Houston Archives - Taji Mag

Craig Carter, also known as Craig C. Tha’ Artist, is a self-taught mixed media visual artist from Houston, TX. He uses any and everything to create his art pieces from acrylic paints to different hues of coffee and tea. He’s always striving to find amazing and creative ways to express himself artistically and continue to grow as a visual artist. Most times he tends to go the extra mile when it comes to working on a piece. He always knew he loved art; watching the 80’s hip hop film called Beat Street is what solidified him into drawing. Seeing “Ramo” put those color combinations together on those graffiti pieces had him fascinated and he knew he wanted to do something with art. As a kid and teenager, it was just a hobby – something to pass time and stay out of trouble – but the more people kept complimenting him on it, the more he took it serious.

Everyday he wakes up passionate about art because it’s another day to create and learn another technique. “For me, it’s time to unwind and ponder about other things on my mind like music and traveling. I’m also passionate about doing live art events and getting the youth involved in the arts as well. Hopefully by them seeing me create, it inspires them.”

His work has been featured in different galleries and publications both nationally and internationally.

: (The Queen) Mixed media on wood (4ft X 4ft)

: (Let The music flow) Mixed media on canvas (20in X 20in)

More of his artwork can be found at https://craigctheartist.carbonmade.com and on Instagram @Craigctheartist

Throughout the developed world African nationals are racing to build sustainable marketplaces for independent designers of Afro-centric inspired fashions. Numerous African inspired Fashion Week events have emerged setting the pulse for this movement. The World Fashion Organization’s agenda is to develop wealth creation and eventually free African societies from a dependency on world aid.

The ambitions of WFO is to foster fashion as a vocation; and further the development of ‘World Fashion’ by helping developing nations improve intercontinental trade. Overall, WFO aims to create a global market place for emerging fashion brands under the theme “We Fashion All”. According to the WFO apparel is the chosen market for economic development in Africa because of the high degree of influence African aesthetics has had in the western markets. “Rather than receiving financial aid from the international community, African nations need help developing commercially viable creative industries. The fashion industry has multiplying chains of vocation, which can create wealth. For example, the clothing industry creates jobs for Apparel Designers, Accessory Designers, Tailors, Weavers, Textile Designers, Pattern Makers, Wardrobe Stylists, Models, Fashion Photographers and Writers etc.”

Models are wearing TeKay Designs, an award winning international fashion label, based in Houston Texas, that offers custom designs and couture bridal gowns, formal attire and statement fashion jewelry. Founded in 1998, TeKay Designs features handcrafted pieces that appeal to those who appreciate elegance with a contemporary twist. The company facilitates production in Ghana, Africa and Houston, Texas.