In the late summer of 1984, I was 5, traveling with my family, I got separated form them in the airport. Instead of northern Michigan I flew to. There I was left to fend for myself.  Isolated on the island I came across many creatures. Creatures I had not seen in any book. Creatures that had never been seen before. These creatures inspired me to travel the world in search for more. During my travels I discovered many creatures, some that had been thought to be extinct for many years, and some seen for the first time. Over the years I have collected many specimens, some simply to prove there existence, others as a teaching tool. The migration of the Loon of paradise has brought me to Tampa. Although never seen in Florida, and never seen on this side of the world I discovered a small lake that might bring them here. Lake Magdalene has all the things that the loons would need to thrive. If discovered in Carolwood, proof that the rising amount of crazy people is linked to the loon could ultimately help and explain the large amount of crazy people in the state of Florida.

Boss – Where did your art start?
Max – I have been creating art since I was a small boy. My family is full of artist, from painters to musician’s. At about 12 I started doing craft fairs in the summers for extra money. I took art classes all through school. Most of the jobs I have had have let me be creative in some way.

Boss – Why the heads?
Max – The first beast head, that’s what I call them, was something that I created for fun to decorate my own home. It came out really cool so I made a few more. Now I think I have made more than 40

Boss – Tell us more about the heads I have a lot of fun making the beastheads.
Max – I will make a few sets of eyes, teeth, and horns all at once and then they create them selves. by placing the horns in different places and using different colored eyes they will have a totally different feel

Boss – Whats the next for the heads?
Max – I hope to keep creating my creatures in the future. I have been making pirate skulls for Gasparilla and masks for Halloween but creating the beastheads is what I really enjoy. When making a mythical creature you have no boundaries and no restrictions. As long as I have the time and the supplies the creature will keep coming

Boss – What’s the process of making the heads?
Max – the clays I use are a mix of polymer clays and air dry clays. I use different materials for the initial shape and different glues to attach the horns and ears. I use acrylic paints because the clean up is easy. All my supplies can be purchased at any craft store.

Brian’s art first gained attention at age 7, his teacher’s told his parents that he hadspecial artistic talent. Brian won a gold key art award in High School, came in 1st in an art contest for high Schoolers comprising the entire state of Florida. He also Started designing logos for businesses in LA and that then opened the door for some commissioned paintings, he had many gallery shows and did commission works for “Rock and Roll” Hall of famer Soloman Burke, and the Miles Davis estate, his paintings hang in many businesses in LA, Vegas, Portland, and Tampa, He describes his art as guts on canvas, he paints all of his canvas on the floor and equates the process in boxing terms, “I have it out with the canvas, 12 rounds, till I knock it out, I never cheat my work, it is 100% guts 100% me!”

Dali’s arrival to the fashion industry has been making numerous headlines recently, however designing is nothing new for this NY native. She recalls her childhood’s obsession with fashion magazines,and with the help of a pair of scissors she would cut various designs to mix and match and ultimately transform her bedroom walls into the latest fashion show. The days she went fabric shopping with her mother gave her an early perspective on quality variation and how the same design can be completely altered due to fabric choice. The music of the 80’s defined generations to come, and that era also heavily influenced Dali’s fashion visions.

Dali’s fashion line is for the working woman, who still maintains her social status and is not afraid to make a fashion statement. There isn’t really a target age group for the line, because Dali believes women are sexy and edgy at any age. Styling comes easily for Dali as she can identify with colors and fabrics very easily. Dali is very much focused on launching the online boutique in 2011 www.houseofdali.com and of course working on her new line for F/W 2011.

Dali is inspired by High Fashion, Fashion Magazines, NYC, Models, Runway, Flapper girls, Old Hollywood, House Music, Color & Trend forecasting, Vintage jewelry, Cabaret.  She feels the fashion scenes in Tampa has grown over the last couple of years with more fashion events and a desire to support the local designers in the Tampa Bay area. There is still a lot of room for growth for the vision for the fashion scene in Tampa. A favorite quote of hers is by Coco Chanel “In order to be irreplaceable on must always be different”. Growing up her taste in fashion was eccentric and she always stayed true to her individuality and did not conform.