SUMMER 2015
ANGELS PLAYPEN
TATTED ANGLES - TATOO EDITION
IS THE WORLD READY?
LULU
I AM ATTRACTED TO PEOPLE WHO
ARE CONFIDENT AND FUNNY
BRITTANY PENNINGTON
A YOUNG ANGEL
SYDNEY BOWLING
ANGEL OF MERCY - SHONDA LAURELEE MACKEY
EDITORIAL
PUBLISHER | EDITOR IN CHIEF
KHALID “BLESS THEANGELS” BEY
CARTER EROS
TATTED ANGELS
VOL. 1
S.U.G.O. MAGAZINE
SOCIETY+CULTURE+LIFE
A NOTE FROM THE EDITOR
HIDDEN TREASURES MAGAZINE
HTM - HIDDEN TREASURES MULTIMEDIA LLC
www.angelsplaypen.com
www.sugomag.com
www.sclmag.com
www.hiddentreasuresmag.com
www.webdesigner23.com
CREDITS
Angels come in a great variety, whether celestial or earthly, they come in a wide range of
shades, sizes and character. Tattoos in essence are the same and when you combine
body art and beauty, the effect is… heavenly. Individual beauty is pronounced, accentuated
and never more attainable. The words and images that adorn the frames of some of the
most beautiful women in the world add to the presentation of their beauty while giving us a
glimpse into what makes them the person they are.
Within these pages, women who themselves are a work of art, have dedicated all or in part,
their bodies as canvas for vivid depictions of everything from life affirmations to the names
Taylor Brynne | Shot by Bill Strome
Shonda Mackey | Photography: Michael Jonathan
Lulu | Shot by Alx Guzman
Hailey Solewin | Photography: Michael Jonathan
Sydney Bowling | Photography: Epphects Media
Britttany Pennington | Photography: Michael Jonathan
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ANGELS PLAYPEN SUMMER 2015
of loved ones. Tattoos themselves date back to ancient times and has come to symbolize a
multitude of beliefs and cultural.
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CONTENT
TAYLOR BRYNNE
6
I am from Philadelphia, now living in New York
City where I have been exposed to tattoo lovers
since becoming a teenager, however I have
never seen them as I see them today.
18
LULU
My name is Lucy Marie, but you will very rarely
hear anyone call me by my name! It’s either
LuLu or Lou.
4
ANGELS PLAYPEN SUMMER 2015
24
BRITTANY
PENNINGTON
12
My name is Brittany Pennington, I am from
Tempe AZ and recently moved to Seattle WA.
HAILEY SOLEWIN
30
Pretty pictures, beautiful angels, amazing
design all appear within Angels Playpen,
visually intoxicating us into an addiction.
36
SHONDA LAURELEE
MACKEY
In a recently opened Café V, a coffee shop that
offers vegetarian cuisine, seated is the beautiful
Shonda Lauralee Mackey from Florence,
Colorado.
SYDNEY BOWLING
A young angel, still maturing, adulthood a new
phenomena admits to us that she still has
some growing up to do.
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TAYLOR
Art on Beauty
Taylor
Brynne
SURRENDERING ONESELF TO THE CREATION OF ART IS WHAT A MODEL DOES. THE PROCESS OF
COLLABORATING WITH DESIGNERS, ART DIRECTORS, WRITERS AND PHOTOGRAPHERS, SHE BECOMES PART
ARTIST, ARTIST MUSE AND ARTIST TOOL IN THE COMPLETION OF A CONCEPT AND THE CREATION OF ART.
ALLOWING ONE TO BE THE CANVAS WHERE ART IS APPLIED IS THE ULTIMATE SELF-SURRENDER, FOR THE
ART CREATED IS PERMANENT, MEANINGFUL; A COMMITMENT TO OR THE DECLARATION OF SENTIMENT.
“It
is the expression
of who people are,”
says model and
tattoo enthusiast Taylor Brynne.
“Each piece means something
different to that person. The way
that tattoos flow with the natural
curves of ones body is something
that I find absolutely beautiful.”
The meanings behind each
tattoo can range from heartfelt to
superficial, religious to mundane.
I ask Taylor which of many pieces
means the most to her. “The
portrait of my grandfather,” she
answers. “He passed away eleven
years ago and it is a wonderful
remembrance of him.”
This discussion I am having
both internally and externally
6
ANGELS PLAYPEN SUMMER 2015
“I am from
Philadelphia, now
living in New York
City where I have
been exposed
to tattoo lovers
since becoming a
teenager, however
I have never seen
them as I see them
today”.
with Taylor raised a variety of
questions. There seems to
be a tattoo revolution of sorts
happening as getting multiple
tattoos has become the norm. “I
think tattoos are slowly becoming
more mainstream,” Taylor
interjects. “People love being able
to show their creative side and
have artwork that reflect that.”
I am from Philadelphia, now living
in New York City where I have been
exposed to tattoo lovers since
becoming a teenager, however
I have never seen them as I see
them today. Whenever I traveled
to another city I noticed tattoos
were never terribly popular. “Not
where I grew up,” says Taylor, “at
least when I was growing up. I
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TAYLOR
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ANGELS PLAYPEN SUMMER 2015
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9
TAYLOR
think overall tattoos are becoming more popular in
all areas of the country.” Taylor is a Midwest angel
from Ohio now living in Los Angeles.
As a new father I have to consider if I will allow my
son to get tattoos before becoming an adult capable
of making his own decisions. “Not before the age
of seventeen,” Taylor suggests. “Most kids are still
growing until then and some even after. Tattoos will
change with growth and most kids would more than
likely get something that has no meaning to them
and then grow to hate the piece in a few years.” So
when and why did she get her first tattoo? “I was
seventeen years old and had just graduated high
school when I got my first tattoo. It is on my lower
back and is a lotus blossom with some tribal marks
around it. I had just gotten home from Spring Break
and some of my friends had gotten one,” she recalls.
“I had always known I would have tattoos.”
Taylor
Brynne
Never one to judge; Taylor doesn’t see any physical
location of a tattoo as off limits. “To each their own,”
she deadpans, although jokingly. She admits that
getting a piece on your ribs is the most painful she
knows of. But when she is eighty years old how
will she regret the art that adorns her so beautifully
in her youth? “I have been asked that many times.
I’m no where close to eighty…” she responds, “but
I highly doubt it. I love my tattoos! They are an
expression if who I am as a person. Each one has
significance to me and experiences in my life.”
g
10 ANGELS PLAYPEN SUMMER 2015
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BRITTANY
Tattoos and Personality Featuring
Brittany
Pennington
I
t’s early morning, though
it’s quiet now, this is New
York City and things could
change in a flash. I take the
time to ponder life, love and
the pursuit of happiness; three
things that mean the world to
me. Sometime we forget that we
are living a certain life that has
a meaning and a purpose, so
many never get to discover this
about themselves so they remain
in a kind of purgatory, unable to
progress and mature. For those of
us like this I would make a simple
suggestion; do something you
love and keep doing it. Through
doing what you love you will find
meaning and purpose. For Brittany
Pennington, her decision to
become a model brought positive
12 ANGELS PLAYPEN SUMMER 2015
changes, gave her life substance
and reason. “I am more confident
in myself and for once I really have
a passion and love for what I do,”
says the dark haired, tatted-up
beauty.
“To me heaven on earth is having
true happiness with yourself, who
you’re with and what you do.”
Happiness with one’s self should
never be a purely cosmetic. One
must find the beauty that is them,
search within to ascertain what
truly makes you, you. Brittany says
what makes her who she is, are;
“My looks, tattoos and personality,”
knowing that it’s about more than
what is on the outside. It’s the
beauty of knowing who you are;
internally and externally. “Beauty is
who you are on the inside not just
what you look like on the outside,”
Brittany offers. “I think there are
some advantages,” she says of
having outer beauty, “but there also
some disadvantages. Some people
get special treatment if they are
beautiful but then you have people
who are jealous and won’t want to
help you because they are jealous.”
Marilyn Monroe now covers the
zodiac sign for Capricorn, the
first of many tattoos to come. “I
am very into astrology,” Brittany
explains what her first tattoo
signifies. “A few years later I
covered it with a Marilyn Monroe
portrait.” With the look and style
of undeterred rock-star, Brittany
was perfect for a short-lived stint
working with MTV. “I have a little
bit of an edgy style,” she says.
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“I don’t stick to one style because
I don’t like to limit myself. I love
shorts with studs and torn tanktops.” Modeling for MTV’s Spring
Break parties was such fun that
nothing else has since compared.
“I met so many wonderful people
and worked with some of my
favorite celebrities. It was definitely
an experience I will never forget.”
MTV was the start of a budding
career in the modeling industry.
“I was doing makeup for an MTV
show and the producer pulled me
aside and said I would much rather
you model for the show,” recalls
a nostalgic Brittany. “I was very
hesitant because I never thought
about modeling before. I decided
to do it and had so much fun with
it that I never stopped modeling.
Modeling has become my escape
and I am so thankful for that TV
show because it showed me a
side to myself that I didn’t know
about.” Discovering her modeling
14 ANGELS PLAYPEN SUMMER 2015
capabilities turned into a great
love. “I love the human body and I
love showing it through modeling.
I also love being able to escape
from life and focus on what you
are trying to portray at that very
moment.”
In order to be successful in the
modeling industry, “it takes
someone who doesn’t care what
other people think,” Brittany
instructs, “because you will come
across people who will try to make
you feel insecure because they
are jealous of the work you have
done.” Success she says also
depends on where your passions
lie. “If you don’t love it then it will
show in your pictures.” She has
a few designs of her own when it
comes to her career. “I would like
to continue modeling and doing
professional makeup. I am not sure
where I see it going yet but I know
I want to continue down the path
I’m on.” Makeup company MAC is
a notable brand she’d like to work
with. Betsey Johnson is a fashion
brand Brittany expresses a desire
to work with as well. “I would live
to be a Sullen Angel or be a part of
a brand that shows off tattoo work
also.”
Brittany loves modeling, yes but
she also has other interests.
Besides doing makeup which
she does because she is an
aesthetician, she loves to travel
and enjoys writing. After a long day
of work, a massage from the loving
hands of her girlfriend graciously
rubs away all the tension. “I love
my dogs and spending time with
my girlfriends,” she says of her
daily joys. Love impassions her.
Fashion fascinates her so you can
find her shopping at Steve Madden,
Aldo, Victoria Secret, MAC, Nasty
Gal and Forever 21. Of course
modeling is heart, and her guilty
pleasure is ‘cheese and bread’.
“I can never get enough,” she
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declares proudly. After learning
about so much that she loves, we
touch on her fears, well at least her
biggest fear. “My biggest fear in
life is being unhappy.”
Seattle is home to the tatted angel
though she is originally from
Tempe, Arizona. “I love the music
and art vibe here and the scenery
is so beautiful,” says Brittany of
Seattle. “I am Irish, Italian and
French Canadian,” her heritage
the topic. “My family all grew up in
the U.S. My dad is from the West
Coast and my mom is from the
East Coast. I grew up in Arizona.”
Growing up she admits she was
adventurous and outgoing. “I
loved to try new things.” Today
she admits to new changes she’d
like to make in her life. “I would
like to become healthier in my
eating habits and exercise more.”
She never leaves home without
her lipstick, cellphone or purse
especially when partying in her
two favorite cities; her home of
Seattle and Las Vegas. “I love
Las Vegas,” she says, “It’s my
playground.” We rather call it her
‘Playpen.’
g
16 ANGELS PLAYPEN SUMMER 2015
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17
Reading Between the
Lines ft. Hailey Solewin
SEATTLE WASHINGTON
P
retty pictures,
beautiful angels,
amazing design
all appear within
Angels Playpen, visually
intoxicating us into an
addiction. Still these
words shared between
two minds carry the most
potential to resonate
in a much more lasting
manner. We, whether
wittingly or not, create an
alternate reality, nothing
truly imagined so it’s
still the real world, just
a little more focused.
We provide our viewers
with something they can
actually read, a short
story perhaps. Our angel
now, Hailey Solewin,
is a self-admitted avid
consumer of script
and prose. “I am a
huge reader,” she says
righteously, “it’s one of
my biggest pastimes
and hobbies.” Between
the lines written here
in Angels Playpen we’ll
gleam a little more than
words can adequately
communicate.
Words are powerful.
They convey thought and
emotion, trigger reaction
and command attention.
18 ANGELS PLAYPEN SUMMER 2015
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FASHION
Here, they will shape a minibiography of a once quiet and
shy angel, who hasn’t changed
very much even though she is
now a public persona. “I mean,
I am still the same person,” she
states matter-of-factly. “I’m a
brutally honest person… I don’t
believe in sugar-coating stuff…
but I am also the type of person
that will do whatever I can to
help my friends in anything they
need.” Reading, we already know
as Hailey’s greatest hobby, with
horseback riding and hanging out
with her friends being her other
interests. “Oh and Xbox,” she
adds with a fit of laughter, “[I]love
killing me some zombies.”
Enthralled by the adrenaline rush
of killing zombies on Xbox isn’t
the only thing she loves, she also
loves her kitchen and the magic
20 ANGELS PLAYPEN SUMMER 2015
she makes in it. “I love to bake
and cook,” she says of what she
loves to do in her “homey room.”
But it’s the simple things in life
that matter most in a world that
occasionally offers a slap when
all you want is a hug. Between her
daughter, flowers and good books,
Hailey finds solace when it’s
needed. The simple things, like a
hot bath and a good book after a
long day of work, a home-cooked
meal or the undemanding act of
watching her beloved television
shows; Walking Dead and Once
Upon a Time. And then there is
her ultimate guilty pleasure. “My
homemade black forest cake,”
utters our angel lustfully, “omg…
I’m such a fat person in a skinny
person’s body.”
Confidence and self-respect, two
powerful words on their own, are
used to define another incredibly
powerful word; Hailey, believes
these things are the true meaning
of beauty. Healthy living directly
contributes to beauty. “I take very
good care of myself,” she reports.
“I have great skin and it’s very
rare [that] I have any outbreaks in
pimples.” Still she knows she can
do more as part of her healthy
regimen but I couldn’t imagine
what. “Getting off my butt and
going to the gym regularly,”
answers the usually pimple-free
model. Beauty offers superficial
gain in a highly superficial world.
“Unfortunately it does,” concurs
Hailey, “as shallow as it sounds, I
have gotten away with not paying
to get into clubs or brought
drinks… just because I’m hot.”
Words seem to hold a measure of
control, or lack thereof, over our
angel. She finds it hard to limit
herself in any discussion. “I’m
interested in so many things,”
she says of her favorite subjects
to converse on. “I don’t have one
specific topic that I can only talk
about.” I try to think of a topic
she would enjoy, something that
would elicit much more than an
effortless response. Maybe get
her to contemplate something
deeper. “My first tattoo is a
bass cleft and a treble clef in
the form of a heart on my right
wrist,” Hailey talks body art, “it
symbolizes my love of all music
and passion for playing piano.”
With her clavicles pierced, body
modification and body art, are
subjects I’m sure she could easily
carry on a conversation about as
well.
Hailey is a model of course but
I’m a brutally
honest person…
I don’t believe
in sugar-coating
stuff…
here we learn much more. We
learn how she started in modeling,
what first propelled her bare all
for the masses. “I just thought
it would be a fun, creative thing
to do.” The act of dressing up in
costume to become something
or someone else attracts her; it’s
the part she loves most about
modeling. Every model has
brands they love in particular to
work with and for Hailey we know
Victoria’s Secret is number one
but in truth she’d love to work
with them all. “Determination and
creativity,” offers Hailey as the
key to being a successful model.
“Fashion is art and if you don’t
have either of those then you’re
screwed.”
Hailey’s personal fashion
sense is pretty laid back with
a bit of militancy. “I love being
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MALE STYLE
comfortable,” she describes. “My go to
in my closet is a pair of black leggings
with an oversized really soft sweater and
combat boots.” Shopping isn’t a namebrand excursion. “I don’t shop a lot of big
brands unless it’s for shoes, jewelry or
purses,” she admits. “I’m a huge Michael
Kors fan right now… but I get most of my
clothes at H&M, Forever 21 and Urban
Outfitters.” It is said in fashion that
accessories are everything, but for Hailey
they’re not so important. Earrings maybe
the closest she gets to accessorize
proudly. She never leaves home without
perfume, keys and lip-gloss, all in her
purse.
Hailey’s heritage can sometimes be a
point of confusion. “I’m mainly Italian,”
she says, “but I have a little bit of French
and German in me, although a lot of
people seem to think I’m Ukrainian
or Russian a lot.” She lives in Seattle,
Washington but is originally from
Fayetteville, North Carolina. The greatest
craze living in Seattle brings is the
wonderful seafood, nothing surpasses it
she confesses. Her preferred destinations
when traveling away from home include
the Island of Hawaii. “Heck,” she curses,
“anywhere sunny and warm with a nice
beach.” What she characterizes is nothing
short of ‘Heaven on Earth’ which I ask her
to describe in further detail. “A bikini, a hot
guy, a beach, a tropical drink and crab with
butter…” she details, “OMG! Amazing!!!”
Lying in her bed, Hailey finishes answering
the questions before her as she watches
the traffic below. Dreams of becoming
a Victoria’s Secret Angel are exposed,
a complex heritage unearthed, desires
expressed and fears declared for the
purpose of literary consumption. The
fact that her biggest fear is of drowning,
a fear we both endure; “scares the crap
out of me,” she admits, as do I. The fact
that she hates body odor on a man, and
prefers her man be confident and takes
care of themselves. In fact she hates
any bad smell due to her overly sensitive
nose. When it came time to talk about her
passion in life, words failed her. Should
I read between the lines? What can be
gleamed when no lines exist outside of a
question, no answer given? Well, I think
we can safely assume her passion to
be playing piano which her first tattoo
symbolizes…
22 ANGELS PLAYPEN SUMMER 2015
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FEMALE STYLE
Is The Tatoo
World Ready?
“I’m
Puerto Rican, Italian, German
and Irish,” says the eye-catching
beauty before us. She is quite
the mix. “Ha ha,” she laughs, “I
know [it’s] a lot! People are always
surprised when they hear my
answer. I actually get asked quite
often because I am told I look
mixed.” She does. “The Puerto
Rican and Italian come from
my mom and the German and
Irish comes from my dad,” she
concludes. “My name is Lucy Marie
but you will rarely hear anyone
call me by my name,” she says
excitedly. “It’s either Lu Lu or Lou.”
Lucy or Lu Lu is from the borough
of Bronx in New York City. She still
lives in New York where she model
24 ANGELS PLAYPEN SUMMER 2015
and bartends. “I love the nightlife,”
she says. “It is a definitely a fun
scene especially living in New
York. Also,” she adds, “I will be
attending school to be a Pharmacy
Technician.” As a model, Lu Lu
has come to what we’ll consider
a reasonable understanding of
the industry. “You definitely need
a thick skin to succeed in the
modeling industry,” she offers
pointedly. “There will always be
some hater out there ready to take
you down. I try not to pay too much
attention to that because there are
so many people who like what I put
out there and are willing to support
me. If you don’t have haters, you’re
not doing it right.” Considering her
words, I listen further; her point
made loud and clear. “Also, your
look might not be for everyone and
that’s fine. You have to learn how
to take rejection in a positive way.
Being consistent is definitely a
must as well. You have to put your
all into it just like in anything else
you want to succeed in. I’ve had
some problems in the past about
being consistent and keeping up,
but hey, life happens sometimes.
But I’m back and ready to take on
the world.”
“The one thing that has definitely
changed is my confidence,” Lu
Lu says referring to the decision
she made to become a model.
“I’m the most confident I’ve ever
been, especially being more on the
curvier side. To see that so many
people are actually supporting
me and love what I out there is
so dope.” She is clearly having
a moment, caught in reflective
thought and in the emotions
conveyed through her words.
“I love that you get to express
“The Puerto Rican and Italian come from
my mom and the German and Irish comes
from my dad,” she concludes. “My name
is Lucy Marie but you will rarely hear
anyone call me by my name,” she says
excitedly. “It’s either Lu Lu or Lou.”
yourself and be who you are. I’m
tattooed, pierced and have curves.
I love that in today’s modeling
world you don’t have to have a
certain look to be successful. You
get to meet amazing people and
get to experience a different world.
I feel like I’m in my element when
modeling, doing what I love,” she
says. “It is definitely an amazing
feeling.
Lu Lu’s first tattoo is a cute
butterfly on her lower back that she
got when she was just fifteen. “I’ve
always loved butterflies and have
more than one tattooed on my
body,” she denotes casually. “I was
always into tattoos even at that
young age. I loved the way they
looked, the art and just everything
about them. Once I found a place
that would tattoo me at that age
I just had to get one. I’ve been
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LUCY MARIE LULU
getting tattooed ever since.” She
went on to become an influence on
those closest to her. “Many of my
family members have tattoos.”
Influencing her close friends and
family to get tattoos is not all she
is responsible for. “I love hearing,
especially from women, that I
inspire them to be themselves and
26 ANGELS PLAYPEN SUMMER 2015
comfortable in their own skin,” Lu
Lu admits, “definitely a blessing.”
This philosophy is deep rooted; it
even defines her sense of beauty.
She believes beauty to be the act
of being yourself and who you
truly are. “There is nothing more
beautiful and honest than that,”
she affirms. “Don’t ever try to
live up to someone’s expectation
of what beauty is. I believe that
everyone is beautiful in their own
way and has something special to
offer.”
Lu Lu began modeling by chance;
it was never in the cards. “One
of my really good friends is a
photographer and had approached
“Many of my family
members have tattoos.”
me about doing a shoot and I
thought to myself, no way, I could
never do that,” recalls the curvy
beauty. “I’ve always thought about
giving modeling a shot since I’ve
been told I’m very photogenic but
I never took the time to pursue it. I
finally decided to take up the offer
and had my first photo shoot and I
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LUCY MARIE LULU
loved it. I loved being in front of the camera; it
was very natural for me. Shortly after I landed
my first feature in a magazine.”
Tattoos and body-modifications make a large
part of her total package, but there is more.
“I would say my style is very different,” she
ventures. “I love to change it up all the time. I
like to keep it simple sometimes but also have
q sexy and edgy style. People say I have this
‘look’ that’s just different and I love that. I’m
definitely not one to look like everyone else.”
“I have a really big heart,” Lu Lu confesses. “I
will still care about you and go to the moon and
back for you even if you have hurt me in the
past. Don’t get it twisted though, I’m a tough
cookie and take no BS! I just have a very soft
spot for the people I care about.” With such a
big heart, it stands to reason that she would
have a desire to live a life filled with love and
affection. She would indeed know what her
personal heaven on earth is and why. “Heaven
on earth to me,” delivers our angel, “would have
to be just being with the people I love, knowing
they love me back just as much. Whether it’s
family, friends or a significant other; I honestly
think it can’t get any better than that.” That’s
sounds right. Keep it simple.
g
Lucy Marie LuLu
28 ANGELS PLAYPEN SUMMER 2015
I’m Puerto Rican, Italian,
German, and Irish.
Haha I know, a lot!
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Angel of Mercy
Shonda
Laurelee
Mackey
Grand Junction, Co
I
n a recently opened Café
V, a coffee shop that offers
vegetarian cuisine, seated is
the beautiful Shonda Lauralee
Mackey from Florence, Colorado.
Same as in the pages of Angels
Playpen, beauty is surrounded
by art. Artists converse,
unquestionably questioning
everything their eyes and minds
witness, accepting the truth at
some point which leads a depth
most people never reach. It’s what
makes an artist and artist. English
and French Canadian, the picture
of her, as she sits in that Grand
Junction coffee shop paints itself
30 ANGELS PLAYPEN SUMMER 2015
as she runs through our intimate
interview.
“I was bullied a lot and the
outcast of school really,” Shonda
says of her childhood. “In high
school I pretty much kept to
myself and worked out a ton! [I]
got really into music during those
times.” Nowadays modeling
has brought with it some
fundamentally changes in her. “I
think my mindset has changes
the most,” she states thoughtfully,
“I used to see the world as ‘oh god
I have to hurry and get in college
and follow the mainstream path,
be unhappy and slave away at a
regular job’.” Death to mainstream
I shout internally, knowing she
is headed into prided Angels
Playpen territory; self-realization.
“Instead I do what I love and what
I’m passionate about and helping
others around me as much as
I can. Life’s not about the next
dollar or your possessions, those
are all borrowed and never really
owned, but about making every
minute count and being happy
while you’re here on earth and
helping others to enjoy life as
well.”
Grand Junction is where she
now calls home; it’s where
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ANGEL OF MERCY
Not only is she a beautiful girl,
she also happens to be adorned
in beauty. Without tattoos
myself, a fear of needles could
be the source of reason, I am
nevertheless a fan of all art.
Mix with that the human form,
preferably a woman’s and the
vision is incomparable. I ask
only about the first tattoo and
its meaning. “It’s the cross on
my back,” she answers. “I just
turned eighteen and really wanted
one but dad said I couldn’t till I
moved out. So I waited till it was
winter and I would be wearing
long sleeves all the time and took
my own drawing down and got
it photocopied and put on. I got
it because of my beliefs.” The
cross looks suspended in flesh,
afloat almost, centered perfectly;
symbolically.
she gets to enjoy a plethora of
outdoor activities. “Everything
from snowboarding to hiking
biking and swimming.” When she
isn’t enjoying the feel of wind
on her face and sun on her skin
in her home state, she loves to
visit Hawaii and the Caribbean
and looks forward to one day
traversing the rest of the world.
“I just got back from driving
the whole Oregon Coast,” she
excitedly says of other cities
she loves to party and dine in.
“Anywhere along the coast that
has amazing fresh seafood! I
love to party in the Caribbean;
Paradise Island was a lot of fun.”
Beauty, ever so subjective,
changes definition within each
individual. “Beauty,” begins
Shonda, defining beauty for
herself, “is more in the soul. You
can be as pretty as you want on
the outside, but on the inside
you’re a horrible heartless human
being with no sense of humility or
32 ANGELS PLAYPEN SUMMER 2015
compassion for another person.
When your heart is good and you
feel others pain around you and
you want and are willing to help
anyone and hurt no one; when
how your hair and makeup looks
has no sense of comparison
to how much of your heart and
inner-beauty you protrude.”
Protruding beauty, physical
especially, can be superficially
rewarding and an advantage in
everyday living. “I would say yes,”
in accordance Shonda remarks,
“but I wouldn’t say it’s all positive
feedback. Every day I have people
looking for my smallest flaw or
tearing apart my photos however
they can.” She admits her beauty
helps with acquiring modeling
gigs, “but at the same time can
cause a lot of people to treat you
lowly because they somehow feel
less of themselves.”
Beauty is an attraction based
concept, and to Shonda, when
Beauty is an
attraction
based concept,
and to Shonda,
when looking
at a man, what’s
most attractive
is his ability to
be positive,
no one wants
to be around
someone
who is always
negative.
I inquire about her own fears, at
which point she stumbles a bit,
unsure of an immediate answer.
Finally she responds, “I think to
see those I love in pain.” Empathy
washes over me, most would hate
to lose those they love, which in
itself is selfish in nature as it’s your
pain you wish to avoid and not
theirs. Shonda’s aspiration to help
as many people as possible rivals
her love of music and arts, she
could talk about both endlessly.
To combat negativity, her dogs
uplift, positive reinforcement
motivates and “seeing the people
that I have helped in the past and
present” regularly brings joy to her
heart. “Happiness and positivity
in and out,” she demands as
requirements to an aspired higher
standard of living. “I need to find
joy in every little thing and really
work on getting my life to where I
want to be.”
looking at a man, what’s most
attractive is his ability to be
positive, no one wants to be
around someone who is always
negative. “I think guys who make
huge scenes and try to always
be the center of attention is
unattractive,” she maintains.
“’Insecurity is never good.” But
how many of us are truly secure
in ourselves? “I always stand for
what I believe in and let nothing
and no one stop me,” she says,
so secure in her identity. “I’ll be
here to make sure that you do
too! And always push you and
encourage you to do what you’re
passionate about and never
follow in anyone’s footsteps!
Make your own!” Sounding much
like a cheerleader, I suddenly feel
like with someone like her around,
one would be brave enough to
challenge the status quo, escape
the trappings of everyday living
and live a life of fulfillment. I like
her.
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33
MALE STYLE
ANGEL OF MERCY
Shonda seems passionate about everything
that matters to her. “Living everyday and leaving
an imprint that will still live on after I’m gone,”
she arduously announces. “Music and art is
where my heart lies.” even if music and art has a
unrelenting grip in her heart, modeling came as a
desire to “show things to the world” and offers the
opportunity to continuously express herself, “always
creating, reinventing and showing the world what
I can dream up.” She is even passionate about
brands with whom she’d like to work with. “Any
independent, not run-of-the-mill line,” she declares.
“But I would love to work with Pin Up Girl Clothing,
Lux De Ville and Black Milk.” She takes her modeling
a day at a time, but would “love to start gracing
some covers and get in some music videos.” It’s her
passion for modeling and what she portrays that
she feels will eventually aid in her success.
When she isn’t enjoying
the feel of wind on her
face and sun on her skin
in her home state, she
loves to visit Hawaii and
the Caribbean and looks
forward to one day
traversing the rest of the
world.
The same independent brands she’d love to work
with are the same with which she chooses to shop
with. “I hate buying things twenty other people
have,” she says. “Independent designers are the
way to go.” Her style may change from day-to-day,
covering country to Goth to pin-up, according to our
tatted angel; it’s all about knowing what you want.
And from what I can tell, Shonda just wants to give
beauty to the world and help out as many people as
she can along the journey. Shooting guns most of
her life, keeping your target in sight while you take
your shot comes naturally. “Not everyone will follow
the same path so take your own,” she advises, “and
own it for all its got and that’s when you will make
it.” See, she is always thinking about her fellow
man… Ooops I mean angel.
g
34 ANGELS PLAYPEN SUMMER 2015
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35
A YOUNG ANGEL
Sydney
Bowling
A YOUNG ANGEL, STILL MATURING, ADULTHOOD A NEW PHENOMENA ADMITS TO US
THAT SHE STILL HAS SOME GROWING UP TO DO. HERE IN ANGELS PLAYPEN, GROWTH
IS ESSENTIAL, UNDERSTANDING AND ENLIGHTENMENT ARE ALMOST MUTUALLY
EXCLUSIVE FOR US WHICH DEFINITIVELY LEADS TO NIRVANA. “WANNA HEAR MY
NAME?” SHE ASKS PROUDLY. “IT’S WILD PONY,” SHE ANSWERS WITH A LAUGH. THERE
IS A STORY TO THE NAME, A HISTORY MORE IMPORTANTLY. “MY MOM GAVE ME THAT
[NAME] BECAUSE I WAS SO WILD WHEN I WAS LITTLE, WHICH HASN’T CHANGED;
AND PONY, FOR MY LOVE OF ANIMALS.” AT THE AGE OF EIGHTEEN, SHE IS STILL
DEVELOPING AS A YOUNG WOMAN, “BUT THEM PAST EIGHTEEN YEARS,” SHE SAYS, “I
WAS THE WILD-CHILD OUT OF MY PARENT’S THREE KIDS.”
36 ANGELS PLAYPEN SUMMER 2015
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38 ANGELS PLAYPEN SUMMER 2015
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39
A YOUNG ANGEL
“W
ell,” she offers
a glimpse of
her current
surroundings,
“I’m at my house right now, so I
see my laptop, for this interview
[laughs], I see some beef jerky
in front of me along with a bull
to keep me awake.” Peppered
with giggles, she describes her
peripheral which include her little
puppy and cell phone. “I’m from
a small town called Jackson,
Ohio, its Southeast of Columbus,
Ohio,” Sydney tells us. “That’s my
hometown I’m representing!”
After discovering the story behind
her name, we come to an impasse
where we must now explain the
history. “My family origins as far
as I know are mostly American
Indian, I even have an Indian
name and card,” she delivers
40 ANGELS PLAYPEN SUMMER 2015
with a slight laugh. This explains
the name Wild Pony, a cultural
significant gesture by her parents
that pointed to a much deeper
reasoning other than Sydney’s
wild ways. “I also have a little
Italian, Irish and Dutch; I guess
you could say I’m a mixed breed.”
“Something most people don’t
know unless you’re from my
hometown and most of them
don’t even believe it,” Sydney
talks of her ‘Hidden Treasure.’
“…and when I had her she was
nine pounds and one ounce. Talk
about some pain! Most people
don’t believe it because of how
skinny I am.” Though she is thin,
a usual sign of a healthy lifestyle,
Sydney admits she is anything
but. “Ha!” she announces, “I’m
definitely not a very healthy
person, all I eat is junk food.” No
healthy habits, still she looks
amazing. “Oohhh my guilty
pleasure would be chocolate,” she
says jokingly. “I feel guilty after I
eat something chocolate, but it’s
oh so pleasuring!” We suggest
she never feels guilty about
pleasuring herself. Ha.
Sydney confesses she’s always
wanted to be a model. “Well it’s
something I’ve always wanted
since I can remember and found
out about a company called P!nk
Elite, so I put in an application
and they wanted me,” she recalls
with a measured excitement. “And
that’s all how it started!” Meeting
new people comes first as one of
the reasons she loves modeling.
Being educated at photo shoots
and shopping for outfits round out
the top three. “I absolutely love
modeling but other than that my
interests are my animals; they’re my babies, I enjoy
photography, music and spending my time with my
little one.” She’d love to one day work with Victoria’s
Secret of course. “Isn’t that every girl’s dream?”
A successful run at modeling requires plenty of
opportunity and time plus effort. “Gotta have the
right attitude and determination,” is Sydney’s
advice. It was her very first shoot that sticks out
most among her memories. “I was nervous but my
photographer was great and he got me out of that
nervousness!” In the end she wants to take her
modeling career as far as she can, the sky’s the
limit.
After a long day of work, Sydney prefers to go home,
slip into some comfortable clothes and perhaps chill
in her favorite room in the house; her bedroom. And
because she is from a small town and only eighteen,
her modeling is what led her to discover Columbus,
Ohio’s vibrant club scene. On the scene she can be
seen in her signature diverse style, which is pretty
much anything she likes but she loves “anything
with lace and bright colors!” Being surrounded by
family and friends, would be ideal in overcoming a
particularly hellish day, week or anytime. Add in a
beach and close friends and that heaven on earth to
an angel.
Sydney credits her attitude as the core of who she is,
very simple. “I’ve got one and know how to use it,”
she says. Her biggest fear in life is of dying; however
she lives life to the fullest; the tattoos that appear
intermittently across her flesh are a testament
to this. “Oh gosh,” she says thinking back to the
beginning. “I got my first tattoo on my 14th birthday.
My mom, sister and I all got matching one on the
worst part you could get one; our foot! Let’s just
say it was painful and I cried [laughs]. But my artist
is someone from my hometown, as they say an
‘underground artist’ [that] goes by the name Jables
Logan; he’s the best,” she says powerfully. “I will
never go to anyone else.” The art only enhances
her beauty, which she defines as “anything or
anyone that is pleasant to look at but not only from
the outside, inner beauty is by far the best asset a
person can have.”
Beauty, the ever subject of perception, Sydney
has had to come to terms with its implications in
society and everyday living. “I do see beauty as an
advantage,” she admits, “I’ve experienced myself.
Yes, I have been given special treatments for my
looks but again not just the outer looks.” Two
subjects she loves to talk about are her daughter
and modeling. “Most of the time when I talk to
people, it’s about one of them two things or both,”
she delivers with a laugh. It’s her daughter that helps
balance out all the negativity we deal with regularly.
“My daughter gives me joy 24/7!” she exclaims.
“She’s so smart and very crazy!” Her daughter isn’t
the only thing that makes her happy; receiving fresh
new images from photo shoots boosts her spirits as
well. Still… “I’m passionate about many things but
most passionate about my daughter! I love her with
everything in me!”
g
“My daughter gives me
joy 24/7!” she exclaims.
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41
ANGELS PLAYPEN
SUMMER 2015
A YOUNG ANGEL
SYDNEY BOWLING
READING BETWEEN THE
LINES FT. HAILEY SOLEWIN
TATTOO EDITION - LULU
BRITTANY PENNINGTON
I AM ATTRACTED TO PEOPLE
WHO ARE CONFIDENT AND
FUNNY
ANGEL OF MERCY SHONDA LAURELEE MACKEY