Behold Bahamian

 

Shakara Ledard and Rick Fox
On Location, Children's Bay, Exuma

Bahamian born celebrities Shakara Ledard and Rick Fox are working as Ministry of Tourism spokespersons in a multi-million dollar advertising campaign that aims to present the Bahamas to an international audience, showcasing the beauty and culture of the Bahamas to the world.  The concept of the campaign is for Bahamian faces who have made a name for themselves internationally, to represent their country as the images portraying stories being told of the beauty and culture and people of these islands.  The year round marketing campaign features the prominent Bahamian faces of international supermodel, Shakara Ledard, and former NBA star player, Rick Fox, with a goal of regaining prominence for the country to be known as the premier warm weather destination.
 

Shakara Ledard and Rick Fox on set of production
with Minister of Tourism, Obie Wilchcombe

“Behold” is the title of the campaign whose premier commercial aired during the Superbowl 2013.  Shot on location in January of this year, it celebrates the turquoise waters, stunning beaches, friendly people, and laid back lifestyle of the Bahamas, showcasing celebrities as they interact with the outstanding beauty of island life.  Poised to offer authentic hospitality, world class sailing, fishing, diving, and more, Fox and Ledard, who both spent their childhood in Nassau, are most familiar with the lifestyle of the Bahamas, with its appealing and absolute sense of escape. “Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.”

From the commercial "Behold"
The Islands of The Bahamas

 

From the commercial "Behold"
Featuring Shakara Ledard

Behold, a most poetic commercial that features the voice of a masculine Bahamian native, speaking of the natural beauty that soars above the heavens and dives below the sea, water so blue that it merges with the sky, sand so soft that it is remnant of a stroll in the clouds, and of the people, smiles that invite you to behold the “face of an entire nation.”  In this visual, Shakara, who can be seen walking out of the waters of the Children’s Bay, Exuma Cays, onto secluded beaches lined with palm trees, has been modeling since the age of 14.  Of her career as a model for top houses such as Sports Illustrated, Victoria’s Secret, Loreal, Levi’s, and Liz Claiborne, she has also been a film actress, and appeared in superstar music videos.

From the commercial "Behold"
Featuring Shakara Ledard

Proud to be Bahamian because of the morals, values, respect and honour of the people and community, Ledard says, “We need more of that in the world.”  She perceives that the Bahamas needs a boost in order to counteract the plunge in world economy and get back on top and says, “No matter where you are, don’t forget your roots.”  The mother of two young kids now resides in Buenos Aires, Argentina with her husband, and is very family oriented, coming from a close knit family herself.  “I am so proud to call this country my home”, says Shakara.

From the commercial "Behold"
Featuring Rick Fox

“Behold, the Bahamas are right next door and totally within your reach.” –Obie Wilchcombe, Minister of Tourism.  He goes on to say that “We are Bahamians, proud of our people, and with our people we are able to build our country collectively.”  Minister Wilchcombe also emphasizes that showing various aspects and components encourages investors.  Rick Fox who believes that “The Bahamas is a star in itself” promises that when we continue to send the message of seeing and experiencing the Bahamas, “it’s just gonna spread like wildfire.”

From the commercial "Behold"
Featuring Rick Fox

This commercial campaign featuring trailblazers Shakara Ledard and Rick Fox, is the first of many in a long term commitment to upgrade the promotion of the Bahamas and can be seen throughout the United States on television, billboards, and print ads, in many major American cities. (Link to youtube.com)

From the commercial "Behold"
The Islands of The Bahamas

Beyonce Bahamas

Beyonce Carter, in her campaign for H&M, has left her mark in this sand; the Bahamian sun sea and sand that is, in her music video commercial called, “Standing in the Sun.” (link to youtube)

 

Standing in the Sun
Beyoncé Carter
Campaign for H&M

On a white sand beach in the Bahamas, Beyonce showcases serene and exotic movements, in a cohesive bond with nature, as she can be seen singing and dancing.  In the wind as it blows, the fabric of her weightless gown propels in a surreal fantasy of the elements.  As the video shows, while dancing she kicks up the sand, throwing it in the air as she dances freely, getting grains on her skin, and in her hair, adorned by the fabric of life.  Then in the crystal clear blue waters, there she is splashing waves onto herself, perhaps seeking the cool refresh from the warmth of the sun shining and glistening down on her and the turquoise waters.  Finally, the tribal fires are burning in the contrasted darkness of the night, as she sings and dances, while modeling H&M swimsuits and dresses that flirt with the elements of mother nature.

 

 

“Can you feel the heat on my skin?’ she asks, as she portrays the most ethereal form and appears like a goddess of sun sand and sea, before us.  The calypso sounding song created for the H&M brand is hypnotic, as the video is actually a visual stimulant.  While she asks us if we can feel the heat, she is also asking if we can feel the sand and the wind and the water.  It is an entire experience that emphasizes the balance and harmony of nature’s elements, the way everything falls into place and flows into one song.  This song, meant to make us feel and be moved and react is filled with passion and the textured vibrations of life.

 

We welcome Mrs. Carter home to our tropical paradisiacal embassy of islands, fortress of sun sand and sea, as she becomes the star of our streets, making this house her home.  The proud mother to daughter Blue Ivy, was gifted by her husband, Jay-Z aka Sean Carter, with a 360 acre private island in the Bahamas as a 5-year anniversary gift.  The name of the island located near north Abaco is “Strangers Cay”, but they will be the most familiar faces around, certainly not strangers!  Rumored to have a Bahamian bloodline from her father, Matthew Knowles, Beyonce will have no trouble making this land her own.  We can look forward to many more visits from the Carter family, as they will surely be welcomed with Bahamaland hospitality on their return. 

 

For now, we can look out for more from the Beyonce/Mrs. Carter dynasty as she continues to make music and tour the world, as well as expanding her film career as the latest from this mega-superstar of the Bahamas is her role in the animated film, “Epic.”

Chantal Bethel's Egg

Chantal Bethel
Portrait by Lyndah Wells

Chantal Bethel is the premier contemporary artist of the Bahamas, well known, admired and respected, for her collections of soulful, intimate pieces.  She is “enticed to capture moods, emotions, the subtleties of human experience.”  I have found her body of work to possess depth, innocence, a sophisticated naivety, feminine beauty, and a rich allure. She is filled with life, character, and intuit creating works of individual harmony, the essence of soul.  The creative process of this Hatian born artist is a very spiritual one.  She draws upon her vision to give room to intuition, listening to her inner voice, as she connects with nature, seeing beyond what is there.  Particularly when sculpting, she is “challenged to give primitive forms humanist content.”

Freedom, by Chantal Bethel
"In the Spirit" Collection

Her latest collection, “In the Spirit” is a mixed media body of work that explores the concept of love, wisdom, strength, and beauty, which she believes to be the primary attributes of spirit and the very substance of who we are.  It is a Bahamian flamingo story showcasing passionate brush strokes and compelling textures, with an emphasis on feelings that are tender and emotional.  The assortment features colourful portraits with titles such as “Lovers”, “Friends”, “Hope”, “Freedom”, “Conversation”, and “Sweet Dream”, all of which give a sense of culture, charm, and charisma, with the warmth of inviting colours contrasted with a cooling calm.

 

 

Friends, by Chantal Bethel
"In the Spirit" Collection
 

“Their beauty can be compared to that of the human soul”, she says of her pink flamingos painted on canvas near flowing waters.  They are like dancing lovers with a delicate graceful appearance.  These colourful pink, coral birds are oddly flexible, but in this awkwardness, they have a distinguished character and a most interesting subject matter.  I find it to be a love story; a story of hope for the world, a story of light and life.  The human soul is infinite and wants to break free of the shell that contains it, so that it may grow to spread its wings and fly, as such is the depiction of the egg as shown in this collection.  A story of birth into a most beautiful world, these flamingos represent relationships and friendships and family; all of the things that we live for, and all of the reasons that we love and grow and evolve.

Lovers, by Chantal Bethel
"In the Spirit" Collection

Chantal’s reputation speaks for itself.  She is soulful and expressively passionate.  Her work emanates feeling and has its own emotional energy that draws you to it.  Mrs. Bethel is filled with such strength and vigor that in her works you can see that she is a fighter for freedom in the world, hoping to see the best in all and the goodness in all things.  She has previously embraced a dark subject matter after the earthquake in Haiti, addressing the pain and struggles of her people, singing a song of survival and redemption through her works.  It was a tragedy that had affected her for years, and, she is now at a place in her life where she is embracing beauty again as she can now “exhale from the soul.”  This is clearly seen in her graceful transitions toward light, “In the Spirit.”
 

Sweet Dream, by Chantal Bethel
"In the Spirit" Collection

A modernist, inspired by the healing power of art, she appreciates and loves all types of art without prejudice, but is fascinated by texture on paintings as mixed media.  With a passionate love for God as ultimate artist and creator, she says “one always needs to look beyond the surface to discover the whole truth.  I am still exploring.”  The woman of great wisdom and honour, Chantal Bethel, also says, “the sun cannot set if it did not rise.”  She believes that the role of an artist is to uplift and to be honest, and shares, “I like to emotionally touch my viewer and let them feel my thoughts.”  A lover of Junkanoo, art, love itself, and “the blue green water of the Bahamas”, her portrait of the soul named “In the Spirit” is a light hearted body of work, and for her, a most rewarding soul exercise.” God bless her.

Hope, by Chantal Bethel
"In the Spirit" Collection

 

"In the Spirit" Collection
by Chantal Bethel

 

 

Introducing Lyndah Wells

Inspiring the younger generations of empowered female photographers in the Bahamas such as Piaget moss, Nicole Leblanc, and Katie Hindley, to say the least, Lyndah Wells, has certainly set her place in stone as one of the most respected photographers and overall artists within this region. She has contributed to the extensive growth of the arts industry of the Bahamas, and her reputation precedes her gracefully. Highly sought after for her intriguing work as a fashion, lifestyle, portrait, interiors, landscaping, travel, and wedding photographer, Lyndah Wells thrives in her niche, showcasing a dynamic series of variety; an individualistic display of class and good taste.

Lyndah Wells
Portrait Photography by Evan Hunt

Lyndah Wells is a wedding, lifestyle, and fashion photographer based on Grand Bahama Island, and is certainly becoming a national treasure.  Born in Lagos Nigeria and raised in London England, she met her Bahamian born husband while on vacation here in the Bahamas, and she relocated to be close to him.  She is now living in bliss and a proud new mother to her beautiful daughter, Layla.  Lyndah Well’s work has a vision that comes from the diverse background from which she comes.  As she tells, “I bring to my work a unique background in fashion and design.”  By offering her experiences in the varying exposures to cultures and people, with an eye for fashion and design, and a flare for feel and sensuality, she creates images that are most memorable.  As an interior designer who then became a photographer, Lyndah is influenced by structured and definite elements of design, toward a style of photography that is of detailed simplicity, a strategic process that appears as finished effortlessness.

Portrait Photography by Evan Hunt
Caption by Lyndah Wells

Best known for her work as a wedding photographer, Lyndah’s images are those of a narrator; she captures elements of mood and emotive feeling, and showcases in an honest way, human connections in relationships, the atmosphere of an event and her perspective is that of a deliberate view, depicting the elements of surprise, creating cherished memories that are both priceless and timeless.  Her images are storytelling symphonies possessing a certain magic that is of classic intelligence and of ultimate relevance; always remaining regal and elegant, even when she shows a more edgy perspective, which is usually in her seen in her most cool fashion photography that has been published in numerous top magazines of the Bahamas and Internationally.

Portrait Photography by Evan Hunt
Featuring Layla Wells

A collection of work that depicts a sense of clarity and refined reality, there is a noble demeanor that shines as a certain truth.  Her execution of the elements of design through a photographic ingenuity is a synchronized flow of dimension that is liberated by her extended knowledge of worldly characteristics.  People, places, and especially the arts and diversities of subject matter, she is educated through travel, lifestyle, and experience.  Like a cultured pearl, she has a strong eye and a firm hand, a shell that gently opens to reveal its potent oyster.  The perspective of work shows a definite sense of self and an assured identity.  Confidence is a true characteristic of Lyndah Wells, and it comes through in her emphatic creations, like a strong handshake and a welcoming smile.

Layla Wells
Portrait Photography by Evan Hunt

There is so much infinity and dimension in her candid sense of art that depicts humanity at its best, but also, just as we really are; through the eyes of Lyndah Wells, we are just as we should be seen, in our own element, without fabrication or layers to hide behind, and free from the excess of walls that stand between us and the truth of our own reflections as self images. Moments of time stand still to be captured by her adept nature in a series of works, unlimited in nature, that are enchanting, capturing a dynamic essence that is unforgettable.  She captures life the way it really is, most beautifully so, as though through a looking glass, or a window, where she can see our most intimate moments, hopes, dreams, passions, and fears.  Eyes tell no lies to Lyndah Wells behind the camera, in a session that is like telling secrets to your best friend, the story of your life, creating memories that are priceless, timeless.

Portrait Photography Story of Lyndah and Layla
By Evan Hunt Photography

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