T H I N G#003 S
EDITOR’S LETTER This issue was our shortest issue to date but something about the length and the content makes it emulate the summer vibe. Summer is short and sweet, much like this issue which was restricted to a strict candy and pastel color palette. For June I had the chance to interview the wonderful artist behind @foxyfries. Talking/shooting with Mithsuca was super rewarding and her smile and personality captured the essence of summer itself. I don’t have much to say about this issue, as I write this letter on the second day of summer vacation. Like many, I only have these two months to do great things so, like this issue, I’ll keep it short.
SIENNA KWAMI EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
TABLE OF CONTENTS Style
Teary-Eyed Denim Summer Staples Pastel Paradise Motivated Jay Lola x Lauren
Ar t & Lit
Youth (Or Something Like It) FOXYFRIES Summer’s End Warmth Little Birds Don’t Cry in Summertime Drowning RobotSnake
Places
Boston Summer Event Guide
Music & Culture
30 Things To Be Happy About This Summer Last Days of School Summer Vibin’ Playlist I Am No Such Color
CONTRIBUTORS Local
Deni Barr Katie Gorson Kathryn Capo Lauren O’Neil Mithsuca Berry Penny Mack Savannah Hart
National
Evalee Mason Mab Ulrich-Neureuter Meghan Marin RobotSnake Stefan Bottemley
International Elise-Suraya Nicole Seah Phoebe Kelly
Team
Sienna Kwami - Editor in Chief Mandusu Sidibay - Creative Director
teary-eyed denim modeled by camilla pershad christina novembre photographed by kathryn capo
SUMMER STAPLES BY PENNY MACK
PASTEL
PARADISE BY MEGHAN MARIN
MOTIVATED JAY
An interview with a visionary and young designer by Sienna Kwami Photographed by :@shotbyacinom
Janiya Whittington is the 16 year old CEO behind the clothing brand Motivated Jay, who’s following grows in number by the day. Janiya, or Jay, communicates a really strong message of individuality and rebellion through her brand and I had the pleasure of interviewing her on what it’s like starting a company. Sienna Kwami: How did you start your clothing brand, Motivated Jay? Janiya Whittington: At the time, it was a lingering idea but then I just stopped procrastinating. I was hesitant to start a clothing line because of all of the stress and time that would need to be dedicated to it in order for it to function. I realized that I was focusing so much on the negative and blocked the positive benefits of making something of my own-promoting creativity and originality. I started Motivated Jay by selling basic things like herringbone chains, custom beanies, and shorts. Then, my vision just grew from there into the clothes that I released. SK: What is like being a CEO of a brand at 16? JW: Oh my gosh! It’s stressful, unpredictable, interesting, and extremely crucial. One careless mistake can ruin everything that I’ve worked for, which terrifies me. But, at 16 we’re usually care-free and just want to have fun all the time. However, I don’t have time for that though. I just focus and take this business seriously and be very careful with the decisions that I make for it. SK: Do people ever disregard you because of your age? JW: To be honest with you, I didn’t really think of that. But, it’s so eye opening to how clever and crazy this question is. Mainly because there is a high possibility that they would disregard me because of my age. To me, it’s ignorant and not because it’s about
me. Only because underestimation is lame when you have something great in front of you. I mean, I’m here running a business when other “16 year olds” are failing all of their classes and killing each other. I feel that if they learn about me and then find out my age, they’d be skeptical but a chance wouldn’t hurt. SK: You mentioned several people say you inspire them because you are young African American entrepreneur, how does it feel to be placed at such a level? JW: It definitely feels great. It also lets me know that I’m doing something right and it needs to continue. With all of the racial issues occurring in this nation, I see it as a slap to the face to prove America’s predictions of an African American wrong. SK: Is it stressful or overwhelming to be seen as a role model? JW: I would have to say that it’s both. First, because I don’t even see myself as a role model, but I’m still confident. The reason I don’t feel like one is due to the fact that I believe that everyone has the light within them that pushes them to be great. They just haven’t found it yet and lately, I’ve discovered that light and am still finding myself. It’s overwhelming because I’ve never been told that and it is such a great title to have. SK: What inspirations do you find when creating products for your brand? JW: I use almost everything! I use music, past experiences, negative situations, everyday things, people, and even conversations that I have with people especially the deep ones. Also, my mind is uncontrollable that words can’t explain so I just express it through my clothes. SK: Where did the name “Motivated Jay” come from? JW: The name “Motivated Jay” was a name that I really worked hard on coming up with. You guys don’t even understand! Like I’ve always wanted a nickname other than Niya cause it was just basic and I hated it. I came up with Bonethugs (don’t judge me), JJ, then Jay. And Jay just stuck with me; people even started calling me it so I was hype. The “Motivated” part came from me always being motivated from any and everything. Wheth-
er it’s a bad day or someone doubting me. I know this is going to sound so crazy, but this is something that motivated me. I was imagining this bird flying and it got hit by the front window of a car. But, it got back up and continued to fly towards its wanted destination. I saw the bird as me and the car as life. It mirrored how life can knock you out, but you’ve got to be strong enough to get back up and work toward your goal. I promise you I’m not crazy! :) SK: What’s the best part about running your own brand? JW: The best part about running my own brand is that I’m my own boss and can actually put something on the table other than these other stores that you see in malls. I didn’t like how everything in stores were duplicating one another and put in the category “fashion”. To me, it looked best in the category “money hungry” because it’s lacking pure originality and rebellion. My mind is so open that I can see everything clearly because most stores don’t care about the art of fashion and how it can relate to someone so much. It’s all about the finances to them. That’s why we have so many more people shopping at thrift shops and upcoming clothing lines that are online. SK: Where do you see yourself in the next year? JW: I know that I’ll have more great supporters, collaborations, a growing movement, acceptance into a fashion college, and a family of aspiring, creative people. I’m sure that you guys will see more dope collections/clothes releasing for everyone. SK: What message do you hope to spread with Motivated Jay? JW: I want to spread a message that persuades everyone to open our minds, be ourselves, uplift one another instead of tearing each other down, and that you can do whatever you’re truly passionate about. In this generation, there is so much hate and all we do is talk about it without any action. People will dislike you even if you didn’t do anything wrong! You will be disliked just for wanting to do something with your life and work hard for what you want. But, as long as you stay positive and keep your head up everything will be fine.
What happens when one of Things Mag’s favorite photographers shoots with one of their favorite local illustrators and her friends?
lola x lauren
YOUTH (OR SOMETHING LIKE IT)
My name is Mab Ulrich-Neureuter and I am a fifteen year old visual artist from Pennsylvania. My artwork has strong ties to space, fate, and other things that are meaningful to me. Through my art I incorporate ideas and questions about life and how mysterious it can be, or how bland. I try to let the onlooker see my perspective for a second, into my own universe
FOXY F R I E S
MITHSUCA
is the fifteen year old artist, also known as @foxyfries. Mithsuca’s mixed media work transforms pictures into beautiful digital portraits, which she posts on her Instagram/tumblr. Mithsuca is both an amazing artist and lovely person, reaching out to her followers and always making herself available to chat. With social media at the forefront of society, Mithsuca uses it to inspire anyone who comes across her account. By Sienna Kwami
Sienna Kwami: What made you start illustrating? Mithsuca Berry: I’ve always loved drawing and painting since the earliest of time, when I really got into digital art was when I took a graphic design class in middle school that completely got me hooked. From that it really took off and leaving middle school, I went on my own and perused it more. SK: That’s so cool, my middle school was intensely boring haha! Anyways, how do you get inspired to draw now?
and sometimes just go through what I’ve collected and pick out the one I want to play around with for that day. SK: You said you’re inspired by bands/music, who are some of your favorite bands or musicians?
MB: At the moment I have recently gotten back into my love for Vampire Weekend as well as Youth Lagoon, “I would definitely love to get but I have REALLY gotten into punk rock femithings more out there, instead nist groups like Bikini Kill
of having everyone all over the place we should bring peeps together to make one big art community and spread the word so young artists like me know where to start :)”
MB: I truly am lucky ha, I’ve always gotten my inspiration from music and I still do to this day. I used to draw song-inspired art for my favorite bands and stuff. But now I’m more or so a visual kind of person. I look for features in a person, or a special character they have that catches my eye. You could say I’m inspired by things I interact with and find visually pleasing :) SK: So do you plan out your inspiration (like I’m obsessed with Pinterest and I have a board for every shoot I’ve done) or do you just see something inspiring and start drawing? MB: I usually just see something inspiring in the moment, I save them as a view them
SK: I’ve heard about feminist bands but never really listened, would you recommend the feminist rock genre? Also, your pieces are really intricate, how long does it take you to complete one?
MB: Definitely Bikini Kill is my number one and literally anyone from the Riot Grrrl movement is who I’d recommend. MB: To complete one I’m really into could take me an hour or so but if I’m droning through one it’ll be like 2 hours since I’d put it away every once and a while. My illustrations are just me having fun kinda and being random. SK: So how has sharing your art online affected you? Has it connected you to certain people or improved how you draw/illustrate?
MB: Oh wow, I am so grateful for the Internet. Before I would have never had thought of how many friends and opportunities I would get from just an Instagram post. I feel more motivated than ever, now I’m trying new things that are helping me grow as a person with my art. I’ve met so many artists and just people who have told me I inspire them. Which I never thought I had the power to do. SK: The power of the Internet is so crazy, I feel you. What are your favorite things to draw (places, people, etc.)? MB: People, probably because that’s what I’ve been drawing for so long. The human face is so amazing to me, we’re all different and that really interests me. I want to start drawing scenery with my art because I think that will elevate it much more.
MB: In a way I do get distracted but on the other hand, I have an easier connection to opportunities when at school. If someone wants commission they just talk to me during lunch or if a teacher sees something cool regarding art that they think I’d love to be a part of they’ll contact me. SK: What are the best and worst parts of living in Massachusetts as an artist? MB: Haha, the best part of being an artist in Massachusetts is that there are many chances of you getting opportunities for yourself because there are so many creative outlets here BUT the worst part is that in order to get them you really need to scramble for connections because everything is so spread out.
SK: Do you ever get scared someone won’t like a portrait of themselves?
SK: This is the truest thing I’ve ever read, haha. SK: If you could improve the MA art scene in one way, what would it be?
MB: I don’t really think of that I just go with the flow. It’s never happened before but if it were to occur I wouldn’t be mad, everyone’s idea of art is different. I’ve done commissions before and you have to try to adapt to the customer’s needs, so I’d understand.
MB: I would definitely love to get things more out there, instead of having everyone all over the place we should bring peeps together to make one big art community and spread the word so young artists like me know where to start :)
SK: Honestly that’s so cool that you’ve already done commissions, how old are you?!? MB: Haha I’m 14, yeah I have. Now school has kinda interlocked with my art life bringing me more chances. MB: 15 actually OMG! MB: My birthday was in February and I still can’t get my age right. SK: Honestly I forgot I was 15 for about three months. SK: How are your art and school life interlocked? Like for me, my art distracts from school work, haha.
SUMMER’S END BY SAVANNAH HART
I wished the summer would never end Because I knew when it did you’d have no more time to spend But my heart won the everlasting battle against my mind And all feelings I had made me suffer, they made me go blind I was heartbroken over the inevitable, the expected It wasn’t until recently I realized I’d been infected I had become lost in my dreams and I believed that you and me were meant to be I believed in something that no one else could see So from then every summer I prayed and prayed that you’d remember So much so that I began to dismember Every part of me that you didn’t like Every part of me that I now believed was subject to dislike So now every summer I ask myself if it was for the better If he remembers who gave him his favorite sweater Or if he remembers who kept him content Who kept him happy no matter how much
time she had spent So now every summer I remind myself that he didn’t deserve me That my love isn’t free That my warm brown skin was no longer for him That the summer was in fact going to end But now he is no reason to want for its extend
WARMTH
BY PHOEBE KELLY
little birds don’t cry in summertime in this basking heat, summer’s arms will wrap me up in threads of sun steep into my bones and warm my hands and shoulders and glowing skin. in my arms there are mangoes, big and sweet sticky fingers fold it in the thick wind, a batter soft and light and sullen exhale it into a beating street. in the buttery leaves, the fledglings sing a little bird scoops up some pre-flight bravery nudges off soaring, gliding through, the sun’s gold freckles off one wing. we’re like them. in slurred words, baking skin, in the lake, cold fruit on tongue howling, we are so young, we are so young! by Nicole Seah
drowning
By Elise-Suraya
ROBOTSNAKE is an american artist based in NC. His real name is unknown.
“whats next” marker on index card
“no mortal shall live� marker on paper
“summer reds� marker on index card
“untitled� marker on index card
BOSTON SUMMER Imagine Dragons
An Evening with Nick Flynn July 1, 7:30 PM // TD Garden July 14, 7PM // MFA The band is finally going on tour following Check out his memoir about being homethe release of their latest album Smoke less in Boston, Another Bullshit Night in + Mirror. The show is sure to be wild to Suck City, and listen to the critically acmatch their classic rock image. claimed author, poet and playwright talk about his latest book of poetry, My FeelLexington Carnival ings. He will also be accompanied by poet July 1 - 5, 6PM // Hastings Park in Lexing- Jeffrey Taylor and City of Boston Poet ton Laureate Danielle Legros Georges. visit this picturesque town only 15 miles away from Boston for games, rides, food, Outside the Box Performing Arts Festival fun and fireworks! July 14-19 // Boston Common Come to Boston’s amazing and FREE arts Death Grips festival featuring musical acts, New PoliJuly 5, 8PM // The Paradise Rock Club tics, Kacey Musgraves, Atlas Genius, Gin Check out this punk rock-hiphop trio on Blossoms, Austin Webb and Guster. There their North American tour for their latest will also be a plethora of poetry readings, album The Powers That B. dances, theatric performances and much more! Slightly Stoopid July 9, 6:30PM // Blue Hills Pavilion Bastille Day Boston Get your 90’s on at the classic ALT bands July 10, 6-10PM // Marlborough Street Everything is Awesome Tour. But first, between Berkeley & Clarendon check out their latest album that just Enjoy crepes and classic grenadine soda dropped at the end of June, Meanwhile... at the 40th annual French block party! Back in the Lab. Enjoy the scene and listen to authentic French music. French Film Festival July 10 - 27 // MFA Boston Hip Hop Fest The most popular film festival in Boston July 11 // Middle East Downstairs is celebrating it’s 20th year with a bang! The daylong festival presents local acts Come see box-office hits, intense thrillers, such as Dutch Rebelle, Termanology, Akand heartfelt RomComs. Some films play- robatik, Cam Meekins, STL GLD, Spnda, ing are: Next Time I’ll Aim for the Heart, Esh&Arc, Latrell James, Stiz Grimey, and The Clearstream Affair, Li’l Quinquin, the Floorlords. Support local artists and Gemma Bovery, and In the Courtyard discover you new favorite musicians!
EVENT GUIDE JP Porchfest July 11, 12- 6PM // the corner of Lamartine St. and Lawndale Terrace, Jamaica Plain, MA Levitate Music & Arts Festival July 11 The 13th Annual Taste of Cambridge! July 16, 4PM ArtBeat- Somerville arts festival July 17 - 18, 6PM Festival Betances July 17- 19 // 100 W. Dedham St., Boston. In addition to parades, dance performances and a grease pole contest, the free festival features plenty of music. Past performers include Puerto Rican salsa icon Tony Vega and the Latin Grammy Award-nominated American salsa musician Larry Harlow. EarthFest July 18 Foo Fighters July 18, 5PM // Fenway Park Passion Pit July 23, 6PM // The Lawn on D Modest Mouse July 23, 7:30PM // Blue Hills Bank Pavilion
Interpol July 24, 8PM // House of Blues Boston Summer Arts Weekend July 25-26 // Copley Square Boston Summer Arts Weekend is a free, family-friendly event with performances geared toward both adults and children. Headliners this year include Boston’s Handel and Haydn Society, New Orleans’ Dirty Dozen Brass Band and Emmylou Harris and Rodney Crowell. FIGMENT July 25 - 26 Plymouth Music Festival July 25 - 26 Cambridge Jazz Festival Sun Jul 26 // University Park Neon Trees July 26 8PM // Paradise Rock Club George Ezra July 29, 8PM // House of Blues Summer Teen Night August 5, 4-10PM The ICA is hosting their biggest Teen Night of the year! See preformances nd meet other cool teens from the city.
BY KATIE GORSON
30 THINGS TO BE HAPPY ABOUT IN SUMMER BY DENI BARR
#1. Picnics with your friends #2. Gardening beautiful plants #3. Dancing freely at music festivals #4. Cookouts with lots of food #5. Camping in nature #6. Walking barefoot in the grass #7. Fruit smoothies #8. Henna tattoos #9. Bike rides throughout the city and waterfront
#20. Tanning #21. Jumping off boats into the water #22. Campfires with s’mores #23. Traveling #24. Iced coffee #25. Rooftop hangs #26. Endless nights with friends #27. Sunrises over the city skyline #28. Sunsets on the beach
#10. Chilling on hammocks
#29. NO SCHOOL!
#11. Water balloon fights
#30. Being young and being limitless
#12. Carnivals #13. Watching and counting the stars at night #14. Cannonballs into pools #15. Outdoor movies and concerts #16. Road trips #17. Looking for seashells and sea glass at the beach #18. Ice cream sundaes #19. Cool sunglasses
LAST DAYS OF SCHOOL Summer bloomed through the rooftops and windows on campus. From the panes of glass fitted like a strand of girls with their dresses hitting above theirs ankles, I could see a thriving desert with multiple oases. The harsh yellow light dove straight through the leaves and branches of trees, hitting the blinds; it leaked in enough light to flood the room and degrade the projections of algorithms. The harsh brick rooftops of the old 60’s buildings filled in the sands and dirt of the stone torn desert my heart so desired. The foliage was easily twisted, morphed by dreams into the cacti, succulents, and straw like needles of my home. Tall trees, sprung with greens and golds were the palms around the bays of home. With the odd shaped angles composing the roofs, hiding ceiling rafters and plumping, rocks filled the landscape, home to little architecture. Seconds before I looked back towards the lifeless board, I could feel my heart sink and dry up–torn, thirsty, and tender–I knew that it needed to be quenched in the springs of my newly imagined home. But realization became my worst friend, as I turned back towards life: corrupt and full of mistake. My lungs shattered, begging for the dry arid airs I wish I had, but the stench of sex and drugs quickly filled my body and I became habituated to the tragedy of lonesomeness in a world cultured in social norms. Stefan Bottomley
SUMMER VIBIN’ *ONLY LISTEN TO IN A CHILL SETTING*
01 - No Better LORDE 02 - Gold MARINA AND THE DIAMONDS 03 - Know It Ain’t Right M.I.A 04 - Lost in My Bedroom SKY FERREIRA 05 - Ms ALT-J 06. June WILD BELLE 07 - Toes GLASS ANIMALS 08 - Goodbye Weekend MAC DEMARCO
I AM NO SUCH COLOR Colorless is a color in itself, is it not? We are taught as children that an apple is red, but it can also be green, or yellow. The walls of my bedroom are pink, and the walls of my brother’s are blue. What if I wanted blue? What if I wanted green? What if I didn’t want the color pink, would it make me less feminine? Would such a color make the boys like me more?
and a company will never thrive without the leadership of a man who will take charge. If a women takes charge she is controlling, and I am just that. I am more than the color pink, I am more than an object to boost masculinity. I am more than my biology and I am more than my stereotypes. I am the head of company that has not yet been created,
Should I like them less if they don’t like blue?
and I am the leader of my mind which has beauty and grace
From the moment of birth,
yet the ideas to fuel a nation.
or rather the moment my mother’s doctor yelled,
We live in a colorful world,
“It’s a girl!”,
yet I am no such color.
I was destined for a stereotype, for a role. I am a girl, I will soon be a woman. I am taught that I should like my men manly, I am taught that I should like my body small, and I should like my opinion even smaller. I should shut down my brain, reduce it, so my male counterparts can control it. A women is nothing without a good husband,
By Evalee Mason
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