Casha Doemland 10/19/19 Casha Doemland 10/19/19

Tori Duhaime

Currently residing in Salt Lake City, Tori supports the local and global dance industry as a Marketing Director for Ririe-Woodbury Dance Company. Additionally, she is a freelance photographer who is slowly moving much of her work into the outdoor industry to fuel her need of being outdoors and active with landscape as much as possible.

Name: Tori Duhaime

Current City: Salt Lake City, UT

Hometown: Durango, CO

Occupation: Freelance Photographer + Movement Artist, Marketing Director for Ririe-Woodbury Dance Company

I haven’t had the opportunity to meet Tori face to face. Instead, we’ve built a friendship of sorts through the interwebs like individuals in the modern age normally do. Through these interactions and the simple act of following her work, I'm constantly (and consistently) blown away by the magic she creates and gifts to the world. She’s a phenomenal human, and I am grateful for the opportunity to share her story with you all.

To learn more about her through her eyes, peep the interview below.

Tell us a little bit about yourself.

It is always a little jarring to describe myself for a first impression as it’s difficult to trust the idea somebody wants to read about my little life. I’ve had a strange but incredible trajectory to finding myself as I currently am, and it seems impossible to describe my current self without acknowledging the transitions that have brought me here.

From spending my childhood in the mountains and desert, to spending two years of college in the deep south, to returning to the landscapes I love all in pursuit of the professional dance career that traditionally is valued in big cities under bright lights, I’ve ridden the wave of these contrasting experiences and the social, political, and environmental differences to really refine myself into where I like to think I am today and who I hope I continue building to be.

Almost two years ago, after some choreographic jobs, a lot of traveling to build connections, taking classes, and workshops with international movement artists, I reached a long awaiting burnout point in my dance career and was given ample trust and graciousness from my communities to continue offering creative support behind my lens.

In the course of a single week, I premiered my final piece of choreography, had a very political photo go viral, adopted a puppy, found a collective of incredible women in the outdoor industry on social media, and was offered the job where I currently work. As I embraced this dramatic shift I slowly started to allow myself ample freedom in creativity, recreation, and voice that I had somewhat suppressed at the expense of my desired career and found great purpose in taking my choreographic knowledge and research into my photographic career.

I currently still reside in Salt Lake City where I am able to continue supporting the local and global dance industry as a Marketing Director for Ririe-Woodbury Dance Company. Additionally, I am a freelance photographer who is slowly moving much of my work into the outdoor industry to fuel my need of being outdoors and active with landscape as much as possible. I see myself ending up in a smaller mountain community again soon now that I’ve relieved myself of the pressures to perform, but I also have opportunities coming my way that I can't even begin to imagine how they will change my trajectory in life.

Angela Lee and Maddie Marvaillas / Photographer: Tori Duhaime

As your elevator pitch, you describe yourself as a photographer and movement artist. What originally attracted you to each passion, and how have you did you find a way to marry the two?

I am aware that the term “movement artist” as an identifier can sound pretentious, but it's vital to my work when stripped down. When I transferred back west, (I received my BFA in Modern Dance from the University of Utah) I started to feel irritated by the term “dance” as it would box me into people’s minds upon meeting them. I hated battling the stigma that being on So You Think You Can Dance or in music videos was the only sign of success.

When I incorporated skiing back into my daily life in Utah, I found more relationships between the movement I was researching in class and the movement I was enjoying in the mountains on the weekends. Within this investigation of movement as a dancer and my stubborn insistence that I won't stop exploring to preserve my body, I started finding more and more reasons to incorporate landscape/environment and these other outdoor experiences into my creative research.

I developed this idea that style is designed by survival, but that's a whole can of worms. I really began identifying more and more with the term movement, especially once photography came into play because I noticed I struggled a lot to bring people or landscapes to life if movement wasn’t involved.

Originally this was about physical movement, and it slowly transferred into the breadth of political movements, travel, and ideas worth giving momentum. While I primarily act as a photographer within these ideas, I find that my dance experience is vital to my images in how I carry myself energetically with my clients/subjects, understanding art in relationship to politics historically and presently, and simple design elements when guiding an eye through prescribed space.

Outside of dance, your portfolio is heavily influenced to the outdoors. When did you first discover your love for Mother Earth, and did this influence your decision to live in Salt Lake City?

I grew up in a very “outdoorsy” town in Southwest Colorado, and my love for dance made me a bit of a black sheep in contrast to the community. I spent almost just as much time skiing in the winters as I did training as a dancer.

My precious family spent our weekends outdoors no matter what. As a non-religious family, my great grandfather always referred to it as attending “the Church of the Great Blue Dome.” The outdoors were just a “normal” part of my life though.

Durango is rather isolated, and the idea that this wasn’t how the traditional American family spent their lives seemed more like a Hollywood myth than reality. But when I got my 12th-floor dorm room in Tuscaloosa, Alabama and saw a horizon of only trees that never ended, I very quickly realized how much the outdoors meant to me and how much landscape alone had provided value to my life. My choice to transfer back west was deeply ingrained with the need to return to mountains and in proximity to home due to some sexual assault trauma I was finally working through. Salt Lake City fits the script with a world-class modern dance department at the U of U and mountains in my backyard. From there the outdoors very quickly became more and more prioritized over time in the studio.

Michah Burkhardt in Rebecca Anneloski's- The Happiest Accident / Photographer: Tori Duhaime

How would you describe your style of photography?

I use this term far too often, but I would say it is “nuanced” because I don’t spend a lot of time worrying about what’s “correct” in a photographer's sense. Instead, I spend a lot of energy trying to understand my subjects and capture something more essential than the peak of movement or the ideal Instagram shot.

I’m searching for their transitions and where the flickers of problem-solving crosses their faces. I like to value the humanity and inevitability of movement more than the romanticism of it. While I do scheduled and set shoots, I still consider myself a documentarian behind my lens. It isn’t my job to make somebody look good, it's my job to find where they are already alive and make sure that point of self is remembered.

Sometimes it's in the face, sometimes it's in their bones, sometimes it's how they relate to the environment they are around, but it will always be them that I capture, never who I wish they were for the sake of my own pride of images. My work requires everybody to show up in honesty, including myself; and despite working a lot with dancers, I encourage people to not “perform” but to find their own transcendental state of movement.

What challenges do you face (if any) as a creative, and how do you overcome them?

As I’ve ventured more into providing images for political movements and making active efforts to be inclusive and diverse with my voice, I do my best to tread lightly when representing anybody who particularly doesn’t identify the way I do.

One of the utmost important values I expect of myself is to not profit off of others' pain. Within that, I am particularly conscious of how my images could contribute or perpetuate colonization if I don’t keep myself in check and in conversation with anybody who is a victim to the system.

When dealing with heavy political conversations in my images or highlighting a marginalized community, I do my best to ensure the images are shared with full acknowledgment of the people present beyond the concern of my credit or profit. Even just making sure that my editing process doesn’t wash out skin tones or dilute the vibrancy of personalities seen. I don’t have a perfect answer to sustaining this yet, but I will always welcome criticism or concerns when I fail to do it well.

Denae Shanidiin / Photographer: Tori Duhaime

How would you define yourself, outside of what is included above?

I am definitely guilty of making my work my identity so long as its work I am passionate about. I would argue that I make myself to be rather transparent and so knowing my work, my words, and how I got here offers a lot of me already. My self-deprecation makes self-identifying rather difficult and as corny as it is, I’ve recently discovered I’m very much a 2 in enneagrams. I’ll let that speak for itself for anybody who would like to size me up with that in mind.

If you could offer one nugget of wisdom to individuals around the globe, what would it be and why?

I’ve been on a bit of a soapbox lately about simply being okay with shifting mentality. Not in a way that makes you victim to ploys and schemes, but when speaking with somebody you don't know, somebody who you don’t share identifying factors with; when asked to change your language when referring to their pronouns, nationality, or anything else, just say okay, bank that information and make the change. You’ll mess up, that's okay, just be willing to learn, and I promise you’ll be happier with how you walk in this world with others. Pride in being “right” about other people is a strange pride I can’t support.

Discuss the importance of paying it forward.

I think of kindness as a sort of economy, like why it's important to shop with certain businesses or vote with your dollar. When kindness or acts of good circulate rather than sitting within the receiver, the benefits trickle down and disperse beyond the single act – the same way a single transaction doesn’t just affect the business owner, but all the employees, the middlemen, transporters, manufacturers, etc.

Positive actions are transactions without monetary value, and keeping that wealth of kindness only to ones-self suffocates those in need of that simple action. It is literally a payment in my mind, a vote for good with my every action. I’m not on this earth to be rich in good actions towards me, I’m here to circulate that economy.

Derek Salomonson / Photographer: Tori Duhaime

What/who are you grateful for and why?

I wish I was somebody who kept a gratitude journal, but every time I try, I realize I feel it so much throughout the day that I only end up feeling guilty when I don't translate it to the page – so surely I will wish I had listed more the next time I read this.

Of course, there is always my family, my wonderful partner DJ, my incredible friendships, and ample opportunities. However, this week, in particular, I’ve been particularly noting my gratitude for compassion as I learn constantly how to better my actions, my art, my relationships, and my impacts while I inevitably make mistakes in all areas. I’m grateful to those who offer their wealth of knowledge to help me improve in all these realms so I too can pass along the privilege of compassion to others.

And my dog, Hayduke. I tell him every day that he is the best thing that's ever happened to me.

Do you have a personal mantra or quote that inspires you?

There’s a lot of quotes I live by, mostly from my great grandmother. Lately though, I’ve been really reminding myself that “intention can’t save us”. It’s really my personal reminder that while I go about the world with the best of intentions, I can still offend people, I can still do wrong, I can still cause harm. My intention doesn’t promise a positive outcome and so thinking before my actions with an intersectional mindset and taking responsibility when I fault, and staying educated are critical to making my intentions meet my actions.

To keep up with Tori, you can find her:

Website
Instagram

Casha Doemland 10/19/19 Casha Doemland 10/19/19

Maggie Stoll

Originally hailing from Cincinnati, Ohio, Maggie Stoll, founder of Burke Mercantile, began her journey 10 years ago when she packed up her Toyota Corolla and headed west two weeks after graduating college. Like most people, she instantly fell in love with Southern California and began to create a home for herself in Long Beach.

Name: Maggie Stoll

Current City: Long Beach, CA

Hometown: Lebanon, OH (Greater Cincinnati area)

Occupation: Boutique owner

Throughout the last ten years, despite thinking she would land in the world of sports due to spending many summers with her dad who was a High School Athletic Director, she fell into the world of fashion where she worked her way up the chain of command at Urban Outfitters. Now, after noticing a personal shift within herself, she took the plunge and is a proud owner of Burke Mercantile, an eco-conscious boutique located in Long Beach.

What is the origin story of your Burke Mercantile, as well as the inspiration behind the name?

After eight years at a corporate fast fashion company, I was entering my 30s and my personal style, as well as my conscious shopping choices, began to shift. I started to feel disconnected from the brand I worked for and started to discover some amazing small, independent fashion and design brands through Instagram. I began to educate myself more on the fashion industry and the slow fashion movement, learning all of the harms done to the environment and to workers (in the fast fashion industry).

I started to feel very jaded by this and started my own personal pursuit to support these smaller brands through my own personal shopping. I found that it was difficult to find places to shop for these brands in person near me, and that was when I got the idea to have a shop of my own to both support these brands, and to bring these products to my local market where they did not exist.

A few things I knew I wanted to have when I started were unisex/gender-neutral offerings. I wanted to focus on sustainability, and also on modern, contemporary design. All three of these things felt unique to me in terms of what was already being offered in Long Beach.

Burke Mercantile was the first name I came up with, and it just stuck with me.

Technically, Burke should be my real last name. By blood, I am a Burke. My great grandfather on my dad's side was George Burke. That's all I really know about him, that and he died when my grandfather was a baby. My grandpa then took his adoptive father's last name of Stoll, which is the one I carry today. It's always been a mysterious part of my heritage that has never been explored, so I wanted to pay tribute to that name. Also, some of the money my grandfather had left me when he passed helped me start the business in the first place.

I added Mercantile because I felt that it offered a sense of a "market", and wanted a name that would allow for the shop to evolve and change over time without taking away from the essence of the idea. I want to be able to play with different product types from clothing to home goods, to self-care, etc. and have the opportunity to shift those at the times when it feels necessary.

I wanted it to be a lifestyle shop more than just a clothing shop, and I also wanted the name and logo to not feel either too feminine or too masculine. The logo was created by my friend Patrick Meyer, and like the name, it was also the first logo I saw and I knew it was perfect right away!

Why was it important for you to have a shop that placed an emphasis on eco-conscious fashion and brands?
With a history in fast-fashion, it became tough to not have any control over general practices by the company, even from things like the waste we created from day to day operations. I really wanted to feel like I had some control over making an impact, no matter how small.

I also decided to start the business around the time when Trump was elected. It felt like such a crazy time for us in our society and our country. There were so many important things happening that we needed to be paying attention to and participate in

It put a lot of things into perspective for me in terms of rights and privileges of myself and others, the threat to our climate and environment, and I felt like so much work needed to be done. With all of this weighing heavily on me, "opening a store just to sell more things" seemed so trivial. I knew that if I was going to go through with it, it needed to mean more and do more than that, especially during this fragile time we are in. So I made sure to abide by these values from the beginning.

How do you determine which brands/products you will carry in your store? Outside of being eco-conscious, are there any other standards they must meet?

Yes! Having established myself a bit now as a sustainable shop, I get a lot of sustainably made or eco-friendly brands reaching out to try and sell their products here. While I am glad to see so many adopting this effort, I also have a very specific visual curation in the shop in terms of design. I look for brands that offer modern, yet classic pieces. Pieces that feel fresh and have unique details, but are simple and classic enough to outlive seasons and trends so they can live in one's wardrobe for years.

This means I don't carry a lot of prints, and I generally stick to a more muted color palette (though I am going to play with some bold colors for fall that I am excited about)!

I also look for brands that either offer both men's and women's styles, OR offer pieces that can be gender-neutral. If they have an extended size range - that is a huge bonus as well! So many small shops are size limited to small sizes, and I have quite a few plus-size customers that I love being able to offer sustainable options to!

Finally, the price point! Slow, sustainably made fashion created by very small brands is just more expensive than what we are culturally used to. Better production practices, fair wages and working conditions for workers, and producing high-quality product in small batches that are intended to last a long time just cost more. But it can be a lot for a consumer to justify or invest in. So I try to search for sustainable brands that have these values but that still offer an attainable price point.

What aspirations do you have for Burke Mercantile moving forward?

When you're running your business by yourself, dealing with all the day-to-days, it is really hard to think too far ahead. Sometimes being a small business means figuring out how you are going to survive each month!

I also see a lot of small businesses after a few years start to panic about not growing faster or making more money or expanding. So I try to remind myself when I worry about these things that those aren't the reasons I opened the business in the first place. I started it to support the small change-makers in the industry, to provide something special to my community, and to offer myself control and freedom over my work, my schedule, and my daily life.

I don't ever intend to be a huge company, but I would love to potentially expand to offer more home goods and even furniture/decor in the future (I am highly inspired by and passionate about interior design and architecture), as well as finding ways to collaborate and work with as many creatives as possible whether temporarily or permanently. I would also love to get more involved in the local community of business owners to bring attention to Long Beach whether it is creating more local events, finding ways to advocate for and give back to local non-profits, etc. Wherever it takes me, I always want collaboration and community to be at the forefront of my decisions.

Outside of your shop, how do you show love to Mother Earth?

I have started to try to reduce waste at home to improve my own personal impact on Mother Earth. I live alone, and I do not cook at all, so it has definitely been a challenge for me! But I have an amazing shop neighbor two doors down, Julie who owns BYO Long Beach, who has taught me so much already, and is an amazing resource for me to have to help me on my journey!

I use my own straw, cup, and utensils on a daily basis, and am working to do better in terms of to-go containers and less waste grocery shopping.

I've also worked to educate my family on plastic pollution and reducing waste as they live in the midwest, where this conversation is barely happening at all yet! I started reducing how often I do laundry, and stopped drying my clothes in a dryer altogether, and instead hang dry to save energy.

Another reason I wanted to open a shop in Long Beach was to have a commute to work that was less than 2 miles. I had been commuting 20+ miles to work each way for years, and reducing that reduces emissions from my car. They are all small things, but committing to small things at a time helps me feel like I can achieve some actual progress and continue to tackle more!

Do you have a morning routine (or maybe even afternoon or evening) that grounds you?

Honestly, I don't and I should, though I am working towards some things. I currently work three freelance jobs outside of the shop to pay my bills, so some mornings during the week I am at a job before I come into the store.

Some of my "days off" from the shop are spent on another job, therefore my schedule is very inconsistent, which has made it hard for me to create a "routine". Instead of feeling like a failure for not completing a routine, I am working on trying to find small chunks of time whenever I can throughout a day to have some self-care.

I bought a yoga mat and found a good youtube channel I like of yoga videos, and usually try to do a 15-minute routine sometime throughout my day – whether it is before I leave for work or when I get home.

I also try to just walk on the beach with a friend when I can.

Whenever I do have a long drive somewhere or time to myself, I listen to podcasts or audiobooks - most often political ones to keep myself engaged and educated. For me right now, finding any small amount of time to clear my mind of work and also get my body active and moving is important! Hopefully, I will be able to slowly dedicate more and more time to these things.

If you could give one piece of advice to young individuals around the globe, what would it be and why?

I have a card framed in my apartment that I received for (and have had on display since) college graduation that always grounds me when I remember to see it and read it. I think it is the best advice - Keep learning, stay awake to amazement, be kind rather than right, and remember that being loved is better than being rich.

If we can remember these human values of always learning, staying humble, being kind and spreading love - ourselves and the world around us will be better for it.

Discuss the importance of paying it forward.

I think this goes off of my piece of advice well. In our current society and the age of the internet, it is easy to feel like we are always right, and we have all the information to prove our own points at the tip of our fingertips.

The internet and especially social media is set up to cater to what we already know and believe, and it's easy to stay in our little bubble and serve ourselves. But I feel like we need to balance out the world and challenge ourselves now more than ever. It feels like a lot of the world is out of balance right now and I find it important to take any opportunity from the privilege and the platform I am given to do something good, give back, speak out, improve myself, and help someone else.

As an individual, it can be easy to feel like your single actions don't make a difference in the grand scheme of things, but if you help just one person or inspire one other person to do the same, it matters and it can have a domino effect without your knowledge. I think that's the other thing to remember with our generation being used to always getting and wanting so much instant gratification - you shouldn't pay it forward to just feel good about yourself or to receive a little self-gratification.

Paying it forward is about doing something for others because you can whether anyone knows it or not, and that being the only real reason. I often deal with very heavy overwhelming emotions when I think about all the things going wrong in the world, and knowing there's nothing I can do about many of them. So, I try to focus on what I can do and focus on my own community - that is always where change starts.

What/who are you grateful for?

Oh man, I am grateful for so many people and things!

For one, my boyfriend and partner Omar who I was dating when I decided to dive into this insane journey of running my own business. He has stood by me with constant selfless support and love, even when it has taken a toll on our relationship and our time together, and he has been my rock when I feel like I'm going to be a total failure. I'm not sure I'd have stayed mentally stable this far without him!

I am grateful for my family and friends who have never ever once doubted my abilities through all of this and have instead, been my greatest cheerleaders, fans, and supporters. They have shown me support in ways I will never be able to pay back, and it's been incredibly humbling and encouraging to know I have them.

And finally, I am so grateful for the Long Beach community, and particularly the LB small business community. I have lived in Long Beach for ten years, and it wasn't really until I started my business or started working in the small business community that I really understood how tight-knit this big city is.

I have been able to meet SO many incredible people here from customers to peers to neighbors who constantly show up for each other, support each other, and promote each other! I feel like I can go almost anywhere in town now and say hello to people I know. I have people I can call on for help in my shop, and my three freelance jobs are employed by other local small business owners (women at that!). It just feels really great and crucial to be tied to a supportive community!

To stay up to date with Maggie & Burke Mercantile, you can find her at:

www.burkemercantile.com

instagram.com/burkemercantile (@burkemercantile)

facebook.com/burkemercantile

Casha Doemland 10/19/19 Casha Doemland 10/19/19

Hillary Conheady

Hillary Conheady is a fashion and lifestyle blogger based in Charleston, South Carolina. A recent graduate of the University of Alabama, she received her degree in Clothing, Textiles, and Design with dreams of creating a career in the fashion community.

Photography by Kailee DiMeglio Photography

Name: Hillary Conheady

Current City: Charleston, South Carolina

Hometown: Atlanta, Georgia

Occupation: Fashion and Lifestyle Blogger

Now, with the help of her blog Hillheady, she is.

What's the origin story of HillHeady and what are your goals for the future?
I often receive this question - where does "hillheady" come from? Well, it's a combination of my first name "Hillary" and my last name "Conheady". My family also loves the Grateful Dead - we are all Deadheads - and ironically having "heady" in our last name, we all ended up using "heady" in our Instagram handles and I guess it just stuck! Now for how I started my blog, I had just moved to NYC, I was unemployed and without internet in my apartment, spending my days in Starbucks applying for jobs and needed something to pass the time, so I decided to start a website to boost my resume. In the future, I hope to continue to not only expand my blog and my current reach but push my creative boundaries. I'm always excited to see what the next trends are and try new things and hope to bring new content to my followers!

When did your love for fashion begin, and how has your style transformed over the years?
I believe my love of fashion started in high school. I, for some reason, created a challenge for myself to not repeat an outfit for the entire year and to always try to look my best (yes, of course, I did succeed and was voted Best Dressed of my senior class!). I also took my first fashion class in high school and learned I could make a career out of this little "hobby". I later attended the University of Alabama and studied Fashion Merchandising. My style has definitely changed throughout the years due to trends of course, but also due to growing and learning more about myself. I've found recently that I've been dressing a lot more feminine and exploring with color, and this reflects my personality to a T.

Are you a full-time fashion and lifestyle blogger or is it a side hustle?
I am currently a full-time blogger. Originally, it started as a hobby and I truly did not realize the many things that come along with blogging (i.e. sponsored partnerships, pitching companies, taxes, etc.). It has truly been a learning experience, but I have enjoyed it all!

Prior to living in Charleston, you were living in the Big Apple. Can you tell us a little bit about your experience there and why you chose to relocate to Charleston?
I moved to New York right after graduating from the University of Alabama. It all happened very quickly - I moved a week after my graduation date, got an apartment in Williamsburg, and started my job at Saks Fifth Avenue's corporate office. It was an incredible learning experience and I grew so much in my career and as a person. Ultimately, I wanted to be closer to my family and decided to make the move back to the south. I also saw so much in Charleston and wanted to be a part of this rapidly growing city!

What is your favorite thing about Charleston?
I felt instantly welcomed when I moved to Charleston. The community is so creative and inspiring here! I love how much I have learned since moving here and now how much I am pushing myself to be better. It's a very uplifting a supportive bunch!

Do you have any projects or collaborations on the books you'd like the readers to know about?
Of course a little fashion, a little fun, and maybe a little travel! Stay tuned! (and follow @hillheady on Instagram to see! *wink wink*)

If you could collaborate with any person or brand, who would you collaborate with and why?
I would love to partner with a company like Nordstrom or Target that I have been shopping from for years. A company that I have loved first hand and is well known throughout the country.

Discuss the importance of paying it forward.
I am so grateful that I now have this platform to discuss important issues I am passionate about. For example, I recently partnered with Boxed Water to promote a campaign in which anyone can upload a photo of their Boxed Water and the company will plant 2 trees. It is so important to ensure as bloggers we aren't just uploading pretty pictures in cute clothes. Whether it's improving the environment or promoting body positivity, we have to speak up.

What's one piece of advice you'd give to young creatives around the world?
Start now. It took me a long time to start my blog because I didn't think I could and I think back on all the time I wasted. Therefore, start now! You will learn as you go.

Who are some of your greatest influences?
I am so inspired by Blair Eadie of Atlantic-Pacific. She has an elegance and chicness to her style that I aspire to! I also love Color Me Courtney, because of her bright and fun outlook on life and fashion!

What/who are you grateful for?
I am incredibly grateful for my parents who have been so supportive and helped me start my blog. Blogging does not come cheap and I have needed their help from time to time, whether it was when I was living in New York and simply needed to buy my domain or when I moved to Charleston and needed a place to live. My dad is also the one who I go to when it comes to financial questions. I don't know where I would be without Jane and Gerry!

What does empowerment mean to you?
I am all for empowerment and girl power - especially when it comes to the blogging community. I am always proud to see women building each other up instead of tearing each other down. We need a lot more of that these days and I try to emulate that across my social media.

Do you have a personal mantra or quote that inspires you?
I try my best to live life colorfully. I find that when I'm wearing bright and fun clothes, my mood follows. I'm also trying my best to spread positivity across my feed and blog. If I can make at least one person smile, I'm a happy camper!

To follow Hillary’s journey, take a peep at her Website, Instagram or Facebook.

Casha Doemland 8/4/19 Casha Doemland 8/4/19

Safiya Bouhouch

Name: Safiya Bouhouch

Current City: Los Angeles, CA

Hometown: SF Bay Area, CA

Occupation: Entrepreneur, Writer, Yoga Instructor.

California native Safiya Bouhouch is a multi-passionate creative who is now dipping her toes in the entrepreneurial world through I Am Well, a space and platform she's created for females to connect and share their experiences via mindfulness and holistic approaches. The inspiration arose from Bouhouch's own healing journey with yoga and meditation, and in turn, she felt compelled to help others who felt the same exhaustion from living a high-stress lifestyle.

To learn more about Bouhouch's journey and I am well, read on below!

Prior to launching, I Am Well, a safe space for females to connect and share their experiences, you were working in production. What led to the jump in careers? Was there a defining moment where the universe just spoke to you?

The jump in careers was something that I felt for a while, and my body tried sending me signs that I ignored. I remember having a full-on anxiety attack at work convinced that my body forgot how to breathe, and feeling like my body was outside of my control. I turned to yoga and holistic wellness when my doctors didn't have clear answers about the health issues that started popping up, and I soon realized that the career I was in was not a great fit for me. I started connecting back to my own inner wisdom through yoga and meditation and eventually felt called to take the leap and leave my full-time career to pursue teaching yoga and wellness to others.

I had the pleasure of attending your event, Poetry for Self Compassion, and it was such a marvelous evening. Do you have any other events or collaborations coming up in the future that you’d like the readers to know about?

Thank you! I enjoy hosting others which is why I love running events. I have a meditation evening event happening in July that I'll be announcing soon, and a couple other events that are still in the works. My events are posted on the I Am Well Community website and social media as well!

What other services do you offer outside of events?

I am also a holistic health coach outside of running my wellness events, and I'm super excited to be launching my beta 1:1 wellness coaching program at the end of June for women who are looking for support in healing from anxiety and adding practices in their lives that ground them. It can be difficult to start the process of recovering from burnout alone, and I want to equip women with the tools that not only work for them but are also enjoyable and not just another to-do on their list.

I also run wellness retreats, and I'm already counting down the days until my Marrakesh summer retreat next year! My dad's side of the family is from Morocco, and I grew up surrounded by a lot of the culture, so I feel grateful to have the opportunity to show other women around this magical place while also giving back to a local non-profit.

What aspirations do you have for I Am Well in the future, and how would you like to see the platform and community grow?

I would love to see I Am Well expand beyond LA and support communities of women in other cities. I see I Am Well becoming more than an events and retreats platform but a space for likeminded women to make meaningful connections and receive support with their health and wellbeing. It would be amazing to host conferences across different cities in the US and internationally in collaboration with women in wellness and healers, and bring their tools to a wider audience.

Mental health is becoming more of a popular topic, but I believe there are still misconceptions, and I want to educate women on how to take care of their health and well-being in a way that is accessible and works for their individual lifestyles.

You talk about yoga serving as your saving grace, how long have you been practicing, and do you have a favorite type of flow?

Yoga was definitely my saving grace when I was in a place in my life where I felt disconnected from my body and intuition. I've been practicing consistently for four years now, and I've been enjoying Hatha style yoga recently, which is less about flowing, and more about sitting in poses and breathing through them. It's a great practice if you're feeling like you need to slow down but you still want to build some strength.

Additionally, how did you get into breathwork?

I got into breathwork through my yoga teacher training program, Zuna Yoga. I attended their 200-hour YTT in Bali, Indonesia, and fell in love with all the breathwork practices they taught us that are a part of the yogic tradition. When I first started practicing yoga, I didn't realize the importance of breathing deeply, and breathwork has helped me to cultivate the habit of breathing deeply which has helped decrease my anxiety dramatically.

Outside of wellness and trying to build a radical community for women, what interests you? How do you spend your free moments?

Outside of I Am Well, I really enjoy spending my time out in nature hiking or at the beach. I also find writing, reading, and creating art very therapeutic. I love to spend my free time traveling, listening to live music, exploring new food spots, and cooking when I'm at home.

If you could give one piece of advice to young individuals around the globe, what would it be and why?

My piece of advice would be to trust your intuition or deeper knowing. So many of us are conditioned to ignore what the small voice inside us says, and instead just follow along the well-traveled path. I've found that the more in touch you are with your inner knowing, the easier it is to pursue your purpose and live life in line with the values that truly resonate with you.

Discuss the importance of paying it forward.

Paying it forward is such a small but powerful way to live your life from a place of gratitude and abundance. So many people have supported or encouraged me along my own journey with no expectations of receiving anything in return, and I continue to keep that in mind and give from a place of love and generosity.

Who are some of your greatest influences and why?

My greatest influences are people I know personally who have inspired me with their talent, vision, and generosity. My father is someone who's always supported me along my own entrepreneurial journey and has been encouraging me since I switched paths to pursue work with more purpose.

My mentors Lizzy Okoro, Amy Everhart, and Amelia Travis are all incredible and trailblazing female entrepreneurs who have guided me and shared with me about their own journeys honestly and vulnerably.

What does empowerment mean to you?

Empowerment to me means taking your life back into your own hands and taking responsibility for your own well-being and happiness. It's a state of confidence in your ability to be able to powerfully create the life you dream of living.

FOLLOW SAFIYA ON

Websites: www.iamwellcommunity.com

www.safiyabouhouch.com

Instagram: @iamwellcommunity & @iamwellbysafiya

Casha Doemland 8/4/19 Casha Doemland 8/4/19

Magdalena Wosinska

Poland born and raised photographer, Magdalena Wosinska moved to Phoenix, Arizona at the age of 9 where she grew up skateboarding, picked up a camera for the first time at 14 and started playing in a metal band at 19.

Name: Magdalena Wosinska

Current City: Los Angeles

Hometown: Katowice, Poland

Occupation: Photographer

Poland born and raised photographer, Magdalena Wosinska moved to Phoenix, Arizona at the age of 9 where she grew up skateboarding. "At 19 I moved to LA to pursue being a skate photographer, then at 21 started playing metal in a band for almost 9 years," adds Wosinska.

As for photos, she picked up her first camera at 14, it was an instant love that would blossom into a career over the next twenty years.

"My favorite thing to do in my pastime is ceramics as my skateboard no longer agrees with my body," says Wosinska with a laugh. "Neither does headbanging!"

Read on to discover her journey with photography, life and restoring an adobe in Pioneertown.

What initially attracted you to the world of photography, and what's the inspiration behind The Magdalena Experience?
When I started skating as a young kid, I was also really into drawing and paint. So, I guess I was always into the arts. There was a photography class offered at my school so I took it – the main inspiration was from my best friend's older sister who would take photos and I was so amused by them. I started taking photos of all my friend I would skate with.

For me, the early days of "learning" how to take photos were more task oriented. Take photos of shadows, buildings or people. So my goal was to take photos of skateboarders as those were my surroundings.

A lot of the guys were really good and when we would street skate, the tricks they did were beyond my ability to so do. I wanted to have a reason to be included and to be there, so I would tag along on these missions and shoot photos of all the guys that were skating.

At the time, in the 90s, there was only one of girt in my hometown that skated so we just blended in with the guys. It was VERY uncommon for girls to skate where I came from, so most guys thought you were a weird tomboy and would laugh at you.

I remember I was too embarrassed to wear a pair of shorts til I was maybe 22 because I had so many bruises on my legs from trying to learn how to kickflip in my driveway.

The inspiration of the Magdalena Experience came around that same time when I was 14. I had to take photos of people for a class assignment. Skaters were easy as they were my friends but everyone else I was scared to approach as they were someone I was to shy to photograph. So to practice shooting people, I just started taking self-portraits as well.

I remember the first time I took a nude photo of myself I was 14 and it had NOTHING to do with being sexual.

Photography started showing me different avenues of what kind of photographer you could be. At that time, all the photos I saw were in magazines so I thought to take a good photo, it would have to be of someone or myself in really nice, fashionable clothes like the magazines showed me.

Well, my family and I didn't have extra spending for nice clothes or even most clothes, to be honest. I didn't want to photograph myself in the scraps I had to be judged in the photos.

I realized nudity is timeless. You can tell the year based on clothing style, what music someone is into or their social class whether you are rich or poor. In nudity, you can be anyone and everyone in timelessness.

As I started shooting more and more and started working for clients, I started traveling more. I would be in some of the most amazing places ALONE or with my assistant. There were endless landscapes, beautiful light and I wanted to photograph them, but not just for the landscape. I wanted to include the human form into it. And I wanted to be consistent with the same person in the images in different landscapes. So since I was always with myself, why not continue this self-portrait experience. Then Instagram came along so I used that as an outlet to display this series in 2011 and have been adding to the collection ever since:)

How would you describe your style of photography for your personal projects?
I think its raw. And real. I try to capture reality for what it really is.

What are the challenges you face as a photographer/creative, and how do you overcome them?
Well, the main challenge as of a few years ago was standing out. As we all know, anyone with a phone camera considers themselves a photographer now, as well that the market is really over saturated. It was so nice to be able to document something special and come back with prints to share.

Now, we can all take the same photo. Yes, it's a different skill and types of tools you use, but it can become unspecial if everyone does the same thing.

So, now I work harder than I ever have before to stay focused and constantly put out new work, but it feels good to do that!

Outside of photography, you're currently restoring an adobe in Pioneertown. Will you tell us a little bit about the property, your vision, and the restoration journey thus far?
Ugh let's just say its taken 3 years longer and 5 times more $$$

But it has been an amazing process. I've made a lot of mistakes and really started to master patience with this house.

I was looking to buy something for years in that area as I've been going there since the early 2000’s.

When this property came up, I knew it had great bones. I loved that it was a true original adobe but I had NO IDEA what I was getting myself into. The place was left abandoned for 10 years after an elderly couple passed away there. Their kids came, took what they wanted and then left everything else.

When I saw the house for the first time, it was completely trashed. Cans of old food, couches, records, dead rats, birds, mice and old beds were left to rot. I had to clean all of that out totally solo in 120-degree weather a few summers back, not the funnest day of my life haha.

I wanted to add a bedroom but was told the addition to the adobe was not permitted and moving the wall will cause this place to crumble. So, I decided to take it most of it apart safely, save the original adobe walls and build around it. It would have been much more cost effective for me to just tear the whole thing down and build my dream house for half the expense BUT there was NO WAY I could tear down even a few walls of a 1935 adobe.

So I kept it, built my proper addition onto it, made the new part look old and maybe next year I'll finally have a place to sleep. It's VERY exciting!!!!

Do you have any other projects or collaborations on the books you'd like the readers to know about?
I'm working on my fourth book at the moment called "Leftovers of Love". The book opening is Oct 26th, 2018 at Merchant Modern Gallery In Venice CA. Its a body of work on relationships/drugs/alcohol abuse in and around my life during 2004-2017

I'm also working on a few film projects and some other books but that's all still in the works!

How does creating art help you find peace in life?
Ceramics is my peace. Sitting in silence with clay in the hands is my favorite thing:) It's grounding and lets me let go emotionally of any burdens.

If you could give one piece of advice to young individuals around the globe, what would it be and why?
Find your truth and passion and follow it. Everything is possible if you really believe it is so don't let fear be your decision maker.

Who are some of your greatest influences?
My mom. She is the coolest

What/who are you grateful for?
Family, friends, health, the sun, having passion.

What does empowerment mean to you?
Being positive

Follow Magda's restoration journey HERE, dive deep into The Magdalena Experience HERE or check out her work HERE.

Casha Doemland 8/4/19 Casha Doemland 8/4/19

Sanni McCandless

Sanni works as a part-time life & transition coach and is a co-founder of the annual festival, Outwild.

Name: Sanni McCandless

Current City: Las Vegas, NV

Hometown: Chapel Hill, NC & Seattle, WA

Occupation: Life & Transition coach and Cofounder of Outwild

Tell us a little bit about yourself?
My name is Cassandra McCandless and I am a life and transition coach for outdoor-minded individuals. My nickname, Sanni, came from a childhood friend not being able to pronounce my full name and, needless to say, it stuck. I am a child of both the South and Pacific Northwest and spent half my childhood in Washington State and half in North Carolina.

I like to think the process of rediscovering and recreating myself in two radically different cultures dramatically influenced who I am today: a social chameleon, an entrepreneur, an empath, strong-willed, opinionated, driven by compassion and focused on helping people make the most of their one life.

I studied psychology at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and moved to Seattle for a marketing position at a tech startup after I graduated. Before my first job, I took two months to travel through Europe and vowed to myself that I would focus on saving money and continuing to take time to travel throughout my adult life.

Two years into my job, I decided it was time to hit the road again for a year of rock climbing and general exploration. When my savings began running low, I realized I was ready to dive into the career I'd always dreamt of – life coaching. Now, I work part-time as coach and I'm a co-founder of the annual festival, Outwild. I split my time between living on the road in the van and my home life in Las Vegas, Nevada.

What’s the origin story of Outwild and what can individuals expect from an event?
Outwild began out of the large amount of interest I saw in my coaching niche. People were hungry for the outdoors and lifestyles that felt more meaningful. I wanted to bring what I was doing in my one-on-one coaching to groups. In the winter of 2017, I was interviewed on The Adventurpreneur Playbook Podcast by Jeremy Jensen and mentioned my interest in group retreats. A few months later I got a phone call from him telling me he thought it was the time to bring this retreat brainchild to life.

Simultaneously, I was chatting with my friend, Courtney Sanford, and she mentioned group retreats as well! We took it as a sign and the three of us decided to start Outwild – an event dedicated to helping people lead more outdoor and value-driven lifestyles.

While we call Outwild a festival, it definitely has more a retreat layout. We start mornings with yoga followed by breakfast together as a group. We break into workshops focused on topics like life design, self-discovery, fear, career transitions, and getting outside. After lunch, we break for afternoon activities like additional workshops, guided hikes, rock climbing, mountain biking, or free time. In the evenings we come together for happy hour with group games and then dinner. We close the evening off with a movie or dance party!

For two and a half days we focus on getting in touch with our mind, bodies, and spirit, and building community while we do it.

How many events do you hope to host a year? Is it going to be seasonally in various cities?
As of right now, the plan is for Outwild to remain an annual festival. As our community and capacity grow, we hope to expand and host more events.

What attracted you to becoming a life and transition coach, more specifically, one tailored towards outdoor-focused individuals who want to live with intention?
I think I was always attracted to coaching because of the concrete way in which it helps people improve their lives. Unlike what is often assumed, life coaching is not advice-driven. My role as a coach is not to tell people what I think they should do or what I would do in their shoes. Instead, it's about providing a foundation to help them see themselves (their beliefs, thoughts, habits) differently. I ask them targeted questions and help them recognize when unnecessary fear is getting in the way. I hold them accountable for moving forward and making intentional decisions. I truly believe this process is one of the best ways possible to help people create real change.

How has your experience influenced the work you do for Outwild?
Over the past three years, my life has come to revolve around the intersection of life design and the outdoors. Outwild was simply a playful extension of that world – a way to not only bring was I was doing to larger groups, but also to add the community component (a piece of the puzzle that I think is integral to the magic of Outwild).

Do you have any upcoming events or collaborations you’d like the readers to know about?
Stay tuned at www.outwild.co for details on Outwild 2019!

Tell us about your first Outwild retreat. How many people showed up? what kind of experiences did they have? How was it as a co-founder and host?
Our first festival happened November 2nd - 4th of this year. 94 participants showed up as well as about 15 staff members. It truly exceeded all expectations – not just of the participants, but of Jeremy, Courtney, and I as well! Our participants showed up 100% ready to be present, be vulnerable, make positive life changes, connect and play outside. It was incredibly inspiring to watch people talk so openly about the fear involved in making big life changes.

How long have you been living life on the road, and what was the motivation behind your transition?
I've lived in a van on and off with my partner, Alex for the last 3 years. A year and a half ago, he bought a house in Vegas which is now our primary home base, but we still use the van throughout the year. I never really purposefully pursued “vanlife.”

Three years ago, I had just met Alex and was already planning on taking time off work to travel – settling into his mobile home to see what life on the road was like just seemed like a great option. Nowadays though, having time every year in the van to live with fewer possessions and get outside every day is a way to help me reset. I feel less anxious. I forget about social media. I spend more with myself and I get to enjoy a more intimate daily routine with Alex.

Climbing appears to be a huge part of your life, where are some of your favorite places to climb, and how did you get into the sport?
My sister taught me how to climb right when I moved back to Seattle as an adult. I went to the gym a few times as well as climbed outside three or four times with her one summer, but it took a while for climbing to stick. At the time, I was happy with my dance and boxing classes, but as time went out, I found that I couldn't stop thinking about climbing. I began to prioritize it more. Now, it's my main hobby, passion and form of exercise. I guess it finally stuck (:

As for climbing destinations, there are so many I have yet to go to, but from the ones I have traveled to, I really do love sport-climbing at home in Red Rock –largely because it's beautiful and close by. I love having a diverse schedule and Vegas' ease of access allows me to both work and climb easily in a day! But I also just love Yosemite. Whether it's the easy trad, bouldering, or hiking, I find it to be one of the most magical places on Earth.

Another place that comes to mind is Siurana, not just for the climbing, but for the incredible location too (so close to Barcelona and the coast). Haha, so I guess I love places that offer more than just climbing!

Discuss the importance of paying it forward.
Sometimes I struggle when people ask me for advice on how I got where I am today because my path has been so full of privilege. As a healthy, white woman coming from an upper-middle-class family with educated parents, so many aspects of my life have come easily. Not to say that I didn't work hard – I had jobs all throughout high school and college and worked my butt off for good grades at an affordable state school that didn't leave me crippled with debt. But I also had a safety net. I knew my parents were there if I needed anything. I had my sister for guidance around smart financial decisions. And I received a small early inheritance that enabled me to pay off my student loans more quickly than otherwise.

When I started my coaching business, I knew that my family would support me if I couldn't get it off the ground, and I had my partner's network to help me find clients when I first started.

Additionally, I didn't have kids to feed or elderly relatives that needed my support or attention. I had courage, strength, and determination to get to where I am today, but I also had a lot of luck. Paying it forward is important so that we can disperse the benefits of luck and privilege. So that we can give back to those who might not be getting the same step up or a lucky break that we received.

If you could give one piece of advice to young individuals around the globe, what would it be and why?
Just because something is uncomfortable doesn't mean you shouldn't do it.

Too often I see people stopped in their tracks because something is uncomfortable for them. In fact, I think there is such a high prioritization on making things feel comfortable in modern society that sometimes I really fear we've gone too far. Because I've found that I grow the absolute most in life when I toe the line of uncomfortability. Whether it's asking for a raise at work, going on an adventure that's bigger than what I've done in the past, participating in a group where I don't know anyone, being forced to hear the opinions of those I don't agree with, calling someone out on inappropriate behavior, or talking to my partner honestly about how I'm feeling, these are all moments that have helped me learn and grow as a human. They usually challenge me in ways that make me stronger and surer of myself on the other side. And I would miss all of that if I wasn't okay with being a little bit uncomfortable.

What/who are you grateful for?
My partner, my family, my friends, Barack and Michelle Obama, my clients, snuggly PJs, Yosemite, all cozy coffee shops everywhere, primary and secondary education teachers in America, the ocean, raspberries, seasons, music, wildlife sightings, sport-climbing in the sun on a cold day.

What does empowerment mean to you?
Taking ownership and pride in who you are and how you plan to leave the world a better place.

Do you have a personal mantra or quote that inspires you?
“The importance of showing up in relationships already loved”

“In a society that profits from your self doubt, liking yourself is a rebellious act.”

Follow Sanni McCandless:
Instagram
Coaching Website
Outwild

Casha Doemland 8/4/19 Casha Doemland 8/4/19

Em Jiang

Em Jiang grew up in Reno, Nevada with aspirations of moving as far away as possible only to realize how much she would miss everything once it was gone.

Name: Em Jiang

Current City: Providence, RI

Hometown: Reno, NV

Occupation: Student

Em Jiang grew up in Reno, Nevada with aspirations of moving as far away as possible only to realize how much she would miss everything once it was gone.

"Being a first generation Chinese American, I am always battling and trying to come to terms with my diaspora and displacement, always trying to unlearn the resentment I internalized for my 'home'," starts Jiang. "I struggled a lot with accepting my home, for both Reno and China, but now both places are inseparable from my identity, and that's something I continually return to."

Now, Jiang is studying filmmaking at Rhode Island School of Design (RISD), where she can confidently engage with art as a career.

"My relationship with art has really helped ground me and allowed me to feel okay being alone with myself, which has mobilized me and motivated me to explore different environments, spaces and communities," begins Jiang. "Everything I do is a reflection of my process – it's about genuine interactions, observation and sensitivity to the colors, feelings, people, sounds, history and where I am in all of it. That's why I carry my sketchbook around with me everywhere, there's always something to draw about, as long as I'm anywhere at all."

Read on to discover more of Jiang’s journey through art and life!

What attracted you to the world of hand-poked tattoos, and why did you choose hand-poked over using a tattoo machine?
I remember the first tattoo I gave myself, alone in my bedroom - with India ink, a sewing needle, thread, and a #2 pencil. I was always scared of needles but something about tattooing didn’t really freak me out. I ultimately did it to explore the relationship I could have with my body. I have struggled with body image issues all my life, but somehow, tattooing myself made me feel a little more confident and gave me ownership over my body in a way that I didn't have before. Even if I didn’t feel good about other parts of my body, I could pull down my sock and show everyone the little triangle poked permanently on my ankle, and feel a little proud of that piece of me that I chose to keep forever.

Because of that, I've always had a special relationship with hand poking. Machine tattooing loses a lot of intimacy, which is one reason it never appealed to me as much. I trusted myself with a needle. I have the biggest fear of messing someone’s body up forever. Of course, I made some mistakes when I was first starting, but with handpoking I could be very careful, and I loved the process of teaching myself the skin’s limits and figuring out what and what doesn’t work.

At the time I started tattooing, I didn’t have my own place, so I had all my tattoo supplies in a kit that I would take with me to people’s homes, and set up in their living rooms. I loved this ritual so much, and I loved that handpoking allowed me to engage with and connect with people in such an intimate way in such an intimate space. I thought back to when I got my first shop tattoo at 18, and how sterile, masculine, and insignificant that experience felt to me. That’s when I really began to bond with my practice of handpoking in a way that was in direct retaliation to toxic tattoo shop culture, one that didn’t have space for QTPOC people like me.

I think handpoked tattoos can be more meditative and reflective than a machine tattoo~ I’ve had quite a few people actually snooze off during a session! I think there’s also a lot of trust that goes into the exchange as well since handpoking is much more meticulous and time-consuming than machine tattoos. Both my client and I know that we have to spend quite a bit of time together, and it's important to curate a space where we are both comfortable. I think my experience as a “traveling home tattoo artist” has really humbled my practice. Not only are a bunch of people walking around with my art on them forever, but I also can look at each of them and remember the space, ambiance, and feeling of the place I gave them the tattoo in. It has really helped me recognize and prioritize the individual experience of all the people who come to get tattooed by me.

Do you have any interest/experience with a tattoo machine?
I’ve only used a tattoo machine once, and let me tell you~ it was SO Fun, and SO FAST! However, at the moment I am not interested in learning machine.

I just started handpoking a couple years ago! I have so much to learn. I do not think that machine is an upgrade from handpoking- it is just the Western/white standard for tattooing. I think handpoking is just as valid of a technique as machine tattooing is.

Machine tattooers are never asked if they have considered doing hand poked tattoos. Handpoking shouldn't be looked down upon for being accessible for anyone to try, it should be praised for its DIY history and the culture surrounding that. Hand poked tattoos are also much gentler on the skin, which can be a better method for POC/people with sensitive skin that scar easily from the trauma of machine tattoos.

I love how accessible handpoking is, and I love teaching myself new tricks and learning tips from other DIY hand pokers I meet on my travels. I really feel like I have ownership over my handpoking practice because I am completely self-taught and have earned every bit of trust my clients give me when they come to get a tattoo from me. I developed all my methods and style myself, and I’m proud of that. Handpoked tattoos for the people!

Where do the inspirations for your tattoos arise from? Are they custom designs you put out into the world or do clients come to you with ideas as well?
I only tattoo designs I have already drawn up~ only rarely do I do commission work. Everywhere I go I am always drawing in my sketchbook, and I really mean everywhere I go. I’ll usually go through my sketchbook, pull out or rework ideas and designs that I like and draw them out on a flash page that people can select from. They can also choose directly from my sketchbook. Once a client gets a design, it's theirs forever. I don’t repeat designs. For my tattoo designs, I like playing with surreal imagery (usually with figures) and nostalgic objects or symbols (such as houses, which I seem to always be drawing).

It’s important to me that I have ownership over my process, and that tattooing is always something that I’m excited to do. This is why I don’t usually take commissions/other designs. I’ve found that sometimes with commissions, clients will lose sight of me as an artist and see me as a service instead. If a client comes to me and asks me to design a flamingo tattoo for them, I’d decline, because if they had looked at my previous work, they would see that I am not interested in that subject. However, if a client comes to me and asks me to draw something similar to a design I’ve already done because it reminded them of an experience they had that was significant to them, I would probably take on the project, because there is content there that we have both connected on, and an appreciation and understanding of each other that I can work with.

Outside of tattooing, you're an illustrator and animator. How would you describe your style of art?
I like to play with a lot of surreal imagery, repetition, and color. I like playing with characters and figures (most of the characters I create and draw usually don’t have genders either). I’d like to think my art reflects a truth in my reality in a slightly satirical way and portrays the world as absurd or fantastical and relatable.

I saw your stop-motion short, Land Lord and it's phenomenal. Will you walk us through the steps of creating a stop-motion film? What are the challenges?
Animation is just a magic trick you play on your eyes. You’re not watching a moving image, you’re watching pictures that are flashing at 24 frames/second and your brain convinces you that it’s moving. This means that when you create an animation, you have to do it one frame at a time, bit by bit, till it creates a movement- just like with handpoking, I’ll poke one dot at a time until it creates a line, until it creates an image.

Most of animation exists on a flat surface- inside a computer, on a sheet of paper. For stop motion, you have to create a 3D environment that actually exists. If you want your character to sit down on a couch in the living room, you have to make the mini couch, make the mini character, make the carpet, the walls, the tiny houseplant in the corner, and the tiny picture frame with a tiny family portrait in it. When you shoot the scene, you shoot one frame at a time, moving your character one tiny bit each time. Snap a picture. Move the leg a tiny bit. Snap another picture. And be sure not to move any of the other tiny props with your massive fingers when you’re moving the character, or else you might have to scrap everything and reshoot the scene. It’s a horrible, tedious, antagonizing process…..but I love it.

Do you have any projects on the books you'd like the readers to know about?
After a busy semester and lots of traveling for tattoo guest spots, I injured my hands from all the repetitive strain. Since then, I’ve been trying to take it easy to recover, so I have been on a hiatus from tattooing. It has been tough stopping after gaining so much momentum- but I know I need to take care of my health if I want to keep doing art for a long time. Lately, I’ve been trying to focus on music and poetry. I have been playing around on my banjo, synthesizer, guitar, and violin, and I’ve performed at a couple of small shows. I’m hoping to bond more with this medium and use this hiatus to really get comfortable with creating music the same way I create visual art.

How does creating art help you find peace in life?
Art has continually helped me recon and appreciate my individuality- and that sounds really corny but it’s true. My relationship with art helps me validate my reality, recognize my unique perspective and the way I process things. Yet, my art exists in a collective. Because of social media, it’s so amazing when people resonate with my art because it shows me that I’m not so alone in my reality, in my fears, in my anxieties, in the way I perceive myself and my environment.

Describe your dream life.
Yes, there are things that I want but don’t have yet, there are things that make my life difficult and impossible sometimes, and I might not be where I want to be just yet. But I still think I am living my dream life. Overall, I feel an extreme gratitude for how far I’ve gotten, how much I’ve learned, and how much farther I have left to go. I used to think that once I get to a certain point, I’ll be happier and my life will be better, but every time I’ve gotten closer to what I thought I wanted, it has been accompanied by the same struggles and sadness that I’ve always had before, but just in different contexts. I’ve learned that you can’t expect or plan a future for yourself that is without hardship- as things get better, they also get more complicated and difficult too.

My determination and confidence in my skills and self give me the confidence to see that nothing is out of my reach. I’m growing, learning, creating, and among other things, that’s the most I can ask out of my life.

Discuss the importance of paying it forward?
Paying it forward recognizes your own capacity to influence people in a positive way, and is radical in itself within this capitalist society where possession and gain are almost more important than being good and decent to each other. Oh and remember to tip service workers and artists!

If you could give one piece of advice to young individuals around the globe, what would it be and why?
Don’t get comfortable with stagnancy. I truly believe movement and travel are one of the most healing and humbling things- and I don’t mean tourism stuff.

I think genuine travel is about a dedication not to a destination, but to being in a place, moving around a place and a consciousness of yourself as a part the environment. My first time hitchhiking really changed my perspective and relationship to movement, challenging my ability to trust my environment to take me where I need to go. You don’t have to go to that extreme, you could just hop on a local bus and ride to a neighborhood you’ve never been before. It’s so easy to get wrapped up in your own little world, but I’ve found that every time I travel, I start to feel a bit smaller again, and I can take a step back and remember to focus on existing and observing rather than the issues of my ego.

Who are some of your greatest influences?
My biggest influencers are the people who are a part of the Holland Project, which is a DIY nonprofit art and music venue in my hometown, Reno. I truly do not think I would be the artist I am today without that organization. The first gallery I showed art in was the Holland Project, as well as the first place I performed with my band. The wonderful community of artists, musicians, and organizers who make the Holland Project possible are the first people who validated me as an artist, and made me realize my future in art. After moving away, I realized, there really is nothing like it, and I’m always searching for and trying to create spaces as nurturing and safe as that one.

What does empowerment mean to you?
For me, empowerment aims to counteract the oppression inflicted upon a culture or group of people in regards to an aspect of their identity or existence. Empowerment is recognizing and locating the source of oppression, (which for me is usually the white, Western patriarchy) and reclaiming what they took. However, it has to be from the oppressed themselves, which is why tokenizing is not a form of empowerment, it is just a way for white people to capitalize on marginalized groups, and furthers the oppression. I also think marginalized people sometimes internalize a lot of oppression, I know I did for sure, so empowerment can also be unlearning those prejudices and learning to respect and love yourself in a society that has made you believe parts of your identity are lesser or wrong.

Follow Em’s handpoked journey on Instagram and view her sketches, animations/videos and miscellaneous projects!

Casha Doemland 8/4/19 Casha Doemland 8/4/19

Bess Byers

Bess Byers, also known as Cannabess is a Seattle-based cannabis photographer and founder of Blaise Creative.

Grow: @falcanna_wa Photographer: @bethanyfalcanna — Grow: @falcanna_wa
Photographer: @bethanyfalcanna

Name: Bess Byers

Hometown: Richland, Washington

Current City: Seattle, Washington

Occupation: Cannabis Photographer, Digital Journalist and Founder of Blaise Creative

Bess Byers, also known as Cannabess is a Seattle-based cannabis photographer and founder of Blaise Creative. Before she stepped into the world of cannabis, she received a degree in Public Relations with a minor in Mandarin in Chinese, lived overseas in China for a year and started a political nonprofit to educate millennials about the national debt in Los Angeles. After four years in the City of Angels, Bess was ready to take her life to the next step. The original plan, move to Washington D.C. for a great political opportunity. About a month before her move, her friend who owned a grow in Washington state made a better offer.

"Well, I like pot more than politics and so does everyone else. Pot is still very political and beneficial to the economy. I like Washington state more than Washington D.C. so Washington state here I come," states Bess.

She worked at their grow for a year and helped with everything from startup duties all the way to sales and marketing. From there she worked in at a digital marketing agency and an international cannabis company. As of January, she officially started her own company where she works with companies she really believes in.

Read on to learn more about Bess' phenomenal journey.

Can you tell us a little bit about your company?
My company is called Blaise Creative because on my dad's side of the family, Blaise Belleau (my middle name is Belleau) moved from France in the 1500's and was really integral in the settling of Quebec. I figured, he really helped blaze that trail and its sort of what attracted me to it – pioneering the unknown. So, I do digital marketing, photography, videography, social media management, blogs, SEO and email campaigns.

You've worked with a handful of great companies/publications like Nike, Apple and Louis Vuitton. Do you have a dream collaboration/client?
Some of my clients like Nike, Apple and Louis Vuitton are from my marketing research days. Right now, my main client is Falcanna. I help them content and digital. Another client I work with frequently is Lazy Bee Gardens, an outdoor grow in Eastern Washington state. Then, I have a couple of other clients I am in negotiation with.

Are there any fun projects, collaborations or events on the books for you that our readers should know about?
Let's see... I don't like to share too much because I'm the person who likes to wait until it's live. I can tell you that I am planning to do a lot more video in 2018. I actually have a video project this week that I am pretty excited it. One of my really talented friends from Los Angeles is a videographer and I'm really excited to do lifestyle stuff with him.

When you’re not working on your company or assisting others, how are you spending your time?
Well, I don’t really a lot of free time. Ask my boyfriend. It was so funny because we celebrated Valentine's Day a day early and he was like, "Let's be honest Bess, you're going to have a laundry list of to-do items and you're not even going to have time to celebrate." And I'm like, "you're right."

When I am not working, I love to work out. I've jokingly said, "Man I need to work out," and people are worried it's due to body image. For me, working out is really a mental thing because it helps me destress and release endorphins.
There are a few things that I love to do when I'm working out. First, I love to do dabs and run the lake right next to my house. It’s about 3.5 miles and I’ll do a really big dab of Lemon Haze, put on some techno music and run as fast as I can around the lake. People probably think I'm crazy because I'm like untz untz as I run. Another thing I love to do is get high and do Zumba. I used to dance competitively growing up. Again, people probably think I am crazy because I'm so into it. Cannabis just really helps me let loose and feel the music and I love that.

Another thing I like to do when I’m not working, even though it can kind of feel like work, is a hike. If I’m going hiking, I’m obviously going to bring my camera and a bunch of joints. Additionally, we’ve got really good snowboarding and wakeboarding around here. Then kind of just hanging out at my house binge watching The Bachelor with my cat.

Say money and time were not a factor, would you still pursue your current path? If not, what career would chase?
If money was not a factor, I would 100% hire people to help me with the videography stuff and cranking out content exponentially more than I am now. I would probably be able to focus more on the political side of things as I am still really passionate about politics. I would love to see the 1080E repealed. I’d like to advocate for medical patients to own guns. As well as people being able to fly with their medicine if need be or kids being allowed to bring their CBD products to school if they need to. Right now, I’m one woman with only so many hours in the day. If money and time were not an issue, I would 100% be in the same industry, just going 10x harder than I am now.

Who are some of your greatest influences?
Definitely my dad and my mom. My dad, first and foremost, because he was the person growing up that always super anti-drug like, “ oh marijuana is so bad for you, don’t smoke or do drugs blah blah blah”. He was the first one who got me into photography. I’ve been carrying a camera to school since I was in the third grade. He got me my first digital camera when I was a freshman in high school when the max file sizes were less than a megabyte. He was also the one person when everyone else was encouraging me to go to D.C. and continue my political aspirations, that said, "No, get into cannabis because it’s a booming industry. It’s only going to get bigger." And I was like, “Are you just trying to get me back in Washington state and be closer to home?” And he was like “No, you should just get into this industry,” and I listened to my dad. It’s been a really crazy ride. I definitely wouldn’t be here without his encouragement.

Other than my dad, I love looking at different photographers on Instagram. I love some of the outdoorsy photographers I love and fashion bloggers. I’m always looking for inspiration as far as locations and styling.

So yeah, probably my dad and other types of creatives in the community.

To watch a video of Bess smoking with her pops, click HERE...

Discuss the importance of female friendships in your life.
Female friendships are huge. I am an only child, so growing up my friends really became my sisters. Thinking about it, I probably have like 7, 8 or 10 best friends that I talk to 3 times a week.

One of my best best friends has a child and I am the godparent, which is so crazy to have this child from birth know me as an aunt. Not only that, she's always known me as Aunt Bess, the flower photographer. It's really cool when Bridgette will FaceTime me and I'm in a garden because I make sure to show her what I'm doing. I'll explain to her what everything is so when she grows up, there isn't a stigma with it. It's just another plant that people use for recreational or medicinal purposes. It's not some scary drug.

It's been interesting for me to see how another of my best friends, Val, who is Panamanian born and East LA bred experiences in her day to day life. Once, she got pulled over driving my car because the lights were slightly dimmed and watching how the cops hassled her opened my eyes to what minority communities experience on a daily basis. It's helping me become more of an advocate, especially because I grew up in a predominantly white neighborhood and wasn't exposed to it.

Photograph of Val courtesy of Bess Byers

If you could have dinner with any woman in history, dead or alive, who would it be and why?
Whoa, any woman in history? That’s a tough one because there are so many really amazing women. I’m going to say, because I was raised Catholic, Mary the Mother of Jesus. I have a lot of questions for her. I don’t know if she smokes or not, but she might...

What are you grateful for?
I am grateful for so much. I am grateful to have a family that supports me in anything I choose to pursue. I am grateful for my friends, that have equally supported me on this crazy journey I am on. I am grateful for all my followers, which sounds cliche, but I really wouldn't be where I am without the support of the cannabis community. It's crazy and inspiring how people reach out to me and share their stories. Sometimes it even makes me cry because are like, "You're an inspiration to me," and never in a million years did I imagine I would an inspiration to people. I am super grateful for the clients I work with and to be where I'm at today.

If you could offer one nugget of wisdom to individuals around the world, what would it be?
Never give up on your dreams. If you want to do something, you can do it, whether it was like me advocating for the national debt. How do you get people to care about the nation being $18 trillion, now $20 trillion in debt? If you want to do something, anything is possible and that’s kind of how I feel being in this position. Going freelance and starting my own company was really kind of scary at first and the inconsistency in pay/are people going to want to work with me? But where your attention goes, energy flows and if you put your mind to something, anything is possible.

Do you have a personal mantra or quote that inspires you?
This is something that when I lived in China, one of my coworkers told me and I thought, this is so true. The first couple of weeks I cried, I wanted to go home. The air was dirty. I was not having it. The motto that they told me was “Everything is possible, but nothing is easy.” It’s true, definitely in China, whether you’re grocery shopping or trying to get on the subway. Granted you will get on, but it’s going to take a lot of pushing. It’s also true here too. If you want to start a grow, there’s going to be a ton of hoops you have to jump through. It’s not going to be easy. If you want to be a budtender, get your foot in the door. People are not going to hand you a job. You have to apply and show that you’re hardworking.

To follow Bess' adventures, check out her Instagram, YouTube channel or Website!

Header Image courtesy of @bethanyfalcanna

Casha Doemland 8/4/19 Casha Doemland 8/4/19

Monica Lo

Over the last few years, Monica Lo has shot and styled Sous Vide At Home, an award-winning cookbook, built a name for herself as a cannabis chef and launched Sousweed, and subsequently been featured in a handful of publications around the country.

Name: Monica Lo

Current City: San Francisco, California

Hometown: Dallas, Texas

Occupation: Creative Director & Photographer

Bay-Area based content creator, photographer and creative director Monica Lo began in the advertising industry in New York City before heading west, where she switched gears and dove into the food and cannabis space.

Over the last few years, she has shot and styled Sous Vide At Home, an award-winning cookbook, built a name for herself as a cannabis chef and launched Sousweed, and subsequently been featured in a handful of publications for her achievements around the country.

You’ve got quite an impressive resume, with 12 years of experience as a creative director and designer. What attracted you to this field of work, and more specifically, working with cannabis brands?
Thank you! I knew I wanted to be in a creative field so I went to Pratt Institute in Brooklyn before working as an art director in all the big ad shops where I gained a lot of experience working on photo and commercial shoots.

Sous Weed, my passion project, kicked off my career as a freelance creative. While people were becoming more canna-curious, brands needed to amplify their social media efforts by connecting with influencers to create authentic, engaging content.

Advertising regulations are especially strict for the cannabis industry which is why influencer marketing is so important for brand awareness. With my combined advertising experience and love for food and cannabis, I had the opportunity to build various brands in the cannabis space.

What’s the origin of the Sous Weed?
Sous Weed was born from a need for discreet edibles when I had herniated a disc and I didn’t want to be on all the pills the doctor prescribed. I lived in a strict apartment building where smoke and cannabis smells were prohibited.

Since I was already working in a sous vide startup, this was a natural evolution. I thought, “well, maybe I can sous vide my weed”—and it worked!

It was super easy. All I needed to do was set the temperature for my water bath, put my cannabis and oil in a bag, and drop it underwater to infuse. There was no smell whatsoever and I didn’t get evicted.

I started to document my creations on my blog, as I was healing, and that’s how Sous Weed came to life.

What are some of the stigmas surrounding cannabis that you'd like change?
Public perception of cannabis has totally changed for the better these past few years but it wasn’t like this when I started in 2015. As an Asian American, the hardest part was coming out of the cannabis closet to my parents. There’s a lot of strange stigmas, old wives’ tales, and perception around the plant especially with Asians, so they were pretty concerned when I told them. I thought my first challenge would be to educate them, and if I succeed, that would be a good step in the right direction.

So, we spent a lot of time learning and having discussions about the health benefits of this plant. Now, they’re much more open-minded these days. Mom and dad even went on a trip to Amsterdam without me!

When you're not working, how do you spend your free time?
I catch up on quality time with my partner, pup, and friends whenever I can. You can probably find me at the local flea market, farmers market, or craft fair over the weekends.

What motivates you in the morning? Do you have a morning routine?
I’m up and at ‘em the moment the sun rises but I like it that way. I do my morning stretches for my back and then it’s copious amounts coffee or matcha to power through the day.

Discuss the importance of paying it forward.
I feel it’s important to pay it forward with mentorship. There’s no way I can take full credit for all the successes in my career. I’ve had solid mentors in various points throughout the years who have sculpted me into the person I am today. I will always make time for young creatives when they reach out for advice.

Who are some of your greatest influences, and why?
I’ve surrounded myself with my greatest influences.

I have a group of strong female entrepreneurs I look up to. We help each other grow and push each other creatively.

My partner is also an incredibly talented designer who I lean on for the occasional gut check and an extra set of eyes.

What/who are you grateful for?
I’m forever grateful to my parents who instilled in me a strong work ethic from an early age but gave me the freedom to be creative and express my individuality as I wanted.

Do you have a personal mantra or quote that inspires you?
Trust your gut.

Casha Doemland 8/4/19 Casha Doemland 8/4/19

Julia Stotz

California-native, Julia Stotz left Chicago for the first eight years of her adulthood and all the while, she continued to be puzzled at why people wanted to live in Los Angeles. It wasn't until she returned to her roots after midwest living, that she finally understood all the city had to offer.

Name: Julia Stotz

Current City: Los Angeles, CA

Hometown: Monterey, CA

Occupation: Freelance food and still life photographer

"I've been able to explore more closely the connection this city has with food, nature, fruit trees, produce, etc, and the new style of restaurants here that are also focusing on those same things. I've always had a love for food culture, but this city has allowed me to carve my interests into what I photograph. It has let me shoot more of the things I'm passionate about," adds Julia.

Now, you can find Julia trekking all over this city (and the world) photographing what (and who) she loves.

Read on to discover more of Julia's journey.

What attracted you to the world of photography and how would you define your style?
I think from high school on, I found photography as a really fluid way to tell a story – a way to create something new from actual objects and locations and make a unique point of view. As I continued to study photography in college, I realized that it was a great way to create a still life out of my favorite subject matter, food. It allowed me to explore the many ways that people experience food and their overall connection to it. My style of photography is a little more relaxed, candid, and unkempt. Regardless if I'm shooting in the studio or on location, I want there to be a realness and a lived-in quality to the setting. I focus closely on the subtly of colors and light that are shown in each frame as a way to add value to the objects in the composition. The connection between my still-life vignettes and their lifestyle moments try to tie together an emotional photographic story throughout my work.

Walk us through a day on a shoot with you.
There are so many different types of photo assignments. Some are editorial assignments on location, where I show up with just my equipment and photograph a chef and the restaurant's favorite dishes on my own. Other assignments are large ad jobs that take lots of production planning, pre-pro calls, and a huge team of 15-20 people to execute. Most commonly, my shoots at least have a food stylist, a prop stylist, an assistant, and a digital tech on set. I have my own studio for small to medium productions, and when it's a large production with the client on set, I rent a photo studio elsewhere in LA. The shoot day ends up being an entire collaboration of tasks to get the final shot list created. The most fun comes from the experimenting and play between creative skill sets and the exchange of ideas while trying to work through a shot list.

When did you first kick off Lady Makers and what's the motivation behind the project?
Lady Makers started when I realized that most of my friends were incredibly talented women, and I wanted a reason to capture people who create handmade objects. I think I was getting burnt out on the technology side of being a photographer and I wanted to be around people who made work by hand for most of their day. After I started showing the project, I started to get future paid assignments to photograph Lady Makers that would then incorporate into this project.

You've worked with a handful of great companies from Google and American Express to Moon Juice and Chareau. What’s the dreamiest photoshoot you've had to date?
My favorite job so far has to be an ad campaign I did with California Avocados. I had a sizable budget where I could hire an amazing team, and the agency let me help create the concepts with them from the beginning. While on set, everyone was allowed to experiment and play freely throughout the process and their trust allowed us to shoot really amazing images – this made the studio environment feel welcoming and fun. It reflects in the work when you really believe in a company's values, as well that it makes you want to create really strong, unique content for them. If I could have every job be that seamless, I would never complain about work again! Dream job in all aspects!

How do the city of Los Angeles and individuals who inhabit it fuel your creativity?
Until I moved from Chicago to Los Angeles, I didn't really realize how motivated creative people were in this city. It's a city that's spread apart, with not a lot to inhibit a person from just creating. People hunker down in their little studio habitats and create some of the most inspiring work. It's a city of creative people, all mainly transplanted from another town, all here to expand the type of work they get. It feels open and collaborative, the way only a west coast contemporary landscape can drive motivation. The group of people my husband, Brian Guido, and I have, are all humbly so talented yet supportive. It doesn't feel competitive. Everyone recommends each other for jobs they can't take and collaborates with each other when one wants to test shoot or make new personal work.

Do you have any projects/collaborations on the books you'd like the readers to know about?
I'm photographing the imagery for a new olive oil brand made in California that's incredible and I can't wait for it to be released. I'm also shooting for a few cookbooks this spring.

Once the next few months are done, I'm excited to get back into shooting more personal projects this summer if things slow down a bit. Since moving into my new studio, I'm excited to be able to make work more easily.

When you're not behind a camera, how do you fill your days?
Currently, I'm fixing up the new live/work studio Brian and I just moved into. It's a big task that has stunted the rest of my well-rounded life. But otherwise, in LA you can usually find me cooking, reading, working out or finding my new favorite restaurant in the San Gabriel Valley! And the great thing about LA is that it is a great place for what I also love most, which is travel. Whether it be a road trip, camping, a drive out to the desert or mountains, or jumping on a plane to Japan, after a few months in LA, I always itch for a great trip to balance the city and the heat.

What's one nugget of wisdom you can offer to fellow visionaries, artists and creatives around the world?
Shoot personal work. A lot of it. And collaborate with a lot of people. I've heard a lot of different advice from other creative people, but for me, talking with other women about ideas is probably the most inspiring thing. I get so overwhelmed with love and ideas when I'm around other passionate people! It breaks up the many days working alone in front of a computer, and really puts a value on what's important in life and why we create work. Have ladies night's, make creative collaborations, have coffee dates, test shoots, etc.

Who are some of your greatest influences?
Laura Letinsky has been one of my biggest influences ever since college. Working with her briefly only amplified my love for her work, especially after seeing some of her tricks and inspirations. She created the contemporary tablescape in an art world of classic paintings created by men so long ago. She brought meaning back into women who photograph inanimate objects, and who show food in a different landscape. I also love Spencer Finch, Grant Cornett, Gentl and Hyers, Terrence Caviar, and Miranda July. I've also recently been super inspired by Kerry James Marshall’s retrospective, Jessica Dance’s knitted foods, Ruth Reichl’s novels, and Jessica Koslow’s Everything I Want to Eat cookbook.

If you could have dinner with any woman in history, dead or alive, who would it be and why?
I'd have dinner with my grandma Bert. She passed when I was in college and never saw what I sought out to do with my career. I think her and I would really relate to being independent women, our passion for food and hustling in a man's world. She worked her way up from working small side jobs, to becoming the head assistant to a CEO (because she wasn't allowed to be made partner back then because she was a woman). She had thousands upon thousands of cookbooks from around the world and made about a dozen different types of Christmas cookies each holiday. She was a remarkable woman that I wish knew me as an adult. We would have had incredible conversations about so many things in common!

What are you grateful for?
I'm grateful for my husband, Brian. He's such a talented and inspiring photographer, who's always been supportive of what I do and a perfect equal partner throughout life. I'm grateful for my family who's supported me from the very beginning of my freelance photography career and never doubted that I couldn't achieve it. I'm utterly grateful for all my friends, who are so inspiring, hysterical, and complimentary to my lifestyle. I'm also super grateful for flexible schedules and the ability to casually grab a coffee at 10 am on a Wednesday.

Do you have a personal mantra or quote that inspires you?
"Every fact lay in glory in his mind, a type of the order and beauty of the whole."

I've had this favorite quote for a very long time. It's from an essay that Ralph Waldo Emerson wrote about Henry David Thoreau, published in the Atlantic Monthly in 1962. It just seems to sum up the simplicity of life and how all things are connected within our thoughts and in nature.

To follow Julia's work, take a peek at her Website and Instagram.

Header Image courtesy of Brian Guido

Casha Doemland 8/4/19 Casha Doemland 8/4/19

Isadora Alvarez

Isadora Alvarez is the founder and creative mind behind clothing line, BackBeatRags.

Name: Isadora Alvarez

Current City: Los Angeles

Hometown: Palawan, an island town in the Philippines

Occupation: Boss, designer, and all around gal at BackBeatRags :)

My name is Isadora and I run the clothing line BackBeatRags. I'm originally from the Philippines and moved to the U.S. 9 years ago. I attended in San Francisco and moved down here to LA 5 years ago. I worked the corporate life for a while before saying fuck it and starting my own thing. After running an indie clothing shop back in the Phillippine, I've always wanted to return to being my own boss. For the past three years, I've pursued the dream of having my own line.

What's the origin story of BackBeatRags, and what are some of your plans for the future?
I started selling vintage when I quit my job; did the whole selling at flea markets thing! I already knew that I wanted to start my own line, but didn't quite know what type of clothing I wanted to make. So, I sold vintage first (also because I am a huge vintage fan) and slowly realized that I was specializing in vintage tees and sweatshirts. This kind of planted the seed of making a basics line. I still wanted to be a bit different and I wanted the line to have a sustainable aspect. As I researched what was needed, or what was lacking in the market, I discovered we didn't have that many options when it came to sustainable clothing that is cool, uses eco-friendly fabrics and is not insanely expensive. I figured I could try to hit that criteria and throw in some vintage details to freshen the designs up. That's basically how the line came about!

What's your favorite design to date? Favorite thrifted tee?
I would say all the tie-dyes we've done! I think they are so fun and not your typical tie-dye. Plus they were supposed to look completely different but we ended up using the "wrong" pattern instead!

Man, I have so many favorite thrifted tees. I have two super thin 50/50 shirts that are in heavy rotation – one has a Beach Bum graphic and one says Life's A Beach. Obviously, chilling on an island is always on my mind!

How does living in Los Angeles fuel your creativity?
I think LA has so much diversity that going from one neighborhood to the next is very different and that is definitely inspiring as we get exposed to a lot of different ways of thinking and doing. We also got a lot of sick street art- from the well-known street artists to the random street tags or even the old school signs that are literally everywhere. Plus, our golden hour can't be beat! Everything just looks so goddamn beautiful when its that time of the day that. It's hard not to feel inspired.

Do you have any other projects/collaborations on the books you'd like the readers to know about?
We're planning a week-long pop-up in NYC around the 4/20 weekend! We are also slowly getting more into natural dye's, and more little things.

Tell us about the greatest challenge/success you've thus far in your career?
Every day as an entrepreneur with very little funds is a challenge! It's really hard to run a business BUT I feel like every day and every new season that I still get to do this is a success on its own. It's never easy so to be able to be here doing this for another day is definitely a success in my book and also a blessing!

If you hadn't launched BackBeatRags, what profession would you have pursued?
I always said I'd be in the food business if I weren't in fashion- as a professional food taster haha!

What's one piece of advice you can offer to aspiring designers/entrepreneurs?
Connect with someone in the industry and ask all the questions, even the silliest one you can think of! Work for smaller labels if you can, because that's how you see first hand how the business works. Intern as much as you can while in school- experience is the best teacher and I wish I did more to learn before starting my own thing. Knowledge is power, and when you add a "fuck it" attitude (you'll need that when things get really tough) you'll be good to go!

Discuss the importance of female friendships in your life.
I had always been a loner, and a little socially awkward. So, when I started the business, I made it a point to face fears. This included reaching out to people, especially females in my industry because it just made life (especially entrepreneurial life) less lonely. We all need some support! I would definitely not be here if it weren't for the support of my lady friends in and out of the industry! They are my greatest cheerleaders.

Who are some of your greatest influences?
My parents. They've taught me to do good work, be humble, and enjoy life. Also, my husband is the biggest influence on me on how to run my life. He's organized AF and gets shit done without getting distracted which I'm very prone to do hahaha!

If you could have dinner with any woman in history, dead or alive, who would it be and why?
I'd love to be at a dinner party with Patti Smith. I loved her book Just Kids and I'd love to hear those stories firsthand. I'd also love to drill about personal style, New York during that time and how to be an overall badass.

What are you grateful for?
Every day I am alive, I am grateful for. We aspire to be so many things, to have certain things that we often forget the simple things like waking up and being able to do things and to live a life with a roof on our heads and food on our table is something to be hugely grateful for.

Do you have a personal mantra or quote that inspires you?
Don't fucking give up, everything takes time.

Follow Isadora's latest adventures on her personal Instagram while checking out the hottest new items for BackBeatRags at the Website and Gram.

Casha Doemland 8/4/19 Casha Doemland 8/4/19

Rosey Alvero

Rosey Alvero, food & travel show host, creator and producer, is constantly trekking around the globe, diving deep into the culture of other cities and learning about the cuisine.

Name: Rosey Alvero

Current City: Los Angeles, CA (in the Mar Vista neighborhood)!

Hometown: San Francisco, CA | Manila, PI | Victorville, CA, but also feel at home in Ghent, BE, Paris, FR, and New York, NY

Occupation: Food & Travel Show Host, Creator, and Producer

Rosey Alvero, food & travel show host, creator and producer, is constantly trekking around the globe, diving deep into the culture of other cities and learning about the cuisine.

Alvero has always stood up for herself as a woman and a minority. "It's not until recently that I learned of my mother flying from Manila to San Fransico with a layover in Tokyo just 2 days before I was born to have me in a country where women had equal rights to men," starts Alvero. "I truly feel this played a large role in determining parts of my character and desires as an adventurous woman that always seeks a new experience, as well as being vocal on my beliefs for equality for all. I always strive for purpose and happiness."

As of now, Alvero is working alongside KCET for the launch of SoCal Wanderer, premiering Tuesday, August 7, which follows her journey through Southern California, beginning with Ojai.

Read on to discover more!

Between Cache Cache, Feed the Flame and SoCal Wanderer, you've got quite the impressive resume. Let's start with Cache Cache, where it all began. What's the origin story, and do you have any events planned for the future?
Cache Cache has always been a fun project, a way for me to marry two of my passions, food + film. It started when I hosted a dinner for my husband’s birthday at a friend's beautiful loft in TriBeCa. During the dinner, we played video images from a projector up against a wall. A friend then came to me to tell me what a great ambiance I had created with a film in the background while having dinner and she suggested I host “Dinner and a Movie”.

Photographer: Jack Strutz

A light bulb went off and I began to outline an experiential dinner concept that could also work as a platform for rising film artists who don’t normally have a space to share their work, at the same time I would be able to source the best possible food and have an open discussion about it with my guests. I knew we would never be stationary and we could pop up anywhere in the world, hence the name Cache Cache, which is a French idiom for hide-and-seek.

At the moment I am in talks with nonprofit, Feed Back, for an event in either New York or Los Angeles, but nothing is finalized yet.

Next, you worked with the Olympics last year at the host of Feed the Flame. Would you walk us through that experience, and what it was like to spend time in Kenya?
This was such a wonderful experience! I got to discover what was behind the success of Olympic long-distance runners in the home of long-distance running: Iten, Kenya.

Travel is always exciting, but what's more thrilling is the people you connect with and what they can teach you. I loved their way of life which is lived with gratitude and a sense of community. It’s such a rarity to feel this sense of community and belonging in the US as we can be so divided and individualistic.

We can all learn so much by going out of our comfort zone and experiencing how others live life. This is why I believe travel is so important in enriching our lives. To this day, I remain friends with many of the people I've met with or interviewed and to have a connection to someone far away is so special.

Lastly, you have a show titled SoCal Wanderer, which launches next month. Without giving any spoilers, is there anything you can tell us about your show and what to expect?
This is one of the most exciting projects I’ve worked on.

Firstly, I love KCET, what they represent and the content they produce. There is something to be said about an independent channel that thoroughly represents a community and intends to entertain AND educate viewers. To work with a local channel is so me, I’m an advocate of supporting and growing your local community, so to be a part of the KCET family is an honor.

Secondly, SoCal Wanderer is all about exploring the beautiful region of Southern California and there’s nothing I love more than discovering what my home has to offer. It’s so easy to take for granted the things we can enjoy right here in our backyard. We don’t need to go far to experience something new!

As the host of this show, you can expect me to be honest and show kindness to the people I encounter with a genuine curiosity. It’s my way of revealing how connected we all are despite our differences. Lastly, I love working with this crew lead by a badass female director who made sure to have a diverse crew. I think this show will inspire you to get out there and explore!

What are the challenges you've faced throughout your career, and how did you overcome them?
Not having studied or worked in film or media means I started from the very bottom without any knowledge of how to do any of this.

Years ago I stopped working in corporate fashion to pursue what I loved most: food + travel. I had done a lot of solo traveling throughout Asia and Europe before I moved to NYC. I reflected on how beneficial it was for me to explore and how my favorite way of connecting with people was over a warm meal.

I found that food is the one thing that people will always come together over – everyone enjoys eating! So with this in mind I kept thinking about what I could do professionally that would bring me joy and decided I would pursue a food + travel show.

Many trials and errors lead me to where I am now and I wouldn’t be where I am without the support of friends and family who have guided me through this process. I reached out to everyone I knew in the industry and asked as many questions as I could. If you have the passion for it, it doesn’t matter whether you know the industry or not, you’ll figure it out. I don’t have it all figured out, but I’m working on it!

Do you have any other projects or collaborations on the books you'd like the readers to know about?
I am currently in the middle of pitching a food and travel series I created and want to host called Foodprints. Foodprints is a documentary series that travels the globe as each episode tracks the journey of a single food ingredient.

Each episode takes us on a cross-border journey to discover the story behind the ingredient. Along the way, we’ll explore the ingredients uses, along with its impact on global culture, environment, and policy. You can learn more about it at bitly.com/foodprintsrosey.

This is such a special project for me, it’s been years in the making with lots of research and I am just now pitching and it’s receiving so much positive feedback and support. With so much content out there I think it’s important to find a way to not only entertain viewers but positively impact our everyday life through education; knowledge is power and I hope this show empowers viewers!

My husband and I also recently started a motorcycle sidecar touring business that we hope to expand to major cities across the US and abroad. We are still debating what to call our business, but it’s between Sunny Side Rides and CoPilot. If you have a preference let me know. I’ll take you for a ride one day, it’s so much fun!

Outside of the remarkable list above, what are some of your aspirations for the future?
It’s quite simple actually, I hope to be doing work that I love and leave a positive impact. My goal is for Foodprints to be a tangible food revolution we can all be a part of. And of course, health & happiness!

Where is your favorite place to escape and clear your head?
My home. I live in my dream house in Mar Vista. It’s my own little oasis near the beach that always feels like a vacation. My husband and I have made a cozy home for ourselves with our two pups, Patrick and Murphy. There are few things that bring me more joy than coming home to two fur balls bursting with joy to see me! You can expect good vibes when you come over.

Discuss the importance of paying it forward?
We should all want the best for each other. If you are in a position to help someone then there’s no better way to keep the positivity flowing than with a little bit of generosity – helping one another achieves overall success. You don’t have to go above and beyond either, everyday acts of kindness is an easy way to pay it forward and it goes a long way.

If you could give one piece of advice to young individuals around the globe, what would it be and why?
Don’t let fear of the unknown stop you from pursuing what you want to do even if that dream seems wild.

Find out what it is that you love and pursue it with determination. I think it’s important to teach kids to take risks and that failure doesn’t mean you didn’t succeed; trial and error is a great learning method worth embracing.

Who are some of your greatest influences?
All of the women in my family. I come from a long line of strong women including my great-grandmother whom I was named after. She started the first female University of the Philippines and was a prominent journalist. I never met her, but I like to think we have the same spirit.

My grandmother who holds our family together and throws down in the kitchen, and my mother who has raised 8 kids and came to America on her own to provide a better life for her family.

And my many titas who left their homeland to pursue a new life abroad. The things these women have faced and overcome amazes me.

What/who are you grateful for?
I have a lot to be grateful for! I am extremely grateful for the worldwide community of friends and family who continue to support me. I feel fortunate to have a strong mother who has always cheered me on as I take a path that’s unconventional and sometimes quite risky. I have a wonderful husband who takes on every challenge with me, he’s also my lucky charm. It’s this part of my life that I feel rich!

What does empowerment mean to you?
Empowerment means believing in yourself and becoming the best version of yourself so that you have the ability to achieve anything. The only person you need to convince of your capabilities is yourself.

Do you have a personal mantra or quote that inspires you?
This may be very cheesy, but when I was trekking through Peru on the Salkantay Pass, during difficult times our guide kept saying, “the journey is the destination” and it stuck with me.

There were so many challenges during that trip that it became difficult to enjoy the moment. It’s easy to want to see the end result of something, but life is too short not to enjoy the process; the end may never come so you might as well live it up along the way!

Follow Rosey's adventures on Instagram, and keep your eye out for Cache Cache's next event HERE.

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Kelsey Fugere

Kelsey Fugere is an artist with a BFA in Photography and Art History from Loyola Marymount University. She has a background in the beauty industry, and her work challenges traditional beauty standards with unconventional use of color, texture, and shape.

Name: Kelsey Fugere

Current City: Los Angeles, CA

Hometown: Danville, CA

Occupation: Photographer

Kelsey Fugere is a Los Angeles-based artist with a BFA in Photography and Art History from Loyola Marymount University. She has a background in the beauty industry, and her work challenges traditional beauty standards with unconventional use of color, texture, and shape. Fugere’s work lives in fantastical worlds of vibrant and clashing colors, rich textures, and unexpected accents, and her subjects are the characters who inhabit these worlds. She is interested in the relationship between gender and photography, and her latest work explores the intersection of expectation and possibility.

In a few sentences, tell us a little bit about yourself?
Art is life and life is art.

Point blank, you're a badass photographer and we love your use of color! What attracted you to the world of photography and this particular style?
Thank you so much for your kind words, I appreciate the compliments and support!

The human experience has provided me with the sensory tools to explore humanity in the form of capturing it, and also the mind to decide to do so. There's so much beauty all around us and to have the eyes to see it, is such a blessing.

On a family trip to London the summer before my senior year of high school, I had a Canon point and shoot camera. I started photographing the lines of buildings, portraits of people, etc. I created a slideshow on my laptop to the song Michelle by The Beatles.
I showed my mom and she said, "Wow, these are really good!" Maybe it was her being a parent and thinking everything I did was good, but it felt different this time.

Growing up, I was always finding ways to explore creativity, but taking photographs came as the most natural medium to express how I saw things. I can't turn my eyes off. Taking photos is a way to help ease that feeling of needing to capture the scene.

I didn't notice my affinity for color until a few years ago. I had all my work laid out and was trying to decide which images were best used for my website. I noticed some of the strongest images were the ones where colors were involved. Color comes very naturally to me – in fact, I find it difficult to turn something in that isn't black and white. In the past couple years, I have worked to refine what color means to me, but mostly it's just a reflection of how my brain perceives the world.

Model: Brendan Photographer: Kelsey Fugere — Model: Brendan
Photographer: Kelsey Fugere

Model: Nick Sauer Photographer: Kelsey Fugere — Model: Nick Sauer
Photographer: Kelsey Fugere

Where/how do you seek inspiration for your projects?
My best ideas often come to me when I am running. While running outside, I observe things I'd otherwise miss in a car. The way lighting hits buildings at certain times of the day, the way fruit trees intersect with the sky, the way an electric cable leaves a shadow of a thin line on a building and the way a body looks walking past a blank wall. These are all things I notice on my runs and begin my creative process. I am most inspired when exploring by foot. Traveling has become a really important part of refining my eye and exploring how things are built/created in other places.

Who are some of your favorite creatives to collaborate with?
A lot of the more creative work I do is shot on ordinary people (friends) that let me get carried away with props and backdrops. When I am working with models, I love collaborating with makeup artists, hair stylists and stylists. It's really fun to let everyone geek out about a particular element of the shoot and really helps it come together in the end.

Out of all your eye-catching shoots, which has been your favorite to work on and why?
In 2016 I shot a series called "Hue-man", a colorful series where I explored identity through color. Hueman was a statement about how society often decides the best way to express ourselves and the confines that exist within those norms. The series is about 15 men shot in whacky colorful scenes, all shot in a studio in a classic portraiture sense. This was my favorite series because it was the first time I worked on a project with people over an extended period of time and it fully reflects how I would like to photograph most people.

When you're not behind the lens, how do you fill your time?
Honestly, so much of my life is photography. When I am not shooting for work, I am often crafting up my next creative project. I guess I do have other hobbies as well. You can find me running, swimming, rock climbing, hiking, in a yoga class, etc. Staying active has always been important to me and it keeps my mind moving!

I also really love being out in nature. I did my first backpacking trip this year and it opened up a new world of possibilities regarding how to travel. Oh, and how can I forget travel as a time fill? It's a BIG one.

When I am not shooting, I am often window shopping for trips all over the world or actually going to these places. This year, I explored Mexico City and Cuba. Next year, I have Vietnam in the books which I am very excited about.

If you could give one piece of advice to creatives around the world, what would it be?
Never stop making things and never stop exploring new places. If you're not feeling inspired, figure out what's holding you back, move your body a bit and then re-assess.

Discuss the importance of female friendships in your life.
Female friends are essential – I have always felt this way. I love men. I appreciate so much about them and their perspective, but with my female friends, I feel a sense of oneness I don't usually feel with men. Yes, there are some men I feel it with, but usually, it's women. Most of my female friends are artists and it's been really neat to see how everyone has blossomed over the past couple of years and become confident in themselves and their art. It's really wonderful having that sense of community I get from women.

If you could have dinner with any woman in history, dead or alive, who would it be and why?
This is a tough one. I feel like I'd want to have a dinner party with a bunch of women that inspire me. Currently, I think it would be wonderful to sit with Cindy Sherman, Amy Poehler, Lady Gaga – all strong female performers in their craft. Plus, they all clearly have a sense of wit and humor to them and a commentary on humanity.

What are you grateful for?
I am so grateful that I get to create imagery for a living and that is how I pay my bills. It is exciting to always have new projects on the horizon and new challenges to face.

Quote to live by.
It's gonna be great.

To view more from Kelsey, check out her Website, Instagram and Pinterest!

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Zarna Surti

Zarna Surti, founder and editor in Chief of Tonal Journal, has been in the editorial field for over a decade, back before blogs were the cool thing to do as she says.

Name: Zarna Surti

Current City: Los Angeles, CA

Hometown: Nashville, TN

Occupation: Founder + Editor in Chief of Tonal Journal, Founder of Tonal Studios

Zarna Surti, founder and editor in chief of Tonal Journal, has been in the editorial field for over a decade, back before blogs were the cool thing to do as she says. "I had a site of my own that led me to write for publications like Vogue India, Refinery29, MTV and many others in my early twenties," shares Sutri. "From there, I worked freelance for many fashion brands doing content and copywriting."

Eventually, she moved to the City of Angels and worked as Managing Editor of Nasty Gal prior to hopping ship to The dFm, where she launched WestwoodWestwood, a multi-channel online platform for entrepreneurs.

Now, she serves as founder Tonal Studios, a creative studio that works with music, film, beauty and fashion brands to bring their vision to life. "All of these things helped me to build Tonal Journal and the platform that it is today," chimes in Surti.

What's the origin story of TONAL, and what are your goals for the future?
I came up with the idea for Tonal Journal on an airplane! I had a cocktail napkin and I was scribbling the word “tone” on it, and eventually wrote down the word “tonal.” When I looked up the definition, it said “relating to the tone of music, color, or writing.” Those were my three favorite things, so it felt pretty serendipitous.

From there, I spoke to Tonal Journal’s art director Esther Choi about it and she was in. We spent two years creating our 288-page magazine/artbook hybrid and we’re so incredibly proud of it. It’s here to celebrate women of color and each volume will be based off of a different tone, the first being nude. It’s no nudity, rather, it’s an exploration in skin tones and cultures.

It's a limited edition book series, so our goals are to do eight books and create a series that truly inspires everyone—while pushing the creative and highlighting women of color that we're inspired by.

Your inaugural issue was titled Nude. Walk us through your journey with releasing the issue, and why you choose Nude as the focal point?
Nude is whatever color your skin tone is, and I wanted to really play into those palettes.

There's no nudity, rather it's an exploration of what that tone evokes through photos, videos, topics, and design.

I wanted to make something that made me feel something in the core of my bones. I wanted to create words that really meant something, and I wanted to make a short film that made people really feel something. Nude to me is very emotional, personal, and raw. Other volumes might be more light-hearted, but this one, in particular, is so beautifully emotional to me.

What were some of the challenges in launching the first issue, and how did you navigate through each?
Esther and I both have strong digital backgrounds—but neither one of us had never worked in print full-time. We had to learn every part of the process—which was difficult, but our printer, Edition One Books, was incredible (and Google was our best friend!).

Do you have a second issue in the works?
Yes! It'll be out in Spring 2018—we're announcing the next tone very soon.

Did you know you wanted to be the creator of your own publication?
I knew I wanted to be able to have final say on creative—Esther and I both wanted that.

When you're working for brands or clients, you don't have complete creative control, so I was really craving that. More than anything, I wanted to highlight women of color and create a space for them to be celebrated!

Discuss the importance of paying it forward?
This is huge! I am a firm believer that small actions you make throughout the day can have an impact on those around you. I also believe in doing projects with a purpose and for me, Tonal Journal is rooted in purpose.

If you could give one piece of advice to young individuals around the globe, what would it be and why?
Everyone starts projects, but I recommend finishing them. And just remember, not having time isn't an excuse. We always say Tonal was created between 8pm-4am. That's when we worked on it because we had full-time jobs.

Who are some of your greatest influences?
My mom, my dad, and my brother—we're a tight knit family and they are so inspiring, supportive, and loving.

What does empowerment mean to you?
It means having power over your personal and work life. I feel most empowered when I have a balance of the two. I believe in working very hard, but without family, friends, and love, it doesn't mean a thing to me.

If you could have dinner with any woman in history, dead or alive, who would it be and why?
Michelle Obama! I say this quite a bit, so I'm hoping it will come to fruition!

What/who are you grateful for?
My family, my boyfriend, and my wonderful friends. I'm so thankful to have such a supportive tribe. I've never in my life felt alone, and that's something not many people can say.

Follow Tonal's adventures on their Website or Instagram, and you can shop the issue HERE. To see what Zarna is up to, follow her personal Instagram.

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Laura Choi

Launched in October 2017, Par en Par founder, Laura Choi elevated resort wear in the fashion world with her sustainable fabrics and modern designs that are perfect for on the go traveling.

Name: Laura Choi

Current City: Los Angeles, CA

Hometown: California & New York

Occupation: Designer and Founder, Par en Par

Launched in October 2017, Par en Par founder, Laura Choi elevated resort wear in the fashion world with her sustainable fabrics and modern designs that are perfect for on the go traveling.

Read on to discover how.

In a few sentences, tell us a little bit about yourself?
I grew up in California before heading to the University of Pennsylvania to study marketing and retailing. I interned in buying (one summer at Kohl’s, one summer at Bloomingdale’s). Upon graduation, I started my career in retail in the buying program at Bloomingdale’s, buying and planning in women’s ready-to-wear for four years.

I then moved to launch and operate Warby Parker’s first few retail stores. There, I learned a ton about retail experience design and branding. I left Warby Parker to launch Par en Par, and now operate Par en Par as a sole founder and operator. That means wearing all the hats, from designer to CEO to packaging every order out of my apartment in Los Angeles!

What's the origin story of Par en Par, and what does "doors wide open" mean to you?
After a decade in the retail industry in New York City, I embarked on a two-week solo trip to the desert. I stayed at the artist Andrea Zittel’s retreat, and began my own introspective journey on ‘investigative living.’ Why do I travel? How can I design a life that travel enhances, not escapes me from? What pieces translate between my life in the city, my travels, and everything in between?

The phrase “doors wide open” signals an open-ended journey. For me, the journey is a constant balancing of twos: work and play, time on and time off, relaxation and effort.

Designer: Par en Par Art Direction: Elizabeth Dilk, Garrett Morin Photographer: Alice Gao Stylist: Jessi Frederick Makeup Artist: Justine Sweetman Model: Tricia Akello (Muse) — Designer: Par en Par
Art Direction: Elizabeth Dilk, Garrett Morin
Photographer: Alice Gao
Stylist: Jessi Frederick
Makeup Artist: Justine Sweetman
Model: Tricia Akello (Muse)

I love the idea of bleisure wear, walk us through the thought process?
The concept of a wardrobe that enables both business and leisure travel is interesting to me because it speaks to modern day travel. Especially as an entrepreneur, I try to find both personal and professional fulfillment during travels. I seek inspiration and movement as much as relaxation and stillness. The thought of traveling in athleisure suddenly felt confining and I wanted to define a more fluid wardrobe that translates to every scenario of my travels.

Tell us about the importance of ethically sourcing your materials? Is this something your consumers' value?
I am inspired by the Japanese concept of shibumi, or elegance in simplicity. With nature as an influential part of my travels, I have always been drawn to natural fibers for my travel wear.

For my launch collection, I went to India to source handwoven cotton made by local artisans. Each piece has pockets, is machine washable, and can be worn multiple ways. Being thoughtful with how I consume, source, and create has further connected me with a like-minded community.

Additionally, why did you choose to source from India specifically?
While researching sources of organic cotton, I learned about khadi — a handspun yarn that is hand woven on looms by artisans in rural India. Mahatma Gandhi was a big proponent of this fabric during the nonviolent movement for independence. I came across this fabric in its raw, unbleached state and I thought it was so beautiful. I knew the next step was to go to India to source.

What are your goals for Par en Par moving forward?
My goals are to grow Par en Par to continue to grow slowly and thoughtfully. I want Par en Par to be a brand that has longevity.

Where can we find your clothes in Los Angeles?
I’m currently working on a project local to Los Angeles, to be announced! For now, Par en Par is available at Unionmade Women in San Francisco.

Do you have any other projects/collaborations on the books you'd like the readers to know about?
Par en Par recently launched on Of a Kind. A few other collaborations are in the works but not yet announced.

What does empowerment mean to you?
Empowerment to me means self-respect. I read Joan Didion’s essay On Self-Respect about once a month as a reminder. One earns self-respect through a combination of introspection, hard work and honesty. When I maintain a balance of those three things, I know the confidence I have in myself is a grounded one.

Who are some of your greatest influences?
I draw a lot of creative influence from artists across mediums – architects, film directors, musicians. A recent Nils Frahm performance reminded me of the beauty in simplicity.

What are you grateful for?
As a recent transplant to Los Angeles, I’m grateful for the simple things — time, light, and space. Also, always-ripe avocados.

Do you have a personal mantra or quote that inspires you?
“Practice not-doing
And everything will fall into place.”
– Lao Tzu

Follow Laura’s adventures with Par en Par on her Instagram, Blog and Website.

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Julia Beardwood

Branding guru, Julia Beardwood grew up in a small town with parents from humble beginnings – which she believes is important because a lot of people feel intimidated by success and feel it’s not open to them.

Beardwood in England Photographer: Jonathan Willens — Beardwood in England
Photographer: Jonathan Willens

Name: Julia Beardwood

Current City: Brooklyn, NY

Hometown: Bishop's Stortford, UK

Occupation: Branding Guru

“My grandfather was a miner and had to leave school to go work in the mines to provide for his siblings. After he graduated, he shifted careers to be a police officer,” starts Beardwood. “My other grandfather was a minister. Interested that those two words look so similar – miner and minister.”

Beardwood began in corporate America following university where she worked at P&G, D’Arcy and Landor Associates before leaving at the age of 40 to start her own business Beardwood&Co.. The decision was rooted in the fact that she wanted to take a step back and enjoy time with her children before they leave for college.

Over the last 14 years, Beardwood has grown her company into an empire with 20 employees who work on a wide array of categories, from brand packaging to financial services. She is also a Ernst & Young’s Winning Women award winner and empowers women across all platforms in her day to day life.

Read on to discover more of Beardwood’s journey.

What originally attracted you to the world of design?
Design is art. I loved the idea that we can change the world through art.

After working in Corporate America for some time, you left to pursue a different path and founded Beardwood & Co. along the way. Walk us through your journey as well as the thought process involved?
Corporate America gave me terrific training and a wide network of friends and business contacts, but it is draining to work in an organization where the primary goal is the pursuit of profit.

In 2004, I stepped off the treadmill and onto my own path. I wanted to spend more time with my sons who were 10 and 14, but I quickly discovered that 10 and 14 year-olds don't want to spend a lot more time with their mother!

So, I started doing freelance brand strategy work.

Iman was one of my first clients, as she had just licensed her cosmetic brand to P&G and they wanted a definition of her brand.

At the other extreme was positioning a new infant vaccine for GSK and I've always loved working across a wide spectrum of brands.

A designer friend asked me to help him get more work, so we took the Creative Director at Bath & Body Works out to lunch at Balthazar, and two bottles of wine later, he gave us our first design project. It was to create a personal care line for The Savannah Bee Company, a line of gourmet honey from Georgia. It was a dream project that led to over 100 packaging projects with Bath & Body Works over the next eight years and our expansion into a full strategic and creative agency.

I hired my first full-time employee in 2006, which was a big leap because you responsible for someone else's well-being. It was the best hire I ever made! Sarah Williams started as a Senior Designer and is my partner and Creative Director.

Our other partner, Ryan Lynch, came to us in 2009 and specializes in strategy and innovation.

Together, we have a three-way work marriage that is about as perfect as a three-way relationship can be.

Beardwood Partners Sarah Williams (L), Beardwood (C) & Ryan Lynch (R) — Beardwood Partners
Sarah Williams (L), Beardwood (C) & Ryan Lynch (R)

What are your goals for Beardwood&Co. moving forward?
In a rollercoaster project-based world, we need a broad client base to be able to keep growing.

That's been our focus for the past couple of years, and we've seen our efforts paying off with some great companies to grow with.

I want Beardwood&Co. to be recognized for the success stories – creating for brands who win the Nielsen Design Impact Award two years running is great for our reputation. I'm hoping to make it a hat trick with the Sabra redesign in 2018!

I believe we can double in size and still maintain our culture and rep for being an awesome place to work.

You've worked with a handful of phenomenal brands, do you have a dream collaboration?
We've just started working with an amazing store called Posman Books that brings joy to its customers by curating everything you want and nothing you need.

Their mission is to be the opposite of the internet. It makes me happy every time I walk in their door. I am delighted to be able to help their small brand grow and spread happiness far and wide.

Do you have any other projects on the books you'd like the readers to know about?

We're strengthening our work in digital and ecommerce, and thinking about when and where to open a second office. Possibly out West, either CA or CO. Boulder is an extraordinary hub of entrepreneurship in the world of naturals.

We'd like to be part of that scene.

Eclipse watching in NYC Photographer: Erin Buchanan — Eclipse watching in NYC
Photographer: Erin Buchanan

Outside of design, where do your passions lie?
I love connecting with nature in active ways: hiking, gardening, skiing, horse-riding, sailing.

I love to try out new recipes and share new tastes with the people I love.

Travel gives me energy and my worldview.

Just got back from an amazing trip to Ireland and realized that British schools don't teach Irish history. Shocking!

Egypt is next on my list.

Beardwood in Ireland with oldest friend Photographer: Stav Nicolaides — Beardwood in Ireland with oldest friend
Photographer: Stav Nicolaides

What has been the pit and peak of your week? (pit being a low moment, and peak, a high)
The pit is finding out we haven't won a project we've got excited about.

You have to get fully invested in the brand opportunity to make a powerful pitch and you have to act like you've got the business even if you haven't. So when you don't win, it definitely feels like the pits.

The peak is when we hear from a client that something fantastic has happened as a result of our work. They got national distribution at Whole Foods or WalMart, or their business started to grow again after a downturn.

Ultimately, we're about creating success stories, so that's always gonna be the peak of the week.

Walk us through how you balance your personal and professional life.
Hmm...not sure how balanced my life is. I derive a ton of satisfaction from my work and it's way too easy to do too much of it.

Because I love to travel, I take 6+ weeks vacation each year, but I'm checking email when I'm away.

One of my friends asked recently if I'd retired, just because it seems to them like I'm constantly going places.

When I had children at home, I was obliged to get home before bedtime, but now that they're adults, it's more about making sure I take care of my health, especially going to the gym as often as possible, and making time for friends.

Family Turkey Trot Photographer: Jonathan Willens — Family Turkey Trot
Photographer: Jonathan Willens

Discuss the importance of paying it forward.
When you walk through the door of success, you are obligated to hold the door open for others to walk through.

If you ask me for support, I will support you. But I don't want to limit my influence to people who ask for help.

That's why I serve on the board and give money to CAMBA, a social services agency in Brooklyn that helps low-income people in NYC improve their lives by preventing homelessness, building affordable housing, providing after-school activities and workforce development.

What does empowerment mean to you?
Having the opportunities and the confidence to try things.

You won't necessarily succeed the first time, but so long as you learn from your failures, they're nothing to be afraid of.

If you could give one piece of advice to young individuals around the globe, what would it be and why?
Happiness doesn't come from doing easy things.

You have to do hard things to feel truly accomplished and satisfied with life.

What is the hard thing you're going to do this year?

Who are some of your greatest influences, and why?
My grandmother, Marguerite Waddington, who taught me about being fun and helpful to others.

My mum, Mary Beardwood, who taught me how to care for people and make time for your own passions.

My dad, Mike Beardwood, who taught me irreverence and adventure.

What/who are you grateful for?
OMG, I could write pages on this topic. I'll start with family - my parents who showed me how to be adventurous, my hubby who always takes great care of me, my sons who make me laugh, and the whole extended group of crazy aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews.

I cherish old friends and love to go on hiking trips together so we can catch up and talk about the world.

My work family is pretty phenomenal; they inspire me on a daily basis.

Oh, and I'm endlessly grateful for EY's Entrepreneurial Winning Women program. I was a winner in 2013 and through this program have met some of the bad-ass female business owners; they are my tribe. I went through a health crisis a few years ago, and feel grateful for every day that I'm free to live without health concerns.

What is a quote or personal mantra you choose to live by?
1. Find an opportunity or make one
2. Do the right thing; you know what it is.

Follow Julia Beardwood
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Casha Doemland 8/4/19 Casha Doemland 8/4/19

Cameron Tyme Edison

Self-taught multimedia and visual artist, Cameron Tyme Edison resides in Los Angeles with their partner Wilton James and cat/son named Brock and has been making it weird since '96.

Name: Cameron Tyme Edison

Current City: Los Angeles, California

Hometown: Grand Rapids, Michigan

Occupation: Artist

Self-taught multimedia and visual artist, Cameron Tyme Edison resides in Los Angeles with their partner Wilton James and cat/son named Brock and has been making it weird since '96.

As a multimedia intersectional artist, Edison's work covers painting, sculpture, film, mixed media, performance art, poetry and music.

Read on to discover Edison’s journey to self and how they have kept it authentic and real through life.

What was your life like growing up and at what age did you begin identifying gender-fluid/non-binary queer?
I was born in Michigan but lived in Los Angeles till I was 5/6 years old because my dad is a musician. Though I was young, it gave me a diversified and fabulous, yet innocent peak of the life of an artist. It was weird for me to move to Michigan and have my differences suddenly be frowned upon or misunderstood. It only became more obvious with time.

Growing up I tried to be friends with kids who didn’t give a fuck about being different, but at one point, I did have to change schools because of the way I was being treated by the students and staff. High School was strange because I was one of the only overtly queer art kids trying to own that. I couldn’t date much because the guys I went out with either didn’t understand me or fetishized me. The queer dating pool was slim pickings for sure anyway.

My parents were also much different from other parents from what I could tell. I also I didn’t have religion pushed on me unless you count the artsy-alternative-tattoo-covered-working-class-musician aspect, and I always felt very supported as an artist/queer kid. I generally had a humble, but a very cool and open-minded upbringing. Even though it wasn’t always perfect, my parents do love me and have never tried to make me be anything I fundamentally didn’t want to be, and I’m thankful for that.

Overall, despite trying to radically and openly be myself, I still found myself constantly crushed by labels and how people thought they could define me with them. This was one of the reasons I dropped everything and moved to Los Angeles by myself at 16. I could have a fresh start to be my authentic self as well as pursue my art in a more appropriate environment.

In regards to coming out, I feel like I’ve come out so many times by now; it’s hard to be sure when I officially came out as genderfluid because it was a journey that involved me unboxing why I had been denying the world a big part of myself.

I was taught these misconceptions that made me feel trapped. Supposedly I needed to "hate my body”, have intense dysphoria, and medically transition in some way.

For a long time I’ve been made to feel I wasn’t queer enough or trans/non-binary enough to validate my identity. When I was 13 I came out as bisexual, then later as lesbian, then “maybe I’m trans”, and then “I’m not trans enough”, and oh I’m “Queer/pansexual”, and so on, which I think is a more common journey than we’re lead to believe.

I think words are limiting, and too many people box themselves in and feel trapped. It takes time and experimentation to figure it out, and it can fluctuate over time. Only in the last 2/3 years have I become more open about the fact that my sexuality and gender are simply fluid and flexible entities that are not guided by heteronormative ideas. I still struggle with labeling my experience, but the words I use come close enough for the time being.

Can you explain to the readers what it means to identify as gender-fluid/non-binary queer?
That can be different for everyone. For me, queer is a more accurate term than bisexual because sex and gender aren’t a factor in who I’m attracted to. Queer can be more of an umbrella word for anyone who simply doesn’t identify as heterosexual. As for being gender fluid, it means I could feel like a femme fatale goddess, the hottest boy in school, both/neither, or even something I can’t put into words. The “male or female” binary system simply does not do justice to the vast possibility of someone’s personal gender, but also simultaneously ignores that intersex people exist, and that sex/gender are not naturally binary. Non-binary does not equal androgynous, or vaguely masculine, and clothes or gender expression have nothing to do someone’s gender. Non-binary does not operate within the restrictive and rigid limits of what is considered ”male”, and what is considered “female”.

Basically, for me, it means “fuck these made up rules! I will feel, look, act, fuck, and be how I want to be at any given moment.”

What are your pronouns?
She/He/They. I like when people use whatever feels natural or mix it up. It makes me feel more seen than just using “she”, which is what most tend to do. It’s hard to feel misgendered when you encompass all that is gender.

How do we shift our culture away from entitled curiosity and misunderstanding and move towards empathy?

We must detach ourselves from a need to categorize every single person we meet, and start seeing our common humanity first and foremost. I can’t tell you how many times I could have gone without being asked by a stranger if I was “...a boy or a girl?” This mentality is not just annoying and invasive. It can be dangerous.

People want to know how to treat you based on your gender, but trans/gender non conforming people step outside of traditional gender roles. Some people have physical features that go against subjective concepts of gender under threat of ridicule, assault, and even death. An entitled sense of curiosity can negatively impact marginalized individuals such as people of color, people from different cultural/ethnic backgrounds, people with disabilities, etc. We need to start normalizing and humanizing our vast diversity as a species, while also realizing how much we all have in common. If we start seeing the people around us as fellow multidimensional human beings who are worthy of basic respect, instead of just overly simplified categories and stereotypes, maybe things would be different.

Wilton James (partner) & Cameron Tyme Edison

Next, let’s talk about your phenomenal art. What initially attracted you to the world of art and how would you define your style?
I’ve been doing art for as long as I can remember. My parents started to encourage me at a really young age. My dad always had art magazines and books lying around the house – he loves collecting toys, music, original artwork, tattoos, etc. So it was easy for me to be interested in art, and I’ve always loved doing it. When I was 13, I was at my first art show; it was a surreal and beautiful experience for me. I walked around the gallery exhibiting my work with amazing artists and realized that this is what I was meant to do with my life. Art has always been there for me, and I wanted to put all my heart into it.

My style is really defined by my line quality and sense of color. This developed naturally through many years of using a completely free-hand approach to ink drawings and is influenced by my experience with having color synesthesia (i.e. I experience vivid color projections, and intense associations of color with many different forms of stimuli like people, numbers, concepts, music, etc). My art is created in a stream of consciousness, can be symbolic, and is deeply influenced by my inner world interacting with the outer world. If I had to put my style into art terms I would define it as stark pop surrealism/expressionism.

Do you have a preferred medium you like to work with?
I dabble in many mediums, but I do have mediums I utilise more than others. I definitely love doing freehand ink illustrations, watercolor, and acrylic paintings, but more recently have been doing a lot of digital art as well. I see mediums as tools more than an extension of self so I love exploring new mediums.

How does the world around you and the individuals who inhabit it fuel your creativity?
I’ve surrounded myself with the love and life I’ve always wanted and needed. I’ve chosen the city I want to live in. I’ve found the people I want to be around, and I work with people who take me as I am. I have stopped accepting anything less than that.

As a natural introvert and freelance artist in LA, I’m grateful to have a cozy and magical home that’s decorated in a lot of art, creative alters, and toys, with a partner whom I feel sees and understand me fully as I am, (he is also queer poly and non-binary musician/artist).

Having a peaceful little world where I can be completely me, helps me thrive - especially creatively. I’ve been through many rough patches and have lived and worked and places that have been emotionally burdensome. I know there’s this myth about artists thriving when they are depressed, but let me tell you right now, artists thrive when they are loved, supported, and cared for just like everyone else.

When I’m depressed, I’m lucky if I can squeeze a drawing out without balling up on the floor. I often have an overly negative outlook on whatever I do manage to make when I’m depressed. Creativity is a part of me that’s never gonna go away rain or shine, and can be a great way to work through the hard times, but I know I’m better off when I’m thriving in every way.

If you could give one piece of advice to young individuals around the globe, what would it be and why?

Don’t let labels and the expectations of others dictate what and who you’re supposed to be or what your life should be like.

Don’t let anyone stop you from being your most authentic self.

Everyone’s journey is different and doesn’t have to look a certain way. Just follow your heart, have confidence that it will lead you to the life you want for yourself, and the person you are meant to be whether you know what that looks like, or not.

Discuss the importance of paying it forward.
Being kind, generous, and paying it forward, are generally good things that everyone should do without expecting a payout. You can feel good about contributing to the good of the world. I can say from experience that energy keeps flowing and helps us more than we can conceive of at times. It can come back to you in ways you would never expect. I remember someone once saying that “movies about time travel depict people worrying about how doing something tiny in the past could drastically change the timeline of the future, but no one ever applies that to the present.” Our life is filled with endless choices and possible futures. Paying it forward in the present can help you stay on a path to a brighter future. Whether it’s all in your head or happening on a quantum level, you will certainly attract more positive energy into your life if you put positive energy into the world around you.

Who are some of your greatest influences and why?
Hm, hard question, the first person who comes to mind is Frida Kahlo. She hated being defined as a surrealist because her work reflected her reality, and my work also has a lot of self-reflection and expression. She wasn’t taken as seriously as her famous husband Diego Rivera but did not let it phase her (and now she is arguably more recognized and celebrated). She was a self-taught artist, who was a disabled, super queer, and a gender non-conforming communist. For me, it’s just hard to think of someone more ‘badass and inspiring than her right now.

However, I do feel sickened by the whitewashed commodification of her image and erasure of her queerness and disability. I know history has done this to many people, and I’m determined to live as loudly and as honest as possible so no one can have the chance to erase me (hopefully).

What/who are you grateful for?
I’m grateful for a family who has always accepted me as an artist and big old queer/gender chaos machine. Despite being poor, they helped me realize my dream of pursuing art (it meant moving across the country at 16). I’m grateful for my partner and my chosen family members for being the love, light, and inspiration I always hoped to find in the world when I was younger. Most of all I’m grateful for me because I have always tried my best to follow my heart and be true to myself in a society trying to convince me to do the opposite. If I did not listen to myself and had not been brave regardless of how scared I was, I wouldn’t have learned to love myself as I am and set that as a standard for those around me. I would not be where I am today without faith in myself.

What does empowerment mean to you?
Empowerment can come in many different forms. Giving someone the language that reflects how they feel can show them that they are not alone. Being a part of a community with resources, opportunity, tolerance, permission to love yourself is empowerment. Whatever you need to help you harness the power inside you, despite society’s oppression is empowerment.

Do you have a personal mantra or quote that inspires you?
“Whatever you do, the only secret is to believe in it and satisfy yourself. Don’t do it for anyone else.” (Keith Haring)

FOLLOW CAMERON ON

Website: CameronTymeEdison.com

Instagram: @CameronTyme

Facebook: @TheArtCameronTyme

Casha Doemland 8/4/19 Casha Doemland 8/4/19

Ann Shen

Ann Shen has been dreaming up stories since childhood and has worked with a handful of publications and brands. Her first book, Bad Girls Throughout History hit the shelves September 2016 and there's another on the way.

Name: Ann Shen

Current City: Los Angeles, CA

Hometown: Orange, CA

Occupation: Illustrator, author, designer.

Los Angeles-based illustrator, author and designer, Ann Shen has been dreaming up stories since childhood. A graduate of UCSD and Art Center College of Design, she's worked with a handful of publications and brands. Her first book, Bad Girls Throughout History hit the shelves September 2016 and there's another on the way.

Read on to discover more about Ann's journey.

In a few sentences, tell us a little bit about yourself?
I’m Ann, and I’m an illustrator, author, and designer based in Los Angeles, California. I was born and raised in southern California, where I spent most of my time writing novels and dreaming up stories. I went to UCSD and graduated with a degree in Writing and Photography, then moved up to LA where I worked for a few years at non-profits like 826LA and Planned Parenthood. In 2008, feeling stuck and realizing that I was spending all my time reading design blogs, I took my first figure drawing class. I fell in love and decided I was going to go to art school for a second degree. I started building my portfolio and planned to keep on applying until I was accepted. However, I got into Art Center College of Design my first try and studied Illustration Design there. After graduating from art school, I worked in-house as a graphic designer for places like FIDM and Mattel before striking it on my own three years later. I got my first book deal just a few months after taking that leap, and have had the honor of working with clients like Disney, Facebook, The New York Times, Papyrus, and many more. My first book, Bad Girls Throughout History, was released September 2016, and my second title, Legendary Ladies, will be coming out April 3.

What attracted you to the world of illustration and lettering and how would you describe your style?
The moment I learned about people who illustrated commercial art for a living, I knew that was what I wanted to do. I knew that someone had to make all the patterns on clothes, candles, home goods, and all the art we see in advertising and media – I just didn’t connect the dots yet. It wasn’t until I started reading design blogs and meeting art students at CalArts, where my husband was going to school at the time, that I realized art could be a career. I’d describe my style as whimsical, colorful, and thoughtful.

You've worked with a handful of great companies/publications like The New York Times, HarperCollins and Disney. Do you have a dream collaboration?
I have so many dream collaborations – Target is a major one right now. Also Starbucks, Kate Spade, and Anthropologie (again).

Bad Girls Throughout History is your first book (congratulations!), we'd love to have you reflect a bit on what that process was like—from R+D to the books hitting the shelves. What were the highlights and speed bumps along the way?
Thank you! I created Bad Girls Throughout History while I was in art school seven years ago; it was for a very open-ended project where the only parameter was to make an edition of ten. So I decided to make a zine about something I was really passionate about – which were females who have broken the rules and did things their own way. I was feeling so lost and trapped by all the trends and tastes of the male-dominated teaching staff and illustration industry, and I wanted role models of women who had done things their own way. I read an article about Ada Lovelace and was so fascinated to learn that she was the first computer programmer – not first female, but first. I also loved reading about her salacious personal life; it was a lightbulb moment that all these incredible women all started off just like us. Flawed, complex, and insecure. So the project was born to seek out more bad girls like her, the females who dared to defy expectations and be the first to do something different – despite all their shortcomings and oppression.

A speed bump, in the beginning, was during my senior review: the project was not well-received by my teachers at all. They just tossed it aside and said it “didn’t make sense”. That was a moment when I realized I didn’t care anymore what they thought. For the next five years, I’d work on it in my spare time – making a second volume, sending it out to design blogs, taking it to craft fairs, zine fests, etc. Matt Groening actually bought both volumes when it was a zine and gave me great encouragement on it, another highlight!

One day, my literary agent spotted it on a blog I didn’t even know it was featured on and reached out to see if I was interested in turning it into a book. That was a huge turning point for me – finding someone else who understood the importance of this project and ready to help take it to the next level. We hit it off, and I worked on a book proposal with her for the next few months before sending it out. At the time of the proposal, there were no comparable titles and people either got it or didn’t get it. After we sent out it, I was prepared to wait for months – but the next day, we already had editors who wanted to talk. It was an incredible experience, speaking with so many editors who were interested in the book and totally understood my vision – something that I really struggled to garner all those years.

Another highlight was working with my team at Chronicle Books and finding a group of talented people who really supported me and my books. I was given a really aggressive timeline because once they made an offer on the book, they wanted it out ASAP – and so did I! So the research and writing of the book was done very intensely – in about four months when there had been no written content at all. Then I had an additional two months to paint 80 new portraits – we wanted the book to feel like a rich new edition beyond the zines. They really trusted me with my vision and work, and I valued our relationship because they gave me great feedback, but also always considered what I wanted.

Of course, one of the greatest highlights now is all the readers who write me about how the book has inspired them or tag me in pictures of their young kids falling asleep with the book in their beds! It’s grown beyond my wildest dreams, and I only hope it reaches more people who need it.

Do you have any other projects/exhibits/collabs on the books you'd like the readers to know about?
My second book, Legendary Ladies: 50 Goddesses to Empower and Inspire You, is coming out on April 3rd, also published by Chronicle Books. I’ll also be at Disney’s Wonderground Gallery as their Artist in Residence for the month of April.

Cover of Legendary Ladies is courtesy of Chronicle Books

As a talented and successful illustrator, author and letterer, what's one nugget of wisdom you can offer to fellow visionaries and artists around the world?
Believe in yourself. I know that this may seem super trite, but it’s honestly the most important thing you can do because at the end of the day, you have to believe in your ability to pursue your dreams. You are the only one who needs to, too – and sometimes it may even feel like that.

Say money and time were not a factor, what career would you pursue/how would spend your days?
I’m very fortunate to say that I’d be doing a lot of the same things – painting, writing books and being creative. I’d probably also spend more time traveling. I love traveling because it’s so heart-opening – and devote time to becoming really excellent at cooking and playing music. I’d also love to buy and redesign a cabin in the woods.

Discuss the importance of female friendships in your life.
All my friendships are very important to me. I have great friends who are male and female and are different balances of masculinity and femininity. It’s valuable to be seen and heard, and I’m very fortunate to have good friends who hold space for me and for whom I can do the same. It’s a privilege to be entrusted with the care and well-being of another person, and I respect that honor by loving my friends very fiercely and loyally – I’m a Scorpio. I’m very observant and have a close inner circle of true friends who have given me incredible support, empathy, and guidance through many great and difficult times in my life. The older I get, the more I realize how rare it is to find true friends. Friends truly are the family you get to choose, and I want to only be around people who elevate me and inspire me to be my best self – and for whom I can do the same. Like Rumi says, “Set your life on fire. Seek those who fan your flames.”

Who are some of your greatest influences?
Some of the greatest influences on my work include Mary Blair, Eyvind Earle, Alice and Martin Provensen, Freddie Moore, Rene Gruau, and the list goes on… A few of my greatest influences professionally speaking, as in how they poise themselves and their work in the world, include Mindy Kaling, Beyoncé, and Oprah.

If you could have dinner with any woman in history, dead or alive, who would it be and why?
My great great grandmother. It would be so fascinating for me to meet a woman I’ve never met before but is responsible for my existence. I’d love to know what her life was like, what she cared about, what her dreams were, and what she would think about everything now. I saw Ava Duvernay wearing a shirt that said “I am my ancestors’ wildest dreams” and it has stuck with me ever since.

What are you grateful for?
I’m so grateful for the people in my life and our relationships – with my husband Ryan, my friends, my family and the amazing people I get to work with professionally. Good people make my life meaningful and a pleasure.

Do you have a personal mantra or quote that inspires you?
Stay hungry, stay humble. Make good work and be good to work with. And always be the hardest worker in the room.

Discover more of Ann's world via Instagram, Twitter, Facebook and her Website.

Casha Doemland 8/4/19 Casha Doemland 8/4/19

Cailey Elle

Cailey Elle made the initial leap into silversmithing back in 2013 when she uprooted her New York lifestyle to study her craft in Nevada. Over the last five years, she's continued to hone in on jewelry and has launched Sage & Brass Adornments and opened up Sage & Brass Shop in Portland, Oregon.

Name: Cailey Elle

Current City: Portland, Oregon

Hometown: Saratoga Springs, New York

Occupation: Jeweler and Business Owner of Sage & Brass Adornments.

New York-bred and Oregon-based jewelry designer, Cailey Elle made the initial leap into silversmithing back in 2013 when she uprooted her New York lifestyle to study her craft in Nevada. Over the last five years, she's continued to hone in on jewelry and has launched Sage & Brass Adornments and opened up Sage & Brass Shop in Portland, Oregon. Cailey often finds inspiration for the pieces she creates from her feelings/past memories, traveling and the universe – all of which is reflected in her exquisite pieces.

Read on to learn more about her journey with Sage & Brass.

In a few sentences, tell us a little bit about yourself?
These are always the hardest questions for me to answer. First, I'm a very emotionally driven person. Everything I create is based on a feeling – my work reflects my chaotic artistic brain. You will notice the aesthetic expressed is always evolving with my current moon. When I look back at my work, it evokes all these feelings of nostalgia and what I was going through in my life at the time – much like my adorned body through tattooing. When I was 6, I had a very traumatic experience where I was bitten in the face by a dog. I had emergency reconstructive surgery on the bottom half of my face for 7-hours while I was awake. 22 years later, I still struggle with debilitating anxiety and creating art is the one thing that switches it off.

What's the origin story of Sage & Brass?
Sage and Brass started as a fun little DIY project back in 2012. I loved thrifting and was constantly treasure hunting through the antique malls and all throughout the Hudson Valley region of New York. I started with a crystal and brass chain necklace, after a while, it became limiting for me to "fit pieces together". I wanted to learn how to manipulate metals. In late 2013, I moved from my forever home in New York to Nevada to begin learning about native silversmithing techniques.

Where do you find the inspiration for your jewelry?
Traveling for sure. The Southwest and Traditional silversmithing probably hold the deepest roots in all of my collections because that's where I really started my journey. When I first got into silversmithing, I was mentored by an elder Navajo man named Chief while living in Nevada. From there I moved to LA and mentored under a former GIA instructor from South Africa. He taught me a lot about working in wax and stone setting techniques. I try to use techniques from all of my teachers and lessons and then elevate them in my own way. I take what I learned in a very traditional sense and incorporate it with my love for the sky, the stars and celestial events. I felt a huge shift this year directly after experiencing the eclipse. It was so powerful in guiding me to new ideas and eventually became my new logo.

What are some of the favorite pieces you created?
One of my absolute favorites has to be the Squash Blossom Necklace I made when I first started silversmithing. One thing you will find about me is that I am very unintimidated by taking risks with my work. In this particular case, I really wanted to own a squash blossom but definitely couldn’t afford to spend $1000+ on my own. Over time I worked part-time as a bartender in LA to get the stones, silver, chains and beads to make my own. The result was this huge piece that I ended up selling for $2500 a month later. I remember sobbing at the fact that someone invested in me like that. This was probably when I really started taking myself seriously.

Photo & jewelry courtesy of @sageandbrass

What's your dream collaboration?
I would love, love, love to design a collection for Gucci. I love what they have been doing lately and I'm incredibly inspired by their eccentric and brave designs. I also love that they are a huge, mainstream name in the fashion industry that isn't afraid of taking bold risks and creating pieces without the idea of pleasing people. It feels so authentic and true to their vision regardless of what the response may be.

Do you have any other projects/collaborations on the books you'd like the readers to know about?
I have some really exciting projects in the works right now to expand the brand. I am exploring new avenues in graphic design and apparel design. There's a lot of exciting projects in the works but I’m keeping them a secret. I can tell you that I am working hard to make S&B accessible to every budget. That's my current focus, to not be so exclusive.

When you're not creating jewelry, how do you spend your free time?
If I’m not creating jewelry, I'm usually focusing on one of the many different aspects of running a growing business i.e. emails, social media, photo shoots, buying trips. It's really an extra, extra full-time job that I dedicate about 85% of my time to. Otherwise, I’m usually hanging with my two french bulldogs and boyfriend Alex. I'm a total homebody.

If you could offer one piece of advice to women around the world, what would it be and why?
I think some women feel like they are expected to fall into certain roles instead of chasing their dreams. Don’t rush into settling for what society expects of you. Now is such an important time for women to take charge.

Discuss the importance of female friendships in your life.
Female friendships are a really unique type of relationship. There are a lot more emotion and closeness associated with them. Female friendships are a unique and special bond because you are literally in one another's lives purely out of wanting to be - unlike sibling relationships where you have an element of a family tie or a romantic relationship where maybe you share responsibilities or commitment. There's no contract amongst friends. No binding agreements. It's purely the desire to have each other around. It's pretty special and I cherish my best girlfriends so much.

Who are some of your greatest influences?
I feel like its always changing but I really try to look toward people who are where I want to be. Many of these women are older and wiser. Some modern influences are Elsa Peretti, a jewelry designer for Tiffany & Co., philanthropist and in her early life, a fashion model. She brought something to Tiffany's that was so unique and true to her style. Also Diane Von Furstenberg. Her journey to becoming a celebrated and recognized designer is almost parallel to mine. She began with one single style wrap dress, asked too many questions, moved to another country to follow her dreams, and is now on the top of Forbes’ list of most powerful women in the world. She reminds me to have patience and trust in the process.

If you could have dinner with any woman in history, dead or alive, who would it be and why?
Iris Apfel. Iris is currently 96 years old and is one of the most iconic and unique people I’ve ever had the pleasure of learning about. She is best known in the fashion world for her eccentric style and insanely beautiful layers of accessories no matter where she goes. She believes that having style is more important than being “pretty”. She has a lifetime full of wisdom and I'd love to hear her exceptional advice for someone at this stage in my life.

My favorite quote by her is: "There is really no substitute for experience. You must have experience and be open to experience — that helps. That helps a lot. Most importantly, you have to be yourself, be who you are and take time to be open and honest with yourself. That is what it's all about. If you don't know yourself, you'll never have great style. You'll never really live. To me, the worst fashion faux pas is to look in the mirror, and not see yourself."

What are you grateful for?
To put it simply- I'm grateful to be alive, healthy, and in a country where, as a woman, I have the freedom and ability to chase my dreams. I'm grateful every time I get an order, even now. Some days the tears rush in because I think “holy sh*t, how did I get here? I did this? People care about this?” I'm just so humbled by the support.

Do you have a personal mantra or quote that inspires you?
I have a couple that come to mind right now:

“It's good to be gracious. But you don’t have to be overly grateful because you’ve earned your place. It's not a gift. You worked for it." - Roxane Gay

“You should never be finished. You should never be done. For me, I know I’m only as good as my last show.” -Kate Berlant

To follow Cailey 's journey, check out her Website and Instagram.

Casha Doemland 8/4/19 Casha Doemland 8/4/19

Myah Hollis

Myah is the founder and editor-in-chief of Holli Baker, as well as screenwriter & lifestyle blogger based in Los Angeles, CA.

Name: Myah Hollis

Current City: Los Angeles, CA

Hometown: Philadelphia, PA

Occupation: Writer, Founder of Holli Baker and Co-Founder of Pretty Thing

Myah is the founder and editor-in-chief of Holli Baker, as well as screenwriter & lifestyle blogger based in Los Angeles, CA. Combining her love for the arts and her passion for holistic living, she established Holli Baker during her senior year at Temple University in 2012. After that, Hollis created the series Or Die Trying and the co-founded Pretty Thing, a female-driven production company. She is also an aerialist, having recently partnered with Athleta for their 2018 campaign.

Between founding Holli Baker, co-founding Pretty Thing and creating Or Die Trying, you're the true definition of a slasher. Let's start by diving into Holli Baker, a millennial lifestyle and wellness brand devoted to finding the balance between life and art. How has it grown over the last 5 to 6 years and what are your goals for it going forward?
The site has intention now, in a way that it didn't when I first started it. It originated as a college project and became a creative outlet for me, but it wasn't until the end of 2016 that I really cultivated a voice and a brand that I felt represented me completely. The name Holli Baker is a combination of my parents' last names, so the branding feels very personal now, given that creativity and wellness are the two halves of what I believe to be my purpose. Moving forward, I want to continue to grow and collaborate with other creatives and people in the wellness space. I want to bring on more writers with different perspectives, and make this a space that feels nurturing and inclusive.

Next, you created Or Die Trying, a series about women in film, by women in film. Can you tell us more about the project?
Or Die Trying is the story of four millennial women trying to find a sense of balance between their personal and professional lives, while living and working in LA. The show was written, produced and directed by women, with a mostly female cast and crew. We shot season one in 5 days, with less than $15k. I still don't even understand how it came together, but I'm so proud of it and proud of my team. We premiered season one in 2017 at The Academy, which was a surreal experience.

ODT premiere. Photo courtesy of Roy Nelson — ODT premiere.
Photo courtesy of Roy Nelson

How has working with these women inspired you?
With ODT being the first project I produced, it set a precedent for what I should expect from a set and a crew. I don't know anything other than working in a space that is overwhelmingly female, and the dynamic was magical. I don't think I'd tolerate anything less, to be honest. It was empowering, and not just for the women on set, because everyone knew that each person felt like they belonged there and that their voice was being heard. It made it an incredibly collaborative space. I couldn't have been more in awe of my team.

Lastly, you co-founded Pretty Thing, a female production company launching this year. We'd love to have you reflect a bit on what that process was like? What were the highlights and speed bumps along the way?
Founding Pretty Thing was a strangely spiritual experience. My business partner and I had all of these responsible and reasonable plans because starting a company is terrifying and you want to make sure you're doing it properly. We wanted to be prepared, but it became a test of faith, courage and obedience. Everything in life seemed to be conspiring for us to do this sooner than we planned, and even though the choice to make that leap was hard, it's paid off more than we could have imagined. We couldn't have foreseen how well things would work out, but that's God for you. Everything seems to have fallen into alignment this year.

Do you have any other projects/collaborations on the books you'd like the readers to know about?
Things are constantly happening with Pretty Thing and Holli Baker. We have a ton of projects planned for this year, so stay tuned.

Walk us through how you balance your personal and professional life.
Balance is so key for me, primarily because I went through a period last fall when I was really off balance. I was so exhausted and felt so helpless about it that now I know what my threshold is, and I'm careful not to cross it again. I've disabled all notifications on my phone so that I don't feel the need to be constantly plugged in. I have a daily ritual I follow that keeps me grounded and focused on what I want and what makes me happy. I'm more mindful of what I'm investing my time in and who I'm spending my time with. For me, it's become about recognizing when I don't feel right and prioritizing the things that I need to prioritize to feel okay again.

Where is your favorite place to escape and clear your head?
I love my home. I'm very introverted, so I've spent a lot of time making sure that my apartment feels restorative. The outside world is chaotic, and that's to be expected, but my space needs to be calm with good energy. I'm really protective of that.

Discuss the importance of female friendships in your life.
I'm very intentional about the people in my life. True and authentic friendship is something that took me a long time to find, so it's very special to me. My friends are an extension of myself. They're like body parts; I don't really know how I'd function without them now. My best friends are scattered across the country and I don't always get to see or speak to them often, but there are few things in life that I am as sure about as I am about them.

Who are some of your greatest influences?
I have people who I look up to professionally, who I've learned from and who have contributed to the person that I am now and the person that I want to be, but my greatest influences are my parents. I can trace every good thing in my life back to them. People come into your life and they leave pieces of themselves with you. I'm partially comprised of those pieces, and thankful for each one, but my parents are the foundation on which they are stacked. It's a really solid foundation. I don't know what I'd do without them.

If you could have dinner with any woman in history, dead or alive, who would it be and why?
I'd have a dinner party. Shonda Rhimes would bring wine and tell us what it's like to have invented television. Oprah would bring fresh produce from her garden, and allow us to try to absorb some of her Oprah-ness. Gwyneth Paltrow would juice the fruit from Oprah's garden, and teach us how to be our best physical and emotional selves. Chrissy Teigen would cook foods that would make me abandon my vegetarianism. It's a vibe.

What are you grateful for?
I'm grateful for peace. I'm in a very peaceful place right now, and I can appreciate that because my twenties have been so turbulent. I've started keeping a gratitude journal, and through that, I've become even more aware of all of the things I have to be grateful for. I think that's really necessary because it's easy to forget.

Do you have a personal mantra or quote that inspires you?
“Do what you love.”
I have this quote tattooed on my wrist. I think that, along with being a good person, is really the most important thing you can do.

To follow Myah's journey with Holli Baker, check her Instagram, Website, Facebook Page and YouTube Channel.
To catch updates on her other projects, hit the links: Pretty Things Studios and Or Die Trying.