Tag: #A4A

Melissa Falconer- Lost Kings ~ Q&A

Post author By PLUG
Post date June 22, 2016
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Name: Melissa Falconer

IG: @melissafalconer

Age: 22

Sign: Aquarius

Craft(s): Visual Art/Painting

How did you get started doing art?

I’ve always been into art as a kid. I was constantly drawing in my spare time, just in my personal sketch books and stuff like that. Whenever I saw something that I liked, I would always try and draw it or make it myself. But I actually didn’t start painting until about 2 years ago. I wanted to make something personal for my mom for mother’s day, so I randomly decided to paint her portrait. It turned out pretty good so I started painting my friends as gifts, and they liked them a lot, I just kept doing it. I eventually decided to start painting every day and see where it would take me, and here I am.2. Does your ethnicity/Culture play a part in your art?

Definitely. My art is heavily based in pop culture and black culture. I like to think of my art as a representation of my life as a modern black woman. I just paint what I know, what matters to me, aspects of who I am, which includes my ethnicity and culture. And that’s my main inspiration for most of my pieces.

Who was your favorite commission?

My favourite piece is my “Lost Kings” piece of Mike Brown and Freddie Gray. This painting was the first piece I ever made that actually had something meaningful behind it. It wasn’t just another portrait of a celebrity or something, but it represented a struggle of my culture, what it means to me, and how I want to express it. So it was definitely the beginning of how I was starting to define myself as an artist. This piece also marked the beginning of when I started to get noticed and gain exposure online as it quickly became one of my most shared paintings. So I’m definitely proud of that.

How Does fashion and style influence your art?

I get a lot of my inspiration from fashion bloggers that I see on Tumblr and Instagram. I’ll just be scrolling through my feed and if I see something that I like or that I identify with, I’ll often save it as a reference for a future piece. I’ve even had the opportunity to work on a collab with a local fashion blogger “Reney Fresh”. We did a whole photoshoot together and I made a piece based on the shoot. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VUtPwQLrSY4)

Who is in your music rotation rite now?

I’m a huge Drake fan, so I’m always bumping
Drake. But I also really like the Weeknd, Tory Lanez, Kendrick and Kanye right now. I love Dancehall too so Vybz Kartel, Popcaan, Mavado, Alkaline, and Demarco.

If you could work with anyone dead or alive who would it be?

Definitely Andy Warhol. My style is really inspired by his, and I love the way he expressed pop culture through his art. I feel like I could learn a lot from him about pop art.

How did you develop your artistic style?

When I first started, I actually made my art by using stencils, cutting them out, and painting in the shapes with black paint. Then I started to add more colours, but still using stencils. After a lot more practice, I figured out how to make my own style without stencils, and just by drawing it out on the canvas. Then my use of colours and technique developed overtime to what it is today.

Can you recommend 5 artists that most people wouldn’t know about?

Markus Prime, Rob Regis, SemiSkimmedMin, Madam Muse, and Justice Dwight.

What does Isaiah 54:17 mean to you and does that message translate through your art.

This verse is one of my favourites in the Bible. In short, it basically says that anything that comes against you won’t prosper if you’re a child of God. As a Christian, it’s just a reminder for me that as I go through this journey of trying to become a successful artist that I can overcome any obstacles that I encounter and that, at the end of the day, I shouldn’t stress because God will fight my battles for me.

What’s one thing you can’t live without?

That’s a hard one, but I’d probably say Instagram. I’m low key addicted to Instagram and it’s definitely the most used app on my phone.

Tags #A4A, #AreYouConnected, #CoolConcious, #EmpowertheIndividual, #Innerspace, #TheOutletNetwork, #WhoisPLUG, art, design, lost kings, melissa falconer

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A Father’s Day Feature with Soncier

Post author By PLUG
Post date June 19, 2016
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Soncier is a brewing hip-hop artist from Washington, D.C. with a lot of passion and promise. We’ve had the pleasure of working closely with him on multiple occasions and it didn’t take us very long to fall in love with his unique style. A ‘conscious artist,’ all of Soncier’s music seeks to elevate, encourage, and empathize with listeners. His song “K.I.D.S” is the perfect song today for all the young fathers out here trying to do right by their kids.

Watch the music video for it and read our Q&A with him below

Where did the inspiration for your song “K.I.D.S” come from?

Well, I was inspired by some of active dads that are in my circle. They take care of their children with dignity and I felt as though they needed a record to represent them. There are a lot of single mother songs on the market , but the colored man’s image has been tarnished and made a mockery.

Therefore, it was only right for me to restore it with K.I.D.S.

Do you have any encouraging words for the father’s all across the world today?

Yes , keep believing in yourself. Do not let the machine dictate to you what a man is suppose to be. I’m going to always support the genuine strong men on our planet.

Just when you think no one notices, I will make it my duty to uplift our men of color. Love your kids and do right by your family, by any means necessary.

How do you feel about the ‘conscious artist’ label?

I don’t mind the label at all. Even when I write a R&b or pop fusion kind of song , there is always a conscious message Hidden. For example, my record ” I Need A Condom” is pop. However, the message is clear with blatant delivery and melodic emphasis. The new conscious is now what I like to call ” Conscious Pop.”

Do you feel a moral responsibility to educate through your art?

Yes , I do feel as though I need to educate but not in a forceful way. I have to be mindful of the machine that dictates the product that is released to the masses. I know that music isn’t the only way to educate. Therefore, I will always hold myself accountable to provide enlightenment through other methods . Methods I won’t care to disclose at this time!

Stay tuned to keep up with this young budding artist and follow him on Twitter and Instagram @Soncierthehero for all the latest updates.

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Da.Photo – D’Angelo Andrews ~ Q&A

Post author By PLUG
Post date June 18, 2016
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Name: D’Angelo Andrews “Lo”

Twitter: @Lo_2Tha_Lo

IG: @_da.photos

Age: 25

Sign: Scorpio

Craft(s): Self-Proclaimed Photographer

When did you realize you were interested in art?

I’ve been interested in photography since the age of 15.

How do you find beauty in a ugly world?

My studies in photography have shaped that mindset, I’ve learned that depending on the lighting and angle at which you view something it can be made to seem dynamic even if it’s something as mundane as an empty can on the street. In my opinion everything that exists has the potential to be “beautiful” you just have to look for it and in some instances the beauty of something will be widely agreed on and some instances it wont.

What Influences you and where do you get your inspiration?

My desire to be and do better is what I would say influences me, as far as my inspiration it comes from all over. I draw inspiration from other artists, nature, ordinary people, etc.

4. Who is one person you dream of shooting with?

Cocaine Lorraine (@lorraine_sd) as a model and Shamayim (@shamayim) as a photographer.

Who are your top 5 favorite artists?

I don’t really have a top 5, I try not to rank the artists who I like and there are so many talented artists. Side note I try to keep my admiration to peoples art and not them if I don’t know them personally.

What differentiates you from different artist?

In my opinion all artists are different but my willingness to create is what helps me stand out. I don’t constrict myself with budgets or who stands to gain from the creation of the work and things of that nature.