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(Editor’s Note: I’ve been writing and rewriting the intro for the last five minutes to try not to sound too gushy. But really I’m so happy to share this with you guys today. Why? Because I’ve admired the strength of Camille’s body of work for so long. She also seems like a really cool and sincere person. Hope you enjoy.)
What made you decide to start creating jewelery?
Well, I didn’t intend to, at first. I wanted to fix some jewelry I had, and doing the repairs myself made me feel empowered to start creating my own items! I stumble upon some cute items in the stores, but there is nothing like creating EXACTLY what I want!
Tell me a bit about your background: Where are you from? What was it like growing up there?
I grew up with both of my parents in the beachy town of San Diego, CA. California is a very ethnically mixed up place to grow up, due in part to the strong military presence. But I was always aware of my Blackness, though it took me a while to learn to embrace it. I always had a love of art, but never had any intention of building my life around it, and I certainly didn’t expect to start my own business….
Do you think your background has influenced your work?
Eventually I started researching about my African and Black American roots, and the information I have learned along that path…has influenced everything I’ve done since, including my art and my search for identity. And being raised minutes from the beach has given my style a permanent tropical influence 🙂 I love natural elements and bright colors.
Do you seek to convey a particular message with each piece? Is that a part of your creative process?
Absolutely. I love to feel the energy of my people when I work, sometimes explicitly, sometimes subtly. I use a lot of symbols from the African diaspora like ankhs and beads, and I want people to be able to connect my work to the motherland and draw feeling and identity from that. Our beautiful history has been hidden from us.. it’s time we remember. Our future depends on it. I like to think of my pieces as breadcrumbs to our past. We descend from warriors, cosmological and mathematical geniuses. There is no reason why Black people should be in the current state we are.
Any favorite designers or artists? How have they influenced you?
I love Melody Ehsani for her ability to blend her spiritual beliefs with her craft. She also makes it her responsibility to remind us that we should discover our purpose and walk in it. A key to life.
I love Salvador Dali‘s paintings for their existentialism. He reminds me that if I’m not going to create exactly what I want, regardless of what others think, there is no point. I’m inspired by Badu’s i-don’t-give-a-fuck attitude. She too makes it her responsibility to educate the masses on the real. And she does it in a way that we can understand. That is key! “what good do your words do if they can’t understand you?” Banksy’s anonymity and spontaneity inspire me.
Tell us about your Spring Collection..
I recently dropped my Spring Collection at the end of January! I stayed true to my love of Kemetology, size, color and shape.
I mixed metals with acrylics and wood and I really allowed my brain to go wherever it wanted. I’ve got huuuge statement necklaces all the way down to simple, elegant drop earrings with precious gemstones. Huge stud earrings with bold shapes, rings dripping with peridot! There really is something for everyone 🙂
What’s your vision for where you’d like your work to be in 5, 10 and 20 years?
The longer I’m alive, the more I realize that where I want to be in 5, 10 and 20 years only matters so much. The universe will put me where it wants. All I want is to continue to work hard on my passion everyday, serve the creator, and prepare myself for any and all opportunities that may come my way! I hope to continue to send my creations all over the world, constantly improve on my craft and inspire others, donate money to non-profits and provide a comfortable life for my future family and parents 🙂
Where can we see more of your jewelery?
Facebook fanpage: http://www.facebook.com/#!/
Parting Words/Thoughts?
Passion comes in many forms and I’m finally learning to accept that. No matter what your passion is, it’s beautiful and it should be what you make your life about. It creates an energy that others feel. It unlocks doors and provides a divine motivation that fuels you everyday.
Philece R. is *That Artista*
When I came across Philece’s work, I knew I had to interview her for the site. Read on to find out more about her.Â
*Describe your art work in your own words*
I paint what I feel so my artwork comes straight from the heart. It’s soulful, vivid, sexy and many times emotional, sometimes subtle always truthful.
Tell me a bit about your background: Where are you from? What was it like
growing up there?
I’m from Nassau, Bahamas….born and raised and I’m an island girl through and through. I am blessed to have had a wonderful childhood and the love of a large close-knit family. Much of which has everything to do with who I am today. I was a major tomboy, somewhat of a closet geek, the child who loved sitting with my grandmothers absorbing and appreciating the tales and wisdom of those before me. Not much has changed I’m still that eager little girl, just all grown up now and a little further away from home.
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| Eve By Philece R |
Do you think your background has influenced your work? If yes, how so.
My background has undoubtedly influenced my work from subject matter to color palette. Much of my work carries a part of the spirits of the strong beautiful women in my life, steadfast during hard times, and a riot of laughter in happiness. Then you have the vibrant colors and energy of the island, from the flowers to the beaches, to the people…inspiration is everywhere.
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| Angelic Presence by Philece R. |
What are the main themes/ ideas behind your work?
The journey and emotions of women, good times, bad times …each one tells a story though I may not always share. Even in my more abstract pieces it’s about a feeling all derived from a particular moment or a series of experiences or stories I have lived or been told.
Do you seek to convey a particular message with each piece? Is that a part
of your creative process?
My creative process is quite simple. I let it flow. I don’t set out to convey a particular message with each piece unless it’s for themed show. Being socially conscious, sometimes the message just creates itself. If a cause touches me I create accordingly.
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| Lauryn by Philece R. |
Any favourite artists? How have they influenced you?
I am heavily influenced by the art of Gustav Klimt when it comes to color and texture. The culture and energy in the art of Frank Morrison and the beautiful women and emotions  of Calderon-Gomez’s and Stella Im Hultberg’s artwork.
What’s your vision for where you’d like your work to be in 5, 10 and 20
years?
There is so much I can vision for what’s ahead. Of course presence in galleries and homes is always great. Most importantly is  my continued growth as an artist and as a woman. It’s never ending and I’m always on the hunt to expand with what I do. Through nurturing the talent of children by starting a Visual and Performing Arts program and my continued involvement within the non profit sector. Oh and of course to keep sharing my love as I enjoy this journey of living my Creative Truth!
| Fire Dance by Philece R. |
Where can we see more of your artwork?
You can find my work online at http://thecreativetruth.com. I also have two online stores where you can purchase prints http://philecer.redbubble.com and some of my smaller originals and prints at http://creativetruth.etsy.com
I’m on twitter: http://twitter.com/thatArtista
Parting Words/Thoughts?
Stay positive and inspired in whatever it is that your heart desires. The journey isn’t always easy but when you love what you do it doesn’t even matter, you just keep pushing.  Loving, learning, growing, evolving…living my creative truth. Peace…thatArtista
Meet Tatyana Fazlalizadeh. She creates visually arresting images that you’ll find yourself staring and staring at.
Tell me a bit about your background?
Well, I actually grew up in Oklahoma City, OK. I came to Philly about 6 years ago to attend the University of the Arts. Oklahoma is very slow and conservative – a little different from my personality – so I fit very well in Philadelphia and I love it here! There is this raw, unpretentious feel here that I haven’t felt anywhere else.
Do you think your background has influenced your work? If yes, how so. If no, what have been your main influences?
I am influenced by my background. The way I was raised, the books I’ve read, my ethnic makeup (Iranian and African-American), have all helped in sculpting me as a person, subsequently influencing my art. Outside of my background, I’m inspired by many things: the distress and injustices that people around the world continue to experience, the beam of a child’s innocent smile, the solemn look in a heartbroken woman’s eyes. I’m an oil painter focusing on figures and portraits – portraits of people that have affected my life and/or the world that I live in. Whether it is a musical artist or, a fictional character that has helped in stereotyping Black people or, a best friend.
Most of your work has a socio-political element. What are the topics/issues that drive you to paint.
I use paint as my voice. There are many socio-political topics that affect me directly – such as misogyny, race, health care. I try to make a statement, an argument, something about these topics and others. I try to focus on issues that I am passionate about. And issues and topics that interest me. The treatment of humans in history and the present interests me. Also, I work as a free lance editorial illustrator, so it’s a part of my job to stay current on today’s news and politics and to translate them to a visual image.
Congratulations on having your work featured in the Art for Obama book. How did it feel to have your work in that publication. (Editor’s note: This book is a collection of artists’ representations of Barack Obama)
It felt great. The book is a compilation of the artwork that was displayed at Manifest Hope, an exhibition held in DC during the inauguration. That entire experience was so amazing, definitely the most exciting moment of my career. The show was open for 3 days and for 3 days it was packed with people – celebrities, politicians, Obama supporters. To be in such a huge exhibit with highly profiled artists like Shepard Fairey and Ron English, was incredible. The energy in DC during that time was beautiful.
Any favourite visual artists? Do you think these artists have influenced your work. If yes, how so.
Yes – Kara Walker, Barkley Hendricks, Johannes Vermeer,Mustafa Maluka, Tim O’Brien, Richard Schmidt. Some more contemporary artists that I enjoy: Kehinde Wiley, Dan Witz, Mickalene Thomas. I think most of these artists have influenced me as an artist in some way; Kara Walker’s boldness and thoughtfulness in subject matter, Richard Schmidt’s painting technique. I also find much inspiration in photography. Color, lighting, and composition are huge aspects of photography and I try to make them huge aspects of my work.
Do you have a vision for where you want your work to be featured in the next five, ten, or twenty years?
Oh, wow. I could give you a whole dissertation for this question! But, I’ll just say that I want to grow as an artist. I want to experiment, learn, fail, succeed. I want to become a great artist. And, then, I want to gain much recognition for being that great artist. I’m still relatively young and there are a lot of things I need to learn and experience that I think will help better my work. I expect in the next few years to have gained a much bigger name for myself in the art scene – with commissions, original art sales. published illustrations. Eventually I will open a gallery, maybe teach. The goal for now is to experiment and grow.
Where can we see more of your artwork?
My work can be seen in a few places on line. My portfolio: http://tlynnfaz.com/. My blog: http://blueingreenonrepeat.com/. I also have an Etsy shop where I sell prints: http://www.etsy.com/shop/tlynnfaz. My blog is updated with new work and information on my upcoming shows. Right now, I am exhibiting work at the Brooklyn Artist’s Gym in Brooklyn, NY. I also have an illustration in the current issue of The Source magazine. Just check my blog and you will find info on where my work is currently being featured.
Parting words/Thoughts?
I appreciate blogs, like this one, that highlight black women artists. The support is definitely needed with an art scene dominated mostly by white males. Thanks for sharing my art to a few more people of the world.
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