When you first walk into Creativity Explored you hear the music playing throughout the studio amongst the voices and laughter of the artists. Music is something all humans can relate to. It is something that can express emotion without talking, whether you feel happy and full of energy or dispirited. Many of the artists feel connected to icons, musicians and celebrities they have known throughout their life and these icons often bring good feeling and motivation. They use inspiration from the music and style of their favorites in their own artwork.

Untitled (Jeans), Christina Marie Fong, 2017, Sharpie and marker on jeans, variable size

Christina Marie Fong loves to work directly on different articles of clothing, often bringing ibags of used clothing into the studio. She repurposes them by drawing her favorite celebrities in her signature style. The pants above show Janet Jackson, Selena, Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey and Jennifer Lopez. Fong is motivated to make work about her idols and regularly wears the clothing she draws on around the studio.

Photo by: Carly Terreson

I Will Always Love You, Makeya Kaiser, 2017, Fabric, stuffing, photo transfer and embroidery thread, 12" x 24"

Whitney Houston and Mariah Carey are on the "most played" playlist on Makeya's iPod. She listens to them while she is working almost every day. This pillow is one example of how singers like them impact her work. She interpretively embroiders lyrics of her favorite songs. This pillow shows the words to "I Will Always Love You" by Whitney Houston.

Photo by: Creativity Explored

Makeya Kaiser also makes music videos and sings her favorite tunes in a self created set. Check out this video called, Make my wish come true and immerse yourself in her environment: