This Women’s History Month, we’re spotlighting remarkable women who are cultivating collective spaces across creative industries. Kicking us off is Jen V. Benitez, a California-based creative entrepreneur, energy healer, arts educator, and founder of PINAYSPHERE—a non-profit organization for Filipina-American youth artists.
Benitez was born into a family of healers. This inherited ancestral knowledge guides and informs her work as an advocate for women’s health and sisterhood through artistic exploration and community.
PINAYSPHERE embodies this by providing opportunities for Filipina/x girls and young adults (Pinay) to pursue their creative talents through mentorship, art programs, and exhibitions. Benitez also facilitates children’s and women’s healing circles. In 2019, she founded UMAKYAT, an ancestral healing program for those in the diaspora.
You can check out more of PINAYSPHERE’s work here on Creatively and @hellocreatively on Instagram.
Meet Jen Benitez, founder of PINAYSPHERE.
What is the first creative project you remember?
‘Seeds of Change’ Fashion Show with my bestie in 2004. We both were fresh out of FIDM (Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising) and I wanted to put together a kids’ fashion show. It was a fun experience, but yea, kids + stage + instructions is a great idea only if you’re a fairy godmother with a wand. It was a hot mess! But I have to say, it was a great learning experience. It gave me confidence in being a leader, an artist, and a community organizer.
Describe your aesthetic in three words.
Comfort, tomboy, feminine.
What was the most fulfilling collaboration you’ve worked on?
Co-creating 2 beautiful children with Jeremy, my husband & love of my life—yet still figuring out how to work full-time schedules, find our sanity, and be decent parents!
Do you think creativity is something you’re born with or something you’re taught?
Both. You can learn through a variety of processes or it can be in your DNA; such as being birthed by artists.
What do you know now that you wish you knew at the start of your career?
Protect your ideas & make investing in yourself the priority.
How do you cultivate strong relationships with clients?
Human Connection vs. Human Transaction. Don’t give so you can take, basically.
One hundred years from now, what do you hope people write about your work?
“Jen taught us the key to a happy life is from napping more and planning less.”
Creatively is more than a platform—we’re a creative collective.
Questions or feedback? Email us at feedback@creatively.life
Throughout Black History Month, we’re championing extraordinary Black creatives whose influential work is leading the way across creative industries. Enter: Kendall Reynolds, a footwear designer who sees shoes as a form of communication, representing a woman’s dreams and emotions.
According to Reynolds, the right pair of shoes can be transformative, “lending a woman individuality and changing her character, attitude and bearing as she walks.” At just 28, the Chicago native has always had an intuitive affinity for superb craftsmanship even before she could articulate the concepts. To hone her design skills, Reynolds attended Ars Sutoria in Milan, the world-renowned shoe and bag design university. There, she had intensive training in all technical aspects of shoe development from design to construction.
In 2015, Reynolds started her brand, Kendall Miles Designs, while she was still a senior at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles, combining avant-garde construction methods with classic designs. After three collection cycles, Kendall and her team decided to commit to a direct-to-consumer business model that allows for season-less, limited-edition drops—all while maintaining true couture standards.
Handmade in Italy, all of Kendall Miles’ creations are hand-sketched by Reynolds herself. Viewed as works of art in their own right rather than mere accessories, Kendall Miles footwear has been spotted on runways, style stars, and icons like Ava DuVernay, Megan Thee Stallion, Latto, Ravyn Lenae, and Lizzo.
You can check out more of Kendall Reynolds’ work here on Creatively and @hellocreatively on Instagram.
Meet footwear designer, Kendall Reynolds
1. What is the first creative project you remember?
The first big creative project I remember doing was in middle school when I was twelve. I was interested in modeling, so I wanted to make myself a comp card. I styled myself and did my hair—it was a full-day shoot—I had a bunch of different looks.
2. Describe your aesthetic in three words.
Classy, feminine, and edgy. A friend of mine recently described my style as “business kitty.” That feels pretty accurate.
3. What was the most fulfilling collaboration you’ve worked on?
In 2022, I collaborated with my younger brother Miles on a sneaker. The Kendall Miles brand bares both of our names, but the ‘Miles Sneaker’ was our first men’s release and one of the most successful drops we’ve ever had. It really meant a lot to collaborate with him.
4. Do you think creativity is something you’re born with or something you’re taught?
I think creativity is something you’re born with, and I think everyone is born with it!
5. What do you know now that you wish you knew at the start of your career?
It’s not always about one big win or one particular instance that changes your trajectory. It’s about all the little wins that accumulate along the way.
6. How do you cultivate strong relationships with clients?
For me, it’s really just about being transparent and an authentic person. Because I’m so forward-facing in my business, all I can really do is sell people on my personality—my perspective, my story, my vision. So, I just stay as true to myself as possible, and cultivate relationships organically.
Ava DuVernay in the ‘Denim Siren’ pumps
7. One hundred years from now, what do you hope people write about your work?
I hope to be known as somewhat of a pioneer. When I go to Italy, and I’m working with my factories—and there are Gucci, Prada, Valentino shoes coming down the line, and then I see Kendall Miles coming down the line—knowing that, I’m the first Black-owned brand that they’ve ever worked with, I feel like I am representing for my community.
Happy New York Fashion Week! Throughout Black History Month, we’re championing extraordinary Black creatives and their influential work, leading the way across creative industries. Jacques Agbobly is another inspiring example, providing a deeply personal, hands-on approach to design.
The 2022 CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund finalist came to Chicago as a nine-year-old refugee from Togo. Their creative work explores the duality of their identity—negotiating African culture and assimilated American culture—through their unique textile designs. Agbobly graduated with a BFA from Parsons School of Design, and received a CFDA Scholarship in 2019. With Covid forcing the industry to recalibrate in 2020, Agbobly took a step back from fashion to reflect on the kind of designs they really wanted to create: clothing that created connections and sparked joy.
Their now eponymous brand, Agbobly [formerly Black Boy Knits] is wonderfully expansive in its approach as an independent design studio creating unique, colorful knitwear pieces on a made-to-order basis, eliminating the possibility of excess in production. Each product is made in-house, by hand, using natural fibers that are biodegradable and eco-friendly.
Agbobly makes a point to emphasize Black, queer, size inclusive, and immigrant narratives in its visual identity and marketing approach. “Clothes in western worlds are often not made for us. When only given the option to shift between small, medium, and large, we often find ourselves reading between the lines trying to find meaning.”
You can check out more of Jacques Agbobly’s work here on Creatively and @hellocreatively on Instagram.
Meet fashion designer, Jacques Agbobly
1. What is the first creative project you remember?
Growing up in Togo, I spent a lot of time with my mom and her sisters in hair shops, while they braided hair. When I would visit my grandmother, I would convince her to buy me Barbie dolls and I spent a lot of time styling their hair and customizing their outfits.
2. Describe your aesthetic in three words.
Color, maximal, and bold.
3. What was the most fulfilling collaboration you’ve worked on?
The one I am currently working on for NYFW in September that I am not a liberty to discuss at the moment.
4. Do you think creativity is something you’re born with, or something you’re taught?
I think it can be both. It’s something you naturally have, but with a nurturing environment you can mold and fine tune.
HYPEBAE: Behind the Atelier
5. What do you know now that you wish you knew at the start of your career?
To not second guess anything – it’s okay to make mistakes and commit boldly to my creative and business decisions. Certain things may not make sense in the beginning, but with consistency, there will be light.
6. How do you cultivate strong relationships with clients?
When I started my business, I was focused on custom made clothing, so I was really working with clients on an individual basis and getting to learn about their likes and dislikes when it came to what they want to put on their bodies.
Capsule 001
7. One hundred years from now, what do you hope people write about your work?
My goal is to diversify the conversation around the work that comes from African Designers. There’s so much depth within our stories and I hope that 100 years from now people will be writing about that.
This Black History Month, we’re championing extraordinary Black creatives and their influential work, leading the way across creative industries. Brand strategist William “VJ” White is an excellent example.
With over a decade’s worth of experience within the music marketing space, the Los Angeles-based marketer began his career as a Business Marketing student at Temple University hosting events for student communities, revealing his inner passion for grassroots marketing, brand development, and experiential marketing. After college, he joined the Cricket Wireless marketing team in launching Muve Music, the first mobile music streaming platform. For the 2011 launch, he enlisted three DMV native Grammy-nominated artists—Mya, Wale, and Raheem DeVaughn—to perform intimate shows at store locations throughout the region.
In 2016, he took his talents to Warner Music Group, working across music merchandise production and product management. With his deep connection to the industry, he also added artist manager to his resume, working with independent recording artists like Kari Faux, under his own agency W SQD. Recent stand-out projects include the Rico Nasty X Rhymezlikedimez collectible, Burna Boy’s April 2022 Madison Square Garden concert merch, and Lizzo’s “The Special Tour” merch collection. In 2023, VJ became the Director of Fan Strategy and Experiences at SCP.
VJ’s career is one that emphasizes the importance of elevating a new generation of Black creators in the music industry. He is an avid supporter of the Quinn Coleman Scholarship. Created in memory of his dear friend and colleague, in partnership with the GRAMMY Museum, the financial scholarship and career development program is designed to support and uplift college students on a music career path. Learn more here.
You can check out more of White’s work here on Creatively and @hellocreatively on Instagram.
Meet brand strategist, William “VJ” White
What is the first creative project you remember?
The very first creative project I remember had to be in middle school, entering public school art competitions. I was recognized for a couple in DC: a pastel duck stamp competition and the Future of Metro DC Transit competition.
Describe your aesthetic in three words.
Abstract, timeless, eye-catching. (Three and a half words!)
Curtis Mayfield blanket
What was the most fulfilling collaboration you’ve worked on?
My most fulfilling collaboration was with Rico Nasty x Rhymezlikedimez x ToyQube. As a fan of pop art, having the opportunity to create an actual vinyl figure was a dream come true!
What’s one creative project that taught you something fundamental about yourself?
Working on merch for a global artist like Lizzo really tested my cross-functional skills to communicate effectively and consider a room full of opinions while persistently getting answers across the finish line.
What do you know now that you wish you knew at the start of your career?
Cover your ass and don’t hesitate to over-communicate. Everyone operates at a different pace so making sure the point gets across to the entire team with a few needed follow-ups is nothing to be timid about. Now, that doesn’t mean being a pest every hour (lol) but understand the cadence of your work, and ignore the CC’s on copy. Make sure every need is addressed so the team remains aligned.
How do you cultivate strong relationships with clients?
I listen to the client’s needs and address the points they care most about. Far too often, project managers will enforce the needs of the company first or place clients in a box. By understanding the ins and outs of our business, I find solutions and provide insight right away that will excite them during the initial call. I like to leave the client satisfied knowing they came to the right person and not have to hear, “Let me get back to you on that.”
Bespoke incense for Quinta Brunson’s book launch
One hundred years from now, what do you hope people write about your work?
Chromatic and dynamic: two words to describe Nina Palomba’s portfolio.
From old-school tattoo designs to mural art, Palomba’s diverse creative experience brings her optimistic perspective across illustration, production design, and everything in between. With Palomba’s “All Love” mantra, the Los Angeles-based artist focuses on creating colorful, upbeat art that inspires positivity and spreads love and happiness.
With over a decade’s worth of professional experience in fine arts to entertainment production, Palomba has worked for various global studios, consumer brands, and media companies, such as Looney Tunes, Warner Brothers, WNBA, and Adidas. Palomba’s original artwork has been featured across TV, film, commercials, retailers, and publications such as Playboy, Juxtapoz, and LA Weekly. With an independent storefront, NNZWRLD, Palomba sells original products, including a limited edition MediCom Toy BE@RBRICK, the Happy Heart collection, and bespoke paintings and sculptures. Palomba is also currently a tattoo apprentice at Proud of You LA.
You can check out more of Nina Palomba’s work here on Creatively and @hellocreatively on Instagram.
Meet multidisciplinary artist, Nina Palomba
What is the first creative project you remember?
I have so many projects I remember doing all the way back to grade school! I’ll answer with the first paid project which was illustrating a menu for a local restaurant in Jackson, Wyoming when I was 12 years old. It was a pencil illustration of pasta and shrimp with cursive hand lettering. I’m sure my mom still has a copy of it somewhere.
Describe your aesthetic in three words.
Colorful, charming, whimsical.
What was the most fulfilling collaboration you’ve worked on?
The most fulfilling collaboration I have worked on was the “Pride is Good” campaign with Playboy. I was one of seven queer artists chosen to reimagine the iconic Playboy Bunny Ears with the prompt, “What does pride mean to you?” in mind. It was the first-ever official Bunny Ear collection sold in editions of 500. 100% of the proceeds went directly to the Trevor Project. This was an extremely exciting and humbling project to be a part of because I have my own personal connections to that cause.
This project may have been the first time I felt safe and supported to express who I am fully in the scope of a project. It was a very emotional and amazing opportunity to create artwork that could help amplify the voices of my community and was incredibly fulfilling to be a part of something creative that drove awareness toward conversion therapy and how we can all help make a real difference and help bring positive change.
Do you think creativity is something you’re born with or something you’re taught?
A little of both maybe. I think creativity is something that everyone can access within themselves. Creativity can be expressed in so many ways, that I think people don’t even recognize sometimes that they are even doing it. There are many creative skills that can be taught, learned and developed over time, but there are definitely true creative souls out there that are just born with a heightened creative ability and purpose to do so.
What do you know now that you wish you knew at the start of your career?
At the start of my career, I wish I knew that everyone’s journey will be very different. It may sound simple, but there are so many ways to get to where you want to go and unfortunately no perfect formula to become one thing or another.
My education prepped everyone the same way despite everyone’s different areas of interests and skills. Coming out of that, I had the perception early in my career that if I followed the necessary steps to get from this goal to that goal, or work my way up the ranks, I would eventually get where I wanted to. That has definitely not been the case in a large portion of my career.
There have been so many moments where I felt I had to do one style of work, or focus on one medium out of fear of not creating a consistent foundation for myself. I know now that the real key to going further and making magic is to simply make things that make you happy. Not to force anything, and find the ability to let go.
There were so many things I wanted to do early on and opportunities I really wished for—some of those have happened and many not—but the beauty of that journey has been discovering and doing the opportunities that truly have been meant for me. Going back to the previous question, that has become the most fulfilling aspect of my career so far.
How do you cultivate strong relationships with clients?
The best way to cultivate strong relationships with clients is to do what you promise to! Being kind and proactive is always very appreciated. Having a passion for the projects you work on is crucial. It is okay to turn down projects that don’t spark something for you. There will always be another opportunity. Be honest about your abilities and be willing to work with them on revisions. Be comfortable with pivots. You should take pride in the outcome just as much as they do and have the desire to make the best you can. At the end of the day they are the ones hiring you!
One hundred years from now, what do you hope people write about your work?
Years and years from now, I hope that people look back on my work and what I’ve created with the same awe and admiration they do with the legacy Disney left behind. I want my work to stand alongside those who have inspired me most and feel like it fits right in. This is something in the back of my mind all the time as I create and cultivate my career. I try every day to move forward with kindness and create work that uplifts and will hopefully keep a positive footprint long after I am gone.
Brianna Alysse, a Pisces, falls under the zodiac’s most artistic sign, and her portfolio is enough evidence of astrology.
The self-taught photographer, artist, and creative director is deeply entrenched in the Los Angeles creative scene, but Brianna stands out with her authentic, small-town roots. Raised in Murrieta, CA, Brianna aims to make everyone behind her lens feel comfortable and confident in their skin through her visual artistry. In her decade-plus career, her passion has led her to express a compelling portfolio rich with color, emotion, and her muses’ true essence.
Brianna has captured a range of creative work, from editorial and campaign shoots to album and single artwork covers. She has worked with talents such as Kehlani, Camila Cabello, YG, Teyana Taylor, and Post Malone, as well as clients such as Savage x Fenty, Grailed, and Playboy.
You can check out more of Brianna’s work here on Creatively and @hellocreatively on Instagram.
Meet photographer, Brianna Alysse
What is the first creative project you remember?
My first memorable creative project would definitely be picking up a camera and asking my best friend to let me shoot her at a railroad track. It reminds me of how far I’ve come since then. I had no clue what photography came with. I didn’t know about camera settings, editing programs, or what it took to make my vision come to life. All I knew was that I wanted to take photos. So that will always be my first creative project that I’ll never forget.
Describe your aesthetic in three words.
Timeless, authentic, moody.
What was the most fulfilling collaboration you’ve worked on?
Kehlani, Blue Water Road Trip. I will never forget it! It was a week of non-stop taking photos while also traveling and being in nature along the coast of California. A Pisces dream, haha. This collaboration made me fall in love with photography all over again in a different way. I was pushed out of my comfort zone, picked up a film camera for the first time, and learned that simplicity truly is a powerful tool. You really don’t need much. I’ve always been a fan of natural lighting, but using the natural elements of the earth was a whole new level of intriguing and beautiful to me.
Do you think creativity is something you’re born with or something you’re taught?
I think creativity is intuitively a part of human beings. However, I feel because society puts a lot of pressure on “you can’t make money through art,” most humans tend to suppress their creativity. But everyone has their niche; we all just gotta tap in. Any creative ideas you might have, at least give it a try. You’ll naturally teach yourself how to be better at it for the simple fact of just loving it. So I feel that it might be a bit of both.
What do you know now that you wish you knew at the start of your career?
There are no rules to the photography game. Experiment and have fun. Also, it’s okay not to accept projects that don’t align with my vision.
How do you cultivate strong relationships with clients?
I like to have fun when I’m shooting. I consider myself a pretty light-hearted and goofy person, but I feel that it’s really important to always be kind and always be myself with my clients. It’s important to me that my clients feel their best confident selves and know how beautiful they are.
One hundred years from now, what do you hope people write about your work?
Truthfully, I’m not sure what I would want them to write about my work, but I would hope that they always see the beauty in it.
Creatively is more than a platform—we’re a creative collective.
Questions or feedback? Email us at feedback@creatively.life
Boys Like Flowers Too.™ For NYC-based photographer and filmmaker Kat Page, her latest photo series challenges traditional paradigms of masculinity in contrast with delicate nature. For Page, provocative photo series are just one way to impact a collective. Across her portfolio, you will find a consistent pattern of intimate human stories that challenge the status quo in the entertainment and beauty industries.
Equal parts photographer and filmmaker, Page applies both disciplines across most of her projects, valuing their nuances and ability to tell stories in different ways. Page has created videos and stills for editorial outlets such as InStyle Magazine, Teen Vogue, and 1883 Magazine, and commercial clients including Amazon, Walgreens, Rodial Beauty, and Cotton On.
No stranger to photographing A-list talent, in 2019, Page produced and directed the CFDA Fashion Awards’ backstage interviews, featuring Bella Hadid, Hasan Minhaj, and Jason Wu. She also photographed winners, including Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston, at the 2020 SAG Awards.
You can check out more of Kat Page’s work here on Creatively and @hellocreatively on Instagram.
Meet photographer, Kat Page
What is the first creative project you remember?
When I was in college, I had an advertising professor who was also a commercial photographer. I asked if I could assist him in exchange for time in his studio, and he said yes! I reached out to local model agencies, and did test shoots weekly with amazing makeup artists and stylists. It was my first taste of creative collaboration and conceptualizing an editorial story from start to finish. My first paid project was concert photography at the arena I interned at. My boss—an amazing woman and friend still to this day—saw I loved photography and needed photos for Facebook (the new marketing tool at the time). She said they would pay me $50 per show and give me creative freedom and full access to the front and backstage. I was able to photograph artists like Wiz Khalifa, Drake, and Mac Miller.
Describe your aesthetic in three words.
Humanistic, playful, sincere.
Jamaica, 2022
What was the most fulfilling collaboration you’ve worked on?
I have a lot thankfully, but a few that are top of mind. Recently, I got to travel to Jamaica. Not only was it a career marker for me, as I was directing my first branded short film, but the client and team I worked with were just amazing and so talented. The best feeling on a project is when the client trusts you 100% and it is pure collaboration.
What’s one creative project that taught you something fundamental about yourself?
Over the years, I have learned that I am not a fashion photographer, as hard as I tried. Even though I can admire the beauty of fashion and the art of it, I just want to see the truth of the person wearing it. I want the fashion to enhance the human spirit. I could not care less if the human is able to enhance the fashion they are wearing. This frustrates stylists as I tend to not focus on the clothes. (Sorry!) But I want anyone who steps in front of my lens to feel seen and beautiful. If that is my only superpower, I’ll use it at every chance I get.
Mahogany Wade on film
Do you think creativity is something you’re born with or something you’re taught?
Born with it, 100%. Creativity is about wanting to make something from your point of view for the world to see. I believe we all have that as kids. Think about how you wanted to show your parents every time you made something, from a painting to a custom living room Hot Wheels track. What makes one believe they are creative as an adult is having someone who sees their talent more than they do and told them so, permitting them to be creative out loud. So, if you are reading this, just know you are so gorgeously creative, and I can’t wait to see what you make!
What do you know now that you wish you knew at the start of your career?
I didn’t go to art school, so I went into the industry with a business mindset and the need to prove myself to clients and peers. I wish I had known the value of surrounding myself with photographers and other creatives. I’ve learned it is crucial to have peers and mentors to bounce ideas off of, to play out ideas with, to vent when needed, and to ask for advice.
Boys Like Flowers Too.™
How do you cultivate strong relationships with clients?
By being honest, kind, and transparent about needs and expectations, from first conversations to post-production. It makes everybody’s job easier if we can trust each other to take feedback, pivot when needed, and make the vision come to life. I have been on the client side, and it’s best if you can all align, speak openly, and have fun!
Brad Pitt, SAG Awards 2020
One hundred years from now, what do you hope people write about your work?
An artist who captures the true essence of a person at that moment in their life. It may not always be trendy or chic, but it is always honest.
Creatively is more than a platform—we’re a creative collective.
Questions or feedback? Email us at feedback@creatively.life
Made to order, by hand, with love—a promise that comes with every piece of Lorraine West Jewelry.
The Brooklyn-based artisan stirs a soulful touch into her elevated accessories, merging her Caribbean roots with bold and minimalist design sensibilities. Working with her hands comes naturally, thanks to her mother, a baker and her father, a carpenter. Inspired by geometric shapes and symbology in reference to self-expression and liberation, Lorraine West Jewelry is equal parts fine art and high fashion.
West’s craftsmanship broke into pop culture in 1999, when her leather cuff bracelets caught the attention of Andre 3000, Erykah Badu, and Common. Since then, West’s designs have continued to adorn countless everyday people and icons such as Zendaya, Lizzo, and Beyoncé in “Black Is King,” donning West’s signature oversized palette earrings. Recently, West launched a fine jewelry capsule collection at Greenwich Street Jewelry and received a virtual retrospective of her work at New York City Jewelry Week.
Kicking off 2023, in collaboration with RAD x De Beers Group’s #BlackIsBrilliant, West’s ethically and sustainably sourced natural diamonds from Botswana were worn by Keke Palmer at the 2023 New York Film Critics Circle Awards earlier this week! In support of Keke’s advocacy of Black creative talent, a $25,000 donation will be made to a charity of her choice.
You can check out more of West’s work here on Creatively and @hellocreatively on Instagram.
Meet jewelry designer, Lorraine West
What is the first creative project you remember?
My first creative project I remember was in the 2nd grade for a local poster contest in my elementary school; titled Never Swim Alone. I won 2nd place and that was when I knew I wanted to be a professional artist as my career choice.
Describe your aesthetic in three words.
Elegant, Powerful, Timeless
What was the most fulfilling collaboration you’ve worked on?
What’s one creative project that taught you something fundamental about yourself?
25 years worth of jewelry design projects is too robust to choose from. Every project generates more lessons, knowledge, and mastery.
Do you think creativity is something you’re born with or something you’re taught?
I believe every human is born with creativity. It’s up to us to recognize it and cultivate it.
What’s the last dream you had?
Dreaming while awake — traveling to London for the opening of Sotheby’s, Brilliant and Black II Exhibition 2022. It was the first time I saw my work overseas IRL. It was one of the best experiences of my life.
One hundred years from now, what do you hope people write about your work?
100 years from now I want people to feel the power and beauty of my jewelry and keep their pieces as part of their family heirlooms.
Creatively is more than a platform—we’re a creative collective.
Questions or feedback? Email us at feedback@creatively.life
What better way to wrap up 2022 than with the visionary behind the Spotify Wrapped sharing trend?
Jewel Ham is rife with revolutionary ideas, including her viral contribution to Spotify’s year-end phenomenon. During her internship in 2019, Ham proposed layering social media sharing into the experience, and her idea has since become a key component in the annual campaign’s continued success.
A bonafide storyteller, the multidisciplinary visual artist, curator, and educator is dedicated to using her practice as a means of reparation. A Summa Cum Laude Fine Arts graduate of Howard University, Ham visualizes the mosaic of everyday Black life and its emotional realities through narrative portraiture.
Ham has had four solo exhibitions to date, all taking place in historical spaces within the Black community, including “i said what i said” held at Stony Island Arts Bank, an archival library and museum reimagined by Theaster Gates; and “keep it cute” held at Cierra Britton Gallery, the first all womxn of color gallery in New York City. Earlier this month, her work was exhibited at Art Basel Miami Beach as part of Jeffrey Deitch’s “Goddesses” group exhibition.
You can check out more of Ham’s work here on Creatively and @hellocreatively on Instagram.
Meet multidisciplinary artist, Jewel Ham
What is the first creative project you remember?
I’m truly a Taurus to the core. We were snowed in once, and I created an entire spread of a paper feast, complete with custom fine china.
Describe your aesthetic in three words.
Chaotic, seductive, Black. (Although, “sh*t-talking Taurus” just about covers it, as well.)
not as i do
What was the most fulfilling collaboration you’ve worked on?
It’s happening right now! My personal marijuana strain, jewelOG (officially dropping 4/20) is a collaboration with GorillaRX Wellness, the first (and only) all-Black women owned dispensary in Los Angeles. Though we brought out a few specialty pre-rolls for a soft launch during Art Basel Miami, we’ll also be curating a collaborative immersive exhibition opening in Los Angeles on April 20th, 2023. Book your tickets now and tap in with both of these powerhouses in the meantime!
What’s one creative project that taught you something fundamental about yourself?
I think some of my greatest lessons have come from creative projects I had absolutely no business taking on, so I won’t deal in specifics. But, something fundamental I’ve learned—and am still learning, sometimes the hard way—is that I can only take on projects that wholly sit right with my spirit.
booked n busy
Do you think creativity is something you’re born with or something you’re taught?
Born with, but we’ve all got at least a little. I think the environments and experiences we find ourselves in either cultivate or cramp that energy, but the ability to access energy is ever-present.
What’s the last dream you had?
That I was on time to submit for this Q&A deadline. (Clearly still dreaming!)
did i stutter
One hundred years from now, what do you hope people write about your work?
First, I hope my people are the ones writing. Then, I hope they’ll say “I felt that.”
Stop by John Derian‘s Manhattan shop and be transported to 18th-century Florence.
Based in New York City, John Derian is an American decoupage artist. Inspired by an early obsession with printed matter, Derian dove into decoupage, the art of cutting and pasting paper. Since 1989, he and a small studio of artisans have been creating glass plates, trays, bowls, and other decorative home items with an ever-expanding portfolio of 18th and 19th-century prints. Outside of decoupage, Derian expanded into ephemera such as postcards, gift tags, and tote bags, to complement his decoupage line. In 2016, Derian published “The John Derian Picture Book,” a compilation of over 300 beloved 18th and 19th-century images from his archive. Featuring a foreword by Anna Wintour, the book quickly became a New York Times Best Seller.
Derian’s iconic imagery adorns multiple collaborations, such as the Designers Guild’s textile collection, Todd Synder’s summer apparel line, Cisco Brothers’ elegant, sustainable furniture, and Astier de Villatte ceramics. His work has also received attention from Elle Decor, Vogue, Vanity Fair, and more. Derian’s ephemera, ceramic, and furniture collaborations, as well as an assortment of vintage and antique imports, bed and table linens, stationery, plate ware, lightning, and original artwork by Hugo Guinness, are all available at his Manhattan retail shops and online.
You can check out more of Derian’s work here on Creatively and @hellocreatively on Instagram.
Meet decoupage artist, John Derian
What is the first creative project you remember?
Drawing a tree, cutting it out, turning it into a stencil, then stipple painting the image on a mirror.
Describe your aesthetic in three words.
Old world charm. 😉
What was the most fulfilling collaboration you’ve worked on?
I love my continued collaboration with Astier de Villatte in Paris. Putting my imagery on their white ceramics has been rewarding in many ways.
Do you think creativity is something you’re born with or something you’re taught?
Born with. We are all creative in different ways. School can help direct it.
What’s one piece of advice you’d give to aspiring creatives?
Believe in what you do.
What’s the last dream you had?
Stephen, my boyfriend, was making traditional Armenian sweet bread but adding too much mahlab.
One hundred years from now, what do you hope people write about your work?
