Press & Media
Wendy Newman Designs feels so fortunate to continue to do Wendy's Cancer Warriors, and we thank Canvas Rebel for getting the word out about our FREE service celebrating 10 years.
Meet Wendy Newman
Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Wendy Newman. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Wendy, appreciate you joining us today. Can you walk us through some of the key steps that allowed you move beyond an idea and actually launch?
Wendy began the Mandala/Kaleidoscope Project in 2015 as an exploration of the deconstruction and reimagining of select photographic images. Each unique creation is the product of hours of precise analysis and manipulation, with multiple image layers, instructed always by the caprice of inspiration. After I finished the first mandala, a friend said, “that would make a gorgeous scarf”, and so it began. It took 5 months to find the high quality printers.
In 2016, Wendy began creating wearable art, incorporating her photographic mandalas of Asheville into the design of women’s fashion, including, leggings, kimonos, umbrellas and scarves. Her company, will expand this exciting concept to new applications and new cities and custom work for individuals as well as businesses and corporations.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I have been working as a professional photographer for over 45 years, been published in various media from magazines to greeting cards, and have won numerous awards. For ten of those years, I was the owner and director of The Modeling Connection, a chain of finishing schools, modeling schools and agencies in Florida, where I taught etiquette, social graces, skincare, make-up, photography, dressing for success, self-esteem building, creating resumes and skills for job interviews. I am a former Miss Florida with a degree in fashion design from Miami International University of Art & Design in Miami, FL. It wasn’t until the the images fell onto the fabric that the magic started to happen and an industry for custom designed art and accessories was born. My family moved to Asheville in 1999 where I discovered a new world of astonishing locations and changing seasons. I can’t wait for that next new-fallen snow, or blooming flower field, or waterfall to fill with spring rain. I am continually inspired by so many of the unique settings and characters in this special city.
The Mandala Project is an ongoing endeavor of love. Each one takes days to create with endless hours of creation from the beginning of the original photograph to the finished print. Not every image can be a kaleidoscope and images such as flowers can become multiple kaleidoscopes. Each image different and unique. The art can be seen around Asheville and permanent installations at the University of Maimi, and Emabassy suites in Greenville and the Arras Hotel in Asheville as well as on leggings, kimonos, umbrellas and scarves.
I have taught photography at UNCA, Carolina Day School, in the homeschool sector, and I teach private classes in my home, around Asheville and Florida.
I also donate a great deal of my time photographing terminally ill children, cancer survivors and warriors through “Wendy’s Cancer Warriors” and to which the proceeds of all my art sales go, providing the warriors with images as well as photo shoots in Asheville, surrounding areas and Florida. I was a finalist in the WLOS Person of the year for my Cancer Warrior work.
The most rewarding part of my business is definitely my non profit, Wendy’s Cancer Warriors. Nine years ago, I photographed my first Cancer Warrior in Florida, from there people learned of my free photos for all who are battling this dreadful disease. I not only donate the the photo sessions but all actual photos as well. Wendy Newman Designs funds the project and it is why I get out of bed in the morning. In the beginning it was difficult photographing terminally ill children, but when the parents saw the pictures later after their Childs passing, I knew by the joy in their heart that I would do this as long as I possibly could as a service to my community.
When I first began making mandalas and collaging them onto fabric, I made my first pair and gave them to a friend moving to Chicago and I wanted her to remember Asheville and our yoga classes. I presented them at a going away luncheon and that day I took over 20 orders for leggings, no website, or anything, but went home and with the help of my daughter began the business that day out of necessity. Ladies luncheons are the best.
Contact Info:
• Website: wendynewmandesigns.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wendynewmandesigns/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wendynewmandesigns/,https://www.facebook.com/wendyscancerwarriors/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wendynewmandesigns/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=wendy+newman+designs
• Other: https://www.facebook.com/wendy.newman.77/
Image Credits
Wendy Newman Photography
Press:
Wendy Newman Designs has been featured in an array of prominent national and regional publications including The Asheville Citizen Times, Asheville Lifestyle Magazine, AshevilleGrit, Grandeur Magazine, Hushh Magazine, Biltmore Living, Carolina Sparkand more
Gracing the cover of the Biltmore Living Magazine and 4 page article shares Wendy's story of family, business and community involvement.
"Our town is known for its art deco skyline, but local artist Wendy Newman brings a whole new level of art to our architecture with her unique, intricate, 3D Kaleidoscoptics and fashion designs."
"There is a lot of excitement surrounding the upcoming Southwest Florida Wine & Food Fest, especially for artist Wendy Newman. She spent hundreds of hours creating a one-of-a-kind silk scarf for the fundraiser using her widely sought-after 3D Kaleidoscoptic designs."
"Asheville photographer and fashion designer Wendy Newman incorporates intricate 3D Kaleidoscoptic patterns into her signature apparel-and-accessories line, including scarves, leggings, kimonos, and umbrellas. Inside the multi-layered images, iconic pictures of Asheville architecture emerge."
Giving Back:
As a local family-owned business, we appreciate the support we’ve received from the community over the years and celebrate the opportunity to give back to organizations that make our cities such a special place.
WND takes pride in being in being involved with the following organizations:
Wendy's Cancer Warriors
WLOS TV recognized Wendy Newman as a finalist in the annual "Person Of The Year" award, for her generous work giving back to terminally ill children and all cancer warriors with free photography and photographs for all. Being raised at a health resort her first 18 years of life gave her a living foundation for healthy eating, nutrition, non injuring exercise, meditation, rest, passion with a purpose.
Wendy offers a uniquely magical experience for individuals and families by proving totally free photoshoots and images for those battling cancer. Wendy hopes this serves as both a momentary escape for families and individuals as well as creating extraordinary family heirloom photos that can be cherished eternally.
This project has been featured by multiple news outlets and publications including The Citizen Times and WLOS.
WND has been a proud sponsor of the Preservation Society of Asheville and Buncombe County since 2016.
“For 2 years the Preservation Society of Asheville and Buncombe County has benefitted from the generosity and talent of Wendy Newman Designs. This year our sponsors received an umbrella featuring 3D Kaleidoscoptics of historic buildings in downtown. They were so impressed and thrilled to have such a special gift - thank you Wendy!”
Cynthia Waton - Fall 2017
WND has been a two time sponsor of the Annual Vizcaya Ball, a benefit for the protection and preservation of the historic Vizcaya Museum and Gardens in Miami, Florida since 2016. After photographing the historical garden statues, she then spent over 300 hours creating the intricate, multilayered 3D Kaleidoscoptic images and collaging them onto leggings, silk scarves and umbrellas for the museum gala donors and guests as well as their gift store.
