ISSUE 3 | VOL 1 | APRIL 2018
A MAGAZINE FOR CREATIVE PEOPLE
JAAMZIN CREATIVE PAINTING
PHOTOGRAPHY Photographers and cinematographers
Visual artists, painters
MUSIC
GRAPHIC ART Graphic artists, illustrators, cartoonists
Musicians, singers and songwriters
INTERVIEWS Interviews with artists and creative peoples
TABLE OF CONTENTS 2 Photography Photographers,, cinematographers
9 Painting and graphic arts Painters, visual artists, illustrators, cartoonists
20 Music Musicians, singers, songwriters
23 Handicraft Metal work, jewelry
24 Interviews Interviews with artists and creative people
Impressum JaamZIN Creative  UXScoops Pte. Ltd. Singapore Registration No.: 201601782G
PHOTOGRAPHER
SAM MORGAN Architects and Designers spend hours and hours to design buildings in our cities and most people don't even notice them. Instead of looking down, I try to see buildings from different perspectives to showcase them and appreciate what someone spent time in making for us.
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PHOTOGRAPHY
In high school I had my first photography class. We shot on film using SLRs and I credit that learning experience to where I am creatively today. My favorite thing to shoot will always be nature and landscapes. I get a sense of stability in shooting something so vast, a feeling of being right where I am supposed to be. I notice my style evolving over the years, where I would only shoot nature and landscapes now I find myself drawn more to portraits and creating fine art images.
Photographer James Miike Photography for me, has always been this ever evolving, creative outlet. Something will catch my eye and theres this visceral indescribable feeling that I need to grab my camera and capture it. I remember being drawn to photography at a young age. When I was growing up I had a cheap point and shoot camera that I took everywhere. I was the kid who was always taking pictures, wherever I was. I've recently finished my studies in photography and am focusing on building my photography business James Miike Photography.
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PHOTOGRAPHER
TORSTEN KĂ–STER
My pictures are based on the classic street photography: scenes and excerpts of people in the urban space. Man does not necessarily have to be the main theme, but must also be able to fit into the overall context as a design component This picture is called "timeless elegance". I took this photo of this elegant Businessman interacting with an also classic and elegant Mercedes in my hometown Stuttgart.
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PHOTOGRAPHY
I use the digital "darkroom" in much the same way, to get the best out of my images. Clicking the shutter release is only the beginning. My photos are available for viewing on Flickr. Â
Photographer Robert Mitchell I am a Southern California native who enjoys photography. Over the years, I have found that I have a tendency to crop out the extraneous in my images, rarely taking in the whole scene. Ansel Adams once said that a photograph is made, rather than taken. He would spend hours in the darkroom to get the image he wanted.
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PHOTOGRAPHER
DARREN M. EDWARDS
I'm a writer and photographer based in Southern Utah. I write across genres from poetry to prose. I have had essays and poems published in Camas, The Independent, and Stone Voices among others. My first book (prose and photography) "Utah Sport Climbing: Stories and Reflections on the Bolting of the Beehive State" was published last year by The History Press. My photography focus on abstract and lowbrow pop images; though, I have also done a great deal of photojournalism. My work has appeared in The Creative, The Sonder Review, and Screbendi among others. - Darren M. Edwards
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PHOTOGRAPHY
Walk around with your eyes wide open there's always an image to share with the world
"Lawn mower for sale" Taken in Funchal using a Nikon D7000 with a Nikon AF-S 50mm f/1.8G Lens
Craig Sunter
"Parked up" Taken in Florence using a Panasonic LX 100
"I am just a everyday bricklayer whose aim is to take photo's that different & interesting ! My photographic skills are very basic but my imagination is out of this world that's what helps me create the images I produce. Abstract & urban are by far my favorite shots, deep dark portraits are also up there while landscape is always a test for my basic skills, must work on these at some point.
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PHOTOGRAPHER
MARLA R CARDENAS
M.R. Cardenas is a Chicago born Houston based skilled International Photographer who is passionate about capturing the most precious moments. Since she picked up her first camera her focus has been on telling the intimate stories of people thru her portraits and street photography.
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PAINTING
PAINTER
FAITH YOUSSEF My name is faith youssef, 20 years old, I am a blogger and an artist. I believe in the power of words and making things happen. To motivate through our most roughest moments and keep it going .
"Heartbroken" It's a female that thought she had somebody
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PAINTER
ARMANTÉ MAJAR
Armantė Majar is a painter from Vilnius, Lithuania. "I love all artworks, but for creating to me is very important details, idea. I can‘t imagine myself to painting something without forms, to me desperately need that all be clearly and a little bit of fantasy, dream."
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PAINTING My influences include medieval paintings, the Pre-Raphaelites and the decorative art movements, so it’s clear I enjoy line, colour and detail. I love the journey through a drawing or painting, from brief, to processes, to final result and use. Having taught my own art classes for ten years, I have recently drawn these to a close to make more time for my creative writing, which dovetails beautifully with painting.
Painter Lynne Henderson Born in the cathedral city of Durham, I now live in the Scottish Borders, where the rural countryside provides plenty of inspiration for my illustrations and paintings. With a love for close observation of the natural world, it’s exciting forms, vivid colours and textures are hopefully reflected in my work. I use a range of media including watercolour, acrylic, pen and ink, and tonal pencil, but I’m open to any media that gives me the effects I’m after. - Lynne Henderson
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VISUAL ARTIST
LUIS D'ALKMIN Luís D'Alkmin is aVisual Designer and Graphic Artist, exploring the gestual precise between the conventional and digital techniques D'Alkmin works are a combination of scenes. From sci-fi, politics, urban escapes, thriller and crime. He was a pioneer introducing digital tools to illustrate and create visuals for many editorials in magazines such as Playboy Brazil, Veja, SuperInteressante and VIP all from Abril Publishing Group, the largest in South America.
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DRAWING
My work is a mixture of satire and everyday life but presented through a thoughtful process of greater meaning. While a lot of my work is mono tones I believe that in itself is a mockery of how we as a society should be. It is for the observer to come to conclusions and realisation different from all those around them though it may seem basic. Colour is something that is very interesting but even more so why and when it should be used. This is only the beginning of my journey into the artist realm and one I will soon be thrive within.
Adnan (Rem Brand) Rabbani I have set sail on a long awaited goal and ambition of mine which is to pursue my artistic identity I precieve everyday life different from the next man and art is an inside into my minds eyes. My goal is to bring art back into the main stream and celebrate my unique talents.
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VISUAL ARTIST
J. SOPHIA SANNER J. Sophia Sanner is an artist from Germany who loves to produce artwork which gives room for interpretation. She`s focused on the process for example when she draws without looking at it while doing it: that`s how her "Blind Drawings" are made.
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But also with other techniques like her unique rorschach-style she creates dynamic pictures and enjoys the different aspects people see in her work. Her motivation is to open a door to the inner world of people and to inspire them to use their own fantasy and rules to judge.
VISUAL ART
Inspired by the west coast scenery around me, my work typically consists of nature occasionally mixed with themes of surrealism.
Sarah Heaman My name is Sarah Heaman and I'm a nineteen year old artist and university student from Vancouver British Columbia. I've loved art all my life and have always been creating things in different mediums, but as I've grown older I've discovered a love mainly for drawing and doing detailed line work.
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VISUAL ART
SARA QUESADA I started drawing when I was 4 and loved to see how they come "alive" when you keep adding details. Creating the world, the pieces you love, inspire yourself everyday creates motivation and gives you the opportunity to express your fears & dreams.
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I'm passionate professional for communications and international business but also about design and human beings. I love photography and believe that the best things in live are wild and free.Â
ILLUSTRATOR
3 Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri Based on Martin McDonagh's '3 Billboards...' movie. Frances McDormand as Mildred Hayes is a woman on fire with rage and grief. I loved the shots where she was driving and her eyes were caught in the narrow rectangle of the rear view mirror, so that's the grain of the concept behind this.
Illustrator Cat Finnie
Cat Finnie is a freelance illustrator based in east London, UK. Working in a concept driven, contemporary digital style, Cat's aim is to bring an element of the surreal, a dreamlike quality to her illustrations. She is interested in creating ambiguity in an image, opening the possibilities for alternative interpretation.
Isle of Dogs Based on Wes Anderson's 'Isle of Dogs.' I wanted to capture the moment of arrival at the garbage island where the boy is searching for his dog.
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ILLUSTRATOR
KRYS KINSEL My name is Krys Kinsel, I am an illustrator and comic artist currently living in Virginia. I am happily married and love going on adventures with my husband, David. I love watercolor, pen & ink and have recently delved into digital art. I table at comic conventions and am currently featured in two comic anthologies as well as currently working on several projects with my design imprint.
Aquamerlady is a digital mermaid portrait I made for my friend, Kora.
Coraline is a watercolor poster illustration based on the children’s movie of the same name (and book)
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ILLUSTRATOR
I like using watercolour paints, pens and pencils I do not do digital painting. I like the feel of a brush in your hand and I like the excitement of using paints, the
Inger Brown
movement and that anything can happen or be created. When you are messy and elbow deep in paint you can create and become free.
My name is Inger Brown I am a children's writer an illustrator my first picture book was published in July 2017 called The Bobbling and The Flood. I love writing and illustrating for children I like the fact that there is so much you can do, you can go anywhere and be anyone in a picture book that is the feeling I had as child and one I wish to give back. This is just my first story but The Bobbling has many more stories to go, I have a second book finished and I am working on several other stories and ideas for him with lots of characters.
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MUSIC
CASH POUND NOTES Cash Pound Notes the rap group duo, hailing from Widnes consisting of Short A and Karma Cavelli with street stories of progression and life on the block. Cash Pound notes also known as CPN have released a couple of solo mixtapes as well as a joint mixtape, which got everyone requesting for a Cash Pound Note party.
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The group was started years ago as a metaphor for the street, which later became the rap name of the group. One artist from liverpool with american roots and the other from london the flavours of them bud skins was always gonna be high.
MUSIC
Royzy Rothschild feat. Cash Pound Notes Just Like Ice T Still a heavy weight hitter in Liverpool, Hip hop artist Royzy Rothschild dominates the urban scene in Liverpool and his lyrical ability is felt right across the pond to the United States. He has a new single called ( Just Like Ice T ) ft cash pound notes coming on on iTunes on 20th April 2018.
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MUSIC
NOOP NOOP. What does that mean? It’s not a real word, right? Is it slang for “nope”? Is it some type of acronym? The uncertainty of this word is exactly why the LA based music quartet named themselves NOOP. So much of music (particularly in Los Angeles) is about being marketed and appealing to as many potential fans (translation-consumers) that this group wanted to rebel against that. No, they’re not musical anarchists.
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In fact, the members themselves have established and successful careers in other projects but they noticed that too often they were losing touch with making music for themselves…which is why they originally started down this career and artistic path. Call it a “musical time-out” if you like but NOOP has already been accumulating fans based on their first release “Evolve.” The irony of the situation is not lost on the group but they still try to avoid paying any attention to the glowing online reception this instrumental ensemble is receiving. One wonders if NOOP is like the attractive girl at the dance who knows that ignoring the boys only makes them want her attention even more. Perhaps it’s possible in this scenario but more likely, the admirers of NOOP appreciate the joy and passion that is born of the enjoyment of the musicians involved.
METAL ART
Artist Jill Herlands After teaching myself about the science behind metalworking, I became obsessed with the manipulation of raw material. My technique of choice has always been hand fabrication. It was during experimentation with cement that I came to discover and appreciate the material as one of unexpected beauty. My use of cement implies strength and durability, even if the material is broken. I enjoy discovering new techniques by experimentation and follow the premise that taking risks are important to growing yourself as an artist. I draw my inspiration from New York City. Architecture, concrete, Steel, and people – the whole of the city influences and motivates me to create what I’m passionate about.
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INTERVIEW
FINE ARTS ENTREPRENEUR ASHLEY TERRELL Ashley Terrell is a fine arts entrepreneur and Amazon best selling author. Owner of Stella Bistro Foods and BSC & Co. We have conducted an interview with her.
Why did you want to write a memoir? I wrote my memoir, The Black Sheep Shadow, because people should be understood. We share the same feelings, yet to what degree? The Black Sheep Shadow was a writing piece that's needed for mental, spiritual and emotional growth. Knowing how far you come breeds determination and courage. Determination and courage is diluted because people don't feel it's needed to become a better person [for ourselves]. I don't believe those characteristics are spoken on too much anymore because negativity sells in the media. I have a testimony of the glory of God! Your hardships and perseverance can be someone else's breakthrough. I wanted my memoir, The Black Sheep Shadow, to show my determination to find my purpose and the courage to tell my audience our journeys are worth every step in becoming greater.
How we deal with the darkness is what builds our character. For years, I was the black sheep. I feel myself [still] considering myself a black
What is the symbol of the 'sheep' in this memoir, a black sheep in particular and the emphasis on its shadow in the title?
sheep, just enlightened now. My darkness
The black sheep has a very direct and indirect
I can considered the indirect and direct
message. At times, I felt so alone, isolated and confined. Those feelings will have anyone feel dark or different.
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inspired my light and what I wanted to attract. The black sheep isn't really dark, it's what's around the black sheep that can make it [feel ]that way. For those times, I'm grateful because message of The Black Sheep Shadow as resilience and perseverance by overcoming the negativity that once weighed me down.
What is the importance of its influence of the building of your food brand, Stella Bistro Foods and Fine Arts, company 'BSC & Co.,'?
Why is empowerment and growth important, in your opinion? How do you want to spread these notions?
My memoir, The Black Sheep Shadow has
order for growth to become your empowerment,
showed me my [true] strength in doing what
you must have determination for your goals to be
makes me happy. I fell in love with food at six
achieved. It all works together. It's important to
years old. When Stella Bistro Foods elevated and
increase knowledge of empowerment and
launched, I couldn't have been more proud of
growth [for yourself] because there are too many
myself. The strength I discovered in my
talented people wanting to "make it" or be
ambition, determination, stance and vision
known.
To see and feel growth IS empowerment. In
came from the strength of telling my testimony and touching others. BSC & Co. is an extension
In desperation or lack of knowledge, artists [of all
of that [too]. No one should tell someone to not
walks] sell themselves short - literally - because
express themselves. Who are they? You can
the walk is too long or their confident level isn't
express yourself however you choose. BSC & Co.
the highest. If you can sell millions of albums
allows me to do that - whether it's textiles,
with a label, what made you think you can't do it
media and broadcast, literature, coaching,
independently? If you know the publishing
culinary arts or visual arts I can express my
industry, why not publish via your own
visions, my story and inspire someone to follow
publishing company? Why is another company
and find themselves [and their purpose in life].
taking a percentage? I spread knowledge and inspiration by hosting entrepreneurship courses via my webinar, DREAM Academy. The more you
What makes you feel empowered?
know, the more you'll find yourself to stand tall
(smiles). This is my first time EVER being asked
of it like this: your growth are your shoes in life
this question! My faith and humility make me feel empowered. If He can trust you with a little,
for who you've become and your purpose. Think and the finish line is your empowerment. When and how will you move to feel accomplished?
you'll receive increase. Becoming confident in my stance as a multi-faceted entrepreneur makes me feel empowered and unique.
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INTERVIEW
SINGER AND SONGWRITER JANET ODANI Janet Odani is a singer/songwriter currently based in Coffs Harbour in Australia. As a young girl, she always loved music, wrote her first song at the age of six and she was always keen to be part of school musicals and choirs. Janet Odani recently released her new album, 'Valiant Warrior'. We have conducted an interview with her.
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Which analogy/analogies did you use to express what you felt about "Valiant Warrior"?
What has changed or remain the same during your songwriting process?
My most recent album, ‘Valiant Warrior’ is an
I really enjoyed the songwriting process for
inspirational album highlighting the
this album. I find the songwriting process at
challenges on my journey as a believer in
times can be influenced by emotions or
Jesus Christ with a focus on the promises of
wanting to get a creation message across in a
God for companionship, salvation, victory, and
musical way. The songwriting process for
love. The analogy I used is that of a tenacious
‘Valiant Warrior’ was different for different
struggle whilst singing songs and praying for
songs. Some songs were written out of
a positive change.
emotion and others were built from an idea or melody which eventually resulted in a
How different is this album from your debut 'Transparency'?
complete song. The one thing that has remained during the same during my songwriting process is focusing on honesty when writing lyrics.
The songwriting process for ‘Valiant Warrior’ album led me into a lot of soul searching and being real about certain struggles that one can face not only by the fact that they are a Christian but also just by 'doing life'. Sometimes just when you think things are
What advice will you give to a beginner songwriter about inspirational songwriting?
alright, life throws you a curveball. I soon
I would encourage anyone who has a passion
began to realize the songs I was writing for
or interest in songwriting to first of all be
‘Valiant Warrior’ had this in common.
honest and open about your emotions or the point you want to get across with
Songs on this album such as ‘Waiting’, ‘I’m
songwriting. Once you have a pretty good
still here’, ‘Loyalty’, ‘You carry me’, ‘Lion of
idea of what this is, then you can begin to
Judah’, ‘Battlecry’, ‘Let it all crumble down’,
write a song around that. Some songs have
’Valiant Warrior’ focus on an expectant hope
many words other have few but it’s all about
for things to change in the face of
expressing yourself in lyrics the best way you
uncertainty. ‘For You’, ‘The Peace I give to you’
can.
and ‘River of Peace’ talk about comfort in
The next step would be to think about or
light of trying times. ‘At the Cross’ pretty
have an idea of what type of genre you are
much sums up the Christian faith. That is, the
comfortable with and this influences how
belief that divine exchange happened
your song will sound.
between God and man at the cross through the death of Jesus Christ and through His
And then… just write! Live the dream!!! Do it
resurrection, those who believe in Him share
anyway whether it comes together quite
in His resurrection and overcome what He
nicely or the lyrics don’t flow as easily as you
overcame. My debut album, ’Transparency’ on
hope and you end up making a few changes
the other hand, was a mix of both love songs
here and there. If you want to learn to walk
and inspirational songs.
then you have to take the first step.
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Songwriting is a craft that a songwriter must
I am passionate about encouraging others to
always keep working at and I would
express themselves in whatever form of art
encourage a beginner songwriter to always
that has meaning to them ie. cooking,baking,
keep working on songs/new ideas/new tunes
dancing,painting, acting and the list goes on.
and keep a record of all your ideas - you’re
I would like to encourage anyone who wants
only going to get better over time.
to be creative to just start from where you are right now. If you only have a scrap book and are a cartoonist..then draw away. If you only
How do you get your motivations to write and release inspirational songs?
have one chapter and your’e an author, then
My motivation to write and release
were born with this gift. You are unique and
inspirational songs stems from personal experiences and lessons I have learned along the way in my Christian journey.
start writing your book. Don't despise small beginnings - it will lead to somewhere as you continue to share your gift with others. Constantly focus on perfecting your craft. You no one can do what you can do. Often I come across people who say “I wish I could do this” but are somehow hesitant to take the first step - can I just encourage you to start from
What do you feel passionately about in relation to art? The character in the music videos for Valiant Warrior received a bag of music instruments which I will refer to as gifts. However not all gifts from this bag were used in subsequent songs depicted in music videos. The scripture says that gifts of God are given irrevocably. This means this is a permanent decision but it is the choice of the person with the gifts to use them. At times gifts come with other abilities ie. a singer can also be a songwriter or a painter can also be a sculptor or an author can also be a poet. At times people are gifted but lack the confidence to use their gift or maybe have had a bad experience and would not want to share their gift anymore. Whatever the case is, please share your gift.
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from you are.….Don’t allow the dream to be distant without being part of it ….live the dream! In sharing your gift, you will discover more things about yourself and …you will find yourself.
INTERVIEW
INTERVIEW WITH SCREENWRITER AND AUTHOR SARAH WALKER Sarah graduated with a degree in physics in 2010, then went on to study creative writing. She has since published the rom-com drama novel, Holly Blossums, and the crime-drama thriller novel, Black Widow. When she’s not writing, Sarah works in retail and enjoys creative hobbies such as painting.
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Who is the most interesting character in the book you co-wrote with Will Coggins? Detective Jamison is the most interesting
Other than writing your novels, Holly Blossums and Black Widow, what kind of new novels/stories would you like to write?
character because he sees the world for what it is -
I’ve just finished co-writing the first draft of the
unfair. He’s not afraid to do what’s necessary to
book, Shadows: Fire Storm. That project has
balance the scales of justice, even if that means
officially entered Editing Hell – that means lots of
planting evidence. To me, what makes him really
cursing, screaming and yelling at my computer.
interesting is, beneath his tough exterior lays a
I’m drawn to stories that push characters outside
deep, feeling human being who wants to change.
of their comfort zone, forcing them to deal with
He may seem to lack a moral compass, but his
the issues they’ve been avoiding for far too long.
heart is in the right place. We all wish we could take the law into our own hands when we’ve been a victim of crime. Jamison follows through with that wish, but his latest case makes him question whether he’s doing the right thing or not.
In your opinion, how different is screenwriting versus novel writing? Novel writing and screenwriting are extremely
Why did you both choose this title 'Black Widow: Blood Ties'? The title ‘Black Widow’ was chosen because it’s the nickname given to the killer. We chose the subtitle because of Det. Jamison’s need to avenge his brother’s death. But it’s also because of the non-family ties that bind us together – Det.
different. They both follow the same techniques for outlining, developing characters, etc. But they’re very different when it comes to writing the story. There are a lot of restrictions for screenwriting like the length of the script, what you can write on the page – if you can’t see or hear it, you can’t write it. You have a lot more freedom for novel writing because, unlike with screenwriting, your story is the final product.
Jamison would do anything to protect his city, to him that’s where he grew up, that’s his family. Then there’s the loyalty among cops; Det. Jamison strains this relationship through his actions, making it harder for other cops to look the other way.
Which is more challenging? For me, novel writing is more challenging because I find writing a description that is short and to the point far easier than the kind of detail that you see in a book. Novel writing is more time consuming
How did you get into creative writing after your degree in Physics? For medical reasons, I had to give up on any hope of having a career in physics. To be honest, I couldn’t have been happier with that outcome; it motivated me to follow my dream career. I haven’t told anyone this before, but I chose physics over a writing career because it was the safer career choice. The “safer career choice” fell flat on its face, so I decided to go after the unreliable paycheck career. It’s scary as hell not knowing if you’re good enough, and it’s very frustrating that I have to work two jobs, but… I’ve never been happier than I am right now. JAAMZIN CREATIVE | 30
as well because, unlike with a script, you see the project through to the very end, right down to promoting the book.
INTERVIEW
INTERVIEW WITH AUTHOR AND COMPOSER TONI JANNOTTA Toni Jannotta started as a dancer, became an actress, performed in children's theater, sang in musical theater, and ended up in jazz clubs. She has written jazz tunes and performed in the U.S. and abroad. Her current project turned her into an author and composer. "My Little Heart, Ruthie" is an illustrated story rhyme with a narrated, jazz-inspired CD to go with it. Toni lives with her piano and violin in Southern California.
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What inspires you to write about healing? At first I wasn't so much inspired to write about healing as I was urged by something inside me I could not contain. I think the act of writing helps anybody who is healing and I was in heavy healing mode when "My Little Heart, Ruthie" popped out of me. I think sometimes art is so much bigger than we are.
How did you realize that music and art heals? When did it happen to you? For many years I simply made vocal jazz CD's. I just wanted to make my music and get paid. It was all very simple. And then in 2010, I was awarded an arts grant called an "Artist in the Community Partnership Grant." I was supposed to take this grant and use it to help with some community problem. Frankly, I didn't think I had much to offer but I submitted a proposal anyway. My idea was to create a live performance where jazz improvisers helped the homeless tell their stories. And I got the grant. And I started serving the homeless. The entire experience touched me so deeply that I was hooked. I knew then that my future in writing and music would be to help and heal.
How are they able to figure out that they deserve to love themselves? I think, if you've grown up in an environment that is filled with chaos or is harmful in any way, it is hard to believe you are lovable. Loving yourself is something, then, that must be learned. So we help each other. We mirror kindness so the person standing in front of us eventually believes in their own worth.
"My Little Heart, Ruthie" is an illustrated story rhyme with a narrated, jazz-inspired CD, why did you name your book/album 'Ruthie'? Who is 'Ruthie'? I have no idea why I named the main character Ruthie. The story just blew out of me like a storm and Ruthie came with that storm. The other main character is Clyde. At the time, I knew a trombone player named Slide Hyde and out popped the name Clyde. Go figure. I wish I had a better answer for this one. Haha. But as far as who Ruthie is, I'm certain now that Ruthie was the wounded child inside of me. Clyde was the happy and healthy heart I wished I could be. So I had them talk to each other so one could bring the other one out. At the end of the day, no matter who tries to help us, I
What kind of awareness do you want your project to remind victims of abuse? The key message of this project is to remind people, convince them, that any harm they suffered at the hands of another, was never their fault. Society so often wants to blame the victim. I want this project to reach the child inside the reader. This is why I made it a children's book. To reach the child in middle school, or the child inside the adult, that they were never to blame for what happened to them. To realize #itwasneveryourfault is awfully liberating. And we all deserve to be free.
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think it is that inner conversation that we have with ourselves that decides our fate.
What kind of illustrations and musical styles did you use to present it? Ruthie and Clyde are such opposites that I thought of them as musical opposites as well, opposites who fuse together. Ruthie is the uptight classical player and Clyde is the loose jazz guy. I have always been inspired by Chic Corea's tight harmonies and dissonance so I used this kind of thing for tension in the first movement and then I made an effort to open up the chords for the second movement, so that the two instrumental themes at the beginning of the composition are first sad and lonely, and then hopeful. At the third movement the narration and our story begins. I'm also a big fan of Prokofiev. My first book was Peter & the Wolf and my first record was the music that went with it. This is what I wanted for "My Little Heart, Ruthie" you listen to the music and narration as you read the book. The illustration style was suggested to me by the illustrator, Jennifer Mones. This style is called "paper cutouts." Since I wanted the book to be a little healing story for adults and kids, Jennifer suggested that this illustration style can be a little edgier with an adult charm while still be engaging for a younger audience, say teens and tweens. People have really raved about the artwork in this book and I am forever grateful that Jennifer and I found each other. I call her the Amazing Millennial.
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INTERVIEW
DEAD LIONS DON’T ROAR INTERVIEW WITH TOLU A. AKINYEMI TOLU A Akinyemi is a new author to the published scene – although he has over 10 years of writing experience, Dead Lion’s Don’t Roar is his first book in print. Dead Lions Don’t Roar is a collection of inspiring and motivating modern day verses. Addressing many issues close to home and also many taboo subjects, the poetry is reflecting of today’s struggles and lights the way to a positive future Originally from Nigeria, Tolu now resides in Wallsend. He felt it important that any success he had would positively benefit a community in the region that has been so welcoming to him and his young family.
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What inspired you publish this book "Dead Lions Don't Roar”? I have a love for writing and for poetry and believe that reading powerful verses release the mind and spirit to encourage and inspire you. I had written lots of separate verses and friends, family and colleagues all encouraged me to put them together. Being the author of a book is something I had dreamed of for a long time, so I took the advice and inspiration of my writing aims to creative use and Dead Lions Don’t Roar was born.
What are your poetries mainly about? How does that light the way to a positive future? The poems in Dead Lions Don’t Roar are an eclectic mix of words of wisdom. They are about reality mixed with possibilities. They are about emotions – love, humour, anger. Mainly though they are about embracing life. About accepting certain things and the importance of moving forward – always looking to be the better person in every aspect we as humans can be. As a Christian, that message is very important to me. The fact that the poem resonates
Why did you choose to benefit people suffering from loneliness?
with an individual and what they are going through
Being lonely stops people enjoying life and
they have a lion (a talent) that they need to find
achieving their dreams. Old age is also something
should give them strength, should motivate them they are not the first, they are not alone, and yes, and release to be truly happy.
that will come to all of us. My cover poem, Growing Old, resonated with the needs of this charity and it just seemed a natural match. If the sales of my book makes people happier and gives them a less lonely life, then I will be a happy man.
What did you learn or find out along your 10 years journey of writing?
Which is your personal favorite poem about facing day-to-day struggles? I have a lot of favourite poems in the book. If it's about family I really love both ‘My Woman’ and ‘My Mother’. Both are very personal to me, but are how I feel a man should respect those roles in his life. If its about career, it has to be 'Dead Lions Don’t Roar’
So over the last ten years I found you can get a lot
- let it out and find your talent, be who you should
of solace from reading and writing – books are very
be! My favourite one with humour in it is No Issues –
powerful. Literature and actually writing it, is a
at a recent reading, I had the audience saying it
private place, that brings your own thoughts out of
back to me, as the humour really appealed to
your head for others to take comfort or inspiration
them. If Im feeling sad or contemplative, then ‘The
from. It astounds me how many people are
Parody of Life’ calls to me. That poem sums up life
touched by poetry and understand it’s meaning –
and our journey beautifully. That’s the beauty of
they were just thoughts in my mind that now are
this book – there is a poem for every mood and
shared with many. I also found out that no man
every situation.
can stand alone, and a lot of my writing is about that. Whilst we have our own roar and lion inside us, we need to lean on others and find the right way to let it out. Again, a lot of my writing is about that. I also discovered how important my family is to me - my children, my wife, my mother. That all comes out in many of my poems and will remind a lot of people to be grateful for what they have.
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INTERVIEW
THE UNKNOWN INTERVIEW WITH SINGER AND SONGWRITER MADDY ROSE Maddy Rose is an Austrian Soul and Pop singer as well Songwriter based in London. Her new single "The Unknown" will be available on all online music stores on 24th of April. "The Unknown" is part of her upcoming EP "Blossom" and is an uplifting and positive vintage Pop/Soul song that evokes optimism and captures the blossoming feeling of springtime. We have conducted an interview with Maddy about her new release.
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Tell us a little more about your EP "BLOSSOM" and what people can expect from the songs? For this EP I wanted to remind people of the powerful emotions that come from pure and acoustic music, the warmth of a cello, the sustained note on a piano and the vibrato of a soft
Who are your inspirations or musical influences in the 'soul music' genre? My influences are Norah Jones, Carole King, and Etta James. Anything that has a soulful arrangement, touching vocals and jazzy elements is really fascinating, it is like if you were to drown in the music and feel it even more.Â
and warm voice. All 3 songs feature only acoustic recordings and there is no synthesizer or electronic beat. As pure and beautiful as music should be.
How would you describe yourself in 3 words and what is your music about? If I'd describe me as an artist in 3 words, it'd be soulful, vintage and feminine. My music is about self-esteem, self-love, and the meaning of life.
"It is your point of view that makes you value the challenge", can you share with us more about this experience? I have now lived in London for 4 years and it was a time with my best and worst experiences, but in the end, I learned so much and became who I am now. I grew with every challenge, learned how to cope with setbacks and kept developing a thicker skin. Now that I am moving to Vienna I look back to
How different is this Single from your previous "Save Myself"? What are your expectations of the new release?
an amazing year, filled with lots of music and success! Although it was hard at times it formed my personality and I am grateful for every challenge that's yet to come because it is part of our journey :)
Now that I am releasing 3 songs together they have a much more cohesive sound going on. All songs feature a jazzy feel but still different vibes - One is to dance to, one is to relax and one is to reminisce in Nostalgia. It is like Norah Jones meets Amy Winehouse or the revival of Duffy.
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INTERVIEW
AN INTERVIEW WITH THE TINKER BROTHERS The Tinker Brothers (Noah and Liam) are contemporary pop artists currently based in Eindhoven, the Netherlands. In 2011, the duo dropped out of their respective studies at the University of Applied Sciences and the University of Technology. A higher calling in 2012, saw the brothers quit their jobs, get rid of all their ‘stuff’ (minus some essentials) and follow their dreams. They spent the next five years experimenting with different media and techniques taking steps towards realising their dream of one day becoming some of the most influential artists of our time.
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How long did you take to figure out your signature style of invisible paintings? What was the most difficult part of this process?
Who got inspired first with the white on white remixes of comics on canvas first? Was it Liam or Noah? It was Liam who took the piece “The Curve Of Her Lips”, which is a stenciled word painting in varnish
It’s all about simplicity. We have always aspired to
on white, and hung it on a wall in our studio. What
make our art as simple as possible without losing
makes this an interesting story however, is that this
any of the flavour, without losing any of the soul so
was six months after the artwork was created. We
to say. We believe there is so much beauty in
created the piece as part of a solo-exhibition, but it
simplicity. When we started experimenting with
never really made an impression on us. At the time
varnish and discovered (by accident) the ‘invisible
we were more focused on doing remixes in black,
paintings’ it felt like coming home. At last. We
red and gold, so the invisible piece never really
believe the difficulty of being an artist, any kind of
caught our eye. It wasn’t until six months later, the
artist really, isn’t so much about discovering your
moment we hung it on that wall, it stole the show.
unique style or signature. What’s difficult is to stay
It was pure magic.
true to your heart, despite the rejections, the opinions of others, or the temptations to settle for less because of financial reasons. The hard part of the process wasn’t so much finding our signature style, but sticking with it. No matter what happens, your heart knows the way.
Arty-Fact: "We often imagine that laying your eyes on a Tinker is like laying your eyes on a priceless diamond. Imagine owning one. We aspire to be the notorious gems of the art world and our art is created to inspire the rebel, the poet, and the joker within." ~ Tinker Brothers
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What does 'Tinker' actually mean in your name? A name can be so much more than just some characters on your driver’s license. A name can be a symbol, an avatar, capturing the spirit of something. We wanted our name to inaugurate our legend. Tinker means light. The world needs more lovers, more warriors of light—art happens to be our weapon of choice.
Which is the most challenging and rewarding period since the beginning of your artistic career? To every dreamer; sooner or later there comes a point when you just want to give up, to give in. When you feel like it’s never going to happen and your feet can’t carry your body for another step. When you are completely and utterly lost, alone and in the dark, that’s the moment… But, then your heart whispers; "I know you're tired, but come. This is the way."
Arty-Fact: “We created this artwork at around 3 AM one morning. The work symbolizes our desire to drop a bomb on the art world and shake it up. We want to wake people up with our art, while at the same time inviting them to discover a deeper meaning in life.” - Tinker Brothers
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If you can only choose one from Mickey Mouse, Felix The Cat and Stormtrooper helmets to Snoopy and Woodstock from the Charles M. Schulz comic strip Peanuts, which of these instantly recognisable pop-culture references is your personal favorite? Without a doubt, our favourite superhero of all time is Woodstock. Why? There is tremendous power in being underestimated. Woodstock might have the looks of a cute little bird, but remember, some birds are not meant to be caged.
Arty-Fact: “We believe in simplicity. Perfection is achieved not when there is nothing more to add but when there is nothing left to be taken away. With this in mind we intend to create pieces that are both revolutionary and timeless.” – Tinker Brothers
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INTERVIEW
INTERVIEW WITH ARTIST ORKHAN MAMMADOV Orkhan Mammadov is an artist from Azerbaijan. He graduated at the faculty of Decorative and Applied Arts of the University of Art and Culture of Azerbaijan as an artist constructor with distinguished diploma. Between 2000-2002 years he studied at The Art Academy of Azerbaijan and graduated from the academy as an art critic. In 2004 at last he manages to develop up the principles of his own working manner on painting. In his picture, named “Top-to-tail” he manages to create entire tableau by cutting certain fragments of his own canvases and stitching them to each-other logically. Besides oil and canvas, after this artwork threads and ropes becomes the main attributes for Orkhan Mammadov to express his philosophy.
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How it began, Mr. Orkhan Mammadov? “Finding answer to the question “what to do”, is the half of the way!” - These words of the artist whom I met years ago, urged me to ebb to my native village, to buckle down to creative searches right
But, imagine, something does not let you build this castle of life, making its bricks incoherent. But, one day I really grasped the philosophy of this line of my life, which would be reflected on my art! I understood that, my art must consist of incoherent fragments, which must be connected to each-other afterwards!
after completing my high education. Having ceased my connections with the other artists, I hoped to fathom into my own world, to feel myself, to discover my attitude to this world.
Why is it important that you discover your own attitude to this world? -There is a banal saying, that, there is no irreplaceable man in this world. But I believe quite vice-versa - THERE IS NO REPLACEABLE MAN IN THIS WORLD! It is important to discover your attitude with the world in order to find, whether what do you mean to this world and what is your indispensable mission. Otherwise, I couldn’t have worked as myself with no imitation of others in colors, in forms and in philosophy. For several years spending my each day with making sketches, continuously working in plein air, copying classic masters and reading a literature, I came to conclusion that the true art is the reflection of artist’s life on his art! In the other word, sincerity in attitude to your art. So, I tried to scrutinize my life, to discern the main line of it, and finally I found it!
What was that and how did that line reflect in your art? The life connected me with certain people, but after a certain period of time, it ceased those connections with them, throwing me into attitude with quite new ones in quite new atmosphere. And after which it did the same thing to me with them too. It horrified me truly, because, an attitude is just like a castle, and you build it in long period of time, putting one brick onto another.
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Was not that crazy to cut the canvases into the pieces that you drew yourself and put a great labor on each of them?
What could you extract from this first lucky experiment of you?
The significant thing you want to do, the big
another, filled my heart with credence, that
sacrifice you must undergo. It demanded a courage
someday I will be able to connect those incoherent
to sacrifice my certain canvases to witness the
fragments of my life with the thread of wisdom too!
miracle of reincarnation! I decided to do it with my most favorite pieces. Opening five canvases from their stretchers and cutting them into fragments, I began to stitch them back in new order. Having completed my “patchwork” I had to stretch it on a new, bigger stretcher, which thrilled me a lot, thinking whether, would I be successful or destroy everything. Yes, you thing right- I managed to do it! Gazing the miracle from distance for about an hour, I felt that I must say my last words with cords of different sizes on it. I named that first experimental work of mine, “Top to tail”.
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Scrutinizing the first reflection of my life on canvas, I persuaded that it is just me, and it must go on this way! Making such “patchworks” one after
INTERVIEW
INTERVIEW WITH FINE ARTIST RACHEL WALKER Through her sketches and paintings, Rachel Walker seeks to find beauty and powerful imagery within social and political issues. After travelling and working with young people in South Africa and Burundi, she studied painting at Camberwell College of art. Now living in Hackney, East London, her work is an attempt to visually combine diverse and disparate environments and, depict the social and cultural richness found on the streets and spaces of everyday life. We have conducted an interview with Rachel.
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What challenges you the most when you try to visually combine diverse and disparate environments?
When I am travelling, I love to study the art that
As an artist, I have always been drawn to the
awareness of the world around you, particularly the
images and stories that transcend social and
traditions and history of a place. My deepest
geographical boundaries. In my work, I try to
impressions have been from the instances where I
foreground the universality of human experience
encounter a kind of alchemy between time and
by presenting the most raw and authentic aspects
place and the individual, where I can perceive a
of people. For me, this is often revealed within
myriad of human stories in a single expression or
fleeting and transient moments of reflection,
interaction.
within the most intricate details in expression. It is immensely difficult to capture this in my work, without reducing the complexity of stories and emotions to a singular value. It feels like something I am always reaching for and always struggling to grasp.
Which is/are your favourite media? I love pen and paper. You can carry it in your pocket. It takes time to create detailed images with pen, so the work can take days or weeks. There’s a kind of intimacy to studying a human face for so long, it’s deeply personal and all consuming. I feel as if I am continually uncovering new dimensions and depths within the face that feels familiar and I love that process. My work has always had a photojournalistic quality to it, in the way that I am engaged by stories and inspired by honest accounts of lived experiences. Working with paper and pen, I feel that I can translate these narratives with a kind of raw immediacy. Aesthetically, I have always been attracted to the striking sincerity of black and white images, and I believe that working with simple materials allows me to create depth without making too much visual noise and detracting from the subject of the portrait.
Do you gain inspirations while you travel? Which ones remain as the deepest impressions? I am always inspired when I encounter new people and new environments.
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has emerged from each country and gain an understanding of how social and political realities interact with that work. To grow as an artist, you need to be constantly learning and gaining
Which piece of art that you have ever created is priceless? Why and how was it made? A difficult one to answer as each piece I produce I become attached to, after the many hours woven into it. However, a body of work that has remained important to me in terms of capturing experiences and influencing how my style has developed, is a series of drawings on coffee bags. I started this project during my time at art school and continued it beyond graduating. I drew images of people in pen on these white paper coffee bags. People that I have met and taken photographs of, mostly while travelling. This was the first time I started using pen to create black and white portraits of people in this photojournalistic style. As the scale of them is quite small, I was able to produce them alongside bigger works, and they became a diary of where I’d been and who I met. The significance of the coffee bags relates to my work as a barista in coffee shops in
What kind of messages do you wish to extend with your works of art consisting of powerful imagery within social and political issues? I think the message that I want to convey, is that there is always more than meets the eye. There is another story behind a news headline and that narrative is never singular or simplistic. We have grown so accustomed to a westernised account of global history and social experience that it seems almost impossible to look beyond the paradigm of these systems. I want to explore alternative political and personal narratives through my work and dispel the stereotypes that are born of media headlines. My hope is to make people pause for second and have the desire to see the story beyond the person in the image. Not taking for granted what they see at face value, in the same way you might take for granted a news headline.
different places across London, enabling me to meet the eclectic mix of people that make up neighbourhoods in this city, thus creating a link between my travels and my home.
RACHEL WALKER
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Which sort of impressions/influences do you wish to make on people who look at your work? I want my work to inspire a different approach in the way that we view each other. I want people to look closer at the faces and minute interactions that occur around them everyday. For me, there is something so intensely beautiful about the history that is engrained within our skin, the words that rest unsaid in the curve of our lips. I try to focus attention on these important and infinitesimal details, to invite curiosity. I want us to be curious about each other and look beyond the external narrative that shapes our perceptions of beauty and worth.
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About JaamZIN Creative JaamZIN Creative Studio is an online social media agency established in 2017 in Singapore.
We feature artists and creative people,Â
Contact us if you want to be featured!
Submit your art to JaamZIN Creative We are seeking for talented emerging and established artists to be part of the community of thousands of people who love art. We curate the submissions and the selected artists will be featured in JaamZIN Creative Contact us at info@jaamzin.com