So we’re here in #MentalHealthAwarenessWeek which would have been the count down to our event with Theatre Peckham this Saturday but as with most events, the recent health crisis has put it on pause.
However, it still is Mental Health Awareness Week, and for many, anxiety and depression have been reported to be on the increase due to isolation and lockdowns.
Many of us have found a way to adapted and find a way to keep skating, but for some of us who have limited space, this has been a relatively hard time, with no way to vent via their usual skate outlet.
For this reason, we think it’s important to continue to share our #SkateOfMind stories with you this week.
Special Thanks Roller Girl Gang and to those who have contributed and allowed us to share with you how skating has helped them through some hard times.
When things are back to some stake of normal, we will be back with Theatre Peckham, but in the meantime, Roll Safe.
💚💙
For More Information and If you need professional help please visit Rethink Mental Illness.
| Special Thanks To | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Katrina Russel-Adams | Vanessa Bunn | Suzann Mclean | |
| Ellie | Ronke | Nomi | Mel |
| Sarah-Jane | Roller Girl Gang | Theatre Peckham |
It’s been a long time since I did any life drawing. In fact it’s almost 20 years ago since I sat in my art class wondering why the room was so hot and why the small fan heater in the corner was on full blast, when to me it wasn’t that cold. It wasn’t until my teacher counted down and a woman pranced into the middle of the room before unveiling her naked form by letting her floral silk dressing gown fall to the floor, that I realised why the heating was on! The class gasped before swiftly holding their head down to their paper to refocus on the task at hand… Draw the lady in the middle.
Fast forward to today, where I was invited by the #JiggyTwins Emma & Estelle Tiller to join them in their life drawing class at VIA University College, Denmark.
I was slightly apprehensive about doing it as I have lost confidence in my ability to draw over the years, as well as feeling a little bit scarred since my first (and at the time last) experience, but I did it anyway as I always say to Emma & Estelle to “just embrace it”!
On entering the studios there was no time to be anxious about what was going to happen or how I was going to perform or if my drawings would be good enough. The girls took me into the room, collected our drawing tool and into the studio where other artists were gathered awaiting the model arrive. At least this time I knew what was about to happen!
The posses started off quick with about 30 seconds given to draw the first sketch, and the getting longer towards the end of the 45 mins. This meant that my initial sketches looked more like stick men… and progressed to something which had a bit more detail (although not anatomically correct).
In the end I was so happy I did it and embraced my stick men!
It was so good to be in the company of such talented and inspirational artists who had come from all over the world to be there. A massive thanks to #JiggyTwins Emma & Estelle for making this happen.
You can follow Emma and Estelle’s amazing work on Instagram and Tumblr here:
Emma – Instagram @emellex06 , Tumblr @emellex06
Estelle – Instagram @esterellda , Tumblr @godgivenfox
The session lasted just under 2 hours – two 45 min sessions with a 15 – 20 minute break in the middle.
Our Roll Jiggy friends from Skate Life Ireland joined me on a whistle stop tour around the center of London and the South Bank before bringing some Irish charm to Bump Rollerdisco Wrap Party at the Southbank Centre. Here some of what we got up to in pictures.
So now we have a food baby (or two) from the Christmas over indulgence, and whilst all the celebs come out with their fitness videos and DVDs to get us back into shape, watch this little celebration of Friends and Family across 2 countries on our 8 wheels.
Special Thanks goes out to Patti and the Dublin skaters for the collab and looking after me during my time in Ireland.
Also shout out to Abi rolling her heart out over in Berlin, faithfully rocking her F’lay Tee (which you can get from our shop along with other gifts and art prints)!!
For those of you who got skates I hope this inspires you to get them onto your feel and just dance the night away!
Enjoy the rest of your Holidays! #RollOut
When you think of Berlin, or more so Germany, what springs to mind? Take a look at what we discovered, during our time and work with Rollers-Inc. For us Berlin is a real hub of #creativity. Street art can be found wall to wall, juxtaposed with new and modern towers and converted warehouses which are beginning to line the Spree. Join Craig, Letitia and Berlin’s First Lady of Rollers-Inc, Julia, on our photo walks during the Karneval Der Kulturen weekend…
Wondered what this ‘Venus Vs Mars’ is all about? Who IS Elisha you’ve been talking about? We ask our #TeamJiggy ‘queen of the stage’ Elisha Myton about getting in to acting, playing the feisty Leah and getting into Venus Vs Mars.
Craig Jiggy: Can you tell us abit about yourself and how you first got into acting?
Elisha Myton: I’ve been acting since around the age of 6/7years old. I’ve always loved acting from a very early age and I got involved in as many plays/theatre productions & musicals as I could from my early school and college days; and it all started from there really. I’ve done a lot of short films, plays & online content. I’m also a Singer, Song-writer and Poet & I have performed in quiet a few talent shows and competitions.
CJ: So how did you get involved in Venus Vs Mars?
EM: Well I’ve been a fan of Baby Isako’s writing for some time now, having seen some of her theatre productions like: ‘Bag Ladies’ & ‘Love is a Losing Game’. I actually accidentally stumbled across Venus Vs Mars online one day – when I was on YouTube and I was instantly glued. I thought to myself I’d love to be in something this! Why didn’t I know about the auditions. It’s a change from the usual stereotypical stuff I often see out there. And I could actually relate to it. That day I just said to myself if there’s another series I have to be in it. And that was it. Then I heard about the casting for series 2 online – i was so excited, I auditioned and the rest is history!
CJ: Can you tell us a little bit more about your character Leah & does she share any similar character traits to you?
EM: Yeah, so I play the character of Leah (Venus’ cousin) in Venus Vs Mars. Leah is very …. Interesting lol to say the least. She’s fiery, extremely protective of her cousin and very superstitious. Leah actually has a lot of layers to her – although she comes across as quite hard and tough, she’s also going through her own demons. Leah is a lot more aggressive than me – but she is very caring, loving and protective of her cousin Venus and those are traits that I share. Leah definitely livens up the party when she’s around, I hope you all enjoy watching her as the series unfolds.
CJ: So Venus Vs Mars is a UK all black online rom-com series turned TV drama. What an accomplishment to be commissioned by SkyLiving. What can people do to help support Venus Vs Mars?
EM: Yeah it really is such a great achievement. I’m So proud and happy to be apart of this production & I salute Baby Isako (writer), Victor Adebodun (director), Delia-Rene Donaldson; & all the cast members… We’ve taken the first step to bringing Venus vs Mars on to the TV platform however, in order to make a second series & hopefully transmit worldwide – we really need you guys to tune in every week! Tweet, blog, post on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter. Just spread the word to as many people as possible. Keep the buzz alive and just support the movement really. Also follow Venus vs Mars on Twitter, Facebook & Instagram.
CJ: Tell me, how does it feel when you get messages from fans giving you props?
@ElishaMyton is my favourite UK actress #VenusVsMars This woman is levels. I can just tell she gonna be big. — AzizaWho? (@azizafrancis) April 23, 2015
EM: It’s really breathtaking and humbling at the same time. I’ve had some really amazing, kind comments & it makes me feel that my acting skills are being acknowledged and enjoyed! It also made me quiet emotional which is rare for me – I was so touched by some of the comments I’ve seen. I’m so happy the viewers are enjoying my character Leah.
wow! Thank you so much Hun! ☺️ There’s more to come from Leah next week #VenusVsMars https://t.co/9Gd9BWQc3a — Elisha_VenusVsMars (@ElishaMyton) April 23, 2015
CJ: Where can we find out more about what your doing/ways to contact you?
EM: I’m on Instagram, Facebook & Twitter! So you can keep up-to-date with what I’m doing next & keep supporting me by following either of these mediums. Twitter: @ElishaMyton Instagram: @ElishaMyton I am also currently looking for an Agent – so please fell free to contact me also lol Elisha@jiggycreationz.co.uk
CJ: Lastly, can you tell us any spoilers for the remaining of Venus vs Mars?
EM: Nah I’m sorry you have to tune in for that. My lips are sealed. What I will say is this – it’s all brand new unseen footage here on in & you definitely need to tune in! It’s worth the watch. Tune in Thursday’s at 11pm & 11:30pm for a double whammy of Venus Vs Mars on SkyLiving Thanks a lot!
CJ: Shameless Plugs! Thank You! You can also catch up on Sky Go.
So again you can catch Elisha in the show as Leah and also check out her singing talents via our instagram @jiggycreationz
Venus Vs Mars @skylivinghd 11pm Brand New Unseen Footage Make sure you tune In! ❤️ #MeetLeah
#TeamStreet is killing us softly down on the southbank of the thames in #WhenStageMeetsStreet #OneTime A video posted by Jiggy Creationz (@jiggycreationz) on
We’re sure we don’t need to remind you but just in case #ourgirl @elishamyton makes her @skylivinghd #debut as Leah! @…
Posted by Jiggy Creationz on Monday, 13 April 2015
And if that wasn’t enough you may also notice one of the creators of It’s My Magazine, Krystle Downie, make a little Cameo appearance of her own. Loving the Dance move Krys!
Big shout out to the girls doing their thing – #TeamJiggy Rocks!