All posts tagged Artist

D1ME (DJ SET BY NEO SOUL ARTIST DWELE)

by Mark on July 22, 2011 in Local

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This Saturday, July 23rd will be another great installment of D1ME at The Pagoda. The last time I was at The Pagoda, the mood was as vibrant and the crowd that gathered there to enjoy a great ending to a busy work week. It was the perfect opportunity to have a few drinks and signal the beginning to a relaxing weekend. The combination of great music, a beautiful crowd and DJs that knew how to connect with their audience equalled a perfect balance.This Saturday the music will be provided by an amazing DJ set done by Neo-Soul Artist, Dwele. Dwele has a background of stunning collaborations with artist like Slum Village, Kanye West and his love for Miles Davis makes for a great blend of Hip-Hop, Jazz and unpredictability. All this guarantees a night with future nostalgic memories or drunken moments surrounded with a great soundtrack.

LIMITED EARLY PRE-SALES for ONLY $7
HERE: https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/188644

For a special edition run, we bring to the decks none other than,

DWELE (Detroit)+ D1ME residents
S I G – O, T H E C. M. E.”, S M O O V G R O O V S, & C H A T O S 1013http://www.smoovgroovs.com/
http://www.sigobeats.com/

21 + Dress your Best
The Pagoda inside The Fairmont Hotel
Downtown San José, Ca 95113

Early Arrival is suggested….

Drink Specials All Night Long

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Designer Profile- Lex Designs

by Hasti Kashfia on June 3, 2011 in Fashion

Many of you have given us great feedback about the DYI blogs from Lex Designs and her easy to follow tutorials. I thought maybe it was time that you met the woman behind it all! I personally am very fond of Lex and her designs and see her making it big! I admire her as a woman, Mom, and artist. She did a great job writing about why she does what she does and who she is:

“First and foremost, I’m a stay at home mother to three beautiful daughters and have been married for eight years to my elementary school sweetheart. I could stop at that and be completely satisfied.

I didn’t go to design school, or have any lifelong dreams of doing this. It happened a little more accidentally. A few years ago I began sewing small things for my daughters, like baby blankets. It slowly progressed to clothing for them and then on to clothing for me. I found myself horrible at patterns and only truly happy when making my own designs. And now here I am. I create my own designs for women’s clothing and accessories and currently all my items are hand sewn by me. It’s the best accident that ever happened to me.

My designs reflect functionality. I love versatile pieces that can be dressed up and down, multi-layered and have an element of comfort and sophistication. I love to designs pieces that are timeless and classic- that you could wear years from now and still look and feel great.
I love designing and sewing and am so grateful to be able to do what I love doing. I love fashion and style and expressing yourself through your dress. With it all, remember that it’s not the stuff that you have or wear that makes life important. In the end what we have or own doesn’t matter. What matters is our hearts and the way we love.

You don’t need money, status or influence to create something of beauty or substance. You need heart.”

These are some of my favorite designs from Lex Designs. If something catches your eye make sure you visit her Etsy shop!

Asal – Makeup Artist

by Hasti Kashfia on May 27, 2011 in Beauty, Health & Beauty, Local

Like a lot of women out there, I have always wanted to get all “dolled up” and have a professional photo shoot. A few weeks ago, I had the opportunity to do this. I have admired the work of Asal Makeup Artist for some time. A Bay Area local, Asal has worked with celebrities, done editorial shoots and fashion shows, and made even the every day woman look and feel glamorous.

The day of the photo shoot, I was not exactly sure what to expect. I had never really had my makeup done or been part of a photo shoot. Asal did an excellent job of listening to how I wanted my make-up done, and knew exactly which colors and make-up techniques would highlight my attributes. I typically do not like wearing very much make-up, and didn’t want my photos to look like someone else. Making a little go a long way, Asal made me look flawless without it looking like I was wearing very much make-up. I was so impressed by the results.

For the last few months, I have been growing out my eyebrows after over-plucking them myself. Asal has the most spectacular eyebrows, and I had to ask where she got her done. Luckily for me, she does her eyebrows herself. She gave my eyebrows an amazing shape that had me saying–”Anastasia, who?” I don’t think many people realize the significant impact your eyebrows have on your appearance. I couldn’t help looking in the mirror over and over again just to see my new eyebrows.

After that, Asal fixed my hair, giving my flat hair volume and style. I was then ready for my photo shoot. When I was much younger, like 4 years old, I used to do some commercial modeling. It has been a long time since then, and I was not that comfortable in front of the camera. I did not know how to stand or what expressions to make to give my photos variety. Typically, I avoid the camera in real life. I am not photogenic my any means. I’m that friend you have on Facebook that changes their photo once a year, if that.

However, due to the great direction that I was given during the shoot, I grew to become comfortable in front of the camera. I was really happy with how the photos were coming out–and they hadn’t even been edited. As the shoot progressed, I gained the confidence I needed to get some really incredible photos. I’m no model, but looking at some of these photos, you wouldn’t even know that. I even learned some really great tips on how to pose for photos in the future. Without a doubt, I won’t be hiding away from the camera anymore.

If you have a special event coming up, like a wedding or prom, I highly recommend booking an appointment with Asal. She can help with your hair and make-up needs, making you look fabulous for any occasion. If you are looking to do head shots for your portfolio, or like me, just wanted to do something special for yourself, this is not an experience that you will want to pass up. For more information on Asal Makeup Artist, please visit http://www.asalbeauty.com/.

Rumination: Lino Vicente

by Mark on May 10, 2011 in Local

The next installment of Rumination is Sonoma, California artist, Lino Vicente. I followed Lino’s work for quite sometime now and his vision continues to evolved with each series that he paints. I had an opportunity to hang out with him this past weekend and I was able to see the newest project/series. He captured a great amount of complex patterns that featured faces of emotions and colors vibrant enough to captivate even those who has very little appreciation in art. The atmosphere of Sonoma Town Square made it very nice to have a great interview. We were surrounded with Spanish history and arts and craft everywhere we go. Other than the obvious, great wineries around Sonoma and Sonoma County, I could see why he lives there.

Mark Chua: How long have you been an artist?

Lino Vicente: Officially I would say close to ten years. I started with fine arts and even photography in school but moved into graphic design, but now I’m just concentrating on painting.

Mark Chua: It looks like you went with more on Fine Arts? What made the transition?

Lino Vicente: There was a period in my life that something personal happened and I really thought about what I really wanted to do with my art. Sometimes you need that to be push into it. That’s when I really wanted to just concentrate on painting and experiment with other medium.

Mark Chua: Would you say you feel more inspired doing what you do now?

Lino Vicente: Yes, graphic design is creatively different. I feel that I can express myself freely with painting.

Mark Chua: So what is the fuel and inspiration of all of your painting?

Lino Vicente: Anything can inspire me one way or another even the negative can be inspiring believe or not. When I’m painting I just go with the flow and just let it happen and the end product sometimes even surprises me. Emotions have a lot to do with as well.

Mark Chua: I been following your work for quite awhile and now I see a different format. What made this transition? I see a lot more complex patterns but it still feels organic.

Lino Vicente: It can be accidental or whatever you call it, in the end you go with whatever you feel or looks right. You try to work out of your comfort zone to get the best result is what I do too when I get stuck. We do get a sort of writers block as well and you have to try to get the best creativity but never force it.

Mark Chua: These progression, would you call it accidental? You found something that works and you went along with it?

Lino Vicente: I think for now I will just concentrate on putting it online, but I have other ideas, but eventually have my own working gallery again. I do try to save the people that like my work some money, I do think about that stuff too. I like it when people can give their creative criticism but it don’t really matter, but it can lead to other ideas sometimes. It’s great when you can talk to the artist to get some sense of what the artist is like or find out what the inspirations on a piece. I like talking to people about the pieces I’ve done because it’s like a memory lane.

Mark Chua: What are your plans for the new series? Gallery? Or you just keeping it just online?

Lino Vicente: I think for now I’m just going to do it online. I think a lot more artist are allowing themselves to get away from galleries and market themselves in different fashion weather it’s an open studio or a working gallery. A lot of artist in this area actually have a working gallery and they open their studio. In the long run too the buyers save a lot more. I do think about the buyers saving money as well from additional charges from the galleries. I think it’s a good feeling for them to buy something that they love and at the same time not have to pay so much money for it. There’s a lot of art lovers out there that can’t afford some of these arts but they have the love for collecting them. In addition to purchasing the art directly from the artist, you get to talk to the artist about their artwork. It gives the buyer more chance to appreciate the artwork where as if you buy it at the gallery you may or may not meet the artist.

Mark Chua: Well thank you for this opportunity.

Lino Vicente: Anytime! Thank You!

Check out Lino Vicente’s artwork at his website