Books – Tony Ward

Antoinette Naseef: Dana The Comic

black comic book house wife as artist illustration — Artwork by Antoinette Naseef, Copyright 2024

Dana The Comic

In the vibrant world of fashion, creativity knows no bounds, yet representation often falls short. Enter a groundbreaking comic strip that centers on the journey of a Black fashion designer, illuminating both the struggles and triumphs faced in an industry rife with challenges. This comic strip serves not only as entertainment but also as a powerful medium for social commentary.

African American comic book featuring aspects of African American life in the world of fashion and design — Artwork by Antoinette Naseef, Copyright 2024

The protagonist, inspired by real-life figures like Ann Lowe and Dapper Dan, navigates the complexities of the fashion industry while grappling with personal and cultural identity. Each panel showcases the designer’s evolution, from sketching designs in a cramped apartment to showcasing at prestigious fashion shows. The character’s journey is punctuated by moments of doubt, systemic racism, and the relentless pursuit of acceptance in a predominantly white industry.

Visually, the comic strip bursts with color and style, reflecting the richness of Black culture. Each outfit designed by the protagonist serves as a canvas for storytelling, incorporating traditional African motifs and modern aesthetics. The art style blends realism with a whimsical flair, drawing readers into the designer’s world. Fashion becomes not just a profession but a form of self-expression and cultural pride.

The narrative arc emphasizes community support, showcasing interactions with family, friends, and fellow artists. These relationships highlight the importance of mentorship and solidarity, reminding readers that success is often a collective journey. Through witty dialogue and heartfelt moments, the comic strip captures the spirit of resilience, inspiring aspiring designers to embrace their unique perspectives.

Moreover, the strip addresses broader societal issues, prompting discussions about diversity in fashion and the need for inclusivity. It challenges stereotypes and encourages readers to celebrate differences rather than conform to mainstream ideals.

In conclusion, this comic strip about a Black fashion designer is more than just a story; it is a celebration of creativity, identity, and resilience. By weaving together fashion and storytelling, it inspires a new generation to break barriers and redefine the narrative in the fashion world.

Portrait of artist Antoinette Naseef — Antoinette Naseef

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Antoinette Naseef is a formally trained artist and designer. She is based in Philadelphia. Her works are inspired by Nature, ancient Ethiopian art and pop culture. Antoinette’s Work has been featured in New York Fashion Week, Galleries, events and web publications.

Editor’s Note: DANA the comic book is now available for purchase by linking here: https://mixam.com/print-on-demand/670fc7ca7f83ba24f760ab42

Bob Shell: Fighting Fire With Fire

Glamour portrait of a very pretty young woman wearing just panties — Lani. Photo: Bob Shell, Copyright 2024.

Fighting Fire With Fire

I have just received correspondence from an attorney named Adam Steinbaugh with FIRE, the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression in Philadelphia (adam@thefire.org).
He’s offering his possible help with the problems I’m having with the Virginia Department of Corrections interfering with my right to write and publish my books.

I hope you’re aware of FIRE, as I was not. It sounds like he and his organization are things you should know about, particularly because they’re right there in Philadelphia.

I wrote letters about my problems to a variety of organizations. This wasn’t one of them, but Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts from for warded my letter to him.
I’ve also heard from PEN America in NYC offering their help, even though I didn’t write to them.

His address is:

FIRE
510 Walnut Street, Suite 1250
Philadelphia, PA 19106

Telephone:
(215) 717-3473, ext. 213

I thought I should keep our readers in the loop on this. You or others you know might need their help at some point since the book burners are active again.

The VDOC’s Publication Review Committee banned my book Heaven and Hell on the Road to Reno based on an unpublished proof they seized. The idiots don’t understand that it’s not a publication until it’s published! Their authority extends only to publications. They had no authority to confiscate, review, or disapprove it. They’ve blocked publication, because without the proof I can’t make necessary corrections or editorial changes, so it remains an unpublished proof on my Amazon account.

About The Author: Bob Shell is a professional photographer, author, former editor in chief of Shutterbug Magazine and veteran contributor to this blog. He is currently serving a 35 year sentence for involuntary manslaughter for the death of Marion Franklin, one of his former models. He is serving the 17th year of his sentence at Pocahontas State Correctional Facility, Virginia. To read additional articles by Bob Shell link here: https://tonyward.com/bob-shell-trump-and-me/

Exhibition Announcement: Obsessions – Vintage Prints 1993 – 1998

exhibition announcement for tony ward photography show. Obsessions vintage prints 1993-1998

PRESS RELEASE:

We invite you to join us for an exploration of human vulnerability and the timeless beauty of the unadorned form. “OBSESSIONS” is an ode to the human spirit, a celebration of the profound authenticity that lies with us.

For more information about this exhibit, link here: https://www.prismartsphiladelphia.com

Exhibition Announcement: Tableaux Vivants 1994 – 1996

Tableaux Vivants: 1994 – 1996

This exhibition Tableaux Vivants: 1994 – 1996 is being hosted by my dear friend the artist James Dupree. I met James and his wonderful wife Anita in the mid-eighties when I moved my family into Philadelphia’s Bella Vista neighborhood. It was known then and still is a haven for creative people including the likes of Isaiah Zagar, Jenny Lynn, Ray Metzker, Ruth Thorne Thompson, George Krause, Robert Asman, Harvey Finkle, Zoey Strauss, James of course and many others.

James asked if he could host an exhibition of my work the day after we were hit by a massive water main break on our block at 6th & Bainbridge streets. He made the offer knowing how damaged The Ward Studio was from the flood waters on July 25th, 2021. It was truly an act of friendship and empathy from one artist to another. For that I am truly grateful.

I dedicate this exhibition to the late Paul Mojica also known as “Luna” in the Philadelphia gay community. Paul and I met in 1993 just as I was beginning to think about the tableaux vivant series. He was by my side for those years first as my main makeup artist, but then another aspect of his many talents emerged. That of a muse. Paul appears in many of the pictures in this show in various costumes we dreamed up over drinks at the Latest Dish or on our photographic excursions to the Big Apple.

I was very saddened to hear of his passing a few years ago. This exhibition is dedicated to the life and times of Paul Mojica.

Paul Mojica: Photo by Tony Ward, Copyright 2021

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To access the gallery of Tableaux Vivants, click here: https://tonyward.com/early-work/tableaux-vivants-1994-1996/

Alejandra Guerrero: Wicked Women

WICKED WOMEN

Wicked Women is my first solo book and a photographic monograph of 12 years of my works in erotica with emphasis in fetish photography. It presents my vision of sensual, strong and sexually confident women, with images full of narrative and erotically charged stark portraits. It presents my visual aesthetic, including elements of fashion and fetishism blending seamlessly together. Fetishism relies heavily on garments as symbolic elements of power and surrender which I delight in using in my work. It presents a type of woman I like to call a “Vamp”, a seductress, dark and mysterious with a bit of film noir, Femme Fatale. She is in tune to her desires and her fantasies, without apologizing. It flows sensually and provocatively.

Photo: Alejandra Guerrero, Copyright 2020

The story of how this project came about happened in New York City in the Spring of 2018, when I met David Jenkins, the editor in chief at Circa Press, London, England. He had an interest in doing a book with me. I had some ideas, but then a section on my web site I had called “Wicked Women”, to group the more fetish oriented photos caught his attention as well as the title I used for the body of work. We settled in the name quickly and then worked on selecting photos I had already shot that fit the theme of the book. After we met, I shot a few new photos to add to the portfolio, as well as the cover image, but the work was largely there from our first conversation.

Photo: Alejandra Guerreo, Copyright 2020

As a collector of books that have inspired and entertained me since getting into photography, I’m very excited and thrilled to launch my Wicked Women unto the world. Please support my Kickstarter campaign by clicking on this link: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1649001578/alejandra-guerrero-wicked-women

Portrait of Alejandra Guerrero by Tony Ward, Copyright 2020

About The Author: Alejandra Guerrero is a photographer that has been establishing her unique vision for female empowered eroticism, fashion and fetish. It is a vision that can be traced back to her early upbringing in Bogota, Colombia. A more conservative society, its constraints did wha constraints so often do: the reverse of what was intended. They filled her with a desire and curiosity that would eventually be satiated in the less judgmental underground communities in the US, where the erotic/fetish community would embrace her and show her that people could have more open minds about how they express their sexuality. For Alejandra, this expression would take the form of a unique combination of seductive fashion, erotic fantasy and an unapologetic embracing of fetish as seen through the eyes of a powerful woman.