Philadelphia Archives - Tony Ward Studio

Matthew Sampson: The Sneaker King

COVER FEATURE

The Sneaker King

Sneakers to me are more than an item of clothing. It’s a way for me to express myself. I’m never the most outspoken person in the room. It’s often my sneakers that speak for me. My love of shoes started at a young age. My grandfather would send me a pair once a year. Upon his passing, I had a pretty nice collection. Unfortunately with his passing so did my love for shoes. It was many years later I met my friend Herb Simpson. His exact words to me were “You’re a good dude but you need better shoes”. The next day he came to work with the newest Jordans for me. With that one gesture, the love for shoes was back. For a while, I would often run my purchases by Herb. If he approved I would purchase it. I eventually developed my style and direction. My collection started as only Air Jordans. I branched out to Adidas, Reebok, Fila, Puma, Vans, and Asics. If I felt it was nice I got it. Like many people during the pandemic, I had a lot of free time. So I decided to try something different. I began recording YouTube videos about sneakers. I did vlogs of me shopping in stores. I also did reviews of the newest sneakers. Things started to pick up for me during that time. With the notoriety from my videos, I began selling shoes. It started slow but I became everyone’s sneaker connect. Sneakers have allowed me to do things I would’ve never thought of. From traveling to different events, being on podcasts, modeling for K.Vaughn, and now even being on the cover of Tony Ward Studio. In closing, if you have a passion, no matter how big or small follow it. You never know where it might take you!

About The Author: Matthew Sampson is a full-time father of a wonderful 16-year-old daughter who also loves shoes. He recently started creating content in 2020 and posting to IG and YouTube. Matt also has become the sneaker connect for multiple people in Philadelphia. You can his sneakers for sale on his Instagram sampson_matt_. Feel free to reach out if you need items sold as well. This is Matt’s first contribution to TWS.

Matt’s YouTube channel:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ovYBh_odqJg&authuser=0

Editor’s Note: Matt is wearing a KVaughn scarve, Winter collection. Photographed at the Rittenhouse Grill in Philadelphia on November 27, 2022.

BTS: Kitchie Ohh Luncheon

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Kitchie Ohh Luncheon

After the successful shoot with Kitchie Ohh for the new Vixen’s series, I invited friends over to meet Kitchie for lunch. I selected an eclectic group of friends drawing from different aspects of the professional world including; Kitty Hailey, the famous Philadelphia based private investigator who primarily works on civil rights cases. She is a good person to know if you’ve been abused by the U.S. legal system. Kitty was accompanied by her assistant investigator, Malik Mubashir a history and religion scholar who graduated from Harvard in the 1970’a. He’s currently one of the beloved teachers at the Friends Select School in Philadelphia. Malik is dedicating his free time assisting Kitty on various high profile civil rights cases.

Also in attendance was Anthony Seraphin and his lovely sister Bunny who once owned the Seraphin Gallery on Pine street in Philadelphia. Tony continues to make private sales and investments in the arts. Out of town guests included friend and colleague Ted Kawalerski, professional photographer/film maker New York and his girlfriend Dana Montemurno, a highly skilled skin care specialist based in Westport Ct.

Needless to say my personal assistant Anthony Colagreco was present offering up one of his spectacular vegetarian dishes. Besides his cooking talents TC is also a master massage therapist. Also in attendance was my long time friend, Sam Binder a Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts trained artist whose primary interest is in sculpture.

The gracious Miss Kitchie Ohh enjoyed the guests and delighted in the food, drink and lively conversations.

Many thanks to my creative director KVaughn who came up with the brilliant idea to invite the fabulous photographer Earnest Thomas to photograph the luncheon. Thanks Earnest!

Harvey Finkle: Under One Sky

PRESS RELEASE:

Upcoming Exhibitions:

Under One Sky: Reflecting Immigrant Communities.

The Photographs of Harvey Finkle, A Harvey Finkle Retrospective, 1982-2018.

Curated by David Acosta, Artistic Director for Casa de Duende, opening October 1st, 2022 5-8 PM @

The Dene Louchheim Gallery, Fleisher Art Memorial,

719 Catharine St, Philadelphia, PA 19147

Shanell Verandez: A Musical Journey

Assistant to Photographer: Anthony Colagreco

Creative Director: KVaughn

A Musical Journey

Hola, My name is Shanell and I am a “Jane of All Trades and Master of None”. I have dabbled in almost every Artistic, Academic, Athletic and Spiritual endeavors one can possibly expose themselves to. I feel blessed to have an open mind and heart to be able to comprehend what I am absorbing from different kinds of people, places and things.

Most of all, Music has been one my favorite artistic endeavors, it runs through my family’s bloodline literally….I started when I was 6yrs old in Elementary school with a Music Aptitude test that I passed with flying colors which enabled me to receive an instrument of choice. My music teacher guided me to a room filled with instruments. It looked like a treasure chest! I wanted the Cello, they didn’t have one, so my teacher suggested the violin, but my arm length was too long. So ,she finally introduced me to the Viola and the start of my ongoing relationship with that instrument began.

Then in Junior high school came another desire to play another instrument, the Oboe. Once again, another unavailable instrument, but the teacher brought out an elegant beauty, the French horn. I was baffled because I had never seen this instrument before, so the teacher instructed that I had a week to blow one note in that instrument or move on. This instrument was meant to be mine, because by the end of that week, I got the note( a high C) and another musical relationship began.

I have another relationship with an instrument we all take for granted, the vocal cords. My singing journey began in a Baptist church set in a row house in the Historic “Black Bottom” section of Philadelphia. Most of my family was either in the choir, playing the drums or organ as well being a member on the church board. I had the chance to sing solos that were taught to me by my Aunt. Later on in life at High school I was singing in the bathroom stalls with my friend and we didn’t realize that there was another person present until she knocked on my bathroom stall and asked me to come out. She was a vocal teacher and an active Opera singer that had an interest in me becoming her student. I started studying with her and it turned out to be a very powerful relationship out of my musical “ménage a trois”. She guided my vocal career throughout the years( high school and college, beyond).

So one would wonder… What is holding me back? I would point the finger at those who didn’t believe in me and tried everything in they could to block me, but no, I need to get past that pain and realize it is me holding myself back. Why? It is because I have really terrible stage fright and I have to believe in myself more and become more centered. The very thought of becoming more focused and centered within myself has inspired me to take another step and start writing songs, here is one I would like to share with all of you, the song is Titled …

” Soul Centered “

Sittin’ on a Whim

Just Wastin’ Time

Feel like I’ve Lost

An Oasis

Traveling thru Time

A Rush of Feelings

To Get Up and Get Mine

Soul Centered

Is where I want to be

Soul Centered

Is where I want to free

Different but Familiar

From Afar

Sometimes it makes me

Wonder why you are

A Touch of Brilliance

Growin’ From Within

I’ve Trekked on Somethin’

Different why it’s a Sin

Soul Centered

Is Where I Want to Be

Soul Centered

Is Where I Want to Free

One Day I will be able to perform this Song during my Music Journey… Peace

Editor’s Note: This is Shanell Verandez first sitting with Tony Ward for the Vixen’s series. To see all of the work to date from the new series, click here: https://tonyward.com/new-work-the-vixens-series/

Milan Burnett: A Gift From The Universe

A Gift From The Universe

As a spiritualist, I am not someone who necessarily believes in coincidences. Every person we interact with, major event, or circumstance finds its way into our lives for a reason, whether we understand that reasoning at the time, or not. Throughout my childhood, my mother struggled to keep a roof over our heads, causing us to relocate often, sometimes multiple times in a year. At the time, I deemed the instability and hardship as a misfortune, but I always had a knack for making friends and adapting to new environments with ease. Being exposed to all cultures and walks of life made it easy for me to understand others. I could relate to anybody in a room full of strangers. People have always naturally gravitated towards me, which I assumed to be simply because I was a nice person. Little did I know, the universe was only setting the stage for a greater purpose much larger than my circumstances, destined to be fulfilled.

It wasn’t until within the last couple of years that I realized why the Universe has put me on the journey I’ve experienced so far. My humanitarian nature of giving back and helping others has gradually intertwined itself with my spiritual practices, and my love for the psychology of humans. This, along with being easily relatable, has allowed me to explore and expand on my purpose of healing others around me. Whether it be through my tarot reading, spiritual guidance, or simple positive reinforcement, inner healing and balance is extremely important in the midst of this chaotic 3D reality. No amount of value could ever be placed on the genuine satisfaction it gives me to be able to guide others in their healing to become a better version of themselves. Past experiences I once saw as a burden, I now consider a blessing in disguise. A gift from the universe, if you will. A gift that has molded me into someone who is compassionate, empathetic, logical and raw, wrapped in high frequency vibrations meant to enlighten those I encounter.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR : Milan is originally from New York, now residing in Philadelphia. Aspiring model and real estate broker. Free thinker. Humanitarian by nature. Spiritual revolutionary in the making. To access previous articles by Milan Burnett, click here: https://tonywardstudio.com/blog/i-am_that_i_am/