ELEMENTAL ENERGY – A Celebration Of Black Female Sensuality Through The 5 Forces Of Nature
When Executive Producer and model Teslyn Butler and Co-Producer Erica Watson came together in January of 2018 to discuss this project, it was kismet. The goal was to create, “A Celebration Of Black Female Sensuality Through The 5 Forces Of Nature.” This stunning editorial, shot in March 2018, does just that…
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ELEMENTAL ENERGY
“I am dripping Melanin and Honey. I am Black without Apology”
UPILE CHISALA, ARTIST
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THE ELEMENTS
The five elements of fire, water, earth, minerals and nature are an essential part of West African healing and spirituality.
Each of the five elements has deep meaning:
Fire is the original element and the one most internally connected to the spirit of each individual. Fire is powerful, beautiful and has the ability to release heat, create light and consume everything in it’s path.
Water is transparent, cleansing and essential to life. It has a peaceful disposition but also has the power to transform and destroy.
Earth Also known as Mother Earth is the central element, a resting place that will always call you home.
Mineral is the elemental energy that gives you substance. It is the solid at the very core of you that gives you internal strength and structure.
Nature Mother Nature creates the basic inherent characteristics that allow us to be shaped and formed into our natural selves.
[divider] . [/divider]MINERAL ELEMENTAL ENERGY
“Jewels are minerals, compressed pieces of earth, stacks of crystalline carbon. What gives them shine is their history.” – Tao of Wu
“And I will never, ever respond to anybody – man, woman, vegetable, or mineral – who tells me to keep my mouth shut.” – Janice Dickinson
MODEL: TESLYN
EARTH ELEMENTAL ENERGY
“For a long time, men weren’t respecting women. They weren’t understanding Mother Earth, Mother Nature, the Motherland, all the motherly stuff. And now we are.” – Skepta
“Even the people who come our way look upon us in amazement, that we run only for the healing of Mother Earth.” – Dennis Banks
MODEL: NASSALI
NATURE ELEMENTAL ENERGY
“Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished.” – Lao Tzu
“Adopt the pace of nature: her secret is patience.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson
MODEL: SERGELY
FIRE ELEMENTAL ENERGY
“But what of black women?… I most sincerely doubt if any other race of women could have brought its fineness up through so devilish a fire.” – W. E. B. Du Bois
“Sky Above me. Earth Below Me. Fire within me.” – unknown
MODEL: SHEENA
WATER ELEMENTAL ENERGY
“A woman is like a tea bag – you can’t tell how strong she is until you put her in hot water.” – Eleanor Roosevelt
“You can’t dump one cup of sugar into the ocean and expect to get syrup. If everybody sweetened her own cup of water, then things would begin to change.” – Florynce Kennedy
MODEL: KIM
[divider]ELEMENTAL ENERGY PHOTO CREDITS[/divider]
TESLYN BUTLER
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER
Lead Stylist
IG @teslynb
ERICA FAYE WATSON
CO-PRODUCER
Creative Director
IG @miss_poundcakes
MODELS
CREATIVE TEAM
Isi Akahome
Photographer
IG @isi.a.pix
Niehla Ollie
Makeup Artist
IG @niehlaomua
IG @madeebymila
Tennia Williams
Hairstylist
IG @tenniawilliams
IG @tiaramvb