Art & Life with Amy Stevens

Today we’d like to introduce you to Amy Stevens.

Amy, please kick things off for us by telling us about yourself and your journey so far.
I am first and foremost a wife and mother. Raising 3 teenagers in this day and age can be hard because there are so many choices to make and so many challenges to navigate. Today’s teens are faced with self-esteem defeating situations on a regular basis everywhere they turn. My youngest daughter is a dancer and a model and she has met a lot of wonderful, influential, and talented young people working in the entertainment industry here in Dallas. I thought that bringing some of these teens together to celebrate the good they are doing and highlight their strengths as goal driven youth would be a really neat project. Texas Teen Models Official Magazine was created with these thoughts in mind and with the premise that true beauty lies within us all.

Beauty isn’t about what we look like; beauty is heart, might, mind, and soul. How we treat others, how we interact with the world around us, the positive efforts we make, the challenges we overcome, the people we effect and/or influence, all of these and more make up our unique and individual self. We are beautiful because we are unique and diverse. We are beautiful when we choose to contribute to the greater good in a positive way. The platform of TTMO magazine is #beautyfromtheinsideout. The magazine is run by teens for teens and our goal is to spread the message that true beauty is within us all.

Can you give our readers some background on your art?
I think the mission statement of Texas Teen Models Official Magazine best illustrates the answers to these questions.

MISSION STATEMENT
Texas Teen Models Official is an organization promoting the beauty within us all. We believe true beauty begins with the positivity and kindness we share with the world around us. Our main goal is to spread this message through good works, community service, integrity, personal accountability, and by encouraging love and respect for all mankind. Our magazine, TTMO magazine, is one of the vehicles we use to accomplish our goal.

What do I do? I am the Editor-In-Chief of TTMO magazine. With the help of the Parent Board, I mentor the Elite Models Team, the Elite Intern Team, the Crew Team, and the Influencers Team. Each month, a different Elite model take a turn planning and organizing content for their issue. This includes an array of responsibilities including choosing a monthly theme and a positive message to build off of. Once those are selected, the Elite model organizes photoshoots, editorials, interviews with influential teens, human interest stories, a service activity, and so much more all based around the theme and positive message. We have 4 teams that make up the TTMO organization.

The TTMO Elite: These 7 amazing teens own and operate the magazine. They are all practiced, agency signed models but first and foremost role models. This group includes (from oldest to youngest): Sarah Spivey (age 17), Caitlyn Glass (age 17), Bella Fenoglio (age 14), Kendal Wooten (age 14), Madison Glenn (age 14), Avery Stevens (age 14), and Paige Brooklynne (age 13). These extraordinary young ladies work had every month to create a magazine that celebrates our message.

The TTMO Elite Intern Team: We have one Elite intern right now and that is Jaley Davidson (age 15). We established an intern team because there is a lot of work involved with being an Elite team member. We don’t want anyone joining our Elite team who is not fully aware of the responsibility this highly functioning team takes on. Also, we want to get to know our new members as best we can. Many teens come to us seeking out modeling opportunities. Modeling is a small part of what we do at TTMO. Modeling is a vehicle we use to spread the message that true beauty is within us all. However, it is not what we are about.

The TTMO Crew: “Crew”, as we like to call these guys, is our group of male models. Our current Crew consists of 5 great guys who represent our values, have agreed to our strict Code of Conduct, help out with the magazine organization and processes as they are able, and actively support the service we do and messages we are spreading. These young men are (from oldest to youngest): Aidyn Stevens (age 17), John Wilcoxon (age 17). Jaxson Wallace (age 15), Carson Austin (age 15), and Ethan McBrayer (age 15).

The TTMO Influencers: Our Influencers are the newest edition to the TTMO organization. This group consists of our journalists and bloggers. Right now, we have 2 Influencers and our goal is 4. Natalie Parks (age 18) and Riley Wilburn (age 14) are working hard with our Elite team to help develop the responsibilities that this team will undertake. Currently, they are writing articles for our magazine that focus on teen issues and special interests. The influencers will work closely with our Elite member in charge of each monthly issue to provide journalistic content that fits the theme and message for the month. Once our website is complete, we hope to have our Influencers managing the content there as well.

The

Artists rarely, if ever pursue art for the money. Nonetheless, we all have bills and responsibilities and many aspiring artists are discouraged from pursuing art due to financial reasons. Any advice or thoughts you’d like to share with prospective artists?
Never give up on what you love. A way will always be provided for those who work hard and maintain a positive attitude even through major setbacks. Set realistic goals for yourself when it comes to financial limitations. Dreams are achieved over time and it is important to enjoy the journey you experience as you work towards your dreams. TTMO magazine does not currently generate a large profit. Any money our organization makes through magazine sales goes back into building the organization efforts. We are not about generating a profit but spreading a message. All of our shoots consist of collaborators (models, photographers, hair and make-up artists, designers, boutiques, etc.) who work for free to promote the goals of our organization. We have been blessed to work with the some of the best and brightest in the Dallas fashion and entertainment industry.

What’s the best way for someone to check out your work and provide support?
Texas Teen Models Official Magazine can be purchased digitally or in hard-copy on Magcloud.com. Just search for our magazine in the search window using Texas Teen Models Official and all of our past issues will pop up. We also have a Facebook Page: Texas Teen Models Official Magazine and an Instagram account: Texasteenmodelsofficial so check us out there as well. We collaborate monthly with teens interested in sharing their inspiring stories, photographers, hair and make-up artists, service organizations, charities, designers, boutiques and more. Those interested in collaborating with us can email us at TTMOmagazine@gmail.com. We are not a modeling agency and do not hire models. If you are interested in supporting our cause, please check out our Facebook page for upcoming service events and collaboration opportunities. We are also seeking advertisers interested in working with us.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.facebook.com/TTMOmagazine/
• Phone: 913-744-6064
• Email: TTMOmagazine@gmail.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/texasteenmodelsofficial/
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/TTMOmagazine/

Image Credit:
Kevin Wehrmeister (Not Just Headshots), Shea Anne Photography, Cesar Guzman Photography.

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