Chanelle Rene

The overarching inspiration that informs my artwork is the beauty of black women and underrepresented women of color. Combined with the journey of self-discovery that starts with introspection and blooms into confidently pursuing our dreams. But the way I bring that vision together and ultimately create “the world” the women in my paintings live in is through fashion, interiors, and inspiring artists like Kehinde Wiley.

Not in the whole of these creations but it’s a color that may catch my eye, or a texture that conjures a feeling. From there, I imagine how these snippets can be a part of my artistic process. Recently, I watched New York Fashion Week virtually and was most taken by how the designers presented their work. I saw everything from elaborate, movie vignettes to quick and snappy TIK TOK-style clips. It sparked so many ideas on how I can present my own artwork, creating an immersive experience for my collectors.. Chanelle Rene

I am an encaustic painter working out of my home studio near the shore town of Cape May, New Jersey. Painting with hot wax and fire is transformative, satisfying my curious sense of wonder. Translating more than a visual story, my original encaustic art excites all the senses. This combined experience of sight, touch and scent of beeswax spark awe, curiosity and conversation for my viewers.

I have always been fascinated with faces and the exquisite beauty that emanates from the soul of every woman. As a woman of color, diverse feminine beauty is central to my work. My portraits quietly whisper the deepest desires of the soul. Bringing forth a full spectrum of modern beauty, unbridled and free, in a world of endless possibilities..

My journey to art unfolded later in life. With a BA from Rowan University, I worked in digital marketing for most of my career. Approaching 40, the calling to express myself artistically became harder to ignore. The moment I picked up a paint brush, I immediately connected to the experience. In a way, painting helps me unearth who I am and what I’m here to do. With every brush stroke, I create my own visual vocabulary allowing me to express myself beyond words.

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Your Mom named you Tifini...how has that name impacted you over the course of your life?

Other than she must have known how unique I was to be, I’m not sure why she named me “Tifini”, not “Tiffany” or any other version. I have my suspicions. I was born June 4th , a quintessential Gemini, so I can see how that was a possibility. I was told that the name Deidre was a thought as well. It’s funny, because I absolutely LOVE Tifini; the 1 f and 3 i’s fit me. I would have been misnamed if my parents went for the traditional way. Believe it or not, my name is often mispronounced and for as long as I can remember. “Tah-fee nee” Lewis has been heard since kindergarten, seriously. I used to cringe because the kids would laugh obnoxiously at the misnomer. I am no longer affected; I just correct people before they state the last syllable. It is so simple, that it is difficult for others to pronounce. What was most notable fact for me was when I learned where my name had derived: the·oph·a·ny (/THēˈäfənē/)-a visible manifestation to humankind of God or a god. I was floored when I learned that, and it was at a really hard time in my life after the death of my mother in 2003. I needed to know my reason for being, and this is also when my beauty brand TheophaniStyle was conceived.

TheophaniStyle

Your passion for beauty has been featured thru so many outlets, how do you know when and what is right in what you do?

My passion is equally for beauty and helping. When considering projects to work on, they in some way must embody both of those. My mission is to “enhance true beauty”, anything that doesn’t involve that I don’t take on. I stay true to what I do; there are thousands of artists and helpers for every area represented. Staying true to myself and what I value attracts me to those that agree in both deed and mindset. I allow my intuition to guide me. In the helping portion of my work, I have come to recognize and value the importance of mental health in our current society. Particularly with what we are all experiencing with this pandemic, beauty used to be a coping mechanism that we could display openly. Distanced, and covered in masks, it is very difficult to be seen by others right now. This is affecting our mental health at alarming rates, so I look to incorporate both beauty and mental health in what I work on today.

mah) means beautiful and we believe that beauty starts the moment you decide to be yourself. pronounced OMA (uh UOMA write the rules of inclusivity and diversity to create a world of beauty that truly is for all of us. We exist to re -

UOMA

SHARON CHUTER

FOUNDER, CEO & CREATIVE DIRECTOR

Listed by WWD as one of the 50 most forward-thinking executives shaping the future of the beauty industry, Nigerian born Sharon Chuter, is a rebel with a cause and on a mission to go off the well beaten path to redefine the rules of inclusivity and diversity. A visionary and seasoned beauty industry executive, Sharon has had a career that has spanned multiple continents and has worked with major multinational beauty and consumer brands including Revlon, L'Oréal, PepsiCo, GSK and most recently Benefit Cosmetics.

As the creative director of UOMA Beauty, Sharon has taken a very hands-on approach to create a makeup range that is forward thinking, radical and uncompromising. She draws inspiration from her Afro heritage and infuses it with fierce modernity to create a truly fresh aesthetic. The collection is made of products that are ground breaking in innovation, esthetically pleasing with instant payoff, skin loving, delivers maximum pleasure to all the senses and most of all suitable for all skin tones.

Tifin Lewis is Co-owner and Editor-in-Cheif of She's Ink'd Magazine; a publication that highlights and celebrates influential women who have tattoos. In philanthropy, Tifini has worked with Women Veterans Interactive, providing makeup services to our female veterans at our Nation’s Capitol. Tifini is also a participating hairstylist with Reveal NYC; an organization that serves women in Domestic Violence shelters with beauty services. She is an active member of the New York Association of Black Journalists. She's worked with Jazz recording artist Rajdulari, New York 1 News award-winning anchor and reporter, Cheryl Wills, Vincent Piazza of HBO's Boardwalk Empire, along with two-time WNBA Champion and best-selling author Yolanda Moore on her list of celebrity clientele. She also boasts being a part of the Queen of Comedy, SOMMORE’S NYC Glam Squad. Tifini Lewis is the creator of TheophaniStyle, a full glam -squad brand which provides the best in Hair Care,

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T h e o p h a n i S t y l e

"Hair excites me, and makeup makes me happy. Fashion, art, culture, and style invigorate me. What makes these of any significance are the people attached, and writing about those experiences has opened me up to connect to the world differently, in the most beautiful way. I believe in enhancing true beauty, starting with the inside which only adds to the power of these external factors. Helping people this way gives me the greatest joy. So does quality chocolate and coffee..."

Licensed cosmetologist, professional make-up artist, Beauty Expert, on-camera personality, blogger, beauty/fashion/style/art/culture writer, journalist, chocoholic… Tifini brings her salon experience in print work, runway, editorial fashion, and bridal to every personal encounter. Her training and education, along with her noted warm aura and affable personality, provide her clients with a dependable, element-oriented and multi faceted professional to add to the creative team of any project.

Her work has been seen in Livid Magazine NY, Playboy Chocolate Bunny, MTV’s Lingerie Female Football League, New Form Perspective Fashion, Autographed in Pink Ink, "Everyday for Women” Fragrance, Girls Who Rock Benefit Concert, Eyani Couture, Full Figure Fashion Week, BET’S Rip the Runway,Glamfest,Fashionisto Magazine, and GQ.com (GQ Magazine). Former co-host of The Jay Everyday Radio Show, Tifini has been a contributing Beauty/ Style writer for GreedyNature.com, Fuzion Magazine, Full Blossom Magazine, Creative Spotlights, Spotlight Magazine, and UFLifestyle.com.

Tifini has also been a contributing expert on Tyra Banks' TypeF.com, and an On-Camera Talent for EHow.com. Her own blogs, Theophani Style.blogspot.com, and TheophaniStyle.wordpress.com, explore beauty, style, art, and culture from an "inside looking out" point of view. Tifini is the Brand Ambassador for Tattoo Booster, an all natural organic moisturizer for healed tattooed skin.

UOMA

Everyone keeps saying how beautiful you look, what; if you want to share are some of your insecurities.?

I always say that “you can’t look at me and know what I have gone through”. It’s not visually apparent; I marvel often at how God has preserved me. I am equally open with pretty pictures as I am with personal struggles and insecurities. I have abandonment issues, which present themselves in how I choose romantic partners. It hasn’t worked very well for me so far. I have been a people-pleaser, which has led me to over-extend myself, and not exercise boundaries. I also am a perfectionist, which has been very difficult to undo, but I am working on it. To unlearn the notion that I must do things perfectly to be or feel valued, and that if that impossible standard is not met, then I’m worthless. While it can be helpful in performance, particularly in arts and service, the depression comes in the “human moments” of not measuring up. You become diminished in your own eyes and believe that everyone sees how you see. I work all on all these things through therapy, particularly cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and cognitive processing therapy (CPT). I am also an active member in 12step programs that address the disease of addiction. I became addicted by using substances to help me deal with my insecurities. I’d be remiss if I did not mention that. So many of us suffer in silence, and not get the help we need. When I finally addressed my mental health, recovery could begin for me. Addiction is a symptom of something gone wrong. Recovery deals with the causes and conditions. There is no stigma in needed help; we are all living in extremely difficult times. I need the next man or woman to know that they too can recover from seemingly hopeless states of being. That is really the beauty that you see when you look at me.

Thank you so much for agreeing to be apart of SHOWCASE Magazine, how can potential clients reach out to you?

I am beyond honored to be able to share. SHOWCASE Magazine is the platform that will be used to encourage, inspire, and shape how the world views Black women. I can be reached at tifinilewis@gmail.com, FB and IG @theophanistyle. You can also check out my podcast Single Mother Making It at https://anchor.fm/ tifini-lewis. It chronicles my life as a single mother working on my dreams as an artist and philanthropist. Thank you so much again for this opportunity to share.

TheophaniStyle