KiK Magazine Issue #3

SUMMER SAVVY Hair Tips to Protect Your Tresses

FRANCHESCA RAMSEY On & Off the Tube

&

WOMEN The CHEATING MAN

NEW SECTIONS

• Ask an Expert • Hair & Now

MICHAEL ELLIOTT

Jamaican Artist

AYURVEDIC HAIR CARE

Spring into

SUMMER

MAKEUP

ISSUE #3 1

2 • Marsha Williams-McCormack – Proofreader

• Michael Johnson – Staff Photographer

• Nicole Webster – Beauty Editor

• Janelle WIlliams – ASsistant Editor

• Diedre Callam – Editor-in-CHief

KIK MAGAZINE

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38

MICHAEL ELLIOTT

Artist Feature

20 AYURVEDIC HAIR CARE

FRANCHESCA 28 RAMSAY

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ON THE COVER

What is it?

SPRING INTO SUMMER MAKEUP

4

Franchesca talks about her YouTube experience and why her personal life is off-limits to her fans.

SUMMER 14 SAVVY

Photography by Leslie Hassler Studio at lesliehassler.com.

Contents

35

WOMEN & THE CHEATING MAN

26 HAIR AND NOW IN EACH ISSUE

Contributors /7 Letter from the Editor /9 Trend of the Month /12 Ask an Expert /25 Hair & Now /26 Opinion Piece /35 5

The Editorial Team DIEDRE CALLAM Founder and Editor-in-Chief The editorial team is led by founder and publisher of KiK Magazine, Diedre is a publishing and communications specialist with expertise in graphic/layout design and professional writing with over 100 publications under her belt.

Her work primarily focuses on book project management, education projects, advertising, editing and writing.

Join the Team

Submit your applications and articles to editor@keepitkinky.net.

6

DR. MUIRGREEN

in Hair Loss Disorders.

obtained her MSc. in Clinical Dermatology at Cardiff.

University.

She works at the Kingston Public Hospital Dermatology Clinic. She has an avid interest

GARTH WILLIAMS

is co-host of the morning programme, the KLAS Lifestyle on KLAS Sports FM89.

The vibrant communications specialist and broadcaster writes this issue’s Opinion piece entitled Women and the Cheating Man.

?

You could be added to the writing team. Send an article to the editor or write to let us know that you are available. Email editor@keepitkinky.net.

NICOLE WEBSTER,

KiK Beauty Editor, is a Canadian-based makeup artist with experience in a variety of makeup styles from bridal to special effects film makeup.

She writes this issue’s beauty articles on Summer makeup trends and fixes.

ROCHELLE GRAHAM is

the founder and CEO of Alikay Naturals. She has first-hand knowledge about having the proper tools and knowing how to care for natural hair and writes this issue’s article on Summer Savvy Hair Tips to Protect Your Tresses.

LAQUITA THOMASBANKS

has a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism and is a certified Natural Hair Care Stylist. She combines her journalism skills and knowledge of natural hair by writing this issues article on Ayurvedic Hair Care.

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8

Letter from

The Editor

into the habit of making the extra effort to present herself well with a little extra makeup and what she thought was better clothing.

While feeling like someone had broken her ankles and told her to walk, someone said, “You look great! How have you been?” That conversation became a career opportunity that her health wasn’t ready for but her mind was. She accepted the offer and her body slowly caught up to her healthy mind.

“This year will be different and I am going to be my best me.” This is what we tell ourselves every new year and by the summertime, we are often so distraught by our failure that we give up and promise to start again. Is this your story?

Stop starting and start faking.

We often see beauty or a well put-together woman as pure vanity but the physical speaks to more than just vanity and can be a clear sign of a healthy mind. Being put together shows that you are confident, self-aware, ready to face life and open to opportunities that may come your way. You know the term ‘fake it ‘til you make it.’

That is what I’m telling you to do.

We beat ourselves up pretty well when we don’t achieve our goals in the time-frame that we created for ourselves. We are usually much harder on ourselves than anyone else walking down the street would ever be. In this issue, I want you to learn from people who are following their dreams, get a few tips towards putting on the best front and maybe make a few relationship changes. Yes, you read right. I’m telling you to put on a front. Let me tell you a little story that made me learn the benefit in putting on a “fakeface.”

Forget past failures and shortcomings. Pull yourself together and put on your best show. It will not only keep you looking your best, but also show your commitment to being your best. Which quality person wants to be around someone who doesn’t love him/herself enough to invest time in his/her appearance? Outward beauty may be skin-deep but it often tells many

In retrospect, she should have gone to the hospital a long before she did. Lianne got

DIEDRE C. CALLAM EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

FOLLOW ME ON

Diedre

and

@DIEDRECALLAM

9

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SUMMER SA Hair Tips

to Protect Your Tresses

by Rochelle Graham

Proper hair maintenance is crucial all-year round. This is especially true in the summer when the combination of sun damage, temperature changes and everyday styling can wreak havoc on any hair type. That is why it is very important to be prepared with a regimen to prevent damage and still have fabulous summer hair. Here are a few tips that will ensure the protection of your mane this summer.

1

Swim with Conditioner Summer often means swimming sun and fun, but to avoid the salt water or chlorine in the water from drying your tresses, this tip is perfect. Before your swim, simply coat your hair with a light conditioner. This will not only help to prevent the water from drying out your hair by adding a barrier but will also help to keep your hair soft during the summer months. After swimming use warm water to wash your hair immediately. This will open the cuticle and wash all of the chlorine out. Washing with cold water will only close the cuticle and keep the chlorine in the hair shaft. After both shampooing and conditioning use a cool water rinse to prevent frizz and enhance shine.

2

Protective Styling Hair that has been damaged by UV rays will be brittle and have an off-color appearance due to the oxidation of extreme sun and/or salt exposure. When you add salty beach winds to the mix hair can become unruly, lose elasticity and feel like paper. Protective styling can be great at any time during the year but especially during the summer when hair is exposed to harsh UV rays and

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AVVY

15

other environmental factors.

Choose a protective style during summer that is versatile so you can still rock your tresses in unique ways. Be sure that your style doesn’t cause damage by pulling or tugging on the cuticle to cause breakage, and that it allows you to still be able to access your scalp and hair.

Remember, the whole reason to do a protective style is to protect your hair, so you want to do just that. Coat your hair with a protective oil.

You can apply growth oil and do your scalp massages routinely during this time using Alikay Naturals Essential 17 Hair Growth Oil.

3

Utilize Shampoo Alternatives It is not unusual to shed more hair in the summer than in the winter. The heat and humidity of summer will require more frequent hair washing.

Co-washing during summer is a perfect way to get your hair clean without stripping it of its natural oils that are needed to prevent hair breakage and maintain elasticity. If you prefer to cleanse your hair with a shampoo, try one that is sulfate free.

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4

Moisture, Moisture, Moisture Moisturizing your hair daily is a must for natural hair as it tends to naturally be dry. Women with chemically straightened hair still need to moisturize several times a week.

Using a light moisturizer is best for daily use to avoid product buildup.

A leave-in treatment infused with the right ingredients will impart shine, refine the shape of the curl and control

“

You can still get the sleek hair look without the added heat exposure.

the frizz. A great option would be the Alikay Naturals Lemongrass Leave In Conditioner formulated to keep your hair smelling great and feeling soft.

5

Avoid Alcohol and Other Drying Product Ingredients Be label conscious of products that contain drying alcohols as that can cause more drying to your hair during an already dry season.

6

Say NO to Heat Say no to the heat from styling instruments like curling irons and blow dryers and give your hair a break from heat styling during the summer. Rather than stretching hair using a blow dryer try alternate methods like banding or chiney bumps (bhantu knots). You can still get the sleek hair look without the added heat exposure and split ends.

”

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Wash and Go’s

Since summer is all about quick styling, try doing wash and go’s during this time as they are a quick styling option. When doing wash and go’s, remember to use products that are non-drying and also be sure to detangle weekly to avoid accumulating more fairy (single strand) knots during this time.

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Weekly Treatments are a Must

To keep your hair at its best health, remember to do your hair treatments weekly, especially during hot summer months. Your hair will thank you. Look for treatments that not only contain anti-oxidants but also contain essential oils such as Avocoado Oil, Almond Oil and Jojoba Oil which are all proven to keep hair moisturized and reduce frizz. n This article is written by ROCHELLE GRAHAM who is the founder and CEO of Alikay Naturals.

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Spring into

SUMMER MAK & summer are the best seasons to When it comes to makeup, spring five trends to that are perfect are re He . lor co h wit g rin da d an be bold s. for the spring and summer season

3Au Natural

Clean, sim ple and f way to go this summ ly more w hen it com matte com plexion so the shimm ery highlig matte colo urs.

1 Be Bold

ck was only ti s p li le rp u p t h ed is Who says brig g months? R n ri p s e th r us meant fo and following d in h e b r te ds leaving win ese bold tren h T . g n ri p s r straight into making red o y tr o s w o ll are easy to fo colours this p li re tu a n ig s purple your for season.

KiK Magazine f o e u s is t s la ct (Read the d Your Perfe in F to w o h n the article o Red).

2Strong Bo

4 Colour Colour Colour

ws Brows can m a and th ey are ke or break you ta your fa ce this king center s r look tage o tweeze s n rs and ummer. Put d all the l e o t w those ir g brows n the better. lory. The fu grow ller, th e thick in er, the

WILL YOU TRY A TREND?

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Send your makeup pics showing this article’s trends to editor@keepitkinky.net and you may be in the next issue of KiK Magazine.

Spring with no color? Never! It`s all about the soft, bright, bold, eyes. W will be seeing lots of pinks, teals, bl and oranges. Just about any color o the rainbow will do. Go all out and h fun in colour.

5 Make a Dark Line

Black eye li ner is a mu s staple piece in your mak Whether th in, for a natu r or thick, for a little more d winged eye liner is a go -to and summe r. Those of yo wear a thin k winged lin et the eyes be hind those fram

KEUP

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st have and a keup collec tion. ral defined look drama, blac k o this sprin g ou in glasse s, to emphasiz e mes.

19 Makeup and Photography by Nicole Webster

Ayurvedic Natural Hair Care

by Laquita Thomas-Banks

Ayurveda is a holistic approach to health that is designed to help people live long, healthy, and well-balanced lives.

The term Ayurveda is taken from the Sanskrit words ayus, meaning life or lifespan, and veda, meaning knowledge. It has been practiced in India for at least 5,000 years. The basic principle of Ayurveda is to prevent and treat illness with natural herbal remedies, first and foremost by maintaining balance in the body, mind, and 20

consciousness through proper diet, and lifestyle.

We all know that poor diet, illness, lack of proper hygiene, and nutritional deficiencies can all affect the hair and cause various problems. Many are taking an Ayurvedic approach to maintaining healthy hair.

A Quick Lesson in

Ayurveda

In Ayurveda, doshas are the functional intelligences within the body mind complex. They are the energies that make things happen within an organism. There are three dosha predominant constitutions— Vata, Pitta, and Kapha, where two doshas are equally or nearly equally predominant (Vata-Pitta, Pitta-Kapha and Vata-Kapha and one tridoshic Prakruti with all three doshas equally prominent Vata-Pitta-Kapha).

Everyone has Vata, Pitta, and Kapha, but usually one or two are dominant in a particular person. Stress and an unhealthy diet are among the things that can disturb the doshas balance.

Vata is the energy of movement. It is the energy that controls bodily functions associated with motion, including blood circulation, breathing, blinking and heartbeat. When it is balanced, creativity and vitality are present. When Vata is not balanced, this produces fear and anxiety.

Pitta is the energy of digestion and metabolism. It is the energy that controls the body’s metabolic systems, including digestion, absorption, nutrition, and temperature. When Pitta is balanced, contentment and intelligence are present. When it is not balanced, anger and even ulcers arise.

Kapha is the energy of lubrication and structure. It is the energy that controls growth in the body. This energy supplies water to all body parts; it moisturizes the skin and maintains the immune system. When Kapha is balanced, love and forgiveness are present. When it is not balanced, it results in insecurity and envy.

Ayurveda

Holistic Hair Care When it comes to hair care, the Ayurvedic practice of keeping the doshas balanced play a key role in maintaining healthy hair. Along with the obvious things, like moisturizing, conditioning, protecting your ends, and minimizing the use of heat, incorporate the following Ayurvedic steps to ensure healthy hair.

1.

Start with a nutritious diet. Eat lots of leafy green vegetables, fresh fruits and nuts. Avoid caffeinated drinks, spicy, fried and greasy food. Foods such as white sesame seeds, whole grains, dates and raisins, fresh yogurt and bean sprouts, and healthy fats such as olive oil, are great for overall hair health.

Cook with spices that enhance digestion and purify body tissues: turmeric, black pepper, fenugreek, coriander, and cumin are all digestionenhancing (balancing Pitta). Also, add vitamins and supplements to your diet.

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2.

Make weekly hair and scalp massages part of your hair care routine. Massages nourish your hair and scalp and enhance circulation (balancing Vata). Olive oil will do the trick, and you can also infuse your oil with herbs by steeping a tea bag filled with chamomile, or hibiscus in hot oil for a few hours then using the cooled mixture to massage scalp and/or as a hot-oil treatment.

3.

Follow a regular cleansing routine (balancing Kapha). Whether you do this daily, weekly, or bi-weekly a clean, build-up free scalp is one of the major keys to healthy hair.

Remember, wash your scalp with the pads of your fingers, not your nails, and do a final rinse with cool water. Also, remember to clean your hair tools as well, soaking brushes and combs in boiled water and/or shampoo regularly helps to get rid of dead skin cells, oils, and dirt.

4.

Balance all three doshas by managing stress and getting plenty of sleep. Stress can lead to hair loss and sleep deprivation is a form of stress.

Emotional or physical stress related to a death in the family, pregnancy, severe weight loss or surgery, pushes large numbers of growing hairs into a resting phase called resulting in hair loss called telogen effluvium.

Although it can take months, this type of hair loss grows back when the emotional or physical stress is resolved.

22

For some, intense stress may trigger a type of hair loss called alopecia areata. With this type of hair loss, white blood cells attack the hair follicle and stunt hair growth and within weeks, the affected hair falls out. This type of hair loss usually starts as a small round patch, but may eventually spread to the whole scalp, and sometimes to body hair as well. The hair generally grows back, but the cycle may repeat itself.

Keeping a journal, making time for hobbies, going for walks, and taking long baths are just a few of the ways to manage and/or reduce stress. Try practicing yoga and meditation, which are the primary Ayurvedic treatments for stress. By making these things a part of your lifestyle, you will see a great improvement in the health of your hair and overall health. n References Ayurvedic Approach to Beauty - http://www. ayurbalance.com/beauty_haircare.htm Ayurveda Info - http://www.bluelotusayurveda.com/ doshas.html Ayurveda Resources - http://www.umm.edu/altmed/ articles/ayurveda-000348.htm Ayurvedic Hair Recipes - http://www.ayurvedaherbal-remedy.com/beauty-care/hair-care.html Ayurvedic Clarifying Rinse - http://www.ehow.com/ how_5913559_make-tea-clarifying-hair-rinse.html

This article is written by LAQUITA

THOMAS-

BANKS, a certified Natural Hair Care Stylist.

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ASK

Q Dear Doc,

an

A

with Dr. Llorenia Muir-Green

A

&

Q

t r e p x E

Advice Column

I am experiencing soreness at the top of my scalp despite going natural a few years ago. The soreness started when I used to do the Jheri Curl and the rods would make part of my scalp extremely tender. I think it had to do with my hairdresser wrapping the rods extremely tightly. In your opinion, what could have caused it? Also, what do you think I should do? The problem remains and I am really in need of help.

– Aching Arianne

Dear Aching Arianne,

It is quite possible that you were experiencing irritation from the “booster”’ used in the jheri curl process with a sequelae of inflammation to the scalp (condition caused by previous disease/injury). The hair dresser wrapping the hair tightly onto the rods did not help the situation. The inflammation experienced would have manifested as soreness or tenderness to the area involved.

Ongoing tenderness suggests to me that the inflammatory process is still present and could indicate destruction of the hair follicles which does not normally become visible to the eye until 50% of hair is lost. I would suggest that you get your hair and scalp examined as you more than likely will need topical and possible oral medical treatment to help stem the process.

– Dr. Muir-Green

ASK A QUESTION

Send your questions on any topic to editor@keepitkinky.net.

25

The warmer months are the perfect time to experiment with updos.

Try a variety of buns with flat twisted fronts and braided-out ponytails secured carefully in the back.

Hair &

Summe to do t off all that yo

Do it no hair by your sca

All pictu Curves S Keston D

26

& Now

er is the perfect season the big chop by cutting of your relaxed hair so ou can be 100% natural.

ow. You’ll grow in enough the end of the year keep alp warm in the winter.

ures provided by Twists and Salon with photography by Duke.

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FRANCHESCA RAMSEY ON & OFF THE TUBE

Ramsey talks about how she got started on YouTube and why a large part of her personal life is off limits to her viewers.

28 Photography

by Leslie Hassler

Cover Feature

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Easily described as a YouTube celebrity, Franchesca Ramsey, best known

by Chescaleigh on YouTube has been making entertaining videos on for her online channel since 2007. Whether it is social commentary, pop culture or hair videos, Franchesca’s charming personality, acting skills and wit make her videos very easy to watch. Perhaps this is why she currently has over 99,000 followers on her Chescaleigh channel on YouTube.

After winning the YouTube NextUp competition, she also began other well-followed and well -loved channels. Her hair channel, Chescalocs, features hair information and tutorials for women with locs while her other channel, Chescavlogs gives you a little window into her life.

Click on the film reel on the right featuring the Draw My Life video to learn more about her life or continue reading to learn why she moved to New York, how her popularity soared and why she keeps her personal life private.

Franchesca before the locs

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KiK: Why did you start making YouTube vides and after doing it for so many years, does it ever feel like a chore?

Franchesca: I started making videos in 2007, so 6 years. I’ve always struggled with a consistent video schedule partly because I do a lot of things in addition to YouTube but mostly because I do everything myself so it’s very time consuming. There have been lots of late nights spent editing where I ask myself why I chose to take all this on. But in reality, I do love it, which is why I keep at it.

KiK: You worked as a graphic designer and in the corporate world with a traditional job for a while. What led you to New York?

Franchesca: Pat (my boyfriend at the time, now fiancé) and I were living in our home state of Florida and were both ready for a change.

He decided to apply to law school and I encouraged him to apply in both NY and LA so I could try to pursue entertainment.

He ended up getting a full scholarship to a school in NY, so NY won.

KiK: I’ve been following your YouTube videos for years and your videos were high quality long before you made it big on the video blogging scene. Did you always have a goal in mind when making those videos?

Franchesca: When I started making videos the partner program had 31

just started and there weren’t any “full time YouTubers” yet.

No one had any idea where the platform would go or what doors it would open for artists. So I never planned on being a “YouTube star”, I just enjoyed making videos and being part of the community.

KiK: What do you think was the tipping point that had you falling into the land of true YouTube stardom? Did you anticipate it?

Franchesca: Obviously, “Shit white girls say... to black girls” (click on the film reel above to watch the video on YouTube) is what really changed things for me. Suddenly I was getting tons of media attention 32

and in one week had made enough money to live off of for a year, so that’s what I did. I quit my job and decided to give the whole actor/YouTuber career a try. I didn’t anticipate it at all. There’s really no way to prepare for that sort of thing. I literally uploaded the video and went to work. I knew it was a good video, but I thought maybe it would get 100k views and that would be it. Little did I know it would completely change my life.

“

...wan be a “ YouTu Good

[Check out Franchesca’s interview on CNN’s Anderson Cooper Television show on the left of the video reel.]

KiK: We’ve met your parents and fiancé through the channel but we don’t really know the details of your personal life. How do you decide what to and not to share with your viewers?

Franchesca: Despite being on YouTube I’m actually a very private

person. That’s just my nature.

For my own safety, I don’t talk about where I live, or show my neighborhood. I also very rarely talk about Patrick and what’s going on in our relationship. I think once you expose certain elements of your life online, you open yourself up to judgment from your viewers.

But I’m really happy with my offline life, so I don’t really care what anyone else has to say about it, so I’d rather not give them the chance.

nt to “prouber?” d luck!

online is partially talent and hard work, but mostly luck. Some of the biggest people I know on YouTube blew up completely unexpectedly.

You just never know. So I say, do it because you love it. Not because you want to be “famous” or whatever, because it doesn’t always work out that way. The Internet is very fickle.

.”

KiK: Do you still do graphic design or have a 9-5/day job and what advice do you have for women who want to become professional YouTubers?

Franchesca: No, right now I’m focusing on acting and YouTube. I’m doing a little consulting here and there but I’m not working full time. If you want to be a “pro-YouTuber?” Good luck! No really, success Photography by Leslie Hassler

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KiK: What are you doing when you’re not making videos?

Franchesca: I like to run, go to the gym, play with my dogs, sing, go on dates with Pat and just hang with my friends. Really normal boring stuff.

KiK: What means the most to you in life? You know, what keeps you inspired to keep living?

Franchesca: My parents, my friends, my dogs and my man.

I’m blessed with a ton of talented friends, so they definitely keep me inspired and encourage me to keep pushing forward. Patrick’s also really funny, so he’s always saying things that spark an interesting idea or concept.

How many locs do you have?

114 - I only know this because I get asked it a lot, so I sat down one day and counted.

Can I touch them (your locs)? (Just kidding!) But seriously, do you get that question a lot?

More often than not, people just touch them without asking. So truthfully, I’d prefer if more people asked instead of just touching. But yes, I get it a fair amount.

What’s in your bag?

My wallet, business cards, lotion, camera, an extra camera battery and SD card, lip-gloss, tampons and hair pins.

BONUS Q & As Why did you go natural?

I got tired of my hair falling out. Oh, and I couldn’t afford regular perms in college.

How long have you had locs?

9 years 34

Photography by Leslie Hassler

WOMEN

& he TCheating Man

by Garth Williams

I have always maintained that ladies don’t know what they want. Go ahead and disagree; sue me if you want, lol. Anyway, this claim stems from the consistent inconsistencies women apply to their position(s) on relationships. So many complain and curse men who cheat in relationships, but they stay with these men or worse – end the relationship and then take him back.

I have so many friends who have left their cheating men and then gone back. After speaking with most of them, I started thinking about why this could be. Here are some of those ideas.

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Crazy in love?

One of the most common things women say when they’re asked why they’re still in their cheating relationship is, “because I love him.”

She’s hurt deeply by his actions, but she can’t deny that her strong feelings for him are causing her to lose sight of her previous position on a cheating man. She’s dropped anchor and decided that this ship ain’t leaving the dock. Yep, “love” has made her lose her mind.

Doesn’t want to lose the “big investment” Building a relationship with someone is more than cementing emotional bonds. Sometimes it includes finances and time spent together (time is money). If she has built a business with him, leaving the relationship could risk her venture.

She would rather work on the current relationship than cut her losses (which could include the business)

He’s the breadwinner and provider Besides all the emotional entanglements, not having money can cause a woman to stay in a cheating relationship. How is she going to leave and start a new life on her own if she has been depending on him for financial stability? This 36

issue keeps women, both gold diggers and non-gold diggers alike, in the relationship — even if they’re not in love with him anymore.

History and kids Women tend to be more sentimental than men. If the relationship has spanned a few good years, then those shared experiences are powerful and difficult to let go. If her boyfriend is a large part of her past, she could be dragging her feet to leave because it means throwing away what has been built over the past few years.

Staying with a man for the child/ren makes sense to many women. As a mother, she has people other than herself to consider, and she might hesitate at the idea of breaking up the family by leaving her boyfriend or husband.

Possessive or possessed?

Although he has hurt her deeply, she just can’t imagine being without him.

She cringes at the thought of another woman getting to have him. She’s so used to saying that he belongs to her, that she’s not quite ready to turn him into recycled goods for other women to enjoy. Staying with him is her way of marking and keeping her territory.

Low self-esteem Women who don’t love or value themselves catch the cheater’s eye.

If a woman doesn’t care about her self-worth, she’ll be quick to brush away his indiscretions, make excuses for him, and she won’t feel that she is wonderful enough to do better than him.

“He won’t do it again” This is just straight up naive and might I say DUMB. Her boyfriend betrayed her but she believes that he will change. Many women can’t reconcile the image of a man who was with her what seems like 24/7 with the image of that same man in another woman’s bed. So they think it’s possible their boyfriends will change their cheating ways and revert to the “good old days”.

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LeAnn Rimes – “How Do I Live Without You” She’s been with him for years, building and focusing on a life together. Thinking about letting all that can make almost any woman fearful. . She’s probably worried about what her life will be like without him in it. Facing that uncertainty is often too scary of a prospect. She’d rather stick with him because, as difficult as it might be, it’s a comfort zone. n

Contact us at sales@keepitkinky.net

This article is written by Communications

Specialist and Broadcaster, Garth WIlliams.

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MICHAEL ELLIOTT Fine Artist

Jamaican-born, Kingstonbased artist, Michael Elliott, has been making a name for himself in the local and international art scene. The 33 year old has been painting since 2002 and attended the Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts in Jamaica where he received a Diploma in Painting.

Michael believes that art was his best talent and his calling. His artistic family was supportive all the way through. I suppose they must have agreed that he was truly talented.

In the interview that follows, Michael shares why he made the decision to become an artist, what inspires him and how current technological advancements are affecting his art and the art world.

PHOTOGRAPH BY DIEDRE CALLAM

39

Donopoly Decption by Michael Elliot

KiK: We’ve all heard about the starving artist stereotype. What made you decide to dedicate your life to being a painter by profession?

Michael Elliott: I have dedicated my life to being a painter as a natural progression of my talent through my youth growing up and going through high school, so it didn’t really come suddenly my experiences shaped my artistic journey.

KiK: Do you think that your formal art training has muffled 40

your artistic voice and what do you think of the statement, “Artists are not made, they are born?”

Michael Elliott: The experience I had at Edna was fruitful mostly in the interactions that I had with other students and the way that we shared in each other’s development and also learning the dialogue of art. Some of our activities are like practice for the outside world as we engage with the outside world after and active critique at the school is useful for strengthening technique and concept. Everyone is born with

Donopoly Decption by Michael Elliot

a creative side to potentially create a masterpiece, but only some are born with the gift of discovering this attribute early. It is really determination that brings out the artist in someone and the willingness to let go of the logical.

of survival. In the 1960s art was about celebration of a new nation and there was a high energy in creatively documenting our heritage even collectors wanted to be a part of it. The scene was building more back then.

KiK: What is it like to be a young Jamaican painter in 2013?

KiK: Well, digital art has been on the rise. Do you think that this will negatively affect your career?

Michael Elliott: It is tough here mostly in the economic standpoint, artists are still creating in Jamaica and perhaps even more than before but what is challenging is finding that balance

Michael Elliott: I think its really just another medium, I think what we use to create the art is less important than the image itself.

I have recently incorporated 41

photographic imagery as an art form doing montages to create something surreal, it still follows my painting where imagination is concerned as well and even direct symbolism.

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KiK: What makes a Michael Elliott piece different from any other?

Michael Elliott: Mainly, I would say it is the way the brush strokes

engage the canvas, its like your signature on a document is automatic to you and harder for someone else to duplicate. The use of colour and space and

sometimes a unique material to the artist can distinguish this. For me it’s the use of paint. In some painting series it is also the subject matter although that is not a factor by itself.

The June Fellowship by Michael Elliot

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KiK: What is the impact that you want your art to have on its viewers? What should they leave with?

Michael Elliott: I try not to dictate what my viewers leave with in the artistic experience, They should leave with a connection that relates to their experience or reminds them of something they have seen, they should leave with a discussion going about whatever the piece evokes.

KiK: Where can we contact you online and where can we see more of your work?

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Michael Elliott: You can contact me through email at flyncity@gmail.com and you can see more of my work at www. flyncity.net. n

FIND OUT WHERE MICHAEL GETS HIS INSPIRATION HERE.

Sick Bay by Michael Elliot 45

@ keepitkinky.net

LET’S CONNECT @ keepitkinky.net

@ KiKConnect

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