Issue 1 by Nhu Nguyen

TOKEN ART MAGAZINE SEPTEMBER - OCTOBER ISSUE #001

4 4444 “...But when fate spells me to glimpse on her brilliance...”

CONTENTS 39

TRADITIONAL ART

PHOTOGRAPHY

POETRY & PROSE

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e g a s s e M EDITOR FROM THE

hey everyone!

Before we start off, I’d like to introduce myself. My name is Nhu Nguyen. I am currently seventeen years old and I am the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Token Art Magazine. I am in my senior year of high school (secondary school) and I run my own photography business (Nhu Nguyen Photography). I am a fashion/portrait photographer and have always been an artist.

As a young child, I did not have many friends. I was often isolated and secluded because of how insecure I was. Being diagnosed with a birth defect, it was hard to approach anyone without being judged. I spent many sleepless nights crying because I didn’t feel like I fit in anywhere. Then I took my very first art class. Needless to say, I was saved. This time, instead of sitting in the corner of the playground watching everyone pass me by, I drew. I drew my little heart out until there was nothing left for me to draw. Everyone started to take notice of my unique ability and started to acknowledge my existence. Sooner or later, I found out that I had a voice--and I used to my advantage. I sang as I drew and I drew as a sang. It soon led to writing lyrics, which then led to writing stories, which then enabled my imagination to soar. I suddenly knew what it felt like to dream. It became my goal that I would do everything I could to master as many artistic challenges as I could. Slowly throughout the years, art has helped me come out of my shell. It spoke for me when I was too afraid to do so myself and surrounded me with people who are now my biggest supporters and my closest friends. Nowadays, I am approached by many people everyday who tell me how much I am an inspiration to them. They all ask me, “How o you it?” and never cease to mention how well-known I became to be. Many of these people were artists, just like me, but weren’t getting the recognition they deserved. That is why I created TOKEN. I believe that anyone who has the amazing ability to dream out loud, as an artist does, deserves a little push. I know that if I were to have that push back then, I would’ve probably felt invincible. I created TOKEN to let others know that while I may be an inspiration to them, THEY are my inspiration. Thus my decision upon calling the magazine “Token” as in, a ‘token’ of my gratitude. A ‘token’ of inspiration.

n e y u g N ~Nhu

A ‘token’ of strength.

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PHOTOG

FEATURING PHO Abby Nierman

Alex Heisler

Ameorry Luo

Constatine Apergis

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Juan M

GRAPHY

OTOGRAPHS BY

Manjarres

Katelyn Koenig

Lorissa Ashurst

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Ola Bodurka

Samantha Gary

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OLABODURKA “Simply put, art makes me happy.”

BORN: MAY 27, 1993 AGE: 17 YEARS OLD RESIDENCE: TULSA, OK FIELD OF ART: PHOTOGRAPHY I wish I had a really inspiring story to tell you how I got started, but I don’t. In all honesty, I started photography because of the internet. During my eighth grade year, social networking sites like Xanga and Myspace were rising to prominence, and many people would create so-called “graphic sites” on these social networks. Basically, these were just websites where they posted and shared GIFs, cartoons, and photos that inspired them with other people. I spent hours poring over these sites, looking at and admiring all the photography. Eventually, these photographs prompted my own ideas for photos and I figured that if all these online photographers could do it, why couldn’t I? So I picked up my crappy little Canon Powershot and started from there.

“I’m not going to write about how amazing of an artist I am, or how my work inspires dozens of people. No. I’m merely going to hope that my artwork speaks for itself and is the lone reason why I deserve to be featured in the Token. My hope is that my artwork does speak for itself, and in turn, can be a source of inspiration for others.”

Simply put, art makes me happy. Art is the one thing I can turn to to express my emotions, vent my feelings, and release some stress. It doesn’t judge, it doesn’t argue. It just allows. Art has taught me to see all the beauty in the world and has gotten me through some dark times in my life.

inspira inspiratio

“I see inspiration everywhe patterns, colours, and designs. it in the works of other artis creative interpretations of thin

MULTI-TALENTED Photography is my number one medium, definitely, but I also dabble in drawing. I have sketchbooks upon sketchbooks of doodles all around my room, and to some, they are quite good, but I don’t look for critique or compliments, I just look to draw.

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“The Colour of the Noise”

Opening for 3OH!3 at a November 2008 show, the lead singer of the Chain Gang of 1974 stands ready at the mic.

ation: on:

ere, particularly in . Most often, I see sts and I use their ngs to build upon my own.”

A “AUTUMNAL COLOURS”

Ola’s good friend Maxwell posing among the leaves in late October.

B “SEEING DOUBLE”

Taken at the Tulsa aquarium, a starfish stuck to the top of the bright blue walls of its aquarium, allowing for a reflection at the water at the top of the tank.

C “SIMPLICITY”

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CONSTANT

“All of the pieces I have here are completely unedited digitally and have been taken in Greece over this past summer.”

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TINEAPERGIS If my camera could be considered my baby I guess you could say my photos are like my grandchildren. Since they are my family, I love all my work no matter what others think of it, because they all mean something to me. I also believe since my photos mean so much to me I tend to put a lot of time and effort into them rather than throw everything together. This is why I absolutely adore if my art, that I put so much time and effort into, could be seen by other people.

BORN: SEPTEMBER 27, 1993 AGE: 17 YEARS OLD “I’m a senior in high school RESIDENCE: GERMANTOWN, MD and still have no idea what I wish to pursue FIELD OF ART: PHOTOGRAPHY as a career choice... but one thing I do know is

I love taking pictures.”

inspiration: inspiration:

“Many, many, many things inspire me. Though if I had to choose one or two that I regard [to be]the highest, it would be, one, that I enjoy looking at things in a unique perspective, in a way one normally wouldn’t expect to see something. As for the second reason, I just love taking pictures.”

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KATELYNANNE “I don’t exactly have a specific inspiration when it comes to my photos. When I decide to go out and take pictures, usually, I go out with no idea, and find things myself. Things that spark my attention, you know? The magic just seems to happen.” BORN: FEBRUARY 2, 1993 AGE: 16 YEARS OLD RESIDENCE: GAITHERSBURG, MD FIELD OF ART: PHOTOGRAPHY

“Well, my name’s Katelyn. I have many hobbies including singing, video games (Yup, I’m a nerd), and normal teenage things, texting, hanging out with friends and such, but out of all of them, the main hobby is photography. ”

“Art is my way of expression. Whenever I’m feeling sad, I’ll usually go out and do a ‘photo shoot’ and I’ll cheer right up. My art, and art in general, has always been a very positive outlet for me.” 10 TOKEN MAGAZINE SEP - OCT 2010 w w w . T O K E N A R T M A G . c o m

KOENIG “After having a long period of hothot-hot weather, a morning shower happened. I had gone out hoping to get a good picture of rain on a leaf without ruining my camera.”

I started doing photography, probably, about four-ish years ago. I saw that one of my friends on Myspace was posting pictures that she took that really inspired me to start photography, as well. I started with an old digital Kodak camera, and I’ve moved on to bigger and better things, a.k.a. my Canon Rebel, heh. Though, I realized it’s not the camera, it’s the person behind it. Between now and then, the quality of my pictures was never bad, I’ve just improved over the years with experience. w w w. TO K E N A R T M A G. c o m

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JUANM

BORN: MAY 1, 1993 AGE: 17 YEARS OLD RESIDENCE: MONTGOMERY VILLAGE, MD FIELD OF ART: PHOTOGRAPHY

inspiration: inspiration

“I’m a Colombian amateur photographer. Been living in the US for 4 years and started taking pictures a while ago. The US gave me the opportunity to take photography classes now this my hobby. I love photography and enjoy capturing the moments in life and creating art out of the ordinary.”

“I’m inspired by many things, Nature, Architect Animals, ‘KODAK Moments’ . God created eve so perfect that we are able to capture it and mak Everything we take for granted is seen in a diffe through the lens”

I first got interested in photography when I ent high school, I saw many people’s art displayed in hallways and made me think if they can do it wh can’t I. So I joined my schools photography club entered a photography class.

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MANJARRES

A. “ Purr Laziness “ Cats are very lazy after they age, my cat Mia used to be very active until she went under surgery. This picture is an oxymoron to her past life B.” Wondering Lindy “ ture, While Lindy was watching TV she made erything a face of confusion. Adorable kid :) ke it art. C. “ Do a Deer “ erent way Picture of a deer that was fairly friendly. I was able to capture the innocence of the deer. tered D. “ Oh Margarita! “ n the Margarita means Daisy in spanish. This hy picture honors my Grandmother, her name b and was Margarita. Picture was taken on the 4th of July a couple of years ago. w w w. TO K E N A R T M A G. c o m

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SAMANTHAGAR

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RY I always show people my stuff and they always think I get off the computer or something. So when I tell them I took it they are in a wow. I guess it looks much better on my phone since that’s where I have taken these photos but I thought I’d put them out somewhere worth putting them. BORN: MAY 15, 1993 AGE: 17 YEARS OLD RESIDENCE: FREDERICK, MD FIELD OF ART: PHOTOGRAPHY

inspiration: inspiration: “When I see something beautiful I feel the need to [capture] it. I like nature and its beauty. That’s enough to inspire me.”

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ALEXHEISLER

Light Pollution was created using two 30 second exposures of the city of Spokane. The prominent image was created with the lens in focus and the overlay with the lens out of focus. I made it to show how lights from buildings, even vacant ones at night, make it hard to see the stars. As a side note, I did see a few shooting stars from the Perseid Shower while creating this piece.

I just want to get my work out, not for the recognition, but bec for myself out of a personal need to. I feel like if I don’t create

BORN: FEBRUARY 24, 1988 AGE: 22 YEARS OLD RESIDENCE: SPOKANE, WA FIELD OF ART: PHOTOGRAPHY

Toward the end of my junior year in high school (2005), while registering for classes for my senior year, I saw some of the work done by students in the photography classes. I thought “I can do that” and I registered. I bought my first digital camera once school started and just fell in love with the process. My earliest work was quite terrible, but I loved making it and I wanted to learn more. I eventually started taking photography classes at the local community college, but didn’t find any sort of enjoyment from that. I have been mostly self taught since then.

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“The art has to be the master.”

cause I hope to inspire someone somewhere. I don’t create things for that purpose, but rather e things, at times I may go insane. I just hope that others get as much out of my work as I do.

HOW DOES ART AFFECT YOU? How doesn’t art affect me? Even pieces that I think are garbage make me feel something. Anytime I see a good piece, I want to push myself to create something as good or better. Most of the time, I don’t succeed in that, but it’s the effort that I learn from. Art is a constant learning process. I don’t think anyone will ever fully master their art. The art has to be the master.

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I also write poetry, short stories and haiku. Most of my writing, I’m never too pleased with, but my haiku, as well as the haiku of others can be read at http://a-scribbled-haiku.tumblr.com.

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ABBYNIERMAN As a young photographer, I feel like I need to take every opportunity to show my pictures to everyone I can. It’s a great feeling to see a photo I took in a place where many can be inspired from it. Also, I will always welcome feedback and advice as to how I can become the best I can be. It would mean a lot to be published in a magazine along with many other artists. It can be a learning experience for me.

“The only thing I can do from here BORN: NOVEMBER 22, 1994 AGE: 15 YEARS OLD RESIDENCE: MUNDELEIN, IL is grow.” FIELD OF ART: PHOTOGRAPHY

ALL THAT GLITTERS ISN’T GOLD “My friend Camille stuck her tongue into a pile of craft glitter… this was the result.”

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Let’s see... I got started taking pictures by bringing my camera everywhere I go. Being 15 years old, not everyone takes me seriously. And thats okay, because I photography isn’t always serious. But anyways, I take my Nikon everywhere. If I don’t have it on me, I am constantly thinking of people or things that would make interesting pictures. I found a love for photography at a young age so the only thing it can do from here is grow. I’m excited to continue with my passion and I am always looking for ways to show my ‘work’ to anyone I can. Thats way I summited to Token! Art affects nearly everything I do. As I said earlier, without my camera... I feel like something is missing. There is art in everything around me and I want to capture it and show it off. Everyday surroundings can be nothing in some eyes and artistic in others. I’m so grateful for this opportunity to share my love with others!

INSTANT EASTER “This picture was taken on Easter Sunday at a seminary near my house. I first took a Polaroid and once it developed, I took another picture of it with my Nikon.”

“I think I find inspiration in every single thing that surrounds me. Little things can mean something to me one day, and have another meaning the next. I can be inspired by day to day objects, people, places, and words.” w w w. TO K E N A R T M A G. c o m

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LORISSAA I love visiting NYC and everything the city has to offer. There are photo ops around every corner. I took this picture in one of Manhattan’s many parks. I loved the contrast of dark and light - totally unexpected when I originally took the picture. I have alot of inspirations but the main ones are my travels and every day life. I’m always the friend with the camera at events and gatherings. With a digital camera I am able to take multiple photos without much regard. From there I can pick and choose my favorites. I was always the girl with the camera. It never was a fancy camera, just more of click and shoot. It started back in the late 80’s when my friends and I would go to underground clubs in California. There always had to be someone ready to take a red hot photo shoot! Depending on the piece, art evokes many emotions. Happiness, sadness, awe and so many others. I love having art around me at home and in the workplace.

“...art evokes ma

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ASHURST

BORN: OCTOBER 9, 1967 AGE: 43 YEARS OLD RESIDENCE: FORT WORTH, TX FIELD OF ART: PHOTOGRAPHY

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Over the years I have taken what I call “point & click” photos with with my Kodak Easy Share. No fuss no muss. I have surrounded myself with artists but have never considered myself one (until maybe now?). I am a native Calfornian who was transplanted to North Texas with my husband a decade ago. I work full time+ at a major hotel as the Exec Assistant to the VP & Hotel Manager - never a dull moment.

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AMEORRYLUO It all began when I was a little kid and I would be drawing everywhere, on the walls, on my stuff, and then it just went on from there. It was just a natural interest that nobody had to suggest to me or ask me to do. As I got older, all I did was keep experimenting with different styles and different medias until I got where I am now. I had to have a passion for art in general to be able to keep doing it all these years, and that’s exactly what I did. It all came very naturally to me.

BORN: SEPTEMBER 25, 1994 AGE: 16 YEARS OLD RESIDENCE: BOYDS, MD FIELDS OF ART: GRAPHIC DESIGN/ILLUSTRATION, PHOTOGRAPHY, FILM/ANIMATION

I’m a rising high school junior who wants to aspire for a career as a film director or a graphic designer. Art is my life, but my style and focus is still developing as I learn and grow.

“Anything can be inspiring, I think. M other artists keep me going a lot of the time. Peo Spielberg, Robert Downey Jr., Harrison Ford, M people who inspire me to reach for my goals.” Art is a HUGE part of my life. Other than school , it’s definitely what I spend the most time working on or enjoying myself with. It’s opened such an enormous range of possibilities for me, and I never, ever want to stop doing it. I’ve loved art my entire life, and I don’t see that love going anywhere any time soon. Every waking hour I’d be looking for inspiration or filling my head with ideas about what I should do next. If I didn’t have art, I don’t think I would have anything left in my life. Other than visual arts, I also do video, and I’m really interested in both animation and filming. I like to do stop motion and typography type things, too. If music counts, I’ve played the violin for a pretty long time, too.

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AIRPLANES “This was actually one of my first attempts at photography, and almost totally on a whim. I wanted to capture a light, kind of airy mood.”

THE KING OF HEARTS

Music, friends, and encouragement from ople such as Jerry Bruckheimer, Steven Mark Harmon, and MANY others are the

“This drawing was pretty much a manifestation of the emotions I was feeling at the time....some school drama caused me to produce it.”

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DAIQUIRI “Vector assignment for Digital Art class in school. Ipodstyle add with completely self-made vector graphics.”

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NEO - EXPR

[Neo-expressionism] is a style of modern painting in whi typically expressing violent emotion. It developed in the l malism, and became a dominant force in avant-garde art Italy. Pablo Picassoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s late paintings, which are often aggres were a major influence, although neo-expressionists also from newspapers and novel covers to classical mythology figure, but they are sometimes virtually abstract; what cha such as easel painting. In Italy neo-expressionism is some gardeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;), and German neo-expressionists are sometimes ca names have been used in the USA, including new fauvism of the commercial success enjoyed by several exponents, m a lack of conventional skills).

FEATURIONG NEO-EXPRESSION 24 TOKEN MAGAZINE SEP - OCT 2010 w w w . T O K E N A R T M A G . c o m

RESSIONISM

ich the artist handles the materials in a rough and raw way, late 1970s as a reaction against conceptual art and miniduring the 1980s, especially in the USA, Germany, and ssively sexual in subject and almost frenzied in brushwork, borrowed heavily from a wide range of sources and styles, y. Neo-expressionist paintings often feature the human aracterized the work was a return to traditional formats etimes known as the Transavantgarde (‘beyond the avantalled Neue Wilden (‘new wild ones’). Various alternative m, punk art, and bad painting (the latter because, in spite many brutal critics find the work crude and ugly, flaunting Source: “TalkTalk http://www.talktalk.co.uk/reference/encyclopaedia/hutchinson/m0039878.html”

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ANDREWBOSC A

i am a person who likes to thinks he is a philosophical hero through his art and actions, saving people from the ignorace they hold inside themselves. This may just be a dream i had as a child, but i still hold it dear to this day. i also enjoy listening to music (mainly rock and alternative) and playing chess. The inspiration behind my work is to try and get people to experience something new by seeing it. The way i see the world, however much people experience in real life, they will always be ignorant to something, weither an idea or something more tangible. It is my motivation to shrink that ignorance, through my art. BORN: JUNE 8, 1992 AGE: 18 YEARS OLD RESIDENCE: GERMANTOWN, MD FIELD OF ART: NEO-EXPRESSIONISM

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“This may just be a dream... but I still hold it...to this day. “

A METAL SOCIETY: THis was a picture that I made to describe something I heard in a movie called the extra man. One of the characters in the story, who is very conservative, makes a remark about the education of women. This piece was part of an imagination that I did, of what society might look like if what he said is true, how all the pink represent women, while they are all held in by rays of blue, representing men, or black, representing mystery. the reason its called metal society is because I thought of it as being kind of like a conformed, neutral society, that I thought would be symbolically described as metal. B SUNSET FLOWER: This piece is centered around sensuality, and nature. The slight contrast of the red and purple is expressive of passion, and I tried to make it reflective of waves in the ocean, or the flowing of wheat flowers in the wind. The black background is kinda expressive of a social commentary, on how we could loose this perception of beauty, and nature C WILL: This was actually a piece that I did in recollection of 2 of my friends starting a relationship with each other, and the persecution they faced for it. I’d rather not go into great detail about it, but they agree with me in thinking the picture does justice to there anguish. Basically, think of the diamond and the streak of red and blue as 2 people brought together, and the background as the rest of society. on one side, the blurred colors represent the weak-minded, who spurn the relationship, and the sharp yellow and blue rays as the elite of society, looking down on the 2, for being so devoted to each other. The light is just to show the bare lightening in color, to show that love can bring out true shades of people ( this is a quote from St. Elmo’s Fire, one of my favorite movies). D THE NEW SUN: This was a pictureI did with a new version of photoshop, but it has a deeper meaning behind a theme of a new begining. The bright pink strips are supposed to resemble a sun seting over a beach. This is really symbolic in my opinion of change, at first it can be scary, but it is our own prejudices that make it a scary new begining. The backgroud was supposed to show that as well, in the way that part of it, it has rays of light, showing understanding, While most of it is encased in darkness, or mystery. w w w. TO K E N A R T M A G. c o m

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TRADITIO FEATURING ART PIECES BY

Ashley Louise Campbell

Gary Reef

Georgina Ragazza

Joanna Garner

Natalie Capannelli

Theresa Burger

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GARYREEF

THE HOLLOW Mixed media artwork on canvas. 1200mmx1200mm Materials used- Spray paint, Acrylic, Bitumen , glue and Tiling putty.

SEARCHING FOR MONA

BORN: JANUARY 18, 1973 AGE: 37 YEARS OLD RESIDENCE: HOEYVIK, ROGALAND (NORWAY) FIELD OF ART: PAINTING (FIGURATIVE, ABSTRACT): WORKING MAINLY WITH STENCILS, LAYERS AND TEXTURES. ASSEMBLAGE: CREATING SCULPTURES USING FOUND OBJECTS.

I am an Australian mixed media artist who lives in the forests of Norway. My areas of interest are Painting and Assemblage. I also teach workshops in mixed media techniques. My website is www.garyreef.com I am inspired by nature, other artists and rusty ‘stuff’. Being a fanatic for layers and textures, most of my inspiration has come from observing nature. Looking at things like tree bark, frog skin textures and how the weather effects man made objects.

Mixed media artwork on 300gsm paper. 200mmx200mm Materials used- Spray paint and Acrylic.

FOREST WHITE Mixed media artwork on canvas. 1200mmx1200mm Materials used- Spray paint, Acrylic, Bitumen and Tiling putty.

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ABSRACT MOONS

Mixed media artwork on 300gsm paper. 200mmx200mm Materials used- Spray paint Acrylic and Bitumen.

I have a popular Youtube channel (http://www.youtube.com/user/CapricornArtist73) with close to 3500 Subscribers and I run a social networking site ‘Lovin Mixed Media’(www.garyreef.ning.com) which has over 1000 members who are primarily interested in Mixed Media techniques. w w w. TO K E N A R T M A G. c o m

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ASHLEYLOUISE

BORN: SEPTEMBER 6, 1994 AGE: 16 YEARS OLD RESIDENCE: FREDERICK, MD FIELD OF ART: PEN/INK DRAWINGS

inspirati inspir

I’d like to show people what I can do. I’ve been drawing for a

“Music, art, peo univer

few years and have only recently been showing them publicly. This magazine is a great way to do that because it is online, and a lot of my friends will read it (I hope!). The piece is a different and unusual take on a known symbol, and I submitted it because I want it to inspire people to look at and interpret things differently.

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ECAMPBELL MY INTERPRETATION OF KOKOPELLI

ion: ration:

ople, the rse, and trees”

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GEORGINARAG I’d love to put across the message that there is beauty everywhere, that detritus is not just junk, but has a character and a natural beauty of its own. I also want people to stop and look at their surroundings - really study them - not just smelling the roses, but examining roses in the making. I believe that my art challenges the perceptions of beauty and decay and gives people something a little different to think about. Ever since I can remember, I’ve doodled and played around with paints and colour, but it’s really only been in the last six years or so that I had the confidence to finally branch out and do this professionally. My working background is in writing and graphic design, so it was a short step for me to fully embrace the life of an artist! I started out doing collage and some work with inks and chalks (more on the illustration side, but my heart wasn’t really in that as much), and then I began doing collage and mixed media canvases. I’m now working with larger canvases and incorporating found objects in my work.

“rustLines”

RUSTLINES QUESTIONS THE NATURE OF SEL TION BOTH WITHIN THE PSYCHE AND IN H

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GAZZA BORN: JUNE 7, 1949 AGE: 46 YEARS OLD RESIDENCE: BRIGHTON, EAST SUSSEX (UNITED KINGDOM) FIELD OF ART: MIXED MEDIA, COLLAGE, AND FOUND ART

I am a mixed media and collage artist, working with the notion of the beauty within junk - that the most rusted pieces can be the most beautiful, depending on the perception and presentation.

LF AND SHOWS THE FRAGMENTAHOW THE INDIVIDUAL IS PERCEIVED.

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I’ve always been obsessed with texture and colour - I have a form of synaesthesia, so colours and shapes have different flavours to me. Not only that, but I love art that is tactile, with lumps and bumps and cracks and crevasses. I adore the way that the urban landscape rusts and decays and forms new and wondrous landscapes of shade and tone. Layers continue to fascinate me and each piece of art that I work on is such a journey of discovery - I might have a rough idea of what I want to achieve when I start out, but by the time I’ve finished, the piece has found its own voice and gone its own way, and that truly excites me and brings me joy. TOKEN MAGAZINE SEP - OCT 2010

JOANNAG

“I am constantly inspired by the creativity of other artists. I get most of my ideas from strolling through second-hand shops which are full of surprises and opportunities. It is inspiring to re-craft other people’s castoffs into pieces of art that I find beautiful.” About 4 years ago I took a class in mosaic run by a. local artist. The project was mosaicing a terracotta bowl as a bird bath. Everyone else in the class had nice neat squares and patterns, mine had shells, mirror, crockery you name it I had it! I felt an instant affinity with the art, but I just didn’t have the time or the “room” to pursue it properly – hence, it took me another 4 years to finish my next project – the bowling ball that is in the magazine now “Bowled over”. But now, I have a studio, a bit of time, and lots and lots of gathered flotsam and jetsam to continue on my Mosaic journey.

Art has a I have st wonder of am totally a continually I am contin

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GARNER BORN: SEPTEMBER 24, 1960 AGE: 46 YEARS OLD RESIDENCE: MONTMORENCY,VICTORIA (AUSTRALIA) FIELD OF ART: MOSAICS AND SALVAGED ART

I have taken the last year off work, having just sold my environmental business, and now spend much of time doing mosaics. I have turned our eldest child’s old bedroom into my studio, and sit in there most nights crafting, while my children watch and join in.

a unique and profound effect on me. Sometimes I actually feel like topped being for a moment, and am just frozen in time by the sheer f it. When I am working on a piece, I have no sense of time, and I absorbed. Seeing other artists’ ideas, techniques, and perspectives expands my own views of art, and just makes me want to do more. nually amazed at what people can do, and how they get their ideas.

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“Art affects me in a ubiquitous way. it’s ever-present, and i consistently look to it for an outlet in my daily life, or for an understanding of our times and our nature as people. i look to art for beauty, and for an understanding of what’s around me.”

BORN: JUNE 28, 1980 AGE: 30 YEARS OLD RESIDENCE: SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA FIELD OF ART: PAINTING, DRAWING

--Undergrad: Kent State University, Kent, Ohio 2004 --Graduate: Pratt Institute, Brooklyn, New York, 2008 --Born: Pittsburgh, PA As an artist currently teaching English in South Korea, I’ve had a few twists through my career. After my undergraduate work, I opened a gallery/studio space called Enthalpy Studios for a brief time in Ohio. During my stay there, I applied to Pratt Institute. After spending several years in New York, I decided to travel, and now find myself in South Korea. Through all of this, I’ve maintained a strong desire to create, joining the Seoul Art Collective, and participating in a Cleveland, Ohio show at Asterisk Gallery, as well as the New American Paintings midwest competition No. 89, coming out this month. I’ve freelanced in graphic design for a number of small companies, and enjoyed a “Jane of all Creative Trades” mentality. I see creativity as a means to living, not to any particular end.

NATAL

BUGS

ink and oil on yupo paper, 36” x 60”

“The changing geography of my life has been wha inspires me. Moving to places that excite me has a pumped fresh energy into my work, and I’m grate for the opportunity to see more of the world. Wer to never move again, the simple energy of the plac spaces, and people I encounter would be enough t keep me busy. The work vacillates between chaos control in a near explosion of my habitat, attempti sort out the basics of how we’re here at all.”

I’ve been making things since i can remember.. think it mostly started around age 2. i think pe who make things have just always done so, and not a matter of “when,” but “when not?” i’ve a done this, and i’ve always valued it. my mom w craftsperson, and my dad was a bit of a cheerle for the “do what you want, the money will come mentality, so i’ve always seen this as a real poss for my life.

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LIECAPANNELLI NEST

walnut ink and oil on yupo paper, 36” x 60”

ORGANIZED POUR

at truly always eful re I ces, to s and ing to

ink and acrylic on mylar, 36” x 42”

but i eople it’s always was a eader e” sibility

CHANGED ink and oil on yupo paper, 60” x 60”

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THERESAB

“I am a young emerging jewelery designer, who making jewellery for the last 5 years. In 2009 I c ed my jewellery degree in Cape Town at CPUT soon be starting a Masters degree in design at Dublin in Sept 2010. Ultimately I love to expr self, creativity is something I try to practice d

BORN: JULY 25, 1985 AGE: 25 YEARS OLD RESIDENCE: CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA FIELD OF ART: JEWELERY DESIGN

I draw my design inspiration predominantly from autobiographical experiences exploring notions like heirloom, ancestry and most recently the vivid continent of Africa. I believe that anything has the potential to inspire, I don’t want to limit myself in that way so I stay open. Drawing is the foundation of my design process, a spark of inspiration will come and then will be developed. Through sketching a technical drawing will evolve and then the manufacturing at the bench begins.

I am passionate about what I do and the work that I produce. I believe its unique and dynamic. There is beautiful work coming out of South Africa at the moment and I am apart of that creative force. I believe, I represent. Still young I feel that I have only just started on my creative journey, its exciting, fantastic and I cannot wait for all that is in store! My Africa Rich work was recently featured in the June publication of ‘Jewelry’ - Special Report on South Africa 2010. My first publication will be in a book called ‘New Rings’ by the Spanish jeweller Nicholas Estrada, out in late 2010. Jewellery entered my life suddenly in 2005, originally since high school I had planned on studying a BA Fine Art. When applying to universities in Cape Town, South Africa my godmother had recently visited CPUT’s graduate jewellery show. She immediately called me up to say that I should investigate as she felt it would be a wonderful skill for me to learn. I applied and I was accepted, I had no idea what to expect! At the time I didn’t even know that one works on a bench but I fell into the process pretty quickly but learning the skill takes time and patience, now I couldn’t imagine myself without a jewellers bench!

I think its different for everyone, but art that resonates with me, helps me to believe that there is huma ally when people make things that are able to draw that kind of response out of a viewer. As a manufac able to make someone feel the same. As for the process of bringing a piece to life, is an incredibly rewa

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BURGER

Silver pendant and ring, filled with clear resin and suspended gold leaf. 2009

o has been completT and will NCAD, ress mydaily!â&#x20AC;? Camphor wood and resin earrings. 2010

Oak and bone earrings, Kiaat wooden bangles. 2010

A collection of resin rings, materials include silver, resin, gold and silver foil. 2009

anity left in the world. It a beautiful thing recturer, I can only hope that someday I will be arding and relaxing one. w w w. TO K E N A R T M A G. c o m

My body of work includes traditional metalsmithing techniques combined with resin and various woods, animal bone and glass beads. Bold lines combined with volume are essential elements of my design. My most important aim when designing is functionality, jewellery has to be wearable and comfortable. Wood and resin being lighter materials compared to traditional ones, allow me to explore size and strong large shapes. TOKEN MAGAZINE SEP - OCT 2010

WWW.PATTIKRAMER.COM

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www.jenniecooperart.com

WANT TO ADVERTISE YOUR BUSINESS, SERVICES, OR ART FOR FREE? Token Art Magazine will be accepting requests for advertisement space for the second issue AT NO CHARGE until November 25th. Please send in your requests to: tokenartmag@nn-photography.com. One request per person.

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y e s o r d n a

FEATURING WRITTEN PIECES BY Alexander Michael Fuste Ash Morse Brie Kelly Carly Hubbard Diana Kim Dylan Thai Jasper Gueco Taylor Saunders

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BRIEKELLY

I am a Fashion Merchandising major in college, but I have been involved in theatre as an actor-singerdancer for more than 16 years. I see myself as an artist in all rights, but words are what I am most passionate about. I want to find and create anything and everything beautiful in the world that humans can experience through every sense, even through things some may consider ugly. I believe beauty can be found anywhere. Words inspire me more than anything in this world, because they are the only things in my life that can affect all five of my senses even though all I so is see them with my eyes. Communication can bring the world together or destroy it. That kind of power inspires me in a way only I will understand.

BORN: NOVEMBER 6, 1990 AGE: 19 YEARS OLD RESIDENCE: HURST, TX FIELD OF ART: POETRY

To me, this isn’t about being “featured in a magazine” or “being published.” It has been and always will be about the art, about inspiring people, and about finding beauty no matter where you are or who you claim to be.

I started writing in fourth grade, so I suppose I was about ten years old. I’d been devouring books since I had learned to read, so I was constantly surrounded by words and stories. I had always had a very vivid imagination; I was the type of kid who was always playing pretend, always with an imaginary friend, always coming up with circumstances for other kids to play out on the playground like pirates, fairies, princes and princesses. I think one day, I just decided to write some of my stories down. I mimicked the way the books I read were written and finished my first book at age ten. It was a 73 page thriller that involved ghosts and murderers, revenge, and death-defying tasks. I’ve really never stopped telling stories, whether I’m writing them down or not.

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RIVER GLASS

Sleeping souls murmur thoughts in dreams through whispers on the wind, Then mourn the morning’s shoal as their secrets become slim. While walking through the river glass and watching birds take flight, They see through diamond mountain peaks of every moonlit night. They speak the brand of broken hearts and whistle fairy tunes, Of broken strings and broken toys, and faraway balloons. They feel the pain of long lost worlds and everything between, And wander through the forest light, unknowing what they mean. But here they stop to close their eyes and rest their sleepy mind, Unsuspecting river glass is soon to turn them blind. Yet sight or not they walk alone and feel their way to love, To trip and fall and stumble much below the flying dove. Though through it all the woodland hymns strike the air in wait, As the dirge of dusty fairy tunes whistle straight to heaven’s gate. But soft and hold the widow’s walk, how all the way she bleeds, Turning strength to diamond dust as the river glass succeeds. This is one of my poems, and I view it as the best I’ve written. I see all mediums of art as extremely similar. Words are just a means to paint or take a picture in a different way. To me, this particular piece completely embodies the imagery I try to create so vividly, and the pictures the reader can imagine are fantastical, beautiful, yet tragic. Art affects me emotionally. If I am not creating something, I’m completely lost and depressed as a person. Art is deeply personal for me, and I honestly like to say it is my religion. Some people take time each day to pray. I make a point, each and every day, to listen, to watch, to observe the world around me, and create something. I am in a constant state of feedback: I receive feedback from the world, then I give my own in the form of art. Art is one of the singular beauties in this world, even when it is grotesque, angry, and hard to look at. Art is what separates humans from the animals. I

I was an actress for 16 years of my life, a singer for 12 of those, and a dancer for 8. All those things are still an integral part of my life, even if I am not in a play, or even if I am unable to dance the way I used to. I feel extremely involved in the artistic world.

am human because I create.

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TAYLORSA LYRICAL IN ITS ESSENCE, TRAGIC IN ITS FATE I was born in New Jersey. In a city of broken glass on the concrete and cigarette smoke, of Reggaeton and R&B music, of firecrackers lighting up the night and barely a star in the sky. The city is a place of few trees and barely any grass. The absence of nature was evident, although we had a peach tree (it stopped producing fruit) and various edible wild berry trees in our backyard. When I moved to Maryland at the age of 10, I was overwhelmed but fascinated by all the trees and grass and plants. I began to explore the creek near my house, either with friends or alone. Walking home from school one day, I went to one of the creeks near my house to take photographs. It was a bright, sunny, late-Spring day. Sunlight bounced off the water to create the most aesthetically inspiring effect, and despite the sound of the cars driving down the road, I felt alone in the world. This is the closest I’ve felt to any religion. It seemed so simple to me that most ancient civilizations based their religions upon the gods from nature, and not humans. They saw what most in our world do not see anymore, what I saw that day: that nature in itself is something sacred or heavenly, something to be worshipped if anything is worshipped at all, and that we should not turn our backs on it. I am not the typical “tree hugger” and I am not the most environmentally aware person, but I do believe in nature. I believe in the flowers and the trees, and the beauty of it all. The transcendentalists were right, as were the Native Americans who believed in the land, and Buddhism. Through nature we can find our individual selves, and become enlightened or find our nirvana. The power of nature is greater than the power of mankind; we are born of nature. We have no right to destroy it. I believe in its power.

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AUNDERS

BORN: APRIL 19, 1993 AGE: 17 YEARS OLD RESIDENCE: GERMANTOWN, MD FIELD OF ART: WRITING, PHOTOGRAPHY, PAINTING

“I am inspired by humans, animals, and nature. Any emotion - either witnessed or experienced - drives me to create something in order to explain it. I am inspired by chaos, because I’d like to give it order.”

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JASPERGUECO BORN: JANUARY 11, 1992 AGE: 18 YEARS OLD RESIDENCE: IMUS, CAVITE (PHILIPPINES) FIELD OF ART: LITERATURE (POEMS BOTH IN FILIPINO AND ENGLISH) I’m an Information Technology student on Colegio de San Juan de Letran (a prestigious college here at the Philippines). I had passion on technology and gadgets but I’m an ardent lover of my own culture and literature that I express them through my poems and speeches. God always served as my inspiration for He’s the one who gave me my talents and next to him are my loved ones and friends. But on this particular poem, my inspiration was my crush who’s very beautiful that i would end up staring and admiring her. Whenever I’m bored with the routinized things I did, I started letting out my creative juice to express my self and my emotion. There’s nothing more relaxing and fun then letting out your emotions and putting all your inspiration on your peace of art. Creating or making an artwork, especially poems gives me hidden bliss. It serve as my escape to the real world, for writing a poet is something that really came from yourself. And if you had created something, it will somehow give you a sense of pride and contentment.

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DANCE OH SWEET AURORA BOREALIS! Dance! Oh! Sweet Elegant Aurora Borealis! Sway inside my mind and heart, mark like a kiss! Human’s neon lights, unmatched to your natural magnificence Oh Lass! Grasping on your glory perplexed all my sense. Moment before you’ve been crafted by God... He layouts you to be adored by thousand lads In a jiffy you’ve seized their hearts For thy exquisite face was His work of art. I was once a complete farce on a field Running and playing are all I want to yield My juvenile life makes my exaltations to gather Now I don’t want to grow any longer Very young lad they addressed me, For nothing I know except to feed my tummy But when fate spells me to glimpse on her brilliance I then realized what’s my existence Dance! Oh! Sweet Elegant Aurora Borealis! Sway inside my mind and heart, give me bliss! Human’s neon lights, unmatched to your natural magnificence Oh Lass! Now you complete my sense. Every time I spot your lustrous beauty in eager I can’t help myself but to stop and linger Every time I spot your lustrous beauty near Suddenly you obliterate my fear Oh I wish to see more! More for me to adore! Oh wish to hear more, more for me to hear your fervour For you’re the one that I cherished Promise my love will never perish! Dance again! Oh! Sweet Elegant Aurora Borealis!

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ALEXANDERM BORN: MAY 19, 1994 AGE: 16 YEARS OLD RESIDENCE: FREDERICK, MD FIELD OF ART: PROSE

I’m a 16 year old junior that want to not just live but have an experience Not one thing inspires me. To say one thing does would be unfair. My brain is more like a toy box of inspiration that I will pull from when I find all the pieces to that toy.

“Token Art Magazine is a beacon of hope. It gives another medium to artists that may not be able to publish their work on paper. At the same time it shows the people who should be show cased because they are talented individuals. And I want to be a part of that.”

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MICHAELFUSTE THE HORIZON I sit by the ocean at 8:45 at night and wonder why I can’t see anything past the horizon. Logically, the answer is that the Earth is curved. So, after a while it curves away from your view therefore creating a horizon. The real mystery to me is the fact that there is more on the horizon than we see and so much under it too. I imagine the fish and sharks and maybe whales. Then, I realize I can’t see them but, I know they are there. I look to the sky and see the dimmed light shadowing the clouds and know there is more there but I can’t see it. So, instead I imagine the moon and stars and galaxies. I think about how amazing it is. Back to the horizon. It taunts me. I know there are other people across it and new things to learn and I know someone must think this too. I can’t be the only one. Instead I sit here and take in what I can; the oceans spray, the sounds the waves make, the dim light world, the people awkwardly huddled together, the people walking down the beach, the dunes silent and asleep, the Hotel next to me, the wind from the south, the light of my computer, the children laughing (though they should be in bed), people playing with sparklers, and the horizon still taunting me. As the Sun runs away from me only to meet me again the horizon blends into the sky and they become one. The ying and yang becoming one gray orb that we call earth. The place where we live, the place where we die, the place that we call home.

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ASHMORSE I started doing what I do probably in Seventh grade. It was because it was the first time I realized that my parents were obsessive grades people. That year, I got A, B and Cs. But then, after reading calmed me down, I heard about NaNoWriMo and I found that I was good at writing. BORN: OCTOBER 17, 1995 AGE: 14 YEARS OLD RESIDENCE: FRISCO, TX FIELD OF ART: POETRY

“My piece is about those who refuse to give up, even when they are in tough times.” I’m a girl who likes manga, anime and reading.

And no one could stop me. Art affects me by showing how talented people are. I mean, so you get bad grades... but you still have art. It just shows how creative some people are.

I’m a ninth grader and I am hoping to become a writer. Typically, what inspires me is music for one thing. Another thing is just things that are around me, such as artwork, inanimate objects and other such things.

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THE MONSTERS Wretched chains along their feet Cling, clank The words of them spread around Cling, clank Their faces scarred Cling, Clank Only to lead them where they are Cling, Clank Soft light touches their face Cling, clank The wide smile of hope they once wish they had Cling, Clank But will never get Cling, clank They watch and hope Cling, clank That a small chance Cling, clank That something comes Cling, Clank That something helps Cling, Clank That something Cling, clank Loves Cling, Clank Heads down Cling, Clank Those shout Cling, Clank They only watch with sound Cling, Clank They only hear with sight Cling, Clank They know that this is the end Cling, Clank They know that they should give up Cling, clank They know that they shouldn’t have tried Cling, Clank They know that Cling, Clank They should have hope. Cling, Clank Because their chains Cling, Clank Are the only things they’ve got Cling, Clank And that’s all they need. Cling w w w. TO K E N A R T M A G. c o m TOKEN MAGAZINE SEP - OCT 2010 Clank…

DYLANTHAI Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m not a writer, I dont really write much only when I am in the mood to write. I usually write sentimental items. My talents and hobbies are within the arts area, so I am a very artistic person. I am a model in the making. Many things inspire me! For photography, I was inspired by Nhu Nguyen and this summer I started doing photography. Anything that I see and really love will motivate me to do something like it but better.

BORN: FEBRUARY 6, 1992 AGE: 18 YEARS OLD RESIDENCE: GERMANTOWN, MD FIELD OF ART: PROSE

My interest in the arts area started when I was five years old. I love to draw and I would draw anything, but mostly females. When I entered into high school; I began to exploring new types of art styles and drawing other subjects. During my junior year was when my interest in the arts grew; theater/drama, dancing, singing, and modeling.

Art affects me so much! To be honest it is very important to me! It allows me to express my feelings to either through a drawing, dance, a song, and/or a writing. Art affects me so much! To be honest it is very important to me! It allows me to express my feelings to either through a drawing, dance, a song, and/or a writing.

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DWELLING ON FIRST LOVE (LANG THAM MOT TINH YEU) “…Love is hard to explain, it has many ups and downs and no one can predict the outcomes in the future...” As I sit here under the full moon, my heart is deeply aching as I am missing you Baby, when one’s heart is broken and is in the dark alone reminiscing, the soul is very ill My first love, I loved you from the bottom of heart in which words could not explained My soul wanted to say forever and promised that I will love you forever; my love for you will never change Love is hard to explain, it has many ups and down and no one can predict the outcomes in the future Life goes on, love goes on but why are we still hurt? Love will die off, Life will end… Depressed and reminiscing over a relationship that brought many heart-aches How many days, months, or years that has passed by while my love for you still stands? I love you; I will love you forever even after the heart-aches you have given me Your love you gave me made my heart beat fast My First love! I truly love you from the bottom of my heart However, we are done and our last words to each other were coldly received… But my soul still wants to say forever and promise that I will love you forever; my love for you will never change! Baby, I still love you and my heart still misses you!

“This is a translated piece about those who dwells on first love. In today’s society everyone’s first love is always hard to forget.”

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CARLY Monsters Monsters don’t leave They just change. The boogeyman ~who so diligently stalked my nightmares~ Did not abandon his post Beneath my bedI can still hear him breathing And we dance When no one else is looking.

“Monsters is essentially a view on growing up and the secrets everyone has.”

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YHUBBARD I’m a 19 year old college student at DePaul. After leaving a conservatory last year, where I was studying to be an actor, I have become major-less and pathless but never hopeless. I have been inspired by many things, from my own experiences with first love to spontaneous observations of a falling leaf. This particular piece was inspired by the instrumentals in Tim Burton’s “The Nightmare Before Christmas.” I can’t remember the first time I actually picked up a pencil and wrote a word, but I do remember loving stories and poems since early childhood. The first time I wrote a poem, it was for a class project in 3rd grade. That day I wrote a poem about hot chocolate, and I have been hooked on writing ever since. I’m happy to say that while the world around me has changed, and I with it, writing has always been something to come back to. Art is one part intention and one part interpretation. It never fails to amaze me how Monet’s waterlilies can bring me to tears, or how Bernini’s “Apollo and Daphne” can leave me in awed silence. Music has the power to make me move, make me cry, make me love. And the written word, that sweet seductress, has the gift of turning off the rest of the world and stealing my heart and mind away to somewhere new. The best art is the art that stays with you, as you.

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BORN: FEBRUARY 12, 1991 AGE: 19 YEARS OLD RESIDENCE: CHICAGO, IL FIELD OF ART: POETRY

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DIANAKIM

“I grab inspi ones I hold c

I’m the person that I am because of the person that I’m not. I have an unhealthy obsession with cereal. I’m a walking contradiction. I can’t go through a day without going through some sort of stress. The sound of pen against paper is my heartbeat. I either sleep too much or not at all. I’m wondering if the amount of choppy sentences in this description is annoying you. I’m korean. I’m awesome. I rap on YouTube. I spill my heart out on Tumblr. I say too much on Facebook. I love every minute of my life. BORN: OCTOBER 31 1993 AGE: 16 YEARS OLD RESIDENCE: GERMANTOWN, MD FIELD OF ART: WRITING/POETRY I may not be the smartest or funniest person in the world, but I have a passion for everything that I do. Everyone has their own story to tell and I decide to tell my story through words, written down, and threaded together to form a sweet disaster. I write my heart out, and not because I want to, but because I need to. Writing has consumed my person and I love it. Without my writing, I wouldn’t know what to do with myself. You can’t see me when you look at me; You can only see me through my writing. Ever since the third grade, I’ve just loved writing short stories and poems. It’s always been a nice outlet of expression and a way to put my crazy thoughts to words. In all honesty, every boy that has come into my life has made me feel the need to write. In summer of 2009, one boy made me realize how important writing was for my life and I’ll always thank him for being my inspiration. Art is beauty and artists are beautiful. My writing is for everyone’s eyes and in that way, I am an open book just waiting to be read. My words are written out everyday; my heart and soul are on paper, written with ink. Writing gives me something to do when I believe there’s nothing else for me in this world. Maybe I can save someone, because they’ll realize that they aren’t alone.

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iration from my life and the lives of those around me. I love the close in my life because they inspire me so much everyday.” I don’t wanna have to hide what I try not to be Plan it perfect, like it’s worth it, so no one might see I am confusion wrapped in illusion Trying to break free and not get trapped in seclusion Because no one likes to feel unknown I’m sitting in this room and I feel so alone You’re not by my side, it’s a nightmare come true And all I’ll ever want is to just be with you Growing up is such a beautiful and reckless disease But it’s only worse without you, now I’m begging you please Give me back my heart, my thoughts, and my dreams You were always too far, deaf to my endless screams But I learned without you, life still goes on Like everything’s more beautiful because you’re gone Yet, it’s still hard every time I see your face Those eyes, that smile, I swore love was the case Your voice echoing in my ears, fingers intertwined with mine But it all ended in tears, I never learned not to cross the line I’ve learned to fight back with paper and pen I hope I’ll never make the same mistakes again Who am I kidding, I got a whole life ahead of me Mistakes and heartbreaks, seat belt on, better get ready So much went wrong, but there’s time to make it right Now do me a favor, and stay out of my sight “I spent most of my life believing that I was in love, but for most of my life, I didn’t have the slightest clue what love really was. I only knew how to confuse love with infatuation and lust. I met a boy once that made me believe that I knew what love was. He’s not in my life anymore and there’s a reason for that. Even after a year, I’m learning to pick up the pieces, grow up, and move on.”

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WANT TO BE IN THE N WANT TO BE IN THE N Do you think you’re an artist? Do you want to show other people all over the world what you’re capable of doing? Whether you’re an aspiring photographer, visual artist, singer, actor, dancerfilmmaker, or writer--everyone deserves to be recognized for their passion.

SUBMISSION DEADLINE FOR OUR NEXT ISSUE IS NOVEMBER 30, 2010. ANY SUBMISSIOSN AFTER THIS DATE WILL BE VOIDED.

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NEXT ISSUE OF TOKEN? NEXT ISSUE OF TOKEN? Head on over to tokenartmag.com to see rules and guidelines for submitting to Token for our next issue. You must be at least thirteen years or older to submit. As of right now, if you submitted to Token previously, you are open to submit again. There is no guarantee that your submission will be accepted again. If you have any questions, or concerns please send an email to Tokenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Executive asssitant: Alexander Michael at alexander@nn-photography.com

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TOKEN MAGAZINE SEP - OCT 2010