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Christopher Plentywounds from Miss Summer on Vimeo.
I met Christopher Plentywounds through our good friend, Karlie Hustle. I just about stalked this kid because I was absolutely blown away when she showed me his work. The day of our meeting, in walks this man-child of only about 18 or so, with the most sincere eyes and driven demeanor. Showing me more of his pieces (which he carried in by himself- in 110 degree weather), I was floored. Using newspaper and various recycled goods, the artist is a MASTER of his craft. Each piece was more intricate and stunning than the next and I knew the FIENDS had stumbled on to something simply amazing. Listening to his story also confirmed that with compassion, courage, and love, you can overcome ANY obstacle. Stay tuned for the outcome of one of my most favorite joint projects yet!
Tell us a little about yourself
My name is Christopher Plentywounds and I am 18 years old. I was born in San Diego, California but after two years I moved back to Mexico with my mom and my brothers. When I turned 14, I decided to come back to the United States. It was hard leaving my family, but a goal was pushing me to be strong and make a drastic change. I’ve been living in Arizona for 4 years and throughout those years, I’ve been living with different families, that is, until I didn’t have any other place to go. I heard about Tumbleweed ( a homeless shelter) and I went there to ask for help and support and they opened their hearts to me.
How did you become involved with Tumbleweed?
Tumbleweed has different facilities all over the valley, so once I moved in, I visited different places like the learning center, drop in gallery, drop in center, and many others. Around a year ago, I volunteered to give some community hours. I was an assistant manager for a homeless outreach program.
In addition to your “artwear”, what other outlets of creativity do you utilize?
Since I can remember, I’ve utilized all sorts of different techniques and mediums. Now that I’m 18, I create most of my pieces out of newspaper and additional recycled materials. Another one of my hobbies is photography, since I think I have a good eye to take the right shot.
What inspires you as an artist?
Everyone has inspirations to keep working hard and explore areas that they never could’ve imagined. I believe that my main inspiration AND motivation is to keep working hard and to keep a positive environment around me. Other inspirations are my mom and my God, they have never left me alone.
What kind of music do you listen to when your creative juices are flowing?
When I’m creating my art, I love to listen to meditative music. It is just an extraordinarily relaxing sound that keeps myself working, inspired, and helps me to create new, innovative ideas.
What does it mean to YOU to be a “Fresh Fiend”?
Being a “Fresh Fiend” to me, means being able to express yourself without any restrictions. In just the short time I worked with you guys, it felt like a little family that works together as a team, not only to entertain readers and fans of the blog, but also supports the community and creativity of others.
What advice can you offer other young, aspiring artists?
If you really want to be a good artist and be recognized, you have to work hard and not listen to negative comments. Those comments will only bring your self esteem down. Never give up on any of your dreams.
Are there any upcoming projects you can tell us about?
Thanks to The Fresh Fiends, I have been connecting with so many great people that want to help me out and put my name out there. Once more, thank you Fresh Fiends, for the chance that you guys gave me to be part of your incredible team!
Where do you see yourself 5 years from now?
First, I hope God can give me the opportunity to live 5 more years and if I can, I would use those years wisely to accomplish as much as I can. I see myself in Milan, Italy graduating from a university and showing my art pieces and my costumes in fashion shows.
About Tumbleweed’s Young Adults Program (Y.A.P.):
Tumbleweed’s Young Adults Program (Y.A.P.) provides a safe place to live for homeless or runaway youth who have no other financial support or place to live. These young people have no viable family to support them and rarely are wards of the court. Youth receive independent living training, counseling, job development and skill building. Skill building is designed to help the youth learn to live independently and includes employment and parenting skills as well as a focus on increasing education level. Tumbleweed is always in need of clothing, toiletry items, linens, and food. Do YOUR part in providing aid to this incredible outreach program. For more information, contact KarlieHustle@gmail.com.
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August 23 2010 |
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Many thank you’s to the C’est La Vie familia for honoring me with the Femme Fatale title recently. Check out the interview HERE
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May 24 2010 |
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Much love and thanks to 944 Magazine for featuring FF in their Trailblazers’ Picks section. It was a great opportunity to share what, where, and WHO keeps our interest in Phoenix. In addition to promoting ourselves, we loved being able to promote who we feel are the REAL trailblazers 
And thanks to your votes, we could be featured in June’s issue so keep em coming! VOTE HERE.
Not long ago, a good friend of mine was lucky enough to have a portrait done by the legendary Kat Von D of High Voltage Tattoo in Los Angeles. Knowing that I’m a fan, he described in detail all the amazing components of the artist and her workspace (Jonathan Adler vases, dramatic burnt down taper candles, and gothic relics from Necromance- my FAVORITE store in L.A.) He was also quick to note how grounded and REAL she is. Besides her hit show L.A. Ink and a successful collaborative run with Sephora, Kat Von D is THEE quintessential representation of what being a FIEND is all about: Strong, beautiful inside AND out with a “keen sense of female ferocity”. FF caught up with the artist (via email) to get the scoop on everything from beauty products, tipping, and what it’s like living life as a bona fide ICON.
What does a day in the life of Kat Von D typically look like?
Definitely depends on the day. I’m an early bird, so I’m usually up by 7am in order to be prepared for whatevers on the agenda that day, but usually in the morning I start with 15 minutes of meditation before a cup of coffee and then off to the gym. I usually like getting my workouts over with before I dive into a full day’s worth of tattooing appointments, or business meetings. By the time 9pm rolls around I’m usually ready to wind down before I sleep and do it all over again the next day. Sundays I have off.
We love your exclusive line with Sephora. Our favorites include the Ludwig Palette, Lightning Sheer Lip Gloss in Retox, and your Saint fragrance. I even spray the tiniest bit on before I go to bed. Are there any upcoming beauty collaborations we can look forward to?
Thanks for the nice compliments and I’m glad you’re digging the line so far! I’m constantly working on new projects with the line, and I’m pretty excited to launch a third fragrance very soon, as well as a contour bronzer blush, new palettes, and the most amazing red foil lipstick I’ve been going back and forth on trying to perfect!
The Fresh Fiends consider you to be one of the most influential females of all time. On average, how long does it normally take for a person you’re tattooing to start awkwardly fanning out? How do you deal with people throwing themselves at your feet?
I don’t know if I can say people “throw themselves at my feet”, but I usually look at people taking an interest in me as a very positive thing – and if I have the opportunity to make someone feel like smiling or be inspired that’s pretty much the coolest thing!
I’m in the beauty service industry and once got tipped with a coupon to McDonald’s. What’s the lamest tip you’ve ever received and what are your thoughts on tipping etiquette? For example what is standard for 1.) a first time client 2.) friends/family 3.) someone you’re dating … some people REALLY do not know how to tip their service providers!
I think tips are a personal preference for the most part. And if someone doesn’t tip me crazy, I don’t take offense in anyway. I know for me personally, I like to tip my tattooer well just as a “thank you”. For first time clients I’d say tip whatever you feel comfortable – tattooing isn’t so much like the restaurant business where there is an expected percentage. With friends/family, and someone I’m dating – I wouldn’t accept a tip if they tried! But that’s just me.
We’ve heard you’re a photography and Jem and the Holograms enthusiast. What else are considered to be Kat Von D “must haves”?
Ha! Jem and the Holograms is a must have for sure! As for other “must haves”, I have way too many collections of things to list all of them, but a few things I obsessively collect are, taxidermy, birdcages, antique globes, and bibles. Oh, and platform shoes of course!
Having started your career at such a young age, what advice can you give our readers in staying humble- especially living in L.A.?
Wherever you are living, or are from, I think it’s the most refreshing thing when you come across people who are happy in their success (on whatever level), but are able to remain grounded and remember where they came from. It’s always so admirable to see those qualities in some of the people I’ve been lucky enough to meet… and on the other side of the coin, it’s always such a turn off when people are blinded by whatever hype is going on around them at the time.
As a woman in an industry dominated by testosterone, what were some obstacles you can now look back on and say “fuck yeah I did it!!!” ? What is empowering to Kat Von D?
I think my sobriety is one of the most empowering blessings I can look back on and be proud of. It’ll be three years in July that I’ve been sober, and never did I imagine being this excited about not drinking! It’s pretty simple, and awesome!
If people are just seeing you for the first time, how do you
tell “which one is Natalie and which one is Nicole?â€
Nat- We both have short hair, Nic’s head is a little shaved and she’s
a bit taller, she has a lip ring.. I have a nose ring.
Between the two of you, there’s around 50 tattoos…any you wish
you DIDN’T have?
Nat- When I was around 18, I tattooed someones name on me.. I’ve
convered it since, so that’s one I wish I didnt have, AND I don’t have anymore.
Nic- Â I have a tramp stamp. It’s a sun and I got it when I was 16
years old..Shhhhh…don’t tell anyone!
Since “move your body†where have you been? There’s an illusion
that maybe ya’ll were just somewhere at home chillin. But quite the
contrary….
Nat- We’ve been traveling, performing/ Djaying all over the world,
shacked up in studios recording new music, writing like crazy.
We’ve been on numerous collaborations since Move your body, tracks
with Alchemist, Sean Paul, Nore, Aventura, Major Lazer and more.. Released 2
singles + videos On some Bullshit and more recently
Beautiful People.
Nic- Yeah, what she said!
Right now we’re focused on….
Nat- We’re focused on US and Getting shit done. As I said before we
released two videos independently in the last 2 years. It’s really
important to us to make sure that things get done on our side even if
the label isn’t making moves. We’re really fortunate to have a dope day to day team..It starts from the ground up! Â So right now we’re actively recording, writing, working on another video
we’re really excited about and lots of other great things in the
works.. Â Clothing collaborations, New Mix Tape and Looking forward to
doing some acting! The grind never stops!!
pairs of sneakers for? For a while I tried  to wear them but now,
there’s only about 10 that actually hit the pavement. The rest of them
I just give away. Enough sneaker talk!
Nat- Â We plan on doing a sneaker drive soon . Together
we owned over 2 hundred pairs of kicks and in all reality we were only
wearing a select few. So why not donate them to people who can really use ‘em? Sneakers seem
so insignificant, everyones collecting now a days, not even wearing
them!… and there are kids in other countries playing sports and
walking the streets barefoot. Thats crazy! So all of you that have some extra kicks laying around..
My favorite things in life are….
Nat- Family, Friends, Fans + Food.. All F’s lol
Nic- Â Natalie had the best answer. I concur.
We couldn’t do anything without…
EACHOTHER.
I’d give up everything I own to…
If I hear this one more time, I SWEAR…
I’d like to see more females do…
Nat- Â Anything they want. Go for it. If you have a dream, or are
passionate about something dive in.. Take a risk, don’t let anyone or
anything get in your way!
We’d like to see less females putting themselves out there like a
piece of ass. Not that you asked, but thats real talk. I think women are
very quick to use there bodies to get
where they want  instead of using their brains! Respect yo’ self.
In entertainment shit is tough. What keeps you
coming back?
Nat- The Love. Even if we weren’t signed to a
label or never put out an album, we’d still be doing music. It runs
through our veins.
Nic- We LOOOVE what we do. Now times that by TWO.
Nat- Everything we know? I’m not sure..lol. Our Step dad definitely
inspired our love of music. Our mom taught us to be the strong women
we are today.
We love it when…
Nat- Someone says they were inspired, touched or can relate to  of our records.
Nic- People ask us “are u guys REALLY twins” …yeah, we LOVE that question!
If you don’t call us NinaSky you could also call us…
Nicole, Natalie, Nisky, Nasky, Nic, Nat… The Coolest twins you know.
Before we dip, be sure to….
Who said this on twitter “ just had the illest temper tantrum†… ?
Nicole
Who said “ First sober new year’s ever? “
Nicole
Who was doing “Hot….Sweatttty… Yogaâ€
Nicole
Who’s your favorite tweeter you follow?
@MadeMe + @Nastyones .. You should follow them too.
Who were you surprised follows YOU two?
Nic- Everyone should follow us damnitt!
Why did you block the last person you blocked?
It was some midget fucker that’s been stalking us for years. It
life.
You ladies loves food, follow any show/person from FoodNetwork?
Oh yes. Best thing I ever ate, Unwrapped, Challenge, 30 minute meals.
What’s been your favorite trending topic?
Nic- Â #ChrisBrownsbowtie was pretty darn funny.
Since you’ve been on, what’s the longest you’ve gone without tweeting?
Probably a weekend.
Read us your last tweet:
Chopping it up w/ @theladyla
Thank You and Goodnight.
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February 03 2010 |
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Fashion / Uncategorized / beauty / creative / culture / fuckery / interview / love is love / music / new arrivals / propers |
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I really enjoyed answering these interview questions. It wasn’t the usual “What’s it mean to be a FIEND” type deal, so we were stoked on not having to repeat ourselves. Much love and thanks to Mimi from Taste Of A Poison Paradise for allowing us to reveal our naughty sides See the entire interview
We are pleased to introduce Christopher Plentywounds as our FIEND of the Week. This 18 year old up and coming artist out of Phoenix, Arizona specializes in making amazing artwear out of newspaper and other recycled materials. We are confident that this “Paperboy” is headed straight to the top.
(Click on the pic to meet our FIEND of the week)
If you would like to be a FIEND of the Week, please send a photo, quick bio, and link to TheFreshFiends@gmail.com
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