Photographer Ashley Sky Walker is capturing moments in real time. His unique style of painting a scene with his lens is rugged and abstract. His portfolio is oozing with works used in magazines and advertisements.  High fashion. Candid Shots. Runway. The Street.  Fashion Week.  Everything around him is used as inspiration for future projects. Walker honed his skills abroad at Central Saint Martins after graduating from Howard University and has never looked back.  He lives and breathes the NYC culture and has gained a following as he continues to breathe a fresh air into the industry.  Remember his name.

To see more of his work and to contact him, click here.

Reading Michael Arceneaux’s blog, The Cynical Ones, often invokes some type of emotional party in my head. The brother can write. There has been times where I have laughed till I couldn’t laugh again, cried because he was so brutally honest, or even thought, wow does Michael live in my brain? This Howard University alum, Texas native, now a Cali transplant, has turned his blog into a full-fledged career and made new opportunities blossom. Arceneaux’s voice is what makes his blog so entertaining, provocative and one of the best daily reads on the net. The world is so obsessed with celebrity and pop culture, and he covers their missteps, trials & tribulations, awkward moments and triumphs with flavor a  that is so unique.

Style & Substance: When did you start the blog, The Cynical Ones?
I started my blog in May 2005.

Style & Substance: You also write for The Root, where does your inspiration stem from?
I was assigned that blog, actually. I reached out to an editor, who through research, I found out went to Howard. I was familiar with her work at The Washington Post. She told me I could pitch her and so I did. Every now and then my work would be published on the site. Then earlier this year she told me that they had a new blog in mind and after submitting a sample, offered it to me.

Style & Substance: I have coined the phrase, “instant celebrities for no reason” why do you think there are so many people famous without having real talent?
I think we live in a celebrity-obsessed culture and because we’ve created such a need for celebrity anyone can be one now. That in turn has convinced others with not a lick of talent in their bodies that they, too, can become famous so long as they attention whore enough.

Style & Substance: Post- graduating from Howard University was it hard for you get a steady writing gig?
Yes. Incredibly. The publishing world was in disarray and with the state of the economy, budgets were slashed everywhere which only exacerbated the problem.

 Style & Substance: What celebrity really gets on your last nerve?
Far too many. But in short: Any self-involved “celebrity” who acts as if they’re above criticism or above anyone or anything, for that matter.

Style & Substance: Did you always know you would be a writer, if not your second choice?
I knew I was always wanted to write, but I initially thought of becoming a news anchor and then eventually go on to write books and the like. I’ve never had a second career option, honestly. Just couldn’t see myself doing anything outside of media.

Style & Substance: You put a lot of heart into your writing as well as personal information that makes your work EVEN more soulful, do you ever regret that?
There have been some instances where I’ve looked back at something I’ve written and thought, “Yeah, maybe that was too much.” Then I remind myself quickly that what’s done is done and there’s no turning back.

Style & Substance: Your favorite writer?
It changes often. The first writer to come to mind is James Baldwin. Not only because of his eloquence, but out of sheer gratitude for paving the way for people like me to be more frank in their work, and touch on issues still largely ignored within our community (sexuality being the main one

Style & Substance: The transition from college life to real world is tough, how have you continued to get your name out in the industry?
Networking and continuing to be hungry! Each time I meet someone in the industry exchanging contacts and actually following up with friendly emails that aren’t necessarily asking for anything. You really have to “stay humble stay low and blow like hootie”! Each job you do you have to act like your life depends on it whether it’s paid or not. Internships can lead to jobs if you play your cards correctly and you have good timing!

Style & Substance:What are your upcoming goals?
My next goals are to get into some teleprompting classes because I eventually see myself as a TV personality. I also am looking to get into a full-time job IN the industry.

 Style & Substance: Any new projects on the horizon?
Right now my biggest project is getting settled in Los Angeles – I’m investing some time in myself. I excel most when I have a stable home life so that’s my immediate focus! I also have a project called, Close to the Bottom. It’s a compilation of interviews with cool people who are doing their thing in creative fields.

Style & Substance:Your resume is full of experience from Essence Magazine, In Style Magazine, and BET what is one of your best memories on the job?
Oh man! I have a lot of great memories. Some of them include BET Awards 07 when I worked the red carpet. I hadn’t ever been around that many celebrities at once so it was cool to see some of my favorite artists up close. I also loved working as a direct intern for Stephen Hill during the first BET Honors. That man is such a visionary. Essence was also great! I loved working all the photo shoots and going on market appointments – I had a lot of Devil Wears Prada moments there. I learned so much at Essence and at In Style I worked for a fabulous editor, Sydney Bolden-Long. She consistently gave me words of wisdom.

Style & Substance: Describe a day in the life at your job?
Well, I’m a bridal specialist right now at a well-known shop in Beverly Hills so my job is to help brides find the gown of their dreams and to help with other aspects of their wedding parties needs. If you’ve seen “Say Yes to the Dress” on TLC then that’s pretty much what I do. Its fun and a nice environment most days so I like it but I’m definitely looking to get a full-time job in the industry but this works for the moment. 

Style &  Substance: Finding a job in the age of a bad recession can really dampen a recent grad’s spirit, how do you maintain such a positive outlook?
I’ve definitely had some post grad depression. I was in Atlanta for 9 months after I left NYC and had the hardest time finding a job! It was so bad my mom suggested I go to nursing school. But I just kept focused on getting to LA. I aligned my path to get here. I got into FIDM and got a job the first day I got here so I know that LA is where God wants me to be. The piece of hope that I keep is that my break will come. I’ve already planted the seeds through my work ethic and am watering them through my diligence and faith. So one of these days I’m going to see the fruits of my labor!

Style & Substance: What is your Style & Substance?
My Style & Substance is knowing that having style without any substance is worthless. I pride myself on knowing that fashion and entertainment doesn’t make the world go round but it is something that I’m passionate about. I make sure I volunteer my time with noble causes like Girl Scouts of America. I’m currently training to be a troop leader in Girl Scouts of Greater LA. At the end of the day it’s bigger than me!

Tomara Watkins is a woman of many talents. A recent graduate of Howard University, she found her  calling three years ago when she began to pursue her true talent of becoming a makeup artist. She started her career ”behind the counter” as a makeup artist at Macy’s for the Bobbi Brown line and also has honed her skill at MAC. Her goals have been elevated to overdrive and she has become a sought after make-up artist, transforming blank canvases into works of art on many different editorial and fashion photoshoots. Her days are spent traveling to NYC and adding many new works to her portfolio.  Last year she debuted her site, T Watkins Beauty to showcase her finished products. This is just chapter 1 in the story of Tomara. Who knew a chemistry major would blossom into a modern day Picasso?

STYLE & SUBSTANCE: When did you fall in love with cosmetics?
Tomara: I came out the womb with an L’Oreal Juicy tube in hand…lol. I always snuck and played with my mother’s makeup when she left the house. I would go and try to put her foundation on, especially. Then there’s the moment I stumbled upon Kevyn Aucoin’s book face forward, because I was looking for books on sewing in the library (I thought I was going to become a seamstress). And there are also the times when I would sit home on Friday nights and read Seventeen magazine, and I remember Ashanti saying that she wore MAC and Bobbi Brown lip-gloss. I clipped the article out, because I would be traveling to Houston for the summer (I lived in the Maybury of Florida) and I knew there would be one of those stores there. My cousin offered to purchase me some new lip-gloss while I was at The Galleria and I found myself in the MAC store. He said that I could get anything I wanted, and I left with clear lip glass (the sticky stuff…lol). I wore that lip glass and I thought I was the S#$%, until my guy friend innocently asked me if I had just ate some chicken, because my lips were so shiny….lol.

 STYLE & SUBSTANCE: You have worked hard on the sales floor in retail, “pushing beauty” what was the hardest part of the job?
Tomara: Convincing women that the things that they considered flaws weren’t as big of a deal as they thought. Also, just dispelling all of the beauty myths that are out there. For instance, I had a woman tell me that black womenshouldn’t wear red lipstick…and just showing her that she could…just find the right shade. And encouraging women to take care of their skin. Well, at first I didn’t find anything really difficult about the ob. I loved it!! When my counter wasn’t busy I would visit other counters to see if I couldfind new products that I hadn’t discovered. But eventually, I started to get bored, because I didn’t have a true creative outlet. I would always get excited when new products would launch because the visuals stimulated me so much creatively. I would say to myself that that is what I wanted todo, so once I realized that and started testing the hardest part became having to be there.

STYLE & SUBSTANCE: What are the three products every person should have in their beauty arsenal?
Tomara: I’ll give you 6 (I’m an over achiever):
1. A great moisturizer (this is even for you oily girls)…really a great
skincare regimen.
2. Mascara
3. Undereye concealer ….this can take away all of those late nights, by making you looked rested. Don’t forget the eye cream
4. Bronzer….quick and easy way to give your skin a glow
5. A natural looking blush …
6. Semi Matte Lipstick …this is great when you need to lookprofessional….lip gloss can be a bit distracting in these situations.

STYLE& SUBSTANCE: What well-known makeup artist or model really personifies true beauty to you ?
Tomara: Iman. Even at 50, she still maintains herself and looks amazing. She is also very comfortable in her skin and encourages everyone else to be as well.

STYLE & SUBSTANCE: What are the beauty “no-no’s” that you see women use, which just looks horrible!!??
Tomara: Soooo many….too much blush for daytime, wrong shade and formulation of foundation. Test foundation on your jaw line and blush should look natural….enhancements…

STYLE&SUBSTANCE: Your best work you have done to date? [Whether a photo shoot or you choose..
Tomara: Cover of Highlights Magazine (not the kiddie magazine…I get that a lot). It should be in bookstores now.

STYLE & SUBSTANCE: What are your long-term goals?
Tomara: I would love to be a key makeup artist at Fashion Week, and to one day become the creative director of my own brand.

STYLE & SUBSTANCE: What have you learned the most as a budding artist in this business?
Tomara: Just because you have talent doesn’t mean that the jobs will come to you. If you have talent, you have to go out there and network with everyone.It’s a hustle!!!

STYLE & SUBSTANCE: The FASHION/BEAUTY industry is now beginning to see our beauty as an asset, do you think this new resurgence in the BLACK FACE OF BEAUTY will last?
Tomara: You know….I think black beauty has always been celebrated, but only in small numbers. For instance, back in 90’s there was only room for a few top black models and really only 2. If you ask the average person to name two famous black models, I am sure we all know what names would come up. I just hope that moving forward there is room for more and that every aspect of beauty is addressed, including Latinas, Indians, Asians, anyone that has been underrepresented in the world of beauty.

 STYLE & SUBSTANCE: In your own words describe what is style and substance? Tomara: Originality and Creativity at its best.
Classic.

Makeup Artist: T Watkins
Photography: GL Wood