The Koronette - August 2015

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T A B L E O F C O N T E N T S

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L E T T E R F R O M T H E E D I T O R

E V E N T H O U G H J A N U A R Y I S T H E F I R S T M O N T H O F

the year, there is no other time that signifies change and

new beginnings for me more than August. I remember

picking out pens for school and pouring hours into creating

that perfect first-day outfit. August was when I started high

school, college, and my post-grad life. And although I have

no plans to use a TI-89 calculator or five-subject notebook

again, August remains a month of new beginnings—at least

in regard to the Koronette. That’s because I got to work with

two of the kindest and most talented people I know, Jodie

and Madeline.

This issue is a product of months of planning, countless

emails, and hardcore Google Docing. If it weren’t for them,

the August issue would be half its size and not nearly as

interesting. Want to know more about the new members of

the Koronette team? I’ve asked them a few questions on the

next page. And if that’s not enough, don’t worry. This isn’t

the last you’ll see of them.

Thank you for reading the Koronette.

Sincerely,

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C A M I L L E D O M A N G U E

C A M I D O . C O

M O R G A N C I T Y , L A | 2 2

Graphic designer Camille Domangue has an inherent

ability of harmonizing seemingly juxtaposing elements

in design. Her work exudes a spontaneity even when

every shape and and line is carefully placed. All in all,

she makes serious art whimsical, and hard angles look

natural. This new graduate is constantly seeking new

techniques both traditional and non-conventional and

her ever-evolving design will have you begging to see

what she’s up to next.

Tell us a little bit about yourself.I'm a Scorpio and an INFJ personality type and I have

been described as intense and loyal. I like hanging out

with friends, watching movies, swimming, and reading.

My favorite color to wear is black and I love macaroons.

Tell us about some of the designs you have created and their success.Most of my work so far is made up of hypothetical

projects from school because I just finished my design

program at the University of Houston. Some of the

projects I've done in school include convenience-store

branding, data-visualization posters, and a mutoscope,

which is a mechanical flip book. One of my school

projects which turned into a reality was for the Blaffer

Art Museum. My identity and catalogue design were

chosen by the Blaffer Art Museum from among a group

of twenty-two designs for the 36th Thesis Exhibition. I've

also worked on a couple freelance projects where I've

designed wedding logos and various collateral

for friends.

“ G R A P H I C D E S I G N I S

A B O U T B E I N G A B L E T O

P U L L F R O M E X P E R I E N C E S

A N D K N O W L E D G E A B O U T

T H E W O R L D ”

What is your creative/production process?I'll start by asking questions about the project

then doing a lot of research on what the project

is about, then look into what's been designed

already. After the research, I like to start

sketching in my sketchbook until I feel ready to

start building the design on the computer. Once

the sketches are in the computer, they'll go

through multiple rounds of revisions until both

the client and I feel like it's finished.

Something you’re still learning?I'm trying to teach myself how to get better

at hand lettering, which is the art of drawing

letterforms. I'm also learning how to code

websites faster because I want to be able to

design and then code websites one day. So I

have both handmade and technologic goals to

keep up with!

What are your other hobbies?I really enjoy shooting both digital and film

photography. I also want to find the time to

embroider again because it's extremely time-

consuming. And I love reading classic novels.

My favorite one I've read recently is The Picture

of Dorian Gray.

What do you do to stay creative?The best way for me to stay inspired is by

looking at other beautiful graphic design and

photography. I usually look at magazines,

Pinterest, Behance, and keep up with major

design studios I admire. I also need to ask for

ideas or critiques sometimes so I don't get

stuck. I also stay creative by refreshing my brain

by picking up a book or going for a bike ride. A

lot of people don't realize that graphic design

is about being able to pull from experiences

and knowledge about the world because the

projects out there are so varied and diverse.

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How would you describe your style?This has always been hard for me to define. I've been told

that my work is "clean with an elegant flare," but I like to

think that my style is adaptable to any design situation.

It's sort of like a chameleon in that regard. But like most

designers, I try and let the project dictate which stylistic

direction I should go in.

What are your next steps?My next step is to move out of Texas and go travel. I chose

to pursue graphic design not only because I thought it

would make me happy but because it would one day allow

me to live almost anywhere in the world and still be able to

work and create to make my living. The ultimate goal would

be to freelance website design and be able to code my

own sites from all over the world.

“ T H E U LT I M A T E G O A L W O U L D

B E T O F R E E L A N C E W E B S I T E

D E S I G N A N D B E A B L E T O

C O D E M Y O W N S I T E S F R O M

A L L O V E R T H E W O R L D .”

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C A R M E L ' S T O P 1 0T I P S F O R S T A R T I N G

Y O U R O W N B U S I N E S S

Business and life coach Riza Carmel is sharing her secret

weapons to starting a business with Koronette readers

for the very first time. Starting something new can feel a

bit like you’ve lost your mind, but Carmel has your back.

“Happiness isn’t measured by the number of zeros at

the end of a paycheck,” she says. “It’s measured by your

willingness to take risks and pursue what’s close to your

heart.” Follow her tips and you’ll be on your way to doing

just that in no time.

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W R I T T E N B Y R I Z A C A R M E L

R I Z A C A R M E L . C O M

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1FIND YOUR TR IBE.

Surround yourself with like- minded people. When you’re

starting a business, your traditional support system (family,

friends, etc.) might not “get” what you’re doing right away.

By surrounding yourself with others starting their own

businesses, you’ll be able to stay motivated and bravely

walk (or blaze) through the path less traveled.

2WOR K WITH A BUSINESS MEN TOR OR

COACH.Having a mentor or coach will do wonders for you as you

take the plunge into entrepreneurship. They’ll support you

and keep you accountable, and they’ll stand for your goals

and desires even when you may be ready to throw in the

towel. They won’t give up on you!

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DO YOUR HOMEWOR K. What’s the need you’ll be fulfilling? Who’s your ideal

customer or client? Again, this’ll be much easier to tackle

if you’ve got your “tribe” and a coach or mentor to work

with —you don’t have to do it all alone!

4 BE FLEXIBLE.

S ometimes life will throw you a curveball or two, and you

may have to modify your original ideas and plans. Your

ability to pivot and adapt to the changing needs of your

customers, business, and your own life will be crucial to the

success of your biz.

5BE PATIEN T.

R emember that success doesn’t happen overnight. It’ll take

blood, sweat, and tears, and also some time, before you

see desired results or profit. Treat it like a marathon—keep

a steady pace, don’t stop, and just keep going.

6NET WOR K.

D on’t be afraid to get out there to meet new people or

reconnect with old friends and classmates. The more

people you share your new venture with, the more real it

will feel and become. And you’ll never know who else may

become a part of your tribe and be a source of support for

you and your business.

7“SHAKE IT OFF”.

T here’s a difference between someone giving constructive

criticism or feedback and someone who’s quick to say

you’re crazy and are going to fail. Again, there are people

who just won’t “get” what you’re doing. Remember that

“haters gonna hate” and you just need to shake ’em off.

The negativity won’t serve you or your business. Keep your

eyes on the prize and keep doing you!

8START BEFOR E YOU’R E R EADY.

N ow this might sound like it’s contradicting “do your

homework.” But you don’t have to have all your ducks in

a row before you can start. Creating a Facebook page for

your business and simply sharing your venture with family and

friends are great places to start. Know that your business is a

practice and not a perfect— there’ll always be something you

can improve upon. Simply make the choice to dive in and the

rest will follow.

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E MP OWER YOUR CHOICES.T rust yourself. Trust God and the universe. You get to decide

how things turn out. Do you rise to the occasion or do you

crumble with defeat? The only thing you have to do is c hoose.

10“ TR EAT YO SELF.”

Above all, don’t forget to take care of yourself. You are the

most valuable asset to your business. Without you, it wouldn’t

exist! Starting a business is not easy, and you can find yourself

in stressful situations. Be sure to make time for things that bring

you joy —a massage, a trip to the lake or beach, a few hours

curled up with a good book and a glass of wine. These little

treats will go a long way in serving you and your business.

“ T R E A T I T L I K E A M A R A T H O N —

K E E P A S T E A D Y PA C E , D O N ’ T S T O P,

A N D J U S T K E E P G O I N G .”

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M I K E C H U A N G

M I K E C H U A N G . S Q U A R E S PA C E . C O M

V O O R H E E S , N J | 2 0

Wanderlust is captured to perfection in the breathtaking

cityscapes of Mike Chuang’s photography. In the

mingling of light, movement, and unusual perspective,

you’ll find yourself inexplicably drawn toward treasures

yet to be explored by the heartbeat of a city come to life.

Tell us a little bit about yourself.I’m not sure where to begin . . .

I’m currently a junior biology major at Baylor University, and

I’m planning on applying to medical school within the next

couple years. As a kid, I played lacrosse, swam, and did tae

kwon do all throughout high school. I also played piano

extensively and competed a lot. I learned to surf when I

was little and have loved it ever since. My family is very

active, and we would always spend summers down at the

shore or traveling. I’m pretty extroverted, and I definitely

enjoy making new friends. Connecting with others is never

a problem for me. I love admiring everything that goes on

in life. Whether it be individuals and their quirks, the places

I visit, or the music I get exposed to, I know that admiring

things comes second nature to me.

Also, coffee. I love coffee.

How would you describe your style? Dang, I really hate this question! My style is all over the

place sometimes, and it definitely changes based on what/

where I’m shooting. I spend most of my time in urban areas,

and I’m definitely a street prowler at my core. At the same

time, I spend a lot of time between semesters traveling and

“ I J U S T S H O O T A N D E D I T T O

C A P T U R E S C E N E S T H E WA Y I S E E

T H E M I N M Y H E A D .”

“ F O R M E , A T T H E E N D O F T H E

D A Y I T ’ S A L L A B O U T S H A R I N G

M O M E N T S W I T H O T H E R S .”

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I love shooting landscapes. I would say that

my street shots tend to be more grungy and

raw-looking, while my landscape or nature

photos tend to be smoother and more moody.

Shooting people is another game altogether;

I shoot whatever fits the scene, outfit of the

person, and general aura I feel from it all.

Honestly, I just shoot and edit to capture

scenes the way I see them in my head. That

changes from time to time, so I try not to get

bogged down in trying to develop one certain

“style” for myself.

Why do you take photos?I take photos because I love everything about

it. To make a scene permanent . . . I see so

much value in that. For me, at the end of

the day it’s all about sharing moments with

others. To be able to show someone a photo

and have them feel the same thing I felt while

capturing it—all just by looking at the photo—

that’s it right there. That’s why I shoot.

Who or what inspires you?Instagram plays a big role in inspiring me.

Following very, very gifted photographers

from all over the world definitely helps

broaden my horizons to the way different

individuals shoot different things. However,

being inspired by someone is definitely no

excuse for biting their own style.

I’m a super sensory-oriented person, so just

being in the environment I’m shooting in

inspires me the most and influences how

I frame, shoot, and edit. Textures of brick

walls, the scent of the ocean, the sound of

a waterfall. . . .For me, everything works

together to form the picture I see in

my head.

What type of cameras do you like to shoot with?I shoot with a Nikon D700, and I mainly use

a 50mm lens and a 14–24mm lens. I love my

50mm. It’s compact and discreet in the streets,

and it’s a prime lens. Shooting with a prime

lens keeps me creative. It forces me to move

around a subject to get different perspectives,

to push in on a subject, or step back and

frame farther away.

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When did you become interested in photography? How has your work changed since then?I picked up a DSLR in junior year of high school, and would

just go outside to my neighborhood lake and shoot around,

getting a feel for the camera. It was on manual mode

when I got it, and I didn’t know how to change that, so I

learned how to shoot on full manual, control shutter speed,

aperture, and ISO levels all the time. It was a blessing in

disguise, because that laid down a very strong foundation

and understanding of controlling light and movement right

off the bat.

My definitive start in really diving into photography as an

art began just in December 2014. I was home from school,

and spent those cold days walking around Philly and NYC

with my camera, taking in everything around me. I’m not

sure why I started getting super in to it at that time. It just

happened, and I’m super glad it did.

My work has definitely evolved since then, and I believe

that it is still evolving today. I’m always learning or seeing

things in a new light. The way I edit has changed from

being a bit grainy to completely clean, but that’s only one

concrete example I can think of.

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Would you consider your photos more planned or spontaneous?Most of my photos are spontaneous. All of my street

photography is just being at the right place at the right

time and visualizing the moment in my head before it

occurs. Of course, when I’m shooting a session with an

individual, the photos are planned and staged. I get a lot

of candids from those sessions too, though, since I tend to

shoot as we’re walking somewhere.

What are your next steps? Oh, man. I’m always trying to keep the big picture in mind

in my life. I’m planning on applying to medical school

within the next two years, so school takes top priority.

Photography for me is a passion, but I definitely couldn’t

see myself doing it for a living. The types of things I shoot

. . . it doesn’t pay bills. I do it because I love it, and that’s

about it.

W R I T T E N B Y J O D I E O R R

P H O T O S B Y N A N C Y M A G A N A

P E R S O N A LB R A N D I N G 1 0 1

In an economy that is increasingly entrepreneurial and

freelance driven, people are talking more and more about

personal branding. These days, people care about the

person behind the product just as much as the product

or service itself. People relate to people, so this makes

perfect sense. But who or what are these personas that

we are drawn toward? Is it their style? Could it be their

values or behavioral trademarks? Is it their quality of

work? It is almost always all of the above, packaged

sleekly and cohesively as their personal brand.

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WHAT IS PER SONAL BRANDING?

Personal branding is most clearly explained in the

context of job searching. It is a way for people to market

themselves and stand out—selling yourself. It tells people

what is so great about you—your strengths, your values

and work ethic, your writing or design style, and more. It

can also encompass your short- and long-term goals, your

attitude, aspirations, and experience.

Personal brand is generally comprised of two elements:

visual brand, which includes a logo, website, resume,

blog, photos, etc.; and brand messaging, which, in short,

is everything else. Brand messaging communicates who

you are, whereas visual brand highlights what you do.

Your visual brand reflects your brand messaging, and vice

versa. Think about Tim Gunn. When you hear his name,

words such as fashion, style, design, and his famous

catchphrase—“Make it work”—come to mind. You also

might envision his frameless glasses and perfectly tailored

suits. These associations, along with his expertise, are

undoubtedly why he landed his role on Project Runway.

WHO NEEDS A PER SONAL BR AND?

A personal brand is something that anyone could benefit

from; however, if you are in a creative industry or profession

and/or you do freelance work, you will especially reap the

benefits. One of the differences between a

freelancer and someone who provides services

through an agency is that the latter individual

can rely on the agency’s brand and reputation

to help him or her find clients. The freelancer,

however, is on her own. She must sell herself.

And one of the most effective selling tools: a

strong brand identity.

HOW DO YOU BUILD A PER SONAL BRAND?

Whether you are aware of it or not, your

personal brand already exists; you just need

to hone in on what is important and polish

it a bit. Out of the many things that make

you you, what stands out the most? What

are your most defining characteristics, skills,

strengths, and interests? What beliefs and

philosophies do you stand behind? Do you

have any style trademarks? Does your work or

wardrobe have a color palette? Do you have

a sentimental necklace that you wear daily?

A signature scent? Write these things down.

Perhaps ask a close friend or family member to

list some associations he or she has with you.

Sometimes, the way others think of us differs

from how we think of ourselves.

Looking at the list of words and phrases you

just wrote down, circle four or five that best

reflect who you are and what you do and focus

on them. These will be the core elements of

your personal brand.

Now that you have identified these core

elements, consider consistency. Without

consistency, brand recognition is difficult

to achieve (and you want to achieve

brand recognition). Building consistency

requires learning to say no. When making

big decisions, consider whether or not the

decision will reflect your brand. If it does not,

then it does not reflect who you are and may

potentially be a bad decision in the long run.

Consistency is also important if you are active

on any social accounts or blogs. Your content

should always have the same voice, images

should be styled or edited similarly, and logos

should be used appropriately.

WHAT DOES YOUR PER SONAL BR AND SAY TO OTHER S?

A solidified personal brand is nothing more

than the sum of its associations. If you are a

photographer, perhaps your name instantly

comes to mind when people think of wedding

photography or nature photography. If you

are a writer, your features in top publications

will speak for themselves. If you are a fashion

designer, the boutiques and shops your

designs are sold in will communicate your

caliber. Do not be afraid to associate yourself

with other brands to convey your own.

Your brand will evolve as you do, and it is

important to reflect on the changes occurring

in your life to determine how they will affect

your brand. Revisit the questions you asked

yourself in the beginning to keep things fresh.

Take a step back every once in a while to

notice your own brand associations. Use your

brand elements as tools to celebrate who

you are. That confidence will speak volumes

to prospective employers, clients, and

collaborators because when you know what

you are selling, they will start buying.

" Y O U R B R A N D W I L L

E V O L V E A S Y O U D O ."

“W H E T H E R Y O U A R E A WA R E O F I T

O R N O T, Y O U R P E R S O N A L B R A N D

A L R E A D Y E X I S T S ”

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We live in an age of background tracks and top-of-the-chart

hits, songs we scream along to in the car and tunes we forget

as soon as their final note has disintegrated. Grant Nelson’s

music demands that languid listeners become more than

mere absorbers, challenging them instead to pay riveted

attention to his mind-bending sound that captivates and

lingers hauntingly in its own wake. Nelson’s music is not

simply for amusement; it asks us to entertain the questions

and complexities that arise from it.

G R A N T N E L S O N( M E D A S I N )

S O U N D C L O U D / O F F I C I A L M E D A S I N

D A L L A S , T X | 1 8

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Tell us a little bit about yourself.I do a variety of electronic music. I’ve been in to

producing heavily ever since I was introduced

to it when I was merely twelve.

How would you describe your style?Very electronic. I like to incorporate a lot of

very mentally appealing sounds. I try to keep

it original, something new that you don't hear

often; very detailed and atmospheric, almost

journey-taking. I like to think it’s not something

you can just play while you cruise in your car. It’s

more so something you would listen to with full

attention with headphones in and let your

mind wander.

What do you do to stay creative?To be honest, I don't do a whole lot. I go in and

out of creative moods and phases constantly.

It’s not necessarily something I have control

over. I believe there isn't really something you

can do to make yourself stay creative; I believe

making something creative is more of a chance

thing. A lot of factors have to align perfectly

to set the right recipe for a mood to create in.

Some days I will try to create, but I just simply

can't do it. Something is missing from my mood

or inspiration. Other days I can create very

fluently and quickly. Ideas will just flow out of

me uncontrollably. Hopefully this makes sense.

Who or what would you consider your influences?I grab inspiration from all kinds of things,

people, and situations. It’s almost like

inspiration is a battery that is constantly

charging back up as you experience things

and listen to new music. But as far as specific

people that influence me, I would have to pay

credit to Galimatias, Mr. Carmack, and Skrillex.

Those are pretty much my top three of all time.

What do you want listeners to take away from your work? All I hope is that they want to come back.

I hope for someone to feel intrigued after

hearing my music for the first time.

Do you perform in public?I have before on smaller scales, but starting this

year I have a handful of shows lined up

around America.

“ I T ’ S M O R E S O S O M E T H I N G

Y O U W O U L D L I S T E N T O W I T H

F U L L A T T E N T I O N W I T H

H E A D P H O N E S I N A N D L E T Y O U R

M I N D WA N D E R .”

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What is your creative/production process? I like to be completely isolated while I create. Personally,

I create the best when I’m alone. I don’t like to have other

people’s energies in the room kind of interfering with what I

am making. I know that sounds somewhat selfish, but that’s

just how I am. Shut everything out, sit down, and get lost in

making a song, as if I were writing a book or something.

What are your other hobbies?Not a whole lot! I will skateboard from time to time. It’s

something I’ve done my whole life, just no where near as

frequently as I’ve done music.

What are your next steps?As I mentioned before, the next major step for me is to

start branching out into the world of shows and gigs.

O U R FAV O R I T E ? " G I R L S T H AT D A N C E "

F R O M T H E P I N K P O L O E P

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P L AY L I S T

1 . G I R L S T H AT D A N C E - Masego x Medasin

2 . H E A RT B E AT S ( F I LO U S & M O U N T R E M I X ) - José Gonzáles

3 . G H O S T S - Made in Heights

4 . LO V E LO C K D OW N ( K A N Y E W E S T C O V E R ) - Glass Animals

5 . S K I N N Y D I P - Avionics

6 . G O L D - Medasin

7 . T R AVO LTA C O O L - GRMM

8 . O C TA H AT E - Ryn Weaver

9 . T H X - Medasin

1 0 . M U R A K A M I - Made in Heights

W R I T T E N B Y

J O D I E O R R

L E S L I E M E D L I N

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“In case you were wondering, my favorite color is chartreuse.” These words

come from a colorful woman going through a

“minimalistic, neutral” phase. Leslie Medlin is

an entrepreneur who, when she penned her job

description, wrote stylist, designer, maker, and

then a blank space. The space is reserved for the

other hats (read: baseball caps) she may want to

wear depending on where life takes her. Her past

experience includes fashion designing, visual

merchandising, and branding.

Leslie describes her childhood self as a “crazy

rainbow girl” growing up in Grapevine, Texas.

She always cared about fashion, and loved

experimenting with color and self-expression.

Halfway through high school she took up fashion

design, inspired by the way people feel better

about themselves the better they dress. This was

what she wanted to do, so she studied fashion

design throughout college at Baylor University.

Her classes threw challenges at her she had never

experienced before. Creating quality designs that

lived up to her personal standards while working

under due dates and grading metrics proved to

be difficult.

“I had a hard time with assignments and

deadlines because, to me, perfection can’t have

deadlines, and I’d rather make something perfect

and take a little longer making it.” This roadblock

did not end her journey.

After college, Leslie interned with Anna Sui

in New York City. She then went on to help

develop new boutiques in Waco, Texas, where

she went to school. First was Roots Boutique,

where Leslie worked on visual merchandising—

window displays, store atmosphere, and the

overall look and feel of the store. Later there was

Spice Village, where she helped design displays

throughout the store. Finally, she worked with

Grae Apparel to help visually brand the line in an

effort to make it stand out among the growing

number of shops in Waco.

In February 2015, Leslie took a big step: she

honed the entrepreneurial skills her father taught

her and launched Leslie Medlin || Design House.

She set out to “create a multi-faceted brand,

centered around fashion and creative design,

with the goal of producing both a line of quality

and practical women’s goods and creative and

styling services.” Her motto: “Inspiration for the

confident woman.”

But what about the unconfident woman? That

just does not float Leslie’s boat. “Clothes are an

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expression of confidence, and I don’t believe in the phrase,

‘I can’t pull that off.’” Confidence radiates from knowing

you look and feel awesome, regardless of what you’re

wearing or what others think. Right on, Leslie.

At her core, Leslie is all about bright colors; however, she

claims to be going through a minimalistic phase where she

is using a neutral color palette and her pieces are high-

quality and practical. She takes minimalism a step further

when she neglects all jewelry (except for her wedding ring)

and lets the focus of her outfit be the clothes. “If a shirt

has a really great neckline, I don’t want to cover it up with a

necklace.” She also plays around with androgyny, throwing

on a baseball cap with an otherwise feminine outfit. Her

friends would describe her style as “eclectic,” but she just

likes to evolve and change with the times. Experimenting,

after all, is the only way to learn and be confident in your

own true style.

“ C L O T H E S A R E A N E X P R E S S I O N

O F C O N F I D E N C E , A N D I D O N ' T

B E L I E V E I N T H E P H R A S E , ' I

C A N ' T P U L L T H A T O F F.' ”

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Koronette: Tell us your number-one style rule.

Leslie Medlin: I don't really have rules

anymore, because my perspective is always

changing. I used to say no navy or brown on

black, and now I do that. And I used to say no

denim on denim—then Gap changed all that.

Ha! So, I just decide my set of standards from

season to season. I do always say, "if you like

it, wear it with confidence, and everyone else

will agree with you!"

K: Where do you look for inspiration?

LM: Inspiration is my lens for life. So I get it

by just living and appreciating the beauty of

everything around me. I pull from so many

different things. Some of my sources are:

Keeping up with what my fav brands are

selling and allowing that to inspire my own

creativity. (Some of my fav brands being

The Row, J. Crew, Madewell, Rachel Comey,

Everlane, Elizabeth Suzann)

Instagram—following people/businesses that

are doing similar things to me and learning

from them.

COLOR, always the best inspiration.

My friends who are like-hearted and like-

minded in style, creativity, and living out

beauty in the everyday

K: What is your biggest takeaway from all of

your experiences with visual merchandising

and fashion designing?

LM: My biggest takeaway over the last five

years is that when you start the process of

following your dreams, you also begin the

process of continually defining who you are

and at the same time discovering that along

the way. So I've had to let go of things I

thought I would have or should have done,

and then taken on some things I never

thought I would. The vision of your dreams

is only the beginning, and usually the next

big thing to happen is a major obstacle

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or challenge because we have to have the

character to sustain our dreams for the long

haul. So basically the last five years has been

me developing more of who I am, and being

refined along the way. And in that process, I

have watched glimpses of my true self come

to the surface, then I grab hold of them, and

start to build on them. Dreams require harder

work than just doing a job. And we have to be

willing to stay the course and not give into the

moments of failure or disappointment. Things

may seem messy and slow for a while, but in

the end it is absolutely worth everything.

K: Describe your dream job.

LM: I have a dream someday of being able

to work for a time at Anthropologie as a

Visual Merchandiser. And I hope to make

that happen in the next couple of years. But,

honestly, really. My dream job is what I'm

doing now. I know that I'm made to have a

business and use it for the good of the fashion

industry and the furtherment of the Kingdom.

It has not been easy, especially as of late, but

I wouldn't trade it for any job that pays tons of

money or gives me fame.

K: What is the best advice you’ve ever

received?

LM: I think one of the best things someone

has said to me about following my dreams was

"you must decide, are you an artist that just

wants to sell your art? Or are you an artist who

wants to create a lasting business? That will

determine the route you take." This was really

pivotal for me, because, as an "artist" type,

it's easy for me to take the low road of being

okay with not making money and just surviving

while I figure things out if it means I get to

create. But that is not sustainable. If you are

good at something, and you are passionate

about doing it for a living, you must decide

to take it seriously and put systems in place

to grow that gifting. I don't have control over

my success, but I do have the ability to be

smart about the way I'm doing business and

learn what works and what doesn't. I have a

responsibility to both be happy with what I'm

doing, and be diligent. Dreams are a tough

business. But they change the world.

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C R A I G R E I D

FA C E B O O K / P H O T O S F R O M C R A I G

FA L M O U T H , C O R N WA L L | 2 3

Experiencing Craig Reid’s photography for the first time is like

falling into a living dream. With minor photo manipulation,

this "hunter" captures the spontaneity and true nature of fleeting

moments with his photographs. The memory of Reid’s compositions

will have you rushing back to relive the dream again and again.

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Tell us a little bit about yourself. My name is Craig Alexander Reid and I’m a

student heading into my third year studying

BA(Hons) Photography at Falmouth

University down in Cornwall, UK.

Which is your favorite lens? Why? My favorite lens has to be the 1.4/50mm

prime lens which I use on my Canon 5D. It’s

great for pretty much everything. So it’s a

great lens to just have for every occasion.

How did you get in to photography?Photography for me began in secondary

school. However, I didn’t really get in to it

until my final months at college when I was

applying for universities.

What is your creative/production process?I’m very much a “hunter”-type

photographer. I live in the moment and try

to capture what happens around me. On

odd occasions I’ll ask for a portrait or two

but I just like to document my surroundings

with little influence on what is going on.

How important is Photoshop to your final images? Photoshop is only important for vamping

colors and playing with your blacks and

whites. I don’t do much manipulation at all;

everything is usually left how it was when

I took it. I then just resize and sharpen my

images.

Who or what inspires you? I find inspiration hard. However, if I had to

choose, it would just be the world around

me and its beauty. I always seem to find my

inspiration when I combine my partner and

a beautiful backdrop.

What are your other hobbies? I’m an avid gamer and I spend a lot of my

time reading graphic novels. I enjoy playing

basketball as a means to keep fit and to

blow off some steam.

What are your next steps?I’m currently working on a book featuring

all my favorite portrait and candid shots

spanning the first couple of years with my

partner. You can purchase a copy of it from

my Blurb account.

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“ E V E R Y T H I N G I S

U S U A L L Y L E F T H O W I T

WA S W H E N I T O O K I T.”

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K AT H L E E N G O L I G H T LY

I N S TA G R A M / K AT G O L I G H T

M E M P H I S , T N | 2 1

If you were in the market for an artist-friend, you’d want Kathleen

Golightly to be yours. A watercolerer up to her ears in a dreamy mix

of the abstract and whimsical, Kathleen is kind, creative, and fresh.

And if her existing body of work isn’t enough for you, she’s about to

break out of her mold--she’s “done painting safely on tiny paper.”

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Tell us a little bit about yourself.My current season is a severe dichotomy between

science and art. I live in downtown Dallas, where

I’m finishing up my nursing degree with Baylor. I

will be either an emergency or critical-care nurse.

I first started watercoloring three years ago as a

stress-reliever during finals week, but have always

been interested in creating art. It was then I

finally found a medium that suited me best.

What is your creative/production process?I always make sure that I have a giant mason jar

of water. This prevents me from having to bother

changing the water every few minutes. I also have

to have paper scraps nearby as I am constantly

double-checking colors that I’ve mixed and

seeing if I need more or less water on my brush.

These scraps end up a beautiful mess of colors. I

like to write quotes or scripture on them and give

them away to friends.

I used to sell everything I made, but truthfully,

it didn’t feel “right.” It’s as if I’m selling a

part of me! My niche is custom pieces. I get

to collaborate with customers and then take

creative rein based on their idea. It’s my work, but

it’s the customer’s idea and motivation from

the beginning.

Something you’re still learning?Practically, I’m learning how to use watercolor

for lettering. Being a lefty, it is frustrating as I

am constantly smudging my work. On a deeper

level, I’m learning that it is important to paint

pieces for the walls of my own home and not just

for others. Last summer I realized that I had sold

most of the pieces that meant the most to me.

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What are your other hobbies?Beside painting, I don’t stick with hobbies for long. Last

year it was swimming laps. This year I’m really in to yoga

and reading psychology books written from a

biblical perspective. How would you describe your style?I call my brand ColoredLightly because my style is vibrant

and light. I can’t remember the last time I used black and

was satisfied with the outcome. I paint mostly abstract or

realistic objects with an abstract element to it.

What do you want your viewers to take from your work?I’d like my viewers to think that they could whip out their

old paints and create something beautiful. I’m a huge

believer that watercoloring does not require expensive

supplies. I’ve used the same two eight-dollar palettes of

paints for three years!

“ I T I S A F I N E L I N E B E T W E E N

F I N D I N G I N S P I R A T I O N A N D

B E C O M I N G C O N S U M E D

W I T H C O M PA R I S O N .”

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What do you do to stay creative?I used to look at blogs of other artists to get into a

creative mood. However, it is a fine line between finding

inspiration and becoming consumed with comparison. I

love painting with people who have never really painted

before. It’s exciting to watch them squirm looking at

the blank, white paper. I just start doing my thing and

gently remind them that this is about the process, not

the product. People are always worried about messing

it up. It reminds me to keep watercoloring simple.

Also, keeping in close contact with other artists and

photographers to talk through ideas and frustrations is

so helpful.

What are your next steps?I have a few secret projects in the works. I am venturing

into acrylic and gouache. Gouache is a bolder, more

intensely colorful relative of watercolor. Recently,

I’ve been dreaming of creating on huge watercolor

canvases. I’m done painting safely on tiny paper.

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W R I T T E N B Y

K AT H L E E N G O L I G H T LY

D I Y A B S T R A C T WA T E R C O L O R

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01Gather your supplies!

Cut your watercolor paper (4x6” or 5x7” for a standard

frame size) and fill a big mason jar with water. Start by

spreading a good bit of water across the paper using

your brush. This helps prevent the paper from curling

up and will help the colors to blend..

02Start simple.

If choosing colors is too much pressure, choose one

neutral and one bright color. Gray or tan looks magical

with any bold, bright paint. Test your color on scrap

paper. The more water on your brush or paper, the

lighter the color will be. I like to start in the corners and

work toward the middle. It’s less intimidating.

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03Continue to add different colors.

Don't be afraid to mix colors on your palette to get the

perfect shade. Sometimes mixing with white gives a

color a creamy, richer, less-Crayola look.

When you are happy with the amount of color, add

even more water in random places by dripping on, but

not touching, the paper. Then, pick up the paper and

tilt it in any direction to allow the colors to mix. This

can get messy, but gravity does what no paintbrush

could do. It brings disengaged color patches into one

beautiful, cohesive abstract piece of art!

04After your watercolor completely dries,

there are many options. Simply frame it for a classic

look, or for a trendy calendar, use a black Micron pen

to write out the month and its dates.

We are always looking for new and creative talent!

Email [email protected] with:

Name & age

2-4 low resolution photos of your best pieces

WA N T T O S E E Y O U R W O R K F E A T U R E D I N

T H E K O R O N E T T E ?

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C R E D I T S & L I N K S

I N T R O D U C T I O N Swritten by Madeline Brown

thateditingthing.com

C A M I L L E D O M A N G U Ecamido.co

C A R M E L ' S T O P 1 0

T I P S F O R S T A R T I N G

Y O U R O W N B U S I N E S Swritten by riza carmel

rizacarmel.com

instagram/riza carmel

M I K E C H U A N Gmikechuang.squarespace.com

Instagram/mike_chuang

P E R S O N A L B R A N D I N G

1 0 1written by jodieorr

instagram/jodieorr

photos by nancy magana

nlmaga.com

G R A N T N E L S O N

( M E D A S I N )soundcloud/officialmedasin

L E S L I E M E D L I Nlesliemedlin.com

written by jodieorr

K A T H L E E N

G O L I G H T L Yinstagram/katgolight

C R A I G R E I Dfacebook/photosfromcraig

photosfromcraig.tumblr.com

instagram/feohlor

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[email protected]

@THEKORONETTE

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