We See It
Magazine
{Vol. 7}
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Blog: www.weseeitmag.blogspot.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/pages/We-See-It-Magazine Flickr Group: www.flickr.com/groups/1697722@N20/ Twitter @WeSeeItMagazine
Contributors: Alex Kemsley Anthony Gerace Chris Villacillo Erin Walsh Feline Zegers Hersley-Ven Casero Jamie de Leeuw Jaswant Flora Kat Banay Lea Sophie Tricia Victoria
Tanith McGrath Erin Walsh Andrea Salazar Carolynne Collyer Jessica Clark Darla Taylor Patrick Talbot Nelson Blanton Alden Steimle Charity Baker Lysette Castellanos
We See It is an online zine which strives to be a platform for the many wonderful creative artists around the world. We are pretty grass roots around here and regret that we are not in a position to pay contributors for any work. We See It’s contributors retain sole copyright and ownership of their artworks. Please feel free to contact them directly using links provided regarding their work. 2 / wsi
photo by Nelson Blanton
Advertising / Contribution: weseeitmag@gmail.com
Welcome to We See It | Vol 7 - The Autumn issue! Not only that, but this issue is our one year anniversary! Yes, SEVEN lovely issues later and we are still hungry to find the all the creative talent the world has to offer and serve it up to you in one pretty package! We would like to thank you all for joining us on this journey of art appreciation! In this issue we have a guest designer, Ms. Kat Banay. A photographer/designer from the Philippines. Kat was featured in our first ever issue of We See It. Her blog showcases all her beautiful images of the travels she takes to wonderful parts of the world. She excels in portraiture, weddings and travel photography and has a special gift for capturing beautiful moments in time. We hope you visit her blog and check out her wonderful work at www.katmichelle. tumblr.com . As you know by now, we are the connoisseurs of talent spotting and are so excited to share the outstanding talent we have discovered, all rounded up and presented to you in pretty package called We See It. We believe that behind every Artist and Creative, there is a tale to tell, an individual life being led, an eager heart and a predicatively fascinating creative process. As well as seeing and appreciating their work and skills, we want to bring you a little closer to these talented beings by introducing you to them and their world of work. The way We See It is, every artistically fruitful individual should have the chance to showcase their work to the world and for them to be truly appreciated. We See It strive to bring you the brightest independent artists from around the world, and compact them and their work into one totally tasty piece of reading. We hope you see the beauty & talent, because We See It ! We See It x
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We See It Vol 7
Contents
Anthony Gerace
6
Feline Zegers
18
Lea Sophie
30
Chris Vil acil o
42
Alex Kemsley
54
graphic designer/photographer illustrator/photographer photographer
photographer/artist photographer
64
Hersley-Ven Casero
78
InfashionCashmere styling by Charity Baker
86
Romance on the Banks by Tricia Victoria (cover shot)
96
We See It Style
102
The Exhibition
artist/photographer
photographed by Nelson Blanton
features Erin Walsh by Tanith Rose featuring Veronica Nardulli
Jaswant Flora
112
designer/illustrator
124
Jami e de Leeuw photographer
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Anthony Gerace A
nthony Gerace lived in Toronto, Canada for the last ten years and has recently moved to London, England.
Between doing two degrees in University (English Literature and Graphic Design) he took a 3 year hiatus from school consisting of working various jobs and figuring out what he wanted to do. “I went back to school when I was a bit older (25) and so I’ve only recently graduated, with my second bachelor’s. For that reason I tend to overwork myself a bit, and try to do as much as humanly possible in whatever time I have to work in. So, I make a lot of collages, photograph people and places constantly, make posters, books and zines, and write. I used to mostly do the latter three but I find my time lately consumed with photography. It really feels like a vocation. I tend to work in series and have several series’ on the go at any given time… I find that having an interdisciplinary practice means that you always have something to work on. That you never slip into creative blockage.” WSI: How did your journey into the art world start? AG: Fitfully… I began making collages and taking photographs in high school, but stopped when I moved to Toronto, when I began studying literature. I spent most of my time writing very angsty fiction and making unlistenable experimental music and sitting in my room smoking. When I started DJing and booking bands I started drawing, collaging again and making posters. It got so that throwing a party or booking a venue for a live act was really an excuse to make a poster for the event, and when I realized that was what was happening I really started to make things for myself. Three years later I went back to school and started making work full time. So I’d say it began when I was very young, but stalled for a long, long time.
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WSI: Your poster designs are very cool. What it is about typography and graphics as a way of communication, that you love? AG: I like working with type because it’s such a challenge: to put into words some feeling that you can’t express vocally at the moment that you feel it? And then also to have that vocalization resonate with a viewer? It’s really, really satisfying when it connects. I like typography especially because it encompasses so many other practices, at least in the posters I do: collage, photography, craft, and writing all go in in equal measure. I also really enjoy messing with type in as physical a way as possible: type created using light, thread, paper, chalk… and how those substrates affect the viewer’s perception of what the work is about. I think everything I’m doing with the rest of my work is about trying to form a connection with someone where there might not be one, and typography is the most direct, uninflected way of doing that. It’s really satisfying. WSI: Whats your biggest achievement in your work so far? AG: Having my first solo show, and the eight months or so that led up to it: I’d wanted to show at the gallery I showed at (Narwhal Projects) since I’d begun making things again. Several friends had shown there or been represented by them,
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and whenever I went to an opening there was such a happy feeling of community and camaraderie, and to be able to show a body of work that represented almost a year’s worth of struggling to put into words what I’m trying to do artistically, and to have had such a good experience with the owners and with the space and with the actual setting up of the work, was so gratifying. I think also showing solo, and having people get what I was trying to say, was a really big achievement. And, within that, having the experience of starting out the work with no real understanding of how to engage people as a portraitist, and leaving the work feeling confident in both approaching people and engaging with them in that setting, was a real achievement insofar as it was one of the few times I’ve been able to see a quantifiable leap in my abilities. Basically, this whole last year has been amazing. WSI: Is it hard to be creative everyday? AG: No. I find that, in doing so many things, I can bounce between them with enough frequency to keep all of them interesting, and each practice stimulates the other. Also, working in series’ has made it so that even if I don’t feel motivated creatively, I always at least know which direction to go in, and that usually gets me started again.
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WSI: You have so many talents! What’s your favorite medium? AG: Definitely photography. I find the speed of it satisfying, and the ability to evidence something about a subject that the viewer might not recognize otherwise. I keep thinking about, what if I’d kept up with photography after high school? But I don’t know… I think all of the mediums I work in tend to inform each other. Design helps me frame photographs in a way that’s more mathematical and formal, collage helps me utilize colour, not to mention the constant photography lessons I’m getting sifting through old issues of Life and Playboy, especially when it comes to portraiture. And I think the typographic stuff helps me put into words a lot of the things I’m trying to say in my photographs. I’ve recently gotten heavily back into collage; I gave myself the couple of months before moving to refocus my attention on it, and I couldn’t be happier.
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Have you ever studied arts/photography? AG: I studied graphic design and literature, and I’m glad of it: I was spending a lot of time in the darkroom during my thesis, and hearing the way that people being taught with an art background were approaching photography as a craft made me feel crazy, and so glad that I could skirt that approach. I don’t know what it’s like in other schools, but where I went, the art department pushed a very conceptheavy approach. To the point where craft was not only secondary but almost tertiary if you could art-speak your way through a critique. And while I think concept is hugely important to a sustainable practice, I do think that it must come second, at least at the beginning. If you’re serious about what you’re doing, concepts will form around the work. I think studying two very pragmatic, systemic fields has allowed me to make art without being too anxious about how it’s going to all fit together at the end.
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WSI: Where would you like to be with your art in 5 years time? AG: Able to take a month out of each year to work concertedly on projects. I’d like to be in a place where I can do what I love for a paycheck and still love it, and use the exposure to forward my personal practice. I’d like to be able to say that I’d created at least one thing, per day, for the entirety of the previous five years, that I was proud of. WSI: Has using social networks helped you as an artist? Why/How? AG: Yes, but I worry that I become too reliant on it. If twenty people like one of my photographs on Facebook, I’ll consider it a job well done, nevermind that those twenty people are my friends. If I put an image up on Flickr and it gets a ton of hits in the first hour, same thing. Though I really love knowing that people are seeing and engaging with my work on a daily basis, I also worry that it makes me complacent in seeking opportunity to show the work elsewhere. That said, it keeps me motivated to do things, it lets people see that I’m doing things constantly, and it forces me to make things better constantly. So maybe
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it doesn’t make me complacent, maybe the fear of becoming complacent plus the positive reception to the work keeps the work getting better and keeps me motivated. I guess the short answer is that social networking has helped quite a bit. WSI: Background music when your creating art? AG: Oh man, too much to name. I’ll usually get caught on one song or artist, though. When I was finishing my thesis it was Destroyer, specifically the “Streethawk” and “Your Blues” albums. When I’m walking and shooting I’ll make new playlists when I’m going to new places. I’ve lately been on a real Will Oldham kick: I just got his single “Stay”, and the b-side is this incredible song called “People Living.” Weirdly ambient folk, barely discernible lyrics, feedback and random noises… it’s perfect. I took a bus to New York recently and had that song on repeat while I slept. At one point I woke up and it was dawn, and the rain was so heavy that you couldn’t see anything but intermittent flashes of lightning, and this ghostly song was playing and I had no idea where I was. It was amazing. ■
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Visit Anthony w w w.a-gerace.com w w w.f lickr.com/f r iendshipexplosion
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Feline Zegers
eline Zegers is a 24 year old illustrator and photographer from the Netherlands. Coming from a creative background, she has been making and creating art for as long as she can remember. “My work plays with the combination of good and evil, beauty and degeneration. I’m often dealing with relationships between people and their environments, I’m trying to understand what makes or gives us an ‘identity’. My work offers alternate views of reality. The value of storytelling and it’s ability to connect us to each other through our cultural, humanistic and emotional similarities is very present in my work. The figures displayed take on different roles, although the role itself is sometimes vague, flickering between seducer and victim, preacher and sinner, woman and child. Riddles which may, or may not, have a solution.” WSI: How did your journey into the art world start?
painting. So was my granddad. For as long as I can remember I’ve always been making things whether it was drawing, painting or building. I’ve known from quite a young age that I wanted to study art and that has never really changed. I guess my journey started when I got accepted for the Art Academy when I was 18. From then onwards, I’ve never had a doubt that art was what I wanted to do. WSI: Your illustrations are beautiful, haunting, surreal and somewhat naturalist. We love them, why do you draw? FZ: I’ve always had a very broad interest in art and found it difficult to focus on one aspect. I still do sometimes. I can enjoy making illustrations as much as designing clothes, bookcase and chairs. Most of it has always revolved around drawing though. Drawing is very relaxing to me, it’s sort of a natural part of me I guess. If I don’t have the opportunity to draw for a couple of days I tend to get a bit irritated. It’s a way of processing things and emotions in my head. Most of my work is quite personal because of that, even if it might not seem that way to other people.
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WSI: What’s your biggest achievement in your work so far? FZ: My biggest achievement is not really a public achievement, but a personal one. I’m very happy that I decided to start working digitally. I’ve been teaching myself how to use Photoshop for about 6 years now (photography and drawing). I had never really painted in Photoshop but I’d always admired a lot of artists who did and decided to give it a go myself. I’ve always been a big fan of game concept artists and they were my biggest inspiration for learning how to paint and draw in Photoshop. I think I’ve achieved a lot in terms of teaching myself and finding a style that suits me and that I’m comfortable with.
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WSI: Is it easy to be creative everyday? How do you overcome artist’s blocks? FZ: It’s definitely not easy to be creative every day. I have days where I can work for hours on end, but sometimes you’re just too tired or you have too many other things on your mind to focus on drawing. It depends on having a deadline or not, but if I don’t, I tend to just stop drawing for a while and pick it up again later. Read a book, watch a movie. I usually have an artist block in the winter. I’m not sure why but it’s been happening for a couple of years now. The best way to overcome an artist block to me is to just make a lot of sketches, write down ideas and leave things unfinished. That way you still keep drawing. At the end of my ‘block’, I always end up with a whole new series of work because I made so many sketches. 22 / wsi
WSI: What’s your favorite medium? FZ: I used to only draw with fine liners, markers and different types of ink. I still enjoy drawing with pen and ink but ever since I started working in Photoshop, I feel as if it limits me in a way. For example, I can’t really sketch with pencil and paper. I’ve always been a little scared about messing up a beautiful white piece of paper. Sketching digitally however seems to be no problem at all because I don’t ‘waste’ anything. Working digitally gives me so much freedom to change things around whenever I want to. I can erase bits, add things, change colors if I don’t like them etc. The possibilities are endless! I’d say Photoshop is my favorite medium for drawing and painting and also a medium that I feel comfortable working with. wsi / 23
WSI: Have you ever studied arts/photography? FZ: I’ve studied (BA) Fine Art at the Willem de Kooning Academy in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. I majored in drawing and did a minor in traditional printmaking. After graduating I decided I wanted to know more about the technical side of photography and (my favorite) retouching. I did a BA in Photographic Communication at the Fotovakschool in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. For my graduation project I decided to mix illustration with photography and ended up graduating with honors!
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WSI: Where would you like to be with your art in 5 years time? FZ: In 5 years time, I hope to have done a master degree in illustration in the UK. I’d like to live in an inspiring place, do a lot of projects with other artists, travel and maybe teach students. But most of all I hope to be able to draw and/or photograph full time!
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WSI: Has using social networks helped you as an artist? Why/How? FZ: Definitely! Social networks are incredible for spreading your work and getting it out in the world. I’ve had so many reactions and questions about my work that I wouldn’t have had otherwise. It’s also a great way of meeting other artists and learning from each others work. For example I’ve met a lot of nice people and fellow illustrators through my blog that I talk to on a regular basis and collaborate with! WSI: Background music when you’re creating art? FZ: I enjoy a lot of different types of music. I’m a big 80’s lover. Lately I’ve been listening to a lot of ambient music with dubstep and electronic influences. I love Burial, Emancipator and XXYYXX for example! Other favorites are Warpaint, Beach House, the XX and Under Byen. ■
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Visit Feline w w w.felinezegers.com w w w.felinezegers.tumblr.com
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L
ea Sophie is a 22 year old photographer from New York. Her family is from Germany so she was raised within a strong cultural background. She spent most of her childhood growing up in Dutchess and Columbia counties in NY and has traveled extensively. “When I was 15, I moved to France for a year. Now I love living in NYC, and have a great relationship with someone who encourages me to shoot, and follow my dreams. He even puts me on his shoulders if I need a higher vantage point and have nothing else to climb on.” WSI: How did your journey into the art world start? LS: As a kid I was a little strange I guess. I didn’t have friends so drawing, painting or sculpting is what I did to pass my time. As I became a teenager I wasn’t really into sports and spent all of my time in the art room. I had a great art teacher in high school, Mrs Metzler, she really encouraged me to jump into the art world. I still visit her, and I think I really have her to thank for my career choice.
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WSI: We love your work, both commercial and projects. What is it about people that you love to shoot? LS: People just seemed to be what I gravitated towards. When I started out I photographed all kinds of things, obviously sunsets, nature, tried birds - total fail, not patient enough! Working with people is rewarding in so many ways, I get to show someone how I see them, and I get to make people feel good about themselves. With light and pose I can sculpt someone into the most beautiful version of themselves. I also love the collaborative effort that is involved. Once I build a relationship with a model we can have so much fun on a shoot, with everyone laughing between shots and no one really feels like they are ‘working’. WSI: What’s your biggest achievement in your work so far? LS: I don’t think there is one single biggest achievement, I have made a lot of progress over the years and I know there is still a lot for me to learn and experience. A few things that come to mind would be having solo exhibitions, being selected for college scholarship based on my photography, selling my work, and being published in small magazines.
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WSI: Tell us more about the ‘Doll Series’? LS: The doll series started out as just one shoot, and then I thought, why not expand, and make this an entire series. The doll series is more conceptual than a lot of my work, I tend to go through phases of being conceptual and then needing a break. However I’m not the type of person to hit someone over the head with my message. I want the images to be beautiful, but to still suggest a bigger meaning. I want my work to inspire people to think, almost as if the thought came without encouragement from the image. WSI: Do you prefer to shoot on location or in studio? LS: Where I prefer to shoot depends a lot on the weather, I’m a big summer fan, so when it’s nice out I love shooting outside. I like having a lot of texture going on in my images, and I like manipulating the light I am given to work with on locations. But for some concepts a clean studio space is best. WSI: Have you ever studied arts / photography? LS: After high school I took half a semester off to think about what I really wanted to do with myself, the conclusion came to me easily. So I enrolled in my local community college and got an associates degree in commercial art. After that I wanted to learn more, and have more of a challenge, so I applied to undergraduate photography programs at schools in New York City, I was accepted and am currently on my way to a BFA.
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WSI: Where would you like to be with your art in 5 years time? LS: in 5 years time I would like to be supporting myself fully with my photography. I am hoping to be in NYC and to have agency representation. My goal is to get creative and inspiring commercial & fashion assignments while also having enough time to work on some more fine art oriented photography. WSI: Has using social networks helped you as an artist? Why/How? LS: I use tumblr to blog, and I have a Facebook profile for my photography. I have gotten a lot of support through Facebook from people expressing that they enjoy my work and encouraging me to continue. I have also found models and people to collaborate with through Facebook and Model Mayhem. Social media has also been helpful in generating a client base, people who are friends with me on Facebook often come to me if they need a photographer, or recommend me to friends. WSI: Background music when your creating art? LS: I’ll listen to anything from the Beatles to jam bands to dubstep. I love rusted root for shoots that involve movement, because I’ve never met anyone that doesn’t automatically move to it. When I’m retouching or editing I normally listen to something like Thievery Corporation or Boombox, something relaxed and on the slow side but with a steady beat. ■
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Visit Lea www.leasophiefoto.com www.leasophiefoto.tumblr.com
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ChrisVillacillo
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ChrisVillacillo C
hris is a 26-year old artist and photographer from Canada. He was born and raised in Cebu, Philippines and moved to Canada with his family in 2006 where he studied and practiced visual arts. To him, his photographs speak of who he is and how he sees the world. He hopes to have his own studio one day and still continue to make art. WSI: How did your journey into the photography world start? CV: It started pretty early for me. I was probably around seven or nine years old when I acquired a Konica automatic film camera from my parents. I don’t know where it is anymore but I remember going through rolls of film with it without caring for whatever came out of it. I developed an interest in photography as a serious hobby when I was in my teenage years but never considered it as an art form until I was 20. The rest as they say, is history. WSI: Your photographs are stunning! What it is about photography as a way of communication, that you love? CV: Thank you. Photography to me is my immediate visual experience of the world and being able to show that experience to an audience really is sharing the memories and things that fascinate me. In a way, and I say this in a personal level, understanding my photographs is sort of getting to know me, who I am, and how I see the world.
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WSI: What’s your biggest achievement in your work so far? CV: It’s really hard to say. I often think that I haven’t reached a point where I’ve actually achieved something exceptional. Some of my works have been featured in blogs, magazines, and podcasts. I have been interviewed many times not only about my photography work but also about my paintings and printmaking work. Just recently, I was given the great opportunity to show some of my prints in a gallery in Portland, Oregon. I think the recognition in the art world, no matter how small it is now, is my achievement so far. 44 / wsi
WSI: Is it hard to be creative everyday? CV: Not really. For someone who is in love with art and life and perpetually inspired by them, creativity becomes second nature. Everything is laid out for you. You just have to start working. WSI: If you could travel to any country to do a shoot - where would you go and why? CV: I would like to go back to the US again with a copy of Ansel Adam’s portfolios and go to every place he has taken a photograph of. wsi / 45
WSI: Have you ever studied photography? CV: No. I am self-taught. I read a lot of books on technique years ago but it bored me so I started collecting artist books of my favourite photographers and studied their work.
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WSI: Where would you like to be with your art in 5 yrs time? CV: I would love to have my own studio by then, exhibit regularly, and just continually making art.
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WSI: Has using social networks helped you as an artist? Why/how? CV: Yes. It certainly helped in networking and promoting myself and getting to know other artists and know what they are working on.
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WSI: Do you listen to any background music when you’re editing? CV: All the time. Philip Glass is always on when I am working. â–
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Visit Chris www.christianvillacillo.com
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Alex Kemsley
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A
lex Kemsley is a 16 year old fine art photographer from England in the UK. Residing just outside of London, where city meets countryside, Alex feels living in such a wonderful place influences him greatly and provides great inspiration for his work. “The theme of natural environment, and the interdependence of man and nature, is something that is present in the majority of my photography. I love shooting my portraits in fields and meadows, and living near these landscapes provides the inspiration behind the conceptual work.” WSI: How did your journey into the art world start? AK: From the age of seven, I wanted to become an illustrator for book publications. I didn’t consider being a photographer until the age of thirteen. Up until then, I hadn’t thought of photography as being an art form, but instead a method of documenting memories and experiences. When I discovered the work of Francesca Woodman, my opinion of photography was completely altered.
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WSI: You’re a fine art photographer, working on wonderful conceptual pieces. What is it about fine art/conceptual you like? AK: I am extremely passionate about creating for myself, and conceptual art is something I’ve always adored. Whenever I visit an art exhibition, although I can appreciate the technical quality of pieces, it is always the work with a profound concept that creates the most impact for me. I just love the idea of how meaningful a product can be; even though its humble origins may just be paint, fabrics or a camera. Although the heavily-stylised aesthetic is an important aspect of my work, my aim is to leave the viewer with intense emotion. 56 / wsi
WSI: Is it easy to be creative everyday? How do you overcome artists blocks? AK: Like every artist, I am often plagued by artist’s block. Even though it can become incredibly frustrating when I feel uninspired for weeks (or even months) on end, I try to look at the experience in a positive way. For me to realise which of my ideas and creations are the best, I need a lapse in creativity. For an artist to create something incredible, they will inevitably create something that isn’t as good. Artist’s block isn’t something that should be rushed. I find it best to carry on with my day to day life, view other people’s art, and read. I will eventually become inspired again, and until then, I try not to hurry along the process. wsi / 57
WSI: What’s your biggest achievement in your work so far? AK: The moment at which I felt I had achieved the most, was when I felt confident creating a distinct style, and have other people tell me that my work inspired them. To have the knowledge that my own art is in inspiring others to take up photography, is the very best compliment. WSI: We find your work tells hauntingly beautiful stories, Do you set put to tell stories with you work? AK: Yes, the conceptual element is very important in my work, and I love to depict articulate stories. A predominant theme in my photography is the relationship between humans and nature – with life, death, rebirth and survival being important concepts. My work nearly always features a solitary character immersed in a completely natural environment. I feel that this way, the emotional aspect of the work feels more intense, with little distraction by anything that is manmade. The stories and ideals that I depict are representational of things as old as time, so I feel I should present them in the same way, rather than amongst an urban environment. WSI: Have you ever studied Arts/photography? AK: I’m still in education in England and I’ve just completed my GCSE qualification in art. Now I’m beginning my Fine Art A-Level course. Photography contributes to a small part of the coursework – the rest consisting of material based pieces involving painting, sculpting, drawing and using mixed media. I’ve loved painting and drawing since a very young age, and they are other artistic talents I hope to explore further. Art and its history are things that I’ve always been passionate about, and I hope to continue my education at an art university in London.
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WSI: Has using social networks helped you as an artist? Why/How? AK: I’ve found that social networking has proved to be invaluable in the success of my work. Whilst the following of my work is not massive, I credit 100% of it to the internet. Flickr was where I first started to display my work, and the community there are unbelievably kind, supportive and talented. To any young artist considering joining Flickr, I would highly recommend it. If you put hard work into the portfolio, the rewards and kindness you get in return are priceless.
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WSI: Where would you like to be with your art in 5 yrs time? AK: In five years time, I hope to have finished my university course with a degree, and then to be beginning my career in fine art photography. By that point in time, I’ll be aiming to sell prints and have pieces established in small galleries.
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WSI: Background music when you’re creating art? AK: I don’t find that music is an essential part of my creative process, but when I do listen to background music while making my art, I nearly always choose Kate Bush. Kate is an English singersongwriter, musician and producer, whose work was most widely known during the 1970s and ‘80s. She’s considered one of the most successful British musicians of all time, and her work’s pretty incredible! As an artist, I find her surreal outlook on life and the imaginative narrative in her lyrics are inspirational. I think she has an amazing way of translating emotions into her work so honestly – which serves as a goal to any conceptual artist. ■
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Visit Alex
www.flickr.com/photos/alexkemsley www.twitter.com/alex_kemsley www.alexkemsley.tumblr.com
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Hersley-V
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Ven Casero
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H
ersley is a 28-year old photographer and artist from Dumaguete, Philippines. He has loved art ever since he was a child and considers it as his life. If given the chance, he would visit Ireland and Spain to photograph their beautiful scenery and culture. Someday, he wishes to share his art to every soul in the world. WSI: How did your journey into the art world start? HVC: It started when I was still in my preschool days. Most of the people in our place didn’t have any good understanding of art, including me, so I’ve also wondered why I became so interested in it. But I know I’ve been always hungry to know more about it. Art became my life and then my life has become a colorful piece of art. WSI: Your photos wonderful and wellthought-of. What is it about photography as a way of communication, that you love? HVC: In photography there is no limit in what to say. In one image, you can touch the thoughts and the hearts of the viewer. When you are able to communicate to the world and prove to them that a story really happened through the photographs that you captured, that’s something that even words cannot do. WSI: What’s your biggest achievement in your work so far? HVC: Being happy every single day of my life. That is more than any award can offer.
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WSI: Is it hard to be creative everyday? HVC: We are all creative and creativity sometimes needs to be ignited. When it sparks, then comes the creation of art. There are so many things around that can light that fire inside us. And we have five senses to be aware of that. WSI: If you could travel to any country to explore and photography - where would you go and why? HVC: It’s always been my dream to go to Ireland and Barcelona, Spain. Both countries are very rich in beautiful scenery and culture. I want to be able to experience the uniqueness of Ireland and capture the life and faces of people who live there. I also want to know what similarities I have with the Spanish people since our country was colonized by them for 300 years a long time ago.
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WSI: Have you ever studied arts/photography? HVC: I never had any proper education in photography or in art. I learned with the help of my mentors and my determination to know and understand more. Photography and art are way beyond any qualification for me to consider them as “studies”. WSI: Where would you like to be with your art in 5 yrs time? HVC: I want to go places as far as my art or photography can take me. I want to spread it to the world and have it seen by every single soul. But Dumaguete is my home, so I know I’ll always come back no matter where I go with my passion.
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WSI: Has using social networks helped you as an artist? Why/How? HVC: Social networking made it possible for me to have a bigger audience. I am able to reach the people halfway around the world and share my works in a snap. WSI: Background music when you’re creating art or when working on your photos? HVC: Coldplay, Switchfoot, The Script, Maroon 5, Enya, Thievery Corporation, Bjork, and many more. â–
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Visit Hersley www.hersley.dev iantar t.com www.f lickr.com/photos/hersley www.bit.ly/hersley
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Top: Nobili Cashmere; Tights: Stylists own
inhmere
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ctions u d o r P e ylehous odels t S r o f Blanton Wilhelmina M n o s l e pher: N n Steimle at a r g Baker o y t t o i e r d a Ph l h s A Model: shion Stylist: C sette Castellano Fa e up: Ly k a M d Hair an
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Jacket: Nobili Cashmere; Bra: American Apparel
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Top: Nobili Cashmere; Ring: Stylists own; Tights: American Apparel
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Scarf and pants: Nobili Cashmere; Bra: American Apparel wsi / 85
Romance on the banks Photography: Tricia Victoria Photography MUA: Andrea Salazar; Hair: Carolynne Collyer Wardrobe Stylist: Jessica Clark with Rotating Compass Female: Darla Taylor; Male Model: Patrick Talbot
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We See It Style: Erin Walsh By Tanith Rose
[www. rough-dreams-and-ice-cream.blogspot.com]
W
elcome to the last installment from the summer Issues! Over here at We See It we have had a marvelous summer full of fashion, adventure and a little creative talent scouting for good measure. We’re also very excited by the fact that the un-seen, stylish individuals on the ‘webisphere’ are only getting more unique and creatively driven, which makes our job all the more enjoyable and exciting. In this Issue were going to take a closer look at the awesome Miss Erin Walsh. We’re so excited about this one as Erin has a phenomenal sense of character and individual style at such a tender age. This stylish young thing not only tackles all the latest trends with ease from street style to high fashion, but also completely captures you by combining it all into a unique and fresh palette that you just cant help but LOVE. Beginning with a super fresh take on grunge and easily transgressing into pristine, polished, blogger chic, each outfit compilation is pulled off effortlessly with a personalized, sophisticated eye and some awesome attitude for good measure. This intelligent and charismatic young lady is sure to win you over and with her style and intellect and it wont be long before Erin Walsh takes over the ‘webisphere’ with her style and fantastic blog - www.sparklemotionantichrist.tumblr.com. Enjoy <3
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WSI: Initially what first attracted you to fashion and personal style? EW: Fashion has always been an important part of my life. As a little girl, my Mother owned a children’s boutique and I was obsessed with dressing up. Now I am a teenager I use fashion as a way of defining and expressing myself. WSI: Who’s image or style do you look up to? EW: There is no one in particular who I aspire to dress like, however I do admire anyone who takes risks and wears what they want despite current trends. WSI: How/ where do you get inspired? EW: I am inspired very easily, whether it be by blogs, films, music or even art. They all contribute to my personal style. Tumblr and the online magazine, Rookie Mag are definitely my biggest sources of inspiration at the moment, but I have to say that I am most inspired by cinematography and film characters rather than real people. Wes Anderson films are
just ambrosia for my creative soul, especially ‘Moonrise Kingdom’ and Gwyneth Paltrow’s character Margot in ‘The Royal Tenenbaums’ will always be one of my favourite fashion icons. Other key characters and films that inspire me are Sofia Coppola’s ‘Marie Antoinette’ and ‘Somewhere’, Natalie Portman’s character Matilda in Luc Besson’s ‘Leon’ and Jim Jarmusch’s ‘Mystery Train’. WSI: Where are your favorite places to shop? EW: Vintage shops and markets in Brick Lane, my favourite being Blitz, Reformation in L.A and NYC, Opening Ceremony and Dover Street Market. WSI: What would be your staple item in your wardrobe? EW: My staple item would be vintage high waisted denim shorts because I wear them nearly every day and I love how versatile they are. They can be worn all year round, and even though some people diss the tights and denim shorts look, I am a fan and I don’t care what the haters say!
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WSI: Where do you hope to be in 10 years time? EW: In 10 years time I hope to be living in an apartment in New York, working at one of the leading fashion magazines. Fashion journalism is my dream career but any creative role at a magazine would be a dream. â&#x2013;
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Visit Erin
www.sparklemotionantichrist.tumblr.com
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The Exhibition
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VeronicaNardulli www.flickr.com/photos/68526007@N03 www.ideedipanna.tumblr.com
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Veronica Nardulli
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Veronica Nardulli
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www.flickr.com/photos/68526007@N03 www.ideedipanna.tumblr.com
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Jaswant Flora
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aswant Flora is a 21-year old designer and illustrator from Leicestershire. She graduated with first class honours studying BA(Hons) Surface Design & Printed Textiles. She currently works as a Freelance Print Designer and Illustrator ranging from fashion prints, paper print or one off bespoke illustrations for magazines. WSI: We were excited to see your work. Your illustrations are fascinating and very unusual, how did it all start out for you? JF: I have been creating from a very young age. I used to go to art classes in a college when still in primary school out of curiosity but nurtured my style when having my eyes open to street art when in Berlin. It became infectious, I was inspired by the greats out there and naturally developed it with a more delicate touch with fine art techniques. WSI: Tell us a little about working with designer Lauren McCallmont - sounds so exciting! JF: When working with McCallmont I produced prints from the very beginning to the very end. I would do all the research, drawings, development and even print and pack my designs. They sold to clients such as ASOS, French Connection and I assisted in print production for NY Fashion week for clients such as Nicholas Kirkwood.
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WSI: How long does each of your pieces take to create? is it a long thought out process or does it just flow? JF: Once I start a piece I like to follow it through and finish it. Unless it is a very large piece - which I have been doing more of for my first solo exhibition. The time ranges but as I have been honing my craft for a very long time I find I can produce work quite quickly. So an intricate A4 piece could take less than a couple of hours. WSI: What mediums do you work with? JF: Mainly fine liners. I only used one type in one illustration (i.e. 0.5, 1.0) and get different effects by tilting the pen according to how I want it. WSI: You were also commissioned to collaborate with menswear brand Brutus too!! How was that? JF: An incredible experience which has created a buzz around the country to showcase some of the best of British Illustrators. It was very intense to get it done as well as filming it and other jobs to work on but very exciting all the same. I have met a lot of great people through doing it and it regulated interest in my work. It was a very humble approach to designing too, just a bunch of passionate people doing what they love. WSI: Have you ever studied Arts? JF: Yes at every stage from GCSEâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s to A Levels right into a Degree level.
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WSI: Where would you like to be with your art in 5 yrs time? JF: In 5 years time I will want to still be freelancing and building my client base up, most of my illustrations are catered towards men and I wish to sustain that. Whether it be prints for menswear or customising of one off pieces like I have done in the past - bikes, skateboards, snowboards etc. WSI: Has using social networks helped you as an artist? Why/How? JF: I haven’t used too much social networking but whilst I am still setting up my official site, my tumblr blog functioned as a portfolio which is was the quick way to get my work seen and was very effective in doing so. My type of client base doesn’t really follow how many ‘likes’ or ‘followers’ you have etc. WSI: Background music when your creating art? JF: A range of stuff but I generally like old music before my time. The two Bobs never fail - Bob Dylan and Bob Marley, Big Momma Thornton, The XX, The Smiths ■
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Visit Jaswant Flora www.jaswantf lora.tumblr.com www.twitter.com/jaswant_f lora www.facebook.com/jaswantf loradesign
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Jamie d
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deLeeuw
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amie de Leeuw is from Holland and has just turned 19. She currently studies Interactive Design at Sint Lucas Eindhoven. Her biggest dream is to someday photograph an editorial for a magazine like VOGUE or ELLE and be recognized internationally. She believes that if you believe you can do it, then you’re halfway there. “I love taking photos and being creative, when I take photos I forget everything around me for a moment. Everywhere I come I think in pictures so you’ll never see me travel without my camera because I’ll capture everything on my path thats beautiful.” WSI: We love your work, both model/ fashion and your other projects such as the travel shots on your website! How did your journey into the art world start? JDL: Two years ago I saw on a girl on a photography form who really inspires me. So I decided to save my money and I bought my first camera Canon EOS 1000D in 2010. I started practicing on my friends and horses. I think horses are such amazing and beautiful animals, I really love them. But horse photography isn’t my thing. So one year ago I focused more on fashion/editorial photography instead of horses and now I’m addicted at fashion/editorial photography! But I also photograph sometimes nature, it’s so pure and something different.
WSI: What is it that draws you to photographing people? JDL: Because everyone has a different look and different character. WSI: What’s your biggest achievement in your work so far? JDL: I’ve made photos for men at work and I’m so proud of it! WSI: Whats in your camera bag? JDL: My canon 60D and my 50 mm lens, the best lens ever!! WSI: Do you prefer to shoot on location or in studio? JDL: I prefer location, because I just love natural light. Sometimes I wish I had a studio, the weather is often terrible here in Holland! WSI: Have you ever studied arts/ photography? JDL: No, I’ve learned everything by myself. WSI: Where would you like to be with your art in 5 yrs time? JDL: I hope I can take a editorial for Vogue, Marie Clair, ELLE in no and 5 years time.
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WSI: Has using social networks helped you as an artist? Why/How? JDL: Yes it definitely helped me why? Because social networks is used all over the world, so everyone can see my photography.
WSI: Background music when your creating art? JDL: Lana del Rey, her music gives me inspiration! â&#x2013;
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VisitJamie w w w.jamiedeleeuw.com w w w.facebook.com/JDLfotog raf ie w w w.f lickr.com/jamiedeleeuw w w w.theg irlsbehindthecamera.wordpress.com
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o have contributed in the final outcome of this issue has been a wonderful opportunity for me, as I have always loved magazines ever since I was a teenager. I particularly love how the elements are put together plus mixing and matching colors. This is the first time I have been involved in one and I’ve learned so much — how much detail and thought it takes to showcase talent in every page, making sure the artist’s work shines. Nevertheless, no words can describe how inspired I was working on so many beautiful artworks and photographs. I especially love this month’s cover, simply beautiful and romantic, just like how autumn feels like! I’m thankful for We See It team for being so helpful and accommodating. It feels wonderful to see my ideas come to life. I’ve been lucky to have worked with such a cool bunch of talented people! I hope you’ll take time to read the artists’ responses as well as marvel on their amazing work, as you’re surely going to learn new things from them if not be more inspired. I hope this issue motivates your hearts and minds to create and do what you’ve always wanted to do. After all, this is what We See It Magazine is all about. Kat Michelle Banay, Guest Editor, We See It Magazine, October 2012 — [www.katmichelle.tumblr.com]
We See It
Magazine
We are now accepting submissions for We See It | Vol. 8. Photographers, artists, poets, designers, illustrators, writers and crafters - We Want You! Fashion editorials, collections, stories, we want to showcase your talent! If you have something to include that isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t listed above, please just drop us an e-mail and we will try to respond. Your Talent, We See It!
Submit or just say hello: weseeitmag@gmail.com
{Vol. 7}