The Koronette - March 2016 by Koronette Magazine

M A R C H

2 0 1 6

TA B L E O F C O N T E N T S 48 R E B E C C A F R O L O VA - O N T H E C O V E R

6 TAY L O R A B B O T T

14 H E AT H E R A M I S TA D

17 F R E E Z I N G T I M E - H E AT H E R A M I S TA D

28 J U A N M O N TA N O

34 M A R C H FAV O R I T E S : M U S I C CHRISTINE NGUYEN

37 P L AY L I S T

38 ISAAC SOLO

40 REBEKAH HO

TAY L O R A B B O T T G R AYA E S T H E T I C . C O M P O RT L A N D , O R | 2 1

“ I ’ M F O R T U N AT E T O L I V E I N A V E R Y B E AU T I F U L A N D C U LT U R A L P L A C E , W H I C H IS THE MOST INSPIRING THING TO ME.”

TELL US A LIT TLE BIT A B OU T YOUR SELF.

WH AT A R E THR EE THINGS YOU NEED

I work as a social media director here, and

Three things I need to have a productive

absolutely love it.

day: Peppermint green tea, a to do list (I

TO H AVE A PRODUCTIVE DAY?

cannot function without a written list), and WHO OR WH AT INSPIR ES YOU?

my laptop.

I find inspiration in all things minimal & simple. I’m fortunate to live in a very

H AVE YOU EVER EXPER IENCED A

beautiful and cultural place, which is the

CR EATIVE RU T?

most inspiring thing to me.

IF SO, HOW DID YOU OVERCOME IT? I think everybody experiences a creative

WH AT IS YOUR CR EATIVE/

rut at some point. I overcome my ruts by

PRODUCTIVE PROCESS?

taking time for myself every day, even if it’s

I don’t necessarily have a creative process,

only for a half hour. I don’t feel the pressure

but in order for me to be truly productive,

to always be posting on social media or my

I need to take time away from the things

blog, because I realize it’s important to be

that distract me every day like my phone,

present in real life. I believe you can’t force

social media, etc. Since I work as a social

creativity; you just have to live and let it

media director, it’s crucial that I get time

happen as it does. (:

away from it to clear my head and fuel fresh ideas.

SOMETHING YOU ’R E STILL LEA R NING? I’m still learning time management. Like I

OTHER HOBBIES?

said, I realize it’s important to be present

I love to be outdoors whether it be a walk

in real life, but sometimes I overwork at my

around the city, or a hike in the gorge, but

job, or just in general, which I find can lead

I never camp. I’m deathly afraid of bears.

to a creative rut. I would like to be able

I also love to learn new things because I

to set more of a daily schedule so I know

think it’s important to always be learning

when I have time for myself.

something to grow as an individual. I took a ballet class a while ago and loved it. I’m

WH AT A R E YOUR NEXT STEPS?

thinking I want to try kickboxing next, and

My next steps are to honestly just carry on.

maybe take a beginner art class. I try to

I don’t necessarily have any huge plans. I

push myself out of my comfort zone often. I

love creating, and living a simple life. I’m

also love graphic design and photography,

excited to see what the next steps are as

even though I don’t hold a title in

they come.

either field.

H E AT H E R A M I S TA D H E AT H E R A M I S TA D . C O M K A P O L E I , O A H U , H AWA I I | 2 7

“STEPPING OUT OF MY COMFORT Z O N E I S W H AT H E L P S M E E V O LV E I N B E C O M I N G A B E T T E R P H OT O G R A P H E R . ”

“ I WA N T T H E V I E W E R T O E S C A P E REALITY AND LET THEIR I M A G I N AT I O N R U N W I L D . I H O P E I T I G N I T E S E M OT I O N A N D T H AT T H E Y L E AV E F E E L I N G I N S P I R E D . ”

TELL US A LIT TLE BIT A B OU T YOUR SELF

to become a better human being. I use my

An island girl that moved to the city to pursue

camera as a tool in experiencing and learning

her dreams.

about various cultures and environments

Photography is my creative outlet to be

- I can look back at those moments and

impetuous and free.

appreciate what I’ve discovered.

HOW DO YOU GATHER INSPIR ATION?

WH AT DO YOU WA N T PEOPLE TO THINK/

Observing my surroundings everyday,

SEE/FEEL WHEN THEY SEE YOUR WOR K?

whether it be from spilled coffee to a lyric

I want the viewer to escape reality and let

from a song I’m currently listening to.

their imagination run wild. I hope it ignites

Different art mediums such as paintings,

emotion and that they leave feeling inspired.

films, and literature all contribute to how I find inspiration.

DO YOU PR EFER TO SHOOT FIL M OR DIGITA L?

HOW WOULD YOU EXPLA IN YOUR ST YLE

I’d choose film because you’re capturing a

OF PHOTOGR A PHY?

moment as it is. I feel that with digital, since

My style is eclectic and constantly changing.

you have more control, you’re allowed to

There are common themes, however, I like

view it immediately and are able to change

to experiment with my work because it helps

the outcome - through settings and editing.

me to see things from different perspectives.

Personally, I love film more because it allows

To be creative is to always try something new

me to enjoy the moment I’m capturing, and

and different. Stepping out of my comfort

with digital I’m more concerned with taking

zone is what helps me evolve in becoming a

the perfect image.

better photographer. THR EE THINGS YOU NEED TO SHOOT IS THER E A N YB ODY OR A N Y THING YOU

THE PER FECT PHOTOGR A PH:

WOULD LOVE TO PHOTOGR A PH?

Light, music, and spontaneity.

I would love to photograph all the cathedrals in Europe, such as Basilica di San Marco.

WH AT A R E YOUR NEXT STEPS?

Also, being an island girl, I would be thrilled

Finding a way to combine architecture and

to photograph landscapes in Fiji and French

photography together, develop my own

Polynesia.

business.

More generally, capturing moments by

Travel the world with my family and friends.

exploring different places is my euphoria.

Keep spreading positive vibes!

Traveling to me is essential in my journey

FREEZING TIME H E AT H E R A M I S TA D

At a young age, I knew that I wanted to pursue art, specifically architecture. Ironically, that’s how I first started getting into photography. I used my camera to capture images of minimal interiors to intricate exteriors. Architecture helped shape the type of photographer I am today. I’m quite a perfectionist when it comes to the image I want to capture. With design it’s crucial to think outside the box and to experiment using trial and error. I apply that same discipline with still imagery. Sometimes you get the right shot on pure accident and when shooting from multiple perspectives. When I first moved from Hawaii to Oregon to pursue architecture in college, it became my whole life. Architecture school requires more than studying – you’re working on designing and constructing models well into the early morning. For a while I took a hiatus from photography. One day a friend asked if I wanted to go on a trip to the Columbia Gorge. I never had the chance to explore Oregon’s beauty until then, and it was one of the most thrilling experiences. I remember, as we trekked through the forest, I fell in love with Oregon’s nature. Throughout the hike, I was constantly whipping out my camera and taking photos of everything in my path. A lot of people complain about the “dreary” rainy Pacific Northwest weather, and I’m guilty of it too – but it makes for such beautiful landscapes. Since then, I’ve used photography as a tool to get away from the hustle and bustle of everyday responsibilities. Currently, I’m experimenting with different styles but architecture and nature will always be my favorites to take photos of. Still imagery is the closest thing we have to freezing time. It allows you to capture moments you can hold onto forever. A big part of what I love about photography is being able to share my perspective of the world I see from my own eyes. It’s a tool I use to ignite conversation and imagination. I want my work to take my audience on the journey with me and inspire them to look beyond what’s in plain sight.

J U A N M O N TA N O F L I C K R / J U A N M O N TA N O OSWEGO, IL | 23

“ E V E R Y S U M M E R I WA N T T O P L A N A ROAD TRIP WITH MY BEST FRIEND. JUST T O S E E W H AT E L S E I S O U T T H E R E A N D T O G E T AWAY F O R A L I T T L E B I T. “

TELL ME A LIT TLE BIT A B OU T YOUR SELF:

WH AT KIND OF CA MER A DO YOU SHOOT

I’m 24 years old and currently live in a small

WITH?

town in Illinois named Dekalb. I study Art

Canon 5D mark III

at Northern Illinois University. I like to drive.

Iphone 6 sometimes

Every Summer I want to plan a road trip with my best friend. Just to see what else is out

WH AT IS THE MOST CH A LLENGING PA RT

there and to get away for a little bit.

A B OU T BEING A PHOTOGR A PHER? Putting down your camera and forgetting

FIR ST THING YOU WA N T OTHER S TO

to pick it up. There was a time when I didn’t

KNOW.

shoot for at least a year.

I like watching old films and I listen to Mariachi on my spare time.

WH AT KEEPS YOU MOTIVATED? Knowing that there are so many beautiful

HOW WOULD YOU EXPLA IN YOUR ST YLE

places to go and photograph. Vintage

OF PHOTOGR A PHY?

clothes and exploring new places. Family.

I don’t really know how to answer this question. I sometimes shoot client work so I

WH AT A R E YOUR NEXT STEPS?

feel like I’m somewhat all over the place. It

After receiving my bachelors, I would like to

becomes stressful sometimes. I once got told

move to a place with more scenery. Possibly

that my work reminds them of an ad for an

Montana, maybe California or Colorado.

antidepressant. I also got told that my work

Those are my three top states. I would also

reminded them of a cup of soup. I think I

like to be busy with shooting client work

liked the cup of soup better haha.

and hopefully become a successful wedding photographer.

IS THER E A N YONE OR A N Y THING YOU WOULD LIKE TO PHOTOGR A PH? I wish I could go back in time for a day and photograph actor Buster Keaton. Today, I would like to photograph Théo Gosselin. His work really inspires me and his friends seem really cool.

M A R C H FAV O R I T E S : MUSIC CHRISTINE NGUYEN

It’s already March, but New Year’s Eve felt like yesterday. Nevertheless, 2016 has been off to a great start! As my New Year started, I made a spontaneous decision to travel to LA with an old friend for five days. Those five days changed my life. My friend and I have now vowed that we will always travel together. I’ve found my ideal and favorite travel companion on this trip! Actually we just want to go back to California and live there now. We will see how that goes for the rest of this year. I believe that traveling has a great effect on you, especially when you’re young and finding yourself. On this trip, not only did I find my travel soul-mate AND myself, but also met new friends in California, ate new foods, saw new sights, lived a Californian lifestyle (I walked so much. It’s no wonder Californians are so healthy and in shape!), went clubbing for the first time and actually had fun, and found a new love for electronic music. As 2015 came to an end and 2016 took its place, I noticed that EDM (Electronic Dance Music) had been making a come-back again. I remember back in my middle school days, my older cousin was so into techno, dance, and electronic music. I pretty much grew up hearing that kind of stuff constantly, along with boy bands and the occasional lovesick R&B tunes. Speaking of EDM, I’ve comprised a playlist of some of my favorite songs from my Californian adventure and post-California trip. I’ve decided that I need an annual trip to California from this point on. In high school, I LOVED making mixed CDs for my friends, and I’d tailor each CD to their musical preferences. I was the music junkie and art freak in high school, but I didn’t mind. When I got the call to make

this playlist, I was ecstatic and nostalgic at the same time. So, I tailored this playlist for all of you. Although I don’t know what you all like at the moment, I wanted to show you a little piece

“ I B E L I E V E T H AT

of my world right now. Listen to them in order as I’ve arranged them in a way that they all flow.

T R AV E L I N G

There are no jumpy or weird transitions in this playlist. IT IS PERFECT, I TELL YOU! I would

H A S A G R E AT E F F E C T

advise to listen to this playlist on a road trip or something that takes 45 minutes to do (like

O N Y O U , E S P E C I A L LY

chores, homework, or cooking). I am not the type who is into the really dubstep-y, repetitive stuff. A lot of the electronic music I like listening to are

WHEN YOU’RE YOUNG AND

very melodic and chill or tropical and upbeat. I

F I N D I N G Y O U R S E L F. ”

threw in an acoustic cover to throw you guys off. I hope you all enjoy and if you want to keep upto-date on the stuff I’m listening to, follow The Koronette on SoundCloud! I repost frequently there. I am into lots of different types of music, so if you aren’t into electronic, sit tight. I’ll give you something else next time.

P L AY L I S T 1 . A LL T H AT ’S LEF T - Manila Killa ft. Joni Fatora 2 . PER MISSION TO LOVE - Hayden James 3 . HOLD ON WE’ R E G OI N G HO ME - Nathan Hawes, Acoustic Cover 4 . SLEEPLE SS - Flume ft. Jezzabell Doran (Manila Killa Remix) 5 . LOVE LIKE MINE - Miami Horror (Cleopold Remix) 6 . PINK MEDICINE - Bearson (Manila Killa Remix) 7 . WA LKIN G WIT H A GHOS T - Tegan and Sara 8 . SNBR N - Raindrops feat Kerli (Hotel Garuda Remix) 9 . CA N I - Alina Baraz & Galimatia (Tey Cadey Remix) 1 0. N OT H IN G ON MY MIND - Astronomyy (Bearson Remix) 1 1. ILYSB - LANY 1 2. BEG GIN F OR T HR E A D - Banks (Gryffin & Hotel Garuda Remix)

ISAAC SOLO DOJIMUSIC.COM HOCKESSIN, DE | 20

TELL US A LIT TLE BIT A B OU T YOUR SELF.

this image of someone running while out of breath.

I’m a 20 year old singer/songwriter from Delaware

The whole song was shaped with that in mind.

who now goes to college in Los Angeles. I grew up learning classical piano, played in a band during

IF YOU COULD COLLA B OR ATE WITH A N Y

high school, and now I’m focusing on my solo

FIVE A RTISTS, WHO WOULD YOU CHOOSE?

project, Doji.

Justin Vernon, Adele, Rostam, Lorde, Kanye West I would never feel comfortable enough to be in the

DESCR IBE YOUR SOUND IN THR EE WOR DS TO

same room as these people, let alone collaborate.

BR A ND NEW FA NS. Future flowy sparkles

FAVOR ITE CER EA L? It changes all the time but I’m craving cocoa puffs

WH AT GENR ES WOULD YOU WA N T TO

at the moment.

EXPLOR E MOR E? I really don’t think in terms of genre but I’m

TOP FIVE SONGS YOU ’R E LISTENING TO:

definitely interested in using Asian instruments

The Japanese House - Cool Blue

in the future. There’s a unique serenity in Asian

Drake - Summer Sixteen

music, especially with erhu. I also want to make

Mura Masa - Love for that (ft. Shura)

more minimal music. When there are fewer

Wet - Deadwater

instruments playing at once, each instrument hits

Taku - Love Again feat. JMSN & Sango

you harder. I hope each sound in my songs serves a WH AT A R E YOUR NEXT STEPS?

purpose.

I’m working on a couple videos at the moment WH AT WA S YOUR INSPIR ATION BEHIND

and playing around with some song ideas. In the

FOR EIGN FIELDS?

near future, I’ll just be releasing singles. Each one

The first part I came up with was the exhaling you

is sounding pretty different, but I think there’s a

hear in the intro. Something about that simple

common thread that connects them all.

rhythm coupled with the brass sound on my keyboard really captured my attention. It evoked

REBEKAH HO REBEKAH-HO.COM VA N C O U V E R , C A N A D A | 2 3

“ I N E E D T O A L LOW C O LO R S AND TEXTURES SPEAK FOR T H E M S E LV E S A N D M A K E R O O M F O R M Y S T E RY A N D S U R P R I S E.”

TELL US A LIT TLE BIT A B OU T YOUR SELF.

way, with whatever measure of intent, and I

I’m a 23-year old Marketing and Creative

love looking for the ways people choose to

Writing student from Vancouver, Canada.

describe themselves.

I’m quite extroverted and also a planner, so I tend to pack my days with exploring the city,

HOW DO YOU USUA LLY EDIT YOUR

going to coffee shops, and birthday parties,

PHOTOS?

but on my occasional rest days, I wrap myself

I always edit my digital photos, but never my

in blankets, read, and listen to music. Also, I

film photos. I have learned very quickly that

have a borderline unhealthy obsession with

no amount of editing will fix a bad photo.

ice cream.

Shooting on film has been very good for me to let go of having complete control over

HOW DID YOU GET STA RTED IN

my photography. I need to allow colors and

PHOTOGR A PHY?

textures speak for themselves and make room

My dad has always been my number one

for mystery and surprise.

supporter. As a kid, he always put me in charge of taking photos on our crappy

WOULD YOU CONSIDER YOUR PHOTOS

point-and-shoot. When he saw how much

MOR E PLA NNED OR SP ON TA NEOUS?

I loved it, he bought me my first DSLR in

I have done some product shooting, which is

high school. He actually doesn’t really like

super fun and gives me creativity as a stylist,

art and grumbles every time I take him to a

but in terms of my personal photography, it’s

gallery, so it’s ironic that he’s the one that got

spontaneous. I watch light move, and I follow

me started, but it’s always great to know I

it. I shoot a lot while I travel, and there’s

have someone on my side even if he doesn’t

no time to stop and fix things or else the

understand.

moment will be gone. It keeps me on my feet and that’s my favourite way to do things.

WHER E DO YOU GATHER INSPIR ATION? I’m really interested interactions between

WH AT A DVICE WOULD YOU GIVE

human and unhuman things. I love how we

TO PEOPLE WHO WA N T TO PICK UP

want to add a bit of our story into nature, into

PHOTOGR A PHY?

inanimate objects, into everything we make

Trial and error! When I first started, I got

and do. We put our boats out into the ocean

frustrated very quickly, because there was

to gather, see, and explore. We line our

a huge gap between what I wanted to see

windowsills with flowers to give our spaces

and what the final product was, but endless

life. We turn the lights off when we’re sad.

amounts of trial and error helped me figure

We use small details in clothing, the colors

things out. I love people who first get a

of our rooms, and our found objects shelves

camera in their hands and they go crazy with

to describe who we are in a physical visual

taking photos of everything, no matter how

great or mundane. What sucks is when people are timid with their cameras and are too scared to take a bad photo. I promise you that your disappointment will be worth it. THR EE THINGS TH AT HELP YOUR CR EATIVIT Y: Looking at other people’s work and being in awe. It’s sometime hard not to be jealous when someone else is doing well, but honestly, when someone else is succeeding and creating beautiful things, it only means that you can do it too. Unplugging and ignoring everything. There is an insane amount of content in the world right now, and sometimes, it’s overwhelming and my mind gets overrun. I need to give myself permission to recluse from the world once and a while, as long as I come back. Feedback. In writing, we have workshop groups, and it’s so important to hear how other people are perceiving and interpreting your work. It doesn’t mean you have to change it, but it’s important to know. Photography is the same. I need people who are photographers or non-photographers or strangers or best friends to tell me what they like and dislike without taking it personally. WH AT A R E YOUR NEXT STEPS? I’m graduating and travelling Europe for a month in May, and after that, who knows! It’s unforeseeable and exciting to finally be out of the university bubble, and anything can happen.

R E B E C C A F R O L O VA R E B E C C A F R O L O VA . C O M P O RT L A N D , O R | 1 9

“ I C H A S E I M A G E R Y T H AT S P E A K S H O N E S T Y, O P E N N E S S , CANDOR, TRUTH, AND S T R A I G H T F O R WA R D N E S S . ”

TELL US A LIT TLE BIT A B OU T YOUR SELF.

experience, essentially forever, is through a

I’m just a young girl who has realized that

photograph. The world—even in its fallen

life is a gift, it’s ours for only a short moment.

state, is so full of beauty. I fear I may end

I strive to take and experience all the good

up spending the rest of my life in constant

I can from it, so by doing that, I am able

wonder and awe of all there is to see, all

to give that good back in whichever ways I

there is to appreciate. And that’s why a

possibly can. One way I’ve been working on

photograph speaks so much to me. It’s a

manifesting that is by studying for a degree

moment—frozen in time.

in Graphic Design. WHO OR WH AT INSPIR ES YOU? HOW WOULD YOU DESCR IBE

Everything and everyone inspires me. From

YOUR ST YLE?

the glimmer of morning sun on a dewy leaf,

I chase imagery that speaks honesty,

to the split-second on a person’s face just

openness, candor, truth, and

before they burst into laughter, I’m a sponge

straightforwardness. An image with these

that thirsts to retain all the goodness and

features opens up a lot of channels to create

beauty that exists in the universe. To quit

something beautiful with. If a photo I take

being inspired would mean to quit living.

encompasses any of these things, it is only then that I consider it successful. I think style

WH AT T YPE OF CA MER A S DO YOU LIKE

is usually a reflection of the creator. It’s what

TO SHOOT WITH?

they resonate with that they are drawn to

Although I shoot primarily digital (I own

and choose to capture and create.

a Canon 5D Mark II), my heart lies in film photography. I hope to one day return to

WHY DO YOU TA KE PHOTOS?

film, because I think it is film that is able to

Memories and moments are so fleeting, here

most accurately encapsulate just the words

today and gone the next instance. The one

my heart wishes to speak.

way to retain the mood, the emotion, the

WHEN DID YOU BECOME IN TER ESTED IN PHOTOGR A PHY? HOW H A S YOUR WOR K CH A NGED SINCE THEN? It was at the age of 14 that I realized photography is definitely an avenue I must travel down. Because of some obstacles that deterred me from following the path of desire, I didn’t do any serious shooting until a couple of years ago, and as I’m still learning, I am continually evolving. There’s nothing that drives me more than the realization that I will always have something new to learn. WOULD YOU CONSIDER YOUR PHOTOS MOR E PLA NNED OR SP ON TA NEOUS? I’d like to say it’s all spontaneous, but even in spontaneity I think there is a little bit of control involved. WH AT A R E YOUR NEXT STEPS? To learn—as much as I possibly can. Sure, I dream of definite plans and milestones, but ultimately, I see no greater goal than to learn all I can from this massive universe and to simultaneously open my heart to the world and let my heart emit good for others.

WA N T T O S E E Y O U R W O R K F E AT U R E D I N THE KORONETTE? We are always looking for new and creative talent! Email THEKORONETTE@GMAIL.COM with: Name & age 2-4 low resolution photos of your best pieces

CREDITS & LINKS

R E B E C C A F R O L O VA rebeccafrolova.com instagram/rebeccafrolova

TAY L O R A B B O T T grayaesthetic.com instagram/tayloroctober

H E AT H E R A M I S TA D heatheramistad.com instagram/h.va

J U A N M O N TA N O flickr/juanmontano

M A R C H FAV O R I T E S : M U S I C & P L AY L I S T CHRISTINE NGUYEN quarterlifechristine.wordpress.com instagram/ctnguyen5 twitter/ctnguyen5

ISAAC SOLO dojimusic.com soundcloud/dojimusic

REBEKAH HO rebekah-ho.com instagram/ebekah.ho

KORONETTE.COM THEKORONETTE@GMAIL.COM @THEKORONETTE