When the going gets tuff......... PART 1

When 
the 
going 
gets 
tuff......... PART 1



So Its been a while since the last post, Summer was pretty busy. But its back to business, I have put together two back to back issues to make up for the long absence......don't worry...... 

ART

Ariana 

Katechis

 

How early in your life did you start making art ?
My Mom always loved drawing, going to art museums, and the very idea of art, creating, and what those things mean. Because of that, I was exposed to all kinds of work very early on and began developing my own interests in visual art. With her encouragement I probably started drawing and painting regularly when i was 6 or 7 and I haven't stopped since. 

Who are your influences ?
Because the process of making work is so fluid and different depending on how i feel or what the piece is about, I go through phases of who my "favorite artists" are, but if I had to pick a few who have influenced me and inspired me pretty continuously, I'd have to say the photographers Sally Mann, Bill Henson, and the painter Gottfried Helnwein. It doesn't matter how many times I look at each of their bodies of work, I am always moved and inspired by them all. Henson's series The Paris Opera Project and many of his photos from another Untitled series really changed the way I thought about how I used light and color in my work. Sally Mann's photographs often revolved around her family, but she is never scared to show the ugly or unhappy side of family life, or the darker side of life in general. Her openness and honesty is something i deeply appreciate. Though Gottfried Helnwein's work  is generally a different style of painting than my own, his subjects are always a bit strange, disturbing, and even scary at times; which is something I am always drawn to. There is a lot that we all have to deal with throughout the course of life that is troubling, uncomfortable, and difficult to face and Helnwein delves into those things head on, and always depicts each scenario in an unusual and interesting way.

What's one of your favorite subjects to draw ?
No matter the medium I'm using, I have always been more interested in, and inclined to make work about people and my relationships with those around me. For me, Art is a means to understand the way I feel about something, grasp a better understanding of a difficult situation, and sometimes its just about preserving a moment. Because i hold my friends and family so dear, people end up being the majority of my subject matter.

What medium do you mainly use ?
I went to school as a Photography Major but often include painting, drawing, and experimental mixed media in my work. I use whatever material is most effective in describing the subject, look, and feeling of what i am trying to create.

What keeps you up at night ?
Oh, so many things, but I'll just say the simultaneous fear and excitement of Tomorrow. 







Bess Garison

How early in your life did you start making art?

I can’t ever remember a time in my life when I wasn’t making art. I’ve been beading since I could thread wood beads on yarn, carrying a camera around since I was eight, and have always been creative. If something can be made, I am determined to make it.

 Who are your influences?
Alice Neel, Larry Clark, Lucian Freud, Tara Donovan, Kenton Nelson, Ian Shults, Dan Havel and Dean Ruck, Megan Tipps, Shelby Hohl, Tamera Lichtenstein, Alex Goss, and my friends are the subjects for my photography. I also believe it is important to recognize and be influenced by artists whose work isn’t on display in New York art galleries. I have been disappointed by a couple of my professors insisting that if your work isn’t in New York that you aren’t considered talented. As an artist, I believe it is important to recognize everyone and be inspired by local artists that are just as talented as the artists featured in Artforum and New York galleries. 

 What’s one of your favorite subjects to draw?

I struggle with getting proportions correct, but I really enjoy drawing the human figure. Each person is different and so you have to constantly take the individual differences of the figure into consideration as you draw.

 What medium do you mainly use?

My media changes so often, but lately, acrylic and oil paints, conté sticks, and pencil.

 What keeps you up at night?
Stress and my kitten, Scout. 
for more information on Bess Garison go to http://bessgarison.weebly.com/


MUSIC

Weird Beer and Zzzz's
 A newly formed Hip-Hop Duo from Houston,Texas.. humorous, head-bobbin, fun hip hop. not too serious not too playful just right.  the kind of music we like to taste.

How many members are there ? 
There are 2 members.

Who are they ? 
Weird Beer (Derek Lynn) and Zzzs (Ashley Clos)

who are your influences in this project?

Zzzs: Since we've only recorded two songs, it's hard to say, but rhythmically there is some Slug (Atmosphere) influence sprinkled with Yoni Wolf, Eyedea and maybe Azealia Banks...? I think Azealia is influencing an attitude in "I Need A Hug" more than anything.

Weird Beer: I'm all over the place with influences but as far as producers go : Kanye West, 40, Q-Tip, Just Blaze, The Neptunes, and Rick Rubin are all pretty important to me.

who were your influences in the past music projects?

Zzzs: I was in a Weezer tribute band (The Sweaters), so I'd say there was only one influence there--Jewel. Just kidding. It was Weezer. I was also in a band in high school with my two best friends (Corey Smothers and Molly Sherman) called Wrinkly Johnson. We were ultra gross, not to be taken seriously by any means, but we used a typewriter as a percussion instrument, which I thought was really innovative.

Weird Beer: I've mostly been in rock bands in the past and as far as those go Ethan Durelle from Waco,TX has always been a big part of shaping the stuff I play. I play drums in a band at the moment and the motorik beat the dude from Neu! invented is pretty much my bread and butter.


How long have you guys all known each other?

Zzzs: I met Derek this summer--May, I think. We vibed immediately, so it feels like I've known him longer. Old pals.

Weird Beer: What she said.



Do you write the lyrics or the music first ?

Zzzs: In a way Derek and I work independently from each other in the beginning of the process. I come in with a couple of verses written that still need some work. I'll explain to him what the song is about, e-mail him my verses, and he usually pulls a beat from his library that magically fits (that's how it happened for 'I Need A Hug'). For 'He Should Know' I sent him my verses and he created the beat afterwards and totally nailed the mood I was hoping for. Once we start recording that's when the majority of collaboration happens; he'll tell me what needs fixing, we'll solidify the lyrics, I'll throw out some ideas for vocal effects and stuff.

Weird Beer: Like Ashley said we both do a lot of work separately but when it comes time to record it's 100% a team effort. By the time we're done it feels like both our fingerprints are all over it.



What is everyone listening to right now ?

Zzzs: I've been listening to ChannelOrange, specifically Andre 3000's verse on 'Pink Matter'. I just listen to that verse over and over. The whole album is pretty killer, but somehow that one verse just blows my mind and overshadows everything else. It's the climax on ChannelOrange, in my opinion. Besides that, Gwen Stefani's first solo album.

Weird Beer: I just started watching Twin Peaks so i've been listening to the theme from that show over and over again.

Anthony Reynolds


Who are your influences in this project?

It ranges from RJD2, DJ Shadow, Prefuse 73, Flying Lotus, Star Slinger, Tokimonsta, and Hudson Mohawke


What got you into making Electronic Music?

It started when I was in college and I really got into electro house, because that was big at the time. I started DJing house parties and opening sets up for dance punk bands in San Marcos. The big leap from DJ to producer began when my friends in the band Zlam Dunk asked me to remix a song of theirs. It got some good hype, but I feel as if I've come a long way since.

How do you feel about the growing popularity of Electronic Music ?


It's great! Electronic music is the defining musical movement of our time, and many musicians have embraced it. The mainstream is going to eventually become bored with dubstep as it becomes more and more prevalent. This opens the door as to what is possible and what we will be hearing in the next few years.

What are you listening to right now ?


Oh man, it's a mix of everything as I love music in general. Recently: Young Montana?, Fancy Mike, Zomby, EPROM, HEALTH, Lunice, Tokimonsta, Rustie....to name a few.

What was the last show you went to that you really enjoyed?


Oddly enough, Murder By Death at Fitzgeralds. I have been a fan of theirs since 2003, and I hadn't seen them since 2008. The last song they played, "Those who came," gave me goosebumps and left a chill running down my spine. It's a powerful song.

Whats the last thing you ate ?

A peanut butter and nutella sandwich on oat bread. About three of them.

Micro Fiction 

by Jonathan Jackson

ode to those that lose their selves in our happiness

Do we allow those that are able to express themselves, when they are at their worst to make ourselves happy or do we set aside our own happiness to allow those that entertain us to lead life that dose not put them in harms way? I pick the true happiness, which is that of my fellow human being, either man or woman, young or old, black or white. For if not genuine, then why express it? But if one is genuine, when at his worst, then so be it, cause one only knows one thing and that is to be true to oneself.

So be kind, oh baby be kind when looking for ones true happiness, cause it may not be what you really want, but only what you think you need and to find a relationship not base on ownership but something based a a mutual feeling of acceptance, piece of mind and love. Because anything is possible and nothing is impossible, when freedom comes into play. So believe and hope that the another day comes to get it right this time, to make things right, with those that bend their back to give us our piece of mind.