Wednesday, August 18, 2010

Work Of Art

As a child from the start, art was my world. Art is what helped me cope through emotions, tell a story, get lost in my own, little imaginary world, erase it, then start all over again if I chose to. Growing up, my mother was so proud of my potential of being a prodigy in the art world. Receiving a scholarship for a semester at the world renowned School of The Art Institute of Chicago at the age of nine amazed her. I didn't grasp the full reality of the greatness of this school at age nine. She told so many people about me and about my talents, it felt over whelming at times. At the time, I didn't understand why my mother was so proud of me. My mother was like my little cheerleader; she was my voice, she was and still is so prideful. I would do the same if I were in her shoes as a mother.

Since becoming a makeup artist five years ago, I've left my art world momentarily and grew a mad passion for makeup artistry. Since discovering art can be translated onto 3D canvases, it has sparked a new life in me. The fashion industry inspires me and concerns me. Fashion, to me, is slightly parallel to the world of art; they are sub cultures that focus on self expression, negative and positive beliefs, religion, right and wrong. Artistry essentially deals with the aesthtic and even the displeasing side of culture, emotions, geography, and the natural or learned skill to create or re-create these things.

Watching Bravo's 'Work of Art' was so refreshing. It took me back to the days of when I was critiqued in school for art projects, when I would stay up until 5 in the morning, or sometimes stay up for 48 hours to complete a project in time, or trying to teach a friend how to draw a straight line, and days when I would cry if I spilled paint over my whole project and had to start from scratch.

I want to relive it all.

I actually submitted an entry for the casting call. This show has inspired me to reclaim my long lost love of art. I want to thank Bravo for bringing forth a quality reality show, a positive realtiy show, a real reality show, a show that I could relate to and a show that doesn't deal with baby mama drama, artificial personalites and plastic boobs.

And I am very happy for the winner, Abdi Farah. He was very deserving and his art work is beautiful. I hope to meet him one day.

Thank you Sarah Jessica Parker for thinking of creating a show like this.

Thank you Bravo for being brave enough to broadcast a show like this.

Monday, August 16, 2010

OMG!

So..... I forgot the password to my blog for the past 2 months. *face palm* I feel SO out of touch and out of date :| So much to catch you up on! Here we go...

So in June 2010, I had a mini 4 day vacation in Dallas, Texas. That was fun. I loved the hot weather. Met up with my cousin ZeEnna Jenkins, she models. When she came to Chicago in 2009, we got to collaborate with one of my most favortie photographers, JBody Studios. The shot is in my gallery 'Beauty' category.


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www.dvixenmakeup.com


We didn't get to shoot together this time. I was so scared of the airport snatching all my makeup, and I would have died and/or slapped somebody if the airport had to take away ALL my makeup that I've spent so many years and so much $ to build. But alas, I blew it out of proportion. Once I got to Midway Airport, they only checked the small, clear bag pouch and my purse.... and that was it. Security needs to step their game up. Had me all scared for no reason >:( So yea, we didn't get to shoot this year unfortunately.

And everytime I hear Usher's 'OMG' song, I have to dance. Every single time I hear it, it's like my body gets possesed by it and I start doing this stupid looking robot dance and shake my afro at the same time.
I don't like that >:(
but it's fun :D

July has been my busiest month to date. For starters, I was the lead makeup artist for CLEONS Fall 2010 Ball Collection. I created the makeup look for the show about a month in advance, Chad Leon(the designer) approved, and the whole staff proceeded to make history on July 10th, 2010. The show was on display at the DuSable Museum in Chicago, IL. It was a very professional, exciting, one-of-a-kind, crazy, colorful show and I am really happy that I was chosen to be apart of it. Here are a few pictures from the show of the makeup I did.


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Michelle McNeil | Jon Recana Photography for CLEONS



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Michelle Mcneil | Jon Recana Photography for CLEONS



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Ninah Snipes | John Recana Photography for CLEONS



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Katie Ellis of ELITE | Ty Kyu Photography for CLEONS



The designer, Chad, will debute the video footage from the show tonight on youtube. Check around 10pm central time!

http://www.youtube.com/cleonsbychad

And check out his work on Model Mayhem!
CLEONS on Model Mayhem


Nuru Kimondo.

A name that some may recognize but many, MANY people of the fashion industry in Chicago, IL know of her talented photography work. I've been fortunate to be able to work with models from ELITE modeling management and Agency Galatea together with Nuru almost every week this summer. She is SO passionate about fashion photography, and she's still in HIGH SCHOOL! Her work is so beautiful and she has a beautiful personality as well. Here are a few shots we've taken through out this summer.


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Eve of Agency Galatea



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Eve of Agency Galatea





Eve of Agency Galatea





Eve of Agency Galatea



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Markita



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Markita


View more photos on her Flickr and Model Mayhem Pages :)

Nuru's Flickr Page

Nuru's Model Mayhem Page



Check the next blog for more stuff!

More New Work!

I was also able to work with one of the most awesome photographers from California, Julia Comita. This shoot was on July 18th, 2010 and OMG, it was so HOT that day. Ameena, the model, was a serious trooper. She didn't complain about wearing latex pants in 90 degree weather or wearing a latex dress with heels trying to climb over a window with broken glass and beer bottles. Now THAT'S a REAL model! She is truly amazing. Julia captured these really beautiful shots and created a dark, edgy, fashion editorial story. Look, look!


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Ameena Payne | Julia Comita Photography



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Ameena Payne | Julia Comita Photography



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Ameena Payne | Julia Comita Photography



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Ameena Payne | Julia Comita Photography



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Ameena Payne | Julia Comita Photography

Here's her official website! Support this woman!
www.juliacomita.com


More pictures coming from more photographers! Just waiting for the edits ;D