Category Archive: ART

Creative Soul Photography: Redefining Black Magic

With their elegant, artistic, high-class and couture images, photographers Kahran and Regis Bethencourt are redefining the notion of black magic.

Their images, positive and uplifting, help bridge an important representation gap in the fashion and beauty industries. Specializing in lifestyle photography, they especially enjoy visual storytelling. “We love telling stories,” Kahran said in a Rolling Out Magazine interview. “So we love photographs that allow the viewer to dig deeper into that person’s story and feel the emotion the subject was feeling at that point and time.” Instead of falling prey to society’s typical connotation with blackness, the Bethencourts have used photography to not only create their own artistic magic but to showcase the magic-like characteristics of young black models. Whether focusing on skin color, hair texture, neighborhoods or certain time periods, Kahran and Regis Bethencourt are out to show the word just how beautiful black is.  

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Tim Rees: Rees’ Pieces

For many people, finding a place that's peaceful and serene is the goal. They want to live in a place where the fast paced, often chaotic city life is distant. There will probably be a bit of a culture shock that comes with the move depending on how you've lived, but for peace of mind it's worth it. As an artist, sometimes your peace is the best thing for you and it will reflect through your work. Tim Rees is a painter who is originally from Arizona, but found his peace in a unique place.

Rees currently lives outside of the U.S. in Pembrokeshire, which is located in the southwest part of Wales. He dwells inside of a yurt, which are tent like houses traditionally used to house nomads for the convenience of being able to get up and go. Not the most conventional home in 2018, but judging by the way he continued on about his home away from home, you get the sense that he loves it in Pembrokeshire. 

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Hayden Dewar: A Heart Filled with Art

The term “starving artist” is commonly used amongst artists and others who "struggle” until their big breakthrough, and unfortunately some artist never really get out of the “starving artist” phase. Such ideas have been ingrained into people around the world, and being an artist is not valued on the same level as a doctor or a lawyer. Hayden Dewar, a talented and passionate Melbourne based visual artist had these kind of ideas and assumptions about pursuing a career in the arts. Dewar spent years working in retail and doing commission work on the side, believing that having a career in the arts was not going to be worth it. The advantage that Dewar has now is that he is able to live out his passion and talent.

“I wasn’t really proactive in pursuing it as a career, and I didn’t realize it was possible to make a living from it,” he commented on Melbourne Polytechnic’s student website, where he pursued a Bachelors in Illustration. After spending five years working on a mural for Dimmeys’, one of Australia’s largest and historical retail stores, 150th anniversary Dewar finally realized where his heart lies.

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Jurell Cayetano: Black Boy Joy

Atlanta and its surrounding suburbs are home to some of the most amazing talents in the world. Visual artist and illustrator, Jurell Cayetano, is just another name to add to the ever-growing list up talented artist in Atlanta.

Hailing from Lithonia, Georgia by way of Brooklyn, New York, Jurell study illustration at The School for Visual Arts in NYC. What has the art industry talking about him now is his post- impressionist portraits. He has taken his love of black culture and drawing skills and has made masterpieces.

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Derrick Carter: His Will. His Way.

What is a dream? The dictionary defines the five-letter word as a succession of images, ideas, emotions, and sensations that usually occur involuntarily in the mind during certain stages of sleep.

Well, this isn’t the case for Derrick Carter, because he is definitely dreaming with his eyes wide open. The 29-year- old artist and Indianapolis-native has one of the most compelling stories of triumph and faith that I’ve ever heard. After a traumatic accident as a teen, Derrick was left with multiple broken bones all over his body, except for his right hand and arm. Ironically, Derrick is right-handed. This was no accident, everything happens for a reason, and God had a much greater plan for him.

I had the pleasure of speaking with the artist about his journey and his latest opportunity in his hometown. Derrick’s two-dimensional sand artwork, “Dreams,” is currently on display in the Indianapolis International Airport until March 2018. “Dreams” has art critics and viewers amazed at the details and precision Derrick used to capture the essence of fearless African-American leaders and celebrities. Derrick speaks with  confidence in regards to his artistic talents and community involvement.

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Robert D. Harris: Social Explorer, Visionary and Leader

Inspiration is found everywhere and differs from artist to artist. For some, staying confined within the walls of a studio helps with focus and the creative process, but for Robert Harris, the process is a bit different. it .

“I didn't want to share my artwork with anyone,” Harris said on VIMBY. He said his art felt too personal to share with anyone. However, after talking with another artist, he changed his mind and now wants to share what he feels through his art. Harris paints LIVE. Sometimes he's in a gallery painting with others, and at other times he's on the sidewalk painting by himself. No matter where he is, he loves painting for the world to see.

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