The Artist Process 3 at 5 Pointz

Posted on July 26, 2013 by Milli Stephania in Milli Stephania

The Artist Process 3 at 5ptz

A documentary and a public family event hosted by Marthalicia.

Throughout the summer of 2013, cameras followed four New York City artists as they joined others at 5 Pointz,

a well-known quarter in Queens, NY, where artists from all over come out to create art and celebrate freedom of expression by showcasing their art across building walls.

The artists took to the famed brick canvas to paint the phrase “The Artist Process” captured it all on film.

Acclaimed New York City “live art performer”

“We all live in NYC, so we all have a rhythm…These are just

layers, you can say, of all the art that has been expressed here…

I hope this event can show and tell people there is a lot of love

for the creating and hopefully this love can equal positive energy.”

The Artist Process,

*The mission for this documentary, is to help non visual artist and artist alike to share their skills to the public.

*The mission of the mural is to work collectively with others, with the sounds provided by the musical performers and poets, as the b-boys and b-girls dance to the rhythm of both the spoken and harmony of the sounds/beats.

Hopefully the public can witness the love we have for what we do, and in return appreciate the struggles of the artist to help understand our need to keep the arts thriving and living, if not for our life time, but for our children’s life time.

“The Artist Process”is a documentary in the lives of New York City artist. The purpose of creating these documentaries or such event is to educate those that are unaware and unfamiliar to the many artist that we have present in our life time, that are utilizing their talents for the betterment of today’s youth. Those that participated in the 2009 summer “T.A.P.”that was held in 5 POINTZ, Queens, can tell you how of a great impact it was for them and others to unite together and perform to the public.This time around, a new twist and idea came about to better help bring a closer view to how the artist see themselves and their art.Meet the ARTIST for the 2013 visual Showcase:

1. T = Host

2. H = Jorge Matarrita

3. E = Anthony T. Morton

4. A = Carlos Javier Gemelo Ramos

5. R = Crystal Clarity

6. T= Paulie Nassar

7. I = Giannina Gutierrez

8. S = Siende

9. T = Andre Trenier

10. P = Ralph Serrano

11. R = Rico Tomas < Mas Paz >

12. O = RIMX

13. C = Christian Cortes

14. E= MINX

15. S = Sek 3

16. S = Antonio KEL

17. ! = Baja Ukweli

Together we can show the POWER of ART through our Love and devotion , by demonstrating our sense of Community through the arts !

My Mr.Minx dropped me off in Queens and hurried along to work, trying not to be late.

The heat was unbearable and I know I wasn’t the only one feeling it.

When I got there everyone was working their butt off, spray paint everywhere and the music blasting.

I dressed as comfy as I possibly could, knowing I was gonna stain all my clothes anyway.

I decided to work with spray paint and acrylic.

Just to get a bit more detailed in my work.

My main focus most of the time was the hair….

oh maaaaan, it took me fooooorever!

and in that heat I was cranky, not to mention that I didn’t eat before I got there.

Everyone was so nice, networking and cracking jokes.

This Artist Process was part 3, and my second to date. I attended and painted on the first one and not the second one. You can see that post here.

There was so many little kids running around, dancing, breaking, painting and “borrowing” our supplies.

It was so cute to see these kids grasp onto their environment and replicate it so easily.

I had the pleasure of meeting and painting alongside (in between) both very talented artists, Cortes and Sek3.

Cortes had the letter C, in blue and grey skulls, with red ones in the background… he made it look so simple and finished it so quickly, 1-2-3.

His shadows and highlights were great.

Sek 3 was pretty damn dope and broke out in a very patriotic piece in red and blue with stars and polka dots….

oooooo…..polka dots ♥

But I have to admit, my favorite part of his piece was the use of burgundy shadows. My friend Randy came through to show some support and I pout him to work really quick.

I handed him my camera and he got snapping.

He was pretty good to, I was impressed.

Since I was so busy painting,I knew I wasn’t going to have to much time to get all the shots of this event like I wanted to.

Let alone, pics of me at work.

The bestfriend Misha came through and I know she was pretty upset she forgot her SD memory card at home and wasn’t able to take any pics at all.

After everyone was done painting, and yes.. I was one of the last ones to actually finish painting, due to the fact that I was working with brushes.

But it was all for the better, since all eyes were on me!

It’s funny though, because we were all required to submit in a sketch for the respective letter that was given to us, and yes I submitted mine in..

but what I painted was completely different from what I ended up painting.

A few steps away the music was blasting and many were dancing.

There was a Bboy, Bgirl competition hosted by Chief 69 going on, and everyone was going in .

Winner, $200.

Aoooow!

On the side there was ArtistNameLong getting his juices flowing and painting the mural DURING the time it’s actually getting painted.

That must be so difficult.

Not only painting what’s not finished, blocked by everyone in the way, but have to duplicate everyone’s work in the process.

I can’t wait to see the end result!

(He’ll be mailing me the end result, so you guys better stay tuned for that)

After all the commotion, Philartiste, Misha, Randy and I went to a diner to catch up and talk silliness.

I ended up ordering a Philly cheese steak that was way too small, but delicious.

Our waitress was super rude which gave us more ammo to start cracking up.

We walked back to 5 ptz, since the sun went down and was actually better weather… ( so much for that storm that was supposed to happen)

and went inside to see an exhibit, a very sexual exhibit might I add.

The canvases, prints and displays all were incorporated with sex.

Sex tools.

The female and male body.

Pain.

Submission.

the list goes on and on…..

It was actually pretty cool.

The day was great.

Thank you Marthalicia for including me in your vision.

House of Roderick Pompadour Winter Fashion Week 2013

Posted on February 22, 2013February 22, 2013 by Milli Stephania in Body Art, Milli Stephania, Portfolio

♥

House of Roderick Pompadour Winter Fashion Week 2013

♥

I don’t even know where to start, I guess the beginning will be a good choice but I rather start with the thank you’s.

Thanks to Matthew Colon, who at last minute gave me the opportunity to work under his co-partner Cass Jones; founder of VIP Skinz ( a body art shop, both temporary and permanent ).

With this call I was given the chance to work behind the scenes at “The House of Roderick’s Pompadour Winter Fashion Show” for 2013’s Fashion Week that was being hosted at the infamous Empire Hotel Rooftop.

I guess now we can start at the beginning. . .

It was a rough morning. A very ” why out of all days is this happening to me” morning.

I headed out my apartment ready for a busy day, with my roller bag that was a little way too loud once it hit concrete, but it would have to do.

Everything fit perfectly and better yet, I didn’t have to struggle carrying anything. Especially since I was coming from Brooklyn.

Little did I know, and of course I happened to notice on the train ….

That horrible smell, I couldn’t stand it, and it was wickedly concentrated. Thanks to my cat, sarcastic as I could ever be… I failed to noticed that Vandal had taken upon himself to mark his territory on my bag.

And I of course only noticed when I was already on the train, looking at the time every chance I got.

I was running late, already on my way, worried and now I have to deal with the embarrassment of this stench. How professional.

Problem No.2 – I’ve never been to the Empire Hotel before, yes I’ve been invited many many times, which mostly was an invitation to wear a too tiny mini skirt, and parade around in heels until I got so drunk I wouldn’t be able to say pronounce my name anymore. I always said no.

I take my phone out to the GPS the directions and today, of course my phone decides not to be activated.
And no, not because I didn’t pay it… But bc I share the plan with irresponsible people who I barely see, let alone speak to.

But that’s a whole other story. No phone. No directions. I head to Columbus Circle because that’s the best my memory lets me get to and ask my way around, asking anybody and everybody where this hotel may be at.

It’s 10:20 am and I only wish I could reverse time by 20 minutes. I swear, I’m always late. I panic and make my way to the rooftop where I was told everyone ( body painters, constructors, models, and Roderick himself will be. )

Empty. If I was in the wrong place, I was screwed. With no way to contact anybody ( phone less) I asked around while I dragged around my stinky bag.

I met Freddy, the hotel’s engineer for 12 years and very sweet man who assured me I was in the right place. I was just the first to arrive. He offers me a bottle of water from the bar and tells me to just sit and wait.

Before I even do that I hide my bag across the room as far as I possible can. No one needs to be drenched in that.

I meet two ladies who happen to be event coordinators, and ask to borrow their phone. I call Cass at her shop and she assures me she’ll be there in an hour. At least I’m not the one who’s late. A relief off of my shoulders.

The models arrive and Roderick does shortly after. I offer to help glue rhinestones on his flyers for the time being to keep myself busy and useful while the girls start to rehearse. Once I see two horns appear through the door I head downstairs to help Matt and Cass unpack all the supplies from the car.

I haven’t had the chance to use an airbrush machine and I was eager to get the chance to learn tonight. It doesn’t look too difficult anyway.

There was a lot of time in between actually starting to paint, but once we started I was excited to finally begin.

We started with the 4 men who were to be positioned at the the end of the runway. Painted as roman/Greek statues.

We airbrushed for a little while until the machine broke down and refused to work, which let us to our last minute plan B solution.

We watered down some acrylic paint and some airbrush paint and started to sponge the guys down. I had some guys screaming at how cold the water was, but all I could do was laugh. I was titled “the evil one” all night.

When it came to the women the concept was simply this: 12 women, half in real lingerie, the other half in fake lingerie.

That’s where we came in.

We, as in Cass, Matt and I painted stockings, garter belts, corsets, and bras.

It looked, what can I say… I personally think we did really well. Not to mention, that we finished RIGHT on time.

The show was already starting, cocktail hour had begun an hour ago, it was now 9pm and the models needed to be out.

Roderick placed all the jewels on the models and they looked great.
That man really knows jewelry! Hey, that’s what we were all there for.

Karen Gravano from Mob Wives was the guest emcee and the music soon began.

Cass, Matt and I didn’t even have time to go and change… So we did the only thing we could do…

We stripped down and threw on our fancy cocktail attire, all while covered in paint ( good thing I bring baby wipes ) we all got dressed in less than two minutes….

And hey, we’ve been seeing boobs and spreading buttcheeks ( while we painted, pervs! ) all day, so I doubt we made any difference in all that behind the scenes action.
I ran out to catch the best glimpse of the show that I possibly could. After all this hard work, I definitely wanted to enjoy the end result.

Everyone seemed to love it.
Once the dancer, ( Phillip did great ) and the models finished with their walks, it was time for the Crew to walk the runway.
I have never had so many flashes come at me at the same time. I had people screaming ” I’m from _____ magazine, look over here !” Or ” this way, this way_____ press”
It was , how can I say… Exhilarating.

Credits:

Concept and Show director: Roderick A. Gunsell

Emcee: Kathy Polston- Dalton- Mrs. New York Globe

Guest Emcee: Mrs KarenGravano- VH1 Mob Wives

Hair and Makeup: Lady Lexxus

Creative Body Concept : Cass Jones, Minxinx and Matt Colon

Models: Cierra Brooks, Oakley Boycott, Jessica Moore, Tanisha Weir, Amanda Uduka, Upa, Leona Chiaki Wilkes,

Janice Picconi, Patrick Shannon, Rodney Lozier, Andrew Nierenburg, Haley Scnieder, Hannah

All Photos on this blog, by me.

On The Set : Toby Love’s music video Lejos

Posted on August 27, 2012May 22, 2014 by Milli Stephania in Milli Stephania, Videos

The driven Jorge and and Edgar asked Misha and I to be P.A.’s for an upcoming project.

and I was excited, how could I say no?

The talented Danny Hastings from Atomicus Films would be shooting, for all you spanish music lovers out there, bachatero Toby Love ‘s new music video, Lejos.

The first day we started to set up, I was up and ready to go by like 10 p,m Yes, we were working at night.

Once we got to the location, everything was covered in dust. We had so much work to do.

We needed to make a bar, work on the stage, remove many furniture that just doesnt fit, clean, paint, add lights, and so on.

So we got started.

After all the work we did, we still were not finished. Day two rolled around and we got started right away. Jorge started to paint his speak easy sign while I got a hold of the curtains that are on stage. I have to say, with the limited fabric I had, I think I did them enough justice. ♥

Day three, time to shoot.

I had to go to work, and couldn’t be there by 5am like everyone else. I got to work at 5 am and left by 9am.

I couldn’t miss this. I finally arrived by 10:30am ( long way to Brooklyn ) and everyone was already set up.

I was glad I didn’t miss much.

The wonderful Pia was doing wardrobe and I have to say she did great!

I’ve seen her strut her fashion senses when we were in High School together, in our fashion illustration classes together, and even in our annual fashion talent shows, but things like that are never really the same once you’re rushed and being put under pressure because of timing and one horrible person you have to deal with and answer to.

Yes, I went there. hahaha

Any way, to back to our behind the scenes posts, enough drama.

Toby Love was actually a very chill person.

You could tell he was loved by many , not just because of his twitter stats, but because he was very down to earth, cracking jokes and such kind of dude.

I cannot express enough how much I was glad he was just him and nothing to extravagant.

Hooray for celebrities that aren’t douche-bags!

Can you believe this awesome dress that the female lead Sally was wearing for the Flash back shot was Pia’s High school Prom dress!

It looked amazing on her.

Sally’s acting was on point, especially her face expressions.

Well, I hope you guys enjoyed a sneak peak into this video. I have been holding this post hostage until Gabriel was finished editing all the clips together, so you guys can have everything at once.

Everyone was absolutely fantastic to work with. I had such a great time and experience and I definitely hope it’s not the last.