Making an Impact in Innovative Ways
Meet Leah LYRIQÉ
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Leah Lyriqé is an artist, a creator. She is an R&B singer-songwriter and producer by trade, but her main thing is loving to simply create. Being able to immerse herself in her imagination and fantasy, then bring it to fruition is her passion. It is something that brings her immense joy and satisfaction.
Lyriqé describes being an artist and creator as one of the only things she’s ever really been passionate about. Music to her is as much a form of art as any Picasso painting or Michelangelo sculptures. She describes it as a form of magic, a language that's universal -- it permeates through the body, into the soul affecting all who let it. There's nothing more beautiful to her than this art form and she loves to submerge herself in it as much as possible. Lyriqé has been on stage since she was four years old. She remembers it like it was just yesterday, it was her introduction into this new world. At the age of 15, while living in Zimbabwe, Lyriqé began her journey into having an actual music career. For the past 10 years, it has been her only real goal. For her, music encompasses what her ideal life is; life as a musician and all it brings is what she sees in herself. Lyriqé follows this passion because she believes it is her calling; her purpose in life. Every fiber of her being wants to create at all times. She finds herself unable to focus on anything else. She has done her share of the “9-5” jobs in many sectors, but somehow she always finds herself back in the studio. In her spare time, she studies music as though she will be taking an exam on the subject. “When something dominates your mind that much, there has to be a reason. It calls to me every moment of every day, and I follow.” |
Every day she finds herself overcoming obstacles. She notes that nothing worth having in life comes easy and there will always be something to overcome to get to the next level. She shares that some days, simply getting out of bed is the obstacle. Other days, it's time constrained. She gives an example of a time when her whole EP was deleted after working on it for years. She realizes that there will always be obstacles and challenges and poses the question: “how bad do you wanna make it to that end goal?”
Lyriqé expresses that one way she works to overcome obstacles is to remember one of her favorite quotes, "Obstacles are what you see when you lose sight of your goal." Anything can be considered an obstacle depending on the angle you're looking at it from. Sometimes, all it takes is a shift in perspective to realign yourself with the goal and get right back to the journey toward it.
Her daughter, her passion, faith and love is what motivates her to continue on her path. Love for her family, love for her craft, and love for what she already has and all the things she knows she will receive. Another thing that motivates her is her desire to help heal the inner children of many. She understands what it's like to struggle and grow with trauma, and how hard it is to overcome it. Music has been like medicine for her. She now realizes it's time to provide a safe haven and medicine for others as well through her music.
Lyriqé hopes to touch the hearts of many. She wants to inspire people to love fearlessly, to be vulnerable and to give, not to receive, because giving feels good. She wants her words to mean something to people, and to add value to their lives, even if it’s just a little.
“In the slightly changed words of 2pac ‘I'm not saying I'm gonna change the world, but I might spark the brain that will.’”
We asked Leah Lyriqé what Valiance means to her,
“To me, Valiance is about vulnerability. To be strong, to be brave, to be courageous, one must first be vulnerable. To make it through adversity one must experience it, evaluate it honestly, plan for a different outcome, then work towards that outcome, knowing it may or may not work, but going for it 100% either way. That is what I consider valiance at its finest. Not just being brave to what's happening outside, but being willing to fight those battles within yourself too.”
Follow Leah Lyriqé on her creative journey @officiallyriqe
Lyriqé expresses that one way she works to overcome obstacles is to remember one of her favorite quotes, "Obstacles are what you see when you lose sight of your goal." Anything can be considered an obstacle depending on the angle you're looking at it from. Sometimes, all it takes is a shift in perspective to realign yourself with the goal and get right back to the journey toward it.
Her daughter, her passion, faith and love is what motivates her to continue on her path. Love for her family, love for her craft, and love for what she already has and all the things she knows she will receive. Another thing that motivates her is her desire to help heal the inner children of many. She understands what it's like to struggle and grow with trauma, and how hard it is to overcome it. Music has been like medicine for her. She now realizes it's time to provide a safe haven and medicine for others as well through her music.
Lyriqé hopes to touch the hearts of many. She wants to inspire people to love fearlessly, to be vulnerable and to give, not to receive, because giving feels good. She wants her words to mean something to people, and to add value to their lives, even if it’s just a little.
“In the slightly changed words of 2pac ‘I'm not saying I'm gonna change the world, but I might spark the brain that will.’”
We asked Leah Lyriqé what Valiance means to her,
“To me, Valiance is about vulnerability. To be strong, to be brave, to be courageous, one must first be vulnerable. To make it through adversity one must experience it, evaluate it honestly, plan for a different outcome, then work towards that outcome, knowing it may or may not work, but going for it 100% either way. That is what I consider valiance at its finest. Not just being brave to what's happening outside, but being willing to fight those battles within yourself too.”
Follow Leah Lyriqé on her creative journey @officiallyriqe
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Photos by @themezfilm @momentsbyfeliciajuliana @dsgraced
Meet Kelsi Marie
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Kelsi Marie is a singer and songwriter. She creates music to spread a message of love and light. Her goal is to open people’s minds and make them question even their own beliefs. She aims to show people that they have power within themselves, no matter who they are. It’s also her goal to make people smile and see the beauty in life. Since 2018, Marie has worked with the independent record label, MECAP, run by Sid “Uncle Jamz Johnson (@unclejamz_).
“MECAP and my MECAP family are a big part of what I do, I could not do what I do without them. With their help I have released 5 songs and videos, and my 6th one is in the works.“ It’s been Marie’s dream since she was a little girl to make music. What makes her even more passionate is having an understanding of just how impactful music can be. As a little girl, Marie listened to music with messages that really weren’t good for her mental health. It wasn’t until she really heard Ms. Lauryn Hill that she could really comprehend just how much she let certain music affect her. Through Lauryn Hill’s songs, she woke up. Since then, she hasn’t been able to just listen to the music, she always has to know what the artist is saying. She now believes it’s crucial for her music to be a part of the world. “We need more love through music. There is nothing more powerful than that. To be clear this is not me disrespecting any other artist. We all have to take responsibility for ourselves. I just pray for a future filled with truthful, inspiring, and loving music. No matter the genre.” she says. |
Marie has always been involved in music. From being in choir, music classes, and singing lessons. She always had a deep love for music. In 2018, she was introduced to Sid “Uncle Jamz'' Johnson, who is the CEO of MECAP. They have worked together to create her 5 songs, I Just Can’t, Shine Your Light, Bringing the Truth, Freedom, and her newest song, Underestimated.
Music is what Marie feels guided to do. She’s a very spiritual person and this musical journey has been a spiritual journey as well. She feels like God has given her a gift to inspire people. Marie has always said that if she can inspire one person or make their day better, then she has done her job. If she could make millions of people feel that way, she would be the happiest person in the world. She cares so much about other people, and wants everyone to know they are loved. She wants them to know they have everything they need right within themselves, which is essentially the God in them, which she interprets as the love in them.
When she started this journey, Marie had a conversation with God. She asked to start from the bottom and work her way up so that she can understand the depths of the journey to the top. Marie tells us that her prayer was answered. Being an independent artist, she explains that most of what you do is on you. The budget comes from your pocket, you are the one creating the song, the video ideas, scheduling everyone, and organizing the entire project. Of course, having a manager is extremely helpful, but at the end of the day you are the one putting in that work and money. She’s learned more in the past 3 years putting music out than she ever has anywhere else. She’s gone through many hardships, but her faith has remained strong. Which is why she’s still here. Even if she doesn't see results right away, she knows she’s building right now, and appreciates every step.
Marie shares that God is the reason for overcoming the obstacles she has faced. She consistently prays and meditates. Her relentless faith is why she is who she is today. She doesn't go by her physical sight. Even when a situation doesn’t look good, she believes it is all working for the higher good. Of course, she plays her part in taking the actions she needs to take to create a better situation as well, but mostly it’s all a work of faith.
In response to who or what keeps her going, Marie says,
“First God, but a close second is my incredible family, friends, and my MECAP family. I couldn’t do what I do without any of these people. I’m so blessed with such an amazing support system. I always say I’ll never stop being grateful to each one of them, and I truly mean that.”
Marie hopes to reach millions of people with music that uplifts them and makes them feel empowered. She hopes to create a great flow of income so she can give back to the world and to the people who need it most. She prays to inspire people to be the best version of themselves.
We asked Kelsi Marie what Valiance means to her,
“Valiance is determination. Never giving up on truth. It is day in and day out putting effort towards goals even when results don’t show right away. It’s believing without seeing. It’s relentless faith. Valiance is power and It makes you unstoppable.”
Follow Kelsi Marie on her musical journey @kelsimariemusic.
Music is what Marie feels guided to do. She’s a very spiritual person and this musical journey has been a spiritual journey as well. She feels like God has given her a gift to inspire people. Marie has always said that if she can inspire one person or make their day better, then she has done her job. If she could make millions of people feel that way, she would be the happiest person in the world. She cares so much about other people, and wants everyone to know they are loved. She wants them to know they have everything they need right within themselves, which is essentially the God in them, which she interprets as the love in them.
When she started this journey, Marie had a conversation with God. She asked to start from the bottom and work her way up so that she can understand the depths of the journey to the top. Marie tells us that her prayer was answered. Being an independent artist, she explains that most of what you do is on you. The budget comes from your pocket, you are the one creating the song, the video ideas, scheduling everyone, and organizing the entire project. Of course, having a manager is extremely helpful, but at the end of the day you are the one putting in that work and money. She’s learned more in the past 3 years putting music out than she ever has anywhere else. She’s gone through many hardships, but her faith has remained strong. Which is why she’s still here. Even if she doesn't see results right away, she knows she’s building right now, and appreciates every step.
Marie shares that God is the reason for overcoming the obstacles she has faced. She consistently prays and meditates. Her relentless faith is why she is who she is today. She doesn't go by her physical sight. Even when a situation doesn’t look good, she believes it is all working for the higher good. Of course, she plays her part in taking the actions she needs to take to create a better situation as well, but mostly it’s all a work of faith.
In response to who or what keeps her going, Marie says,
“First God, but a close second is my incredible family, friends, and my MECAP family. I couldn’t do what I do without any of these people. I’m so blessed with such an amazing support system. I always say I’ll never stop being grateful to each one of them, and I truly mean that.”
Marie hopes to reach millions of people with music that uplifts them and makes them feel empowered. She hopes to create a great flow of income so she can give back to the world and to the people who need it most. She prays to inspire people to be the best version of themselves.
We asked Kelsi Marie what Valiance means to her,
“Valiance is determination. Never giving up on truth. It is day in and day out putting effort towards goals even when results don’t show right away. It’s believing without seeing. It’s relentless faith. Valiance is power and It makes you unstoppable.”
Follow Kelsi Marie on her musical journey @kelsimariemusic.
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Meet Caesar Toland
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Caesar Toland is the Owner and Founder of Solar Juicing Company, a cold pressed juicing company created to provide healing to communities through juicing and the wonders of fruits and vegetables. He is a Charlotte native who has just made his way back home after 12 years of education and traveling. Toland received his MPH-Nutrition (Master of Public Health and Nutrition) degree in December 2020 while in Virginia studying at Liberty University. He decided to come back to his home city where he can plant his business and help his local communities with their health and wellness.
Toland is very passionate about juicing and all that accompanies the process of juicing such as the lifestyle and the beauty of fruits, vegetables, herbs, and the nutrients that they contain. This passion has allowed him to value the nutrition and health & wellness (Mind, Body, Spirit) of all people on planet earth, especially the black and brown melanated/ indigenous people of earth in which he is a part of. He is also passionate about the disease prevention and immunity of the bodies of these people and the environments in which they live and how it affects them fully. Toland began Juicing in 2016 when he was still enrolled in college, which was a trying year. That same year, he began his transition into living more plant based. He was dealing with health issues such as high blood pressure, arthritis and joint soreness, and being lethargic. Toland decided to research ways to heal and came across the late great Dr. Sebi (Alfredo Bowman) who believed in healing the body naturally through fruits, vegetables and herbs and practiced this form of healing for over 40 years around the world. He believed Dr. Sebi’s words attached to testimonies and research and decided to implement his teachings into his life. He realized there was clearly a need for change but what expedited his decision was his Grandmother, Cynthia Smith, who passed away in her 60’s from a brain aneurysm. The reasoning was unknown as to why it happened, but through his research, he realized that her nutrition was conducive to her health -- From having high blood pressure, living with high amounts of stress mentally, physically and being affected environmentally. From then on, he decided to create change for himself first by switching his diet and lifestyle. From there, the studies, public health and nutrition education he was receiving in school allowed for him to help all people in need with their nutrition and lifestyle changes. As time progressed, in 2020, Solar Juicing Company Inc. was established and allowed for Toland to be able to provide his services throughout the pandemic. |
“I do what I love because it allows for me to help as many people as I can while I have my time on this planet. God and the Universe have provided all we need to sustain ourselves and heal our bodies with the fruits, vegetables, herbs, grains etc. from the earth. We are able to bring ourselves out of the bondage in which this world provides for us, and live a bright, healthy and abundant life.”
Growing up in impoverished communities in Charlotte, NC helped Toland to realize that there are many people who are living in food deserts and don’t have access to fresh fruits, vegetables and sufficient nutrients that are easily accessible. If he can provide a service through his company that allows for him to bring those nutrients to the people of these communities and all of Charlotte, NC as well as the rest of the world, it is one step closer to changing lives and making a difference.
When asked about how he deals with obstacles while pursuing his passion, Toland says,
“I have dealt with obstacles that have tried to deter my mission, but they weren’t successful because I am still here today and stronger than ever. I overcame these issues with prayer, persistence, family support, and belief in myself. Knowing that I have a purpose and understanding that I am the wish and dreams of my ancestors. I am extremely blessed.”
Toland says that having the understanding that there are many people who need help with their nutrition and have never had a cold and fresh pressed juice in their lives, pushes him everyday. If they were to know the benefits of the healing and nutrients that they contain, it could make a world of difference in their lives rather than having to wait until they are sick, unhealthy and/or nearly dead to try it.
He believes that he will have a line of juice trucks from Solar Juicing Company that will allow
him and those attached to his company to travel across the nation, providing fresh pressed juices to many people and communities with the belief that it will create change and prosperity in their lives daily, “One Juice AT A TIME!”
We asked Caesar Toland what Valiance means to him,
“Valiance to me doesn’t mean being a hero or heroic in my eyes but it does mean to exude courage,patience, honesty and love for all people and what you feel your purpose is on this planet. Using strength, belief in what is unseen to produce your dreams, aspirations and leave an imprint for future generations to follow.”
“Peace, Love, And Solar Energy!”
Follow Caesar Toland’s journey through his social media platform @solarjuicingcompany.
Growing up in impoverished communities in Charlotte, NC helped Toland to realize that there are many people who are living in food deserts and don’t have access to fresh fruits, vegetables and sufficient nutrients that are easily accessible. If he can provide a service through his company that allows for him to bring those nutrients to the people of these communities and all of Charlotte, NC as well as the rest of the world, it is one step closer to changing lives and making a difference.
When asked about how he deals with obstacles while pursuing his passion, Toland says,
“I have dealt with obstacles that have tried to deter my mission, but they weren’t successful because I am still here today and stronger than ever. I overcame these issues with prayer, persistence, family support, and belief in myself. Knowing that I have a purpose and understanding that I am the wish and dreams of my ancestors. I am extremely blessed.”
Toland says that having the understanding that there are many people who need help with their nutrition and have never had a cold and fresh pressed juice in their lives, pushes him everyday. If they were to know the benefits of the healing and nutrients that they contain, it could make a world of difference in their lives rather than having to wait until they are sick, unhealthy and/or nearly dead to try it.
He believes that he will have a line of juice trucks from Solar Juicing Company that will allow
him and those attached to his company to travel across the nation, providing fresh pressed juices to many people and communities with the belief that it will create change and prosperity in their lives daily, “One Juice AT A TIME!”
We asked Caesar Toland what Valiance means to him,
“Valiance to me doesn’t mean being a hero or heroic in my eyes but it does mean to exude courage,patience, honesty and love for all people and what you feel your purpose is on this planet. Using strength, belief in what is unseen to produce your dreams, aspirations and leave an imprint for future generations to follow.”
“Peace, Love, And Solar Energy!”
Follow Caesar Toland’s journey through his social media platform @solarjuicingcompany.
Meet Aubrey Shine
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Aubrey Shine is living out her dreams as an On-Air Personality and a Freelance Published Journalist under KJMM/ Perry Publishing in Tulsa, Oklahoma. She lives the best of both worlds by meeting and interviewing celebrities, politicians and community leaders while entertaining the public with Hip-Hop and R&B music. Shine is also an indie artist; songwriter, singer, and rapper. Recording and performing is her favorite part of the process. Shine is also an entrepreneur, she is the CEO of “The beauty brand: Aubrey Shine Cosmetics.” Shine is extremely passionate about everything that she does, and it gives her instant gratification. On a daily basis, Shine can be heard in her community by people who need hope and want to feel good. Knowing that she can put smiles on peoples’ faces and give them an ounce of happiness, makes her heart smile. Her entire brand has been built on encouraging others to “Shine On” through adversity.
Shine has always loved music since she was a kid, she used to always mimic the artists that were played on the radio and on her NaNa’s record player. She also used to sing in church and perform in talent shows at her elementary school. She joined every school choir, went to choral competitions, and even sang opera as a junior in high school. In addition to all of that, she wrote poetry and short stories. One day while writing a poem, she added music and melodies that were in her head. Before she knew it, she was recording a song with her friends for a short-lived singing group called Remedy. They never got to release any music, but they rehearsed and even performed once, she knew at an incredibly young age that music would always be a part of her life. As far as radio is concerned, her mother was a part-time On-Air Personality, and her uncle was a Country music DJ. She always felt like music and radio was in her blood because she saw her mom in that capacity. She fell in love with radio while she was attenting college after an assignment made her do research for other interviewer’s styles. She came across Wendy Williams and Charlamagne tha God, when he still worked on radio, then she began to watch his show, “The Breakfast Club'' on YouTube. She was instantly hooked. Time passed after college, Shine took a different route and went into the Medical field. After 6 years of starting from the bottom, she worked her way into an Administration position sitting with doctors, the CEO, CNO and other major departments. Somehow with all the notoriety, and being the youngest black female in Administration, she still was not fulfilled. Shine then started doing a podcast called “The Shake Up.” After producing some quality episodes, it was brought to her attention that the only black owned radio station in town wanted to speak to her about being the Midday Personality. She seized the opportunity and did a live on-air audition, which was a public debate about rappers Drake and Meek Mill. She was asked to come back on air again, this time with an offer to do the job full time -- she turned it down. Shine felt that taking on the job at that particular moment in her life was poor timing, but she had so much fun that she eventually started working only the Saturday evening 2pm-6pm slot. After a year of being on Saturdays, she asked for the Midday slot, her request was granted and she began her journey. After joining the KJAMZ family, Shine started being intentional with her branding, she sold everything from t-shirts to wristbands. She soon began to notice that people were really interested in her skincare regimen. Shine always took pride in her skin, she always took really good care of it because it is the first thing people see when they look at her. She decided to really put time and effort into creating some quality products that she uses regularly, and without a doubt, people gravitated to it. |
Everything Shine is doing in her life at this moment are dreams come true. She manifested
everything that is happening to her so far and feels that this is just the beginning. Her goal is to show other people that it does not matter where you come from. Shine shares that she is originally from Arkansas. Who would have thought that a small town girl from Arkansas would be a radio show host, own a store and a brand, write, and perform original music, and be a published journalist? ...and she is just getting started.
Shine has overcome many obstacles while pursuing her dreams, but the biggest one was getting out of her own way. Her own thoughts were her worst enemy at one point, which is why she feels it took her a while longer than she thought it would to release her own music and
to start her very own podcast. She admitted that she allowed what she felt were shortcomings to hold her up when they really were unique assets that she was able to use as a part of the package. Once she truly started walking by faith everything began to fall into place. With all the amazing things that are happening in Shine life, she gave all the glory to God. She expresses that everything that she is today, It all began with prayer. She prayed that God would lead her in every situation and to make every transition smooth. She asked Him to go before her in every area of her life and to cover her. She shares that God worked out every situation that was meant for her bad and He turned it to work in her favor.
What keeps Shine going are her “shining stars,” (another word she uses to call her supporters, her “fans”) and her family and close friends. Shine reminds herself daily that she's an influencer and a role model; that motivates her to always give the best version of herself, especially on the rough days. Shine hopes that one day, other people will look at her life and use it as inspiration to continue to persevere, work hard and be strong in their faith. Life is not easy but when you know what you are working for and why you are working for it, the struggles in life become
much easier to bear.
Shine recently released the music video to one of her songs, “Put It Down” on New Year’s Day the song is available on all streaming platforms. Her beauty company, “The beauty brand: Aubrey Shine Cosmetics,” is currently available online at www.aubreyshinecosmetics.com.
To Aubrey Shine, Valiance means to be a quality person and to not shy away when things get tough. It is exactly what her brand stands on and that’s “Shining Through Adversity.”
@aubrey_shine
everything that is happening to her so far and feels that this is just the beginning. Her goal is to show other people that it does not matter where you come from. Shine shares that she is originally from Arkansas. Who would have thought that a small town girl from Arkansas would be a radio show host, own a store and a brand, write, and perform original music, and be a published journalist? ...and she is just getting started.
Shine has overcome many obstacles while pursuing her dreams, but the biggest one was getting out of her own way. Her own thoughts were her worst enemy at one point, which is why she feels it took her a while longer than she thought it would to release her own music and
to start her very own podcast. She admitted that she allowed what she felt were shortcomings to hold her up when they really were unique assets that she was able to use as a part of the package. Once she truly started walking by faith everything began to fall into place. With all the amazing things that are happening in Shine life, she gave all the glory to God. She expresses that everything that she is today, It all began with prayer. She prayed that God would lead her in every situation and to make every transition smooth. She asked Him to go before her in every area of her life and to cover her. She shares that God worked out every situation that was meant for her bad and He turned it to work in her favor.
What keeps Shine going are her “shining stars,” (another word she uses to call her supporters, her “fans”) and her family and close friends. Shine reminds herself daily that she's an influencer and a role model; that motivates her to always give the best version of herself, especially on the rough days. Shine hopes that one day, other people will look at her life and use it as inspiration to continue to persevere, work hard and be strong in their faith. Life is not easy but when you know what you are working for and why you are working for it, the struggles in life become
much easier to bear.
Shine recently released the music video to one of her songs, “Put It Down” on New Year’s Day the song is available on all streaming platforms. Her beauty company, “The beauty brand: Aubrey Shine Cosmetics,” is currently available online at www.aubreyshinecosmetics.com.
To Aubrey Shine, Valiance means to be a quality person and to not shy away when things get tough. It is exactly what her brand stands on and that’s “Shining Through Adversity.”
@aubrey_shine
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Meet Alaric Ma
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Alaric Ma is a photographer based in Chicago IL. His artistic style is blending his fine art background with a fashion execution. Essentially he takes photos to create out of love for the medium. When it comes to photography, he has free range in his schedule and creativity and aims to work as exclusively as possible on independent projects and exploratory work in general. Ma classifies photography as an all consuming passion. He wakes up thinking about ideas and goes to sleep thinking about lighting scenarios. Photography has almost become an addiction as it’s relatively new to him. Although he wishes to be successful he still believes that the main motivating factor in trying to improve his skill is just out of a love for seeing and making new things. Being able to turn what he sees in his mind's view into a different reality. This creative perspective is the closest thing to having a superpower and is why photography continues to have a magical touch for him.
He started taking photos his freshman year of High School and it was because he needed to fill an art credit. Four years later, he has been completely overtaken by his love for it. He has fond memories of figuring out how to use manual settings on a camera for the first time and developing his first roll of film, but above all else he remembers the first time he went out to shoot. He remembers being assigned in pairs to shoot, and by the time they got called back at the end of class, he had developed the first sparks of what would eventually become the bonfire that is his passion for photography. Ma has always looked for a means of expression. As a child, he was forced to learn the piano and take drawing lessons, he never knew what genuine expression looked like. As he began to discover photography and learned about it both in and out of class, he discovered a means of expression. This is essentially what drives him to take photos, though a lot of his photos are without deeper meaning. Ma has been working more towards putting together a true series’ and it is ultimately this that drives his passion.. Beyond that, being able to work with brands and new people is a pleasure simply because he loves the creative environment. He ultimately takes photos to document how he sees the world and all the ideas he has in his head as a means to share that vision and collaborate with others to achieve a shared vision. |
The biggest challenges in the creative realm he’s encountered thus far are just that of his own judgements of his own work. Ma feels as if he is constantly hoping to improve and while in many cases it helps motivate him, it also acts as an obstacle in some cases. There have been many moments where he admits that he’s felt as though he'd been making leaps and bounds in terms of his ability only to look back and feel as though his progression has only been minimal. Though in most other facets of life he is regrettably easily discouraged and feels as though photography is such a passion and has such a determination to succeed in achieving his goals he rarely ever feels discouraged. Additionally, he feels as though being the youngest in the room is often intimidating.
To overcome these obstacles, it came down to practicing and believing in his ability as a photographer. One of the key lessons Ma learned in the past six months is that the ability and skill will get you into rooms and once you’re there, there shouldn’t be a question about whether or not you belong. He has always told himself that he can get better but recently, he has started telling himself that he is good. Ma shares that having confidence is the key but so is being humble. He explains that it is a balance between keeping enough confidence to be able to seize opportunity but humble enough to never stop seeking out improvement.
Ma’s philosophy on life is that one should soak up as much experience as possible to share with others in order to enrich both yourself and the world around you -- This is what keeps him going. Knowing that every single thing he does, every photo he takes, and every conversation he has with a subject is an extension of who he is and his impact on the world. He wishes to show others the world through his lens and in return he is motivated and inspired by those who do the same for him. Ma hopes to be a photographer that does both commercial and gallery work. He also wants to partake in being a fashion photographer that also does individual art projects. This dream is what Ma considers to be a combination of the best of both worlds and it follows in the footsteps of photographers he admires such as Annie Leibovitz, Torbjorn Rodland, and Gregory Crewdson.
To Alaric Ma, Valiance means inspiration. To see the stories of fellow creatives working at their dreams inspires him to stay motivated and to continue working at what he wants.
“Valiance is a personification of the millennial spirit and a physical example of what creative minds can do when working together. I find it as a beacon of creative expression and inspiration, a place in which one may go to find like minded people and opportunities.”
Below are a few of Ma's work.
To see Alaric Ma’s work, check it out on his social media platforms @alaric.t.ma
To overcome these obstacles, it came down to practicing and believing in his ability as a photographer. One of the key lessons Ma learned in the past six months is that the ability and skill will get you into rooms and once you’re there, there shouldn’t be a question about whether or not you belong. He has always told himself that he can get better but recently, he has started telling himself that he is good. Ma shares that having confidence is the key but so is being humble. He explains that it is a balance between keeping enough confidence to be able to seize opportunity but humble enough to never stop seeking out improvement.
Ma’s philosophy on life is that one should soak up as much experience as possible to share with others in order to enrich both yourself and the world around you -- This is what keeps him going. Knowing that every single thing he does, every photo he takes, and every conversation he has with a subject is an extension of who he is and his impact on the world. He wishes to show others the world through his lens and in return he is motivated and inspired by those who do the same for him. Ma hopes to be a photographer that does both commercial and gallery work. He also wants to partake in being a fashion photographer that also does individual art projects. This dream is what Ma considers to be a combination of the best of both worlds and it follows in the footsteps of photographers he admires such as Annie Leibovitz, Torbjorn Rodland, and Gregory Crewdson.
To Alaric Ma, Valiance means inspiration. To see the stories of fellow creatives working at their dreams inspires him to stay motivated and to continue working at what he wants.
“Valiance is a personification of the millennial spirit and a physical example of what creative minds can do when working together. I find it as a beacon of creative expression and inspiration, a place in which one may go to find like minded people and opportunities.”
Below are a few of Ma's work.
To see Alaric Ma’s work, check it out on his social media platforms @alaric.t.ma
Meet L'Amour
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L’Amour is a digital artist from New Jersey. Her creations are often made by drawing on her iPad as well as through the form of traditional art. She also runs an Etsy shop where she sells handmade items that have her artwork on them. L’Amour is extremely passionate about what she does. She spends hours upon hours drawing to make each line perfect. Although she spends countless hours putting her creativity into each stroke it never feels like work or hard labor, only satisfaction that she's finished another piece.
L’Amour was originally a paper crafter and really enjoyed making interactive greeting cards. However, after a while, buying stamps got a little expensive and she also wanted her stamps to have a bit more excitement to them. She decided she would just draw them and have no limitations on the creativity, letting her imagination run free. She soon realized the only problem was that she didn’t know how to draw. However, despite her lack of skill in the drawing and design, she was determined to learn. She would watch YouTube videos hoping that they would aid her in her desire to learn the skill, but they only taught her tips. She knew she needed to practice and actually harness the skill itself. She taught herself how to draw by studying pictures and drawing them to the best of her abilities. She did traditional drawing for a few months but then she discovered the digital world and fell in love. Looking at the art of other people, she didn’t see a lot of representation of black women. That lack of representation pushed her to start drawing what she didn’t see. Besides not knowing how to draw and having to teach herself, she also faced another obstacle on the journey to making her visions a reality. L’Amour had the idea to sell her art but did not know where this path would take her. She also had insecurities and fears of having people look at her work or possibly not even look at all. Learning what to do and what was needed was a challenge for her. It was even harder because she didn’t know anyone at the time with a business, let alone an artist who could give her pointers and advice to help propel her to where she wanted to be. Although she had no guidance, she did extensive research, reading about materials pertaining to her craft, shipping, and photo paper. L’Amour immersed herself in the necessary knowledge to push her artwork forward. She has invested money and time trying to find the right products for her supporters because she wants to provide them with quality artwork. |
L’Amour’s passion for art stems from her love for it -- it sparks a happiness in her that she can't let dim. She also wants to empower women, especially black women, and her art embodies this to its core. Her passion and supporters are the driving force that keeps her going. The messages that she receives from her supporters expressing the connection they have to her art and how it brightens up their day, brings L’Amour satisfaction and fulfillment. Her dream is that her art work will be sold in stores around the world. She hopes for global exposure to continue showing representation and empowering women.
We asked L’Amour what Valiance means to her,
“No matter what, you can do this. You can pursue your passion. Follow your dreams because hard work and dedication really do pay off.”
Her art such as art prints, bookmarks, greeting cards, stickers, and planner inserts are available for purchase. These are just a few of many more coming soon!
@artsylamour
We asked L’Amour what Valiance means to her,
“No matter what, you can do this. You can pursue your passion. Follow your dreams because hard work and dedication really do pay off.”
Her art such as art prints, bookmarks, greeting cards, stickers, and planner inserts are available for purchase. These are just a few of many more coming soon!
@artsylamour
