Y Crazy Mind

Have you ever wondered why some films are able to completely transport you while others may have you commenting, “I didn’t quite buy it.”; if so, it’s probably because of the work that goes on behind the camera. The actors are unquestionably important to your suspension of disbelief but it’s often the ability of professionals who manifest the world in which the actors display their talent that opens the door and beckons you in. The contributions of immensely talented professionals like Graphic Designer Jiping Liu might be taken for granted unless you are a filmmaker yourself; the precise reason that she is the first choice of so many filmmakers. Subtle touches which reassure the viewer that the world they see on camera actually exists, that’s the magic of Jiping Liu and the cornerstone of her renown in the film world. Her work is often the opposite of VFX artists who seize the audience’s attention; it’s her ability to make the extraordinary blend in and seem completely appropriate tha...

Hold’s artistic career consists of a multitude of significant turning points - she started studying architecture in Austria, was a successful fashion model in Milan, Paris and New York, studied textile design in London, subsequently working actively in Milan before finding her feet in abstract painting. Each experience has added a new dimension to her paintings, which embody the structured layering of architecture and a trained understanding of the minute differences in color hues. “Michelle’s large abstract canvases are almost overwhelmingly vibrant. They have a quality that perhaps can be best described as ‘wall presence’ – the layers of paint and shapes merging into each other grab the viewers’ attention and draw them in.” Nat Rubinstein Michelle says: ‘My work concentrates on the unseen, the ever-present energy that holds the universe together. I love to paint emotions, feelings, philosophical thoughts, states of mind. I aim to offer the spectators a view into special mom...

Jimmy Reagan is an international visual artist who has been creating artwork since 2009. Born in St. Paul, Minnesota in 1993, the once healthy and chatty toddler, lost his words and fell into illness. Shortly thereafter, Jimmy was diagnosed with Regressive Onset Autism and Mast Cell Disease. In 2009 after being homebound due to severe illness, Jimmy found his voice. It would not be a verbal voice. It would be a visual voice illustrating his view of the world through art. Jimmy’s mother, Peg Schneeman Reagan, made note cards of Jimmy’s drawings as a thank you for his doctors. The next thing they knew, Jimmy’s artwork and view point would gather international recognition. While Jimmy cannot have a conversation with you, Peg share his story and creates context for his work. While Jimmy lives with autism and serious health issues, he is not defined by these diagnosis. He is first and foremost an artist.  Peg and Jimmy’s Dad, Brian, co-founded the University of Minnesota Aut...

Andrew Hetherington is an Australian indie musician, songwriter and producer. One of life’s polymaths, Hetherington straddles these roles with confidence bringing a fierce originality yet still classic sound, forged by the music he grew up with. 80s retro-wave, laced with smooth synths, mellow guitars and achingly beautiful vocals meet the harmony and rhythms of classic pop. We have conducted an interview with him. As an indie musician growing up with 80s retro-wave, laced with smooth synths, mellow guitars and achingly beautiful vocals, what influences your music? I’m heavily influenced by the music I grew up with, which was composed of great rhythms and melodies played by great bands in the 70s & 80s. I think this influence is instinctively reflected in my music and is naturally incorporated from somewhere deeply subconscious. What do you consider in your musical strengths and background that differentiates your music? I’m probably a little bit older than my pee...

Burt Kempner is a children's book author from Philadelphia. This spring he is going to introduce the 4th and final book in a series about endangered species. We have conducted an interview with Burt about the new book of the series. (Illustrator: Cal Howard) What are your launch plans for Spring 2020? What can readers expect from this? I plan to release The Purple Wave in late April/early May 2020. I'm awaiting the interior illustrations and would like to get some advance reviews in ahead of publication Prior to this, please tell us more about the whole series? The School of Animal Magic Adventures series concerns an action team consisting of a young, questing female elephant, her best friend, a wisecracking cattle egret and a mysterious white lion who's an emissary from the stars. In each adventure they're sent to help a threatened species using a mixture of knowledge with a little magic thrown in. The previous books in the series are Maisha the Edu...

Jeff English Hoboken is a prominent graphic designer known for his unique American approach. The New Jersey based designer serves clients from NYC, Greater Northeast and beyond. The studio undertakes wide ranging design projects, including corporate brochure, logo design, marketing materials, brand identity and creative strategies. Hoboken believes every project that comes to his desk deserves special attention right from conception to completion. His interest in design began at an early age thanks to his knack for creativity and learned graphic design skills.   The other skills that have always worked to his advantage include interpersonal communication, interactive media and knowledge of Adobe creative Apps. Jeffrey English Hoboken studied at the NYU Tish School of Arts in NYC for his degree in graphic design. The relationship he built while studying at NYU allows his studio to enroll interns interested in pursuing various design careers. Jeff English Hoboken is also w...

The devil’s in the details. While this is most certainly appropriate in regards to the complexity hidden in many things, it’s derived from a German proverb which actually translates to “God is in the detail.” Benevolent and malevolent, these forces coexist in many great things. Production designer Andrea Leigh has built an extremely successful career on taking care of the details which makes the extraordinary seem natural, even intuitive. Manifesting this is often extremely demanding and requires someone of great talent, creativity, and problem solving skills…all while keeping a cool head in the face of stressful situations and deadlines. It’s almost impossible to categorize the wide spectrum of productions Andrea has worked on; the most appropriate would be “acclaimed.” An MMVA (Much Music Video Awards) nominated music video for Thugli, a Vimeo Staff Pick winning commercial for Birkenstock, Samsung’s highly stylized commercial with legendary footballer Zlatan Ibrahimović, Reebok’s la...

As a budding entrepreneur, having a mentor who has been there done that can be extremely useful when you start defining your goals and building a realistic strategy. Vlad Rigenco, a talented Canadian entrepreneur and business professional, is that mentor. Despite his academic success at a young age and being accepted to virtually every university he applied to, Vlad Rigenco decided to forego a degree from York University in business and finance. Four years of studying and doing little else did not appeal to Vlad. He left his studies to begin working right away. Vlad Rigenco has been working with business professionals in various fields for over eight years, helping them build brand awareness through engaging marketing campaigns. With a breadth of practical experience supporting entrepreneurs, Vlad Rigenco knows all about getting started as an entrepreneur. Vlad Rigenco of the Greater Toronto Area is passionate about marketing and technology. His passions led him to creat...

It’s a well-known fact that small business owners struggle to secure funding from traditional lenders. In fact, More often than not, banks are hesitant to lend to small businesses because of certain risks associated with small businesses (i.e. lack of collateral, less profit on smaller loans, lack of credit history, etc.). Fortunately, banks aren’t the only source of additional working capital. Alternative lenders offer small business loans to small businesses. The qualifications and the requirements are less stringent than banks, so there’s a great chance you’ll qualify for a loan. If you’re looking to apply for small business term loans, it’s best to understand different financing options. 1. Business Line of Credit If you’re looking for flexibility, you might want to look into a business line of credit (LOC) . It’s the most useful type of loan for small business owners since it can be used as an emergency fund, working capital, supplies, and inventory, etc. Wit...

Ezshwan Winding is a classically trained artist based in San Miguel de Allende. Mexico. She has been exhibiting in solo and group exhibitions since 1981 and her work is in numerous private and public collections. She embraces materials, touch, and their interplay as driving forces" to product paintings that embody a visual synthesis of stored memory. Her artistic interests move from abstract to figurative, oil, mixed media and encaustic. We have conducted a short interview with her. How long have you been creating both abstract and figurative art? Which piece(s)/collection has been your most successful works of art?  When I was a child, drawing was the major interest in my life. I have been fascinated by faces for as long as I can remember. In grade school my academic work suffered because I preferred to sketch my fellow classmates . With the help of a supportive fifth grade teacher I managed to get to sixth grade. I feel fortunate that I received a classical art edu...

Mario Henrique is an artist based in Cascais, Portugal. A prolific portraitist, Mario is fascinated by the unpredictability of the human behaviour: the brief glances, the impermanence of facial expressions, the sudden movements. Making use of uncommon and “rough” materials, like cardboards, reversed canvases and hardware tools, he paints abruptly and spontaneously. His approach relies on drippings, splashes and paint throws, so that the physicality of the painting process is transparent in the final piece.  Listed in various private collections across Europe, America and Asia, he has exhibited in galleries both locally and abroad, and was awarded an Honourable Mention for his participation in the Brasília Biennial of Contemporary Arts 2016. He was also featured in Saatchi Art’s Inside The Studio and is currently represented by the prestigious Bill Lowe Gallery in Atlanta, GA (USA) and Corno Gallery in Montreal (Canada). Mario owns a studio/gallery at the Marina, in Cascais (P...