feel like
to show the insight of the subject in his photography. His
they are thee experiencing it for them selves,” he said.
pricing is reasonable upon early requests and guarantees
When asked if he’d ever consider a profession in
quality work to build anyone’s portfolio.
paparazzi, Jones exclaimed, “I’ve honestly never liked the
Jones has been shooting for around three years.
idea of paparazzi. They really don’t respect the space and
He got into photography through his previous experience
time of people because they’re always in somebody’s face.
with graphic design. “One day I went to a (fashion) photo
I’ve been fortunate to have worked with the people I’ve
shoot with my friends and they allowed me to take pictures.
worked with simply because I respected their space.”
After that I just started researching all photography there
Although Jones is residing in Norfolk, he wants to
was and fell in love with it,” Jones explained.
move from Virginia to really start his career in photography.
Inspired by what he learned from starting
“Not to deter anyone… but to actually be successful in a
photography, Jones then began getting into film. “I use
field like this, you’re going to have to move around and
a Canon 5D Mark 3,” he said, “but I recently started using
build your network in many places, not just one,” Jones
a Canon AE-1 program for film.” Jones’s inspiration led
expressed, “Network is everything.”
him to explore other photographers. Photographer Glen
In five years, Jones sees himself having
McClure and fashion photographer Marcus Hyde are two
exhibitions of his work and giving back to the community.
photographers Jones admires the most. “(I also admire)
Jones’ advice to beginner photographers is to “learn
Cam Kirk for how he handles business, just to name a few,”
everything and never stop learning.” He believes in
he said.
networking as much as you can and never losing love for Jones describes his photo shoots as “a very chill
what you aspire to do.
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photo by visual artist Shamon Jones
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ILLESTHETIC Visual Arts Magazine was published by ArtByLuna Collections.
www.illestheticmag.com