Today we’d like to introduce you to Shatera Reina J Fortner.
Every artist has a unique story. Can you briefly walk us through yours?
Very unpopular and peaceful country hometown by the name of Pavo, Ga is where I’m originally from. I lived there my almost my entire life before transitioning to Atlanta, but it’s the best kept secret in the world if I must say so myself! Since the age of 11, I’ve attempted to be somewhat a ‘barber’/ groomer/ image enhancer’. It’s funny because when asked I always share that Never did, I grow up wanting to be one but it was God’s plan so the initial career goal to be a physical therapist sifted away.
It all happened this particular evening before my youngest brother, my dad and myself were planning to attend a fishing derby event.
We were all excited because fishing was a major hobby for me and the annual fishing derby was a huge where you could fish, compete against friends and other and even win money. Well My younger brother Hakeem’s hair was a total disaster & I wanted to edge him up to make our appearance for the derby presentable just in case we won it all. Without telling anyone other than Hakeem, I went to my dad’s room found his Wahl Trimmers and went to work! Things with the edge up didn’t come out so well. BUT . . .even with the finishing touches that ended as a bald head, I knew what mistakes I had made so a couple weeks later I tried again. He wasn’t so fast in allowing me to touch his head again so I had to offer him some motivation; $1! I told him if he let me try again that I wouldn’t shave all his hair off the second go round! I DIDN’T! After so many cuts and attempts, my gift developed and I became more and more skilled at it!
Two years gone by, I was 13 and I had a basic haircut with nice edge pretty good! As the years went by, I became better and better! I would watch YouTube videos, buy different clippers to try them out and my skill level and passion all increased! My first pair of clippers were the Dollar General Conair Home Kit. Till this day, 15 years later I still have them, along with the Wahl’s I first used! Wahl 5 Star Detailers back then were my favorite trimmers. Not only because they were my first loves but the performance and convenience of them helps me to create my greatest gift of cutting; DESIGNS! The Wahl 5 Star detailers fits my hands well, they very flexible, blades always give a low cut and I have absolutely no problems as far as them getting hot! The Andis Masters happened to eventually become my favorite clippers! The masters were second to my Conair home clippers but had much more potential of doing different blends and fades! I learned the fade game much faster having the masters. With my Conairs, I always had to swith guards often just to do a basic two-dimensional fade! With the masters all of the above concerning a fade haircut was possible! Now I’m this present time they vary but are the Andis GTX, Wahl Magic Clip, Wahl Seniors, Andis Slimline Pro Li and Andis T Outliners.
Around the time back then I’d developed a pretty decent fade game, Mohawks were really coming hard in style! Rappers, famous athletes, Actors & all-around Celebrities on television were rocking them so the trend had been set! Everyone began to want the same look! So, I had to grab ahold of the trend, being a lady barber and master a mohawk! I loved everything about them. It was an amazing cut. It was different! It was versatile! More than anything, it was the PERFECT look for what I loved doing best; Designs! The trend grew more and more. The More it grew, the better I got because I had many opportunities of cutting mohawks in many different ways! I also became better with my designs because most kids always wanted the designs along with the cut! Being 2018, there’s been so many top trending styles and HD services there’s countless styles now given to men worldwide.
Many don’t know but back then as well, my second most loved art that has always been a gift since childhood was Makeup. I love end enjoy doing editorial makeup. I develop better skill by watching top artists in the industry master it. Inspirations from those like Donavan Lamar, Ashlacash, Renny Vasquez, Beatface Honey, Chrisspy are some of my top motivations of this art. Makeup enhances the Barbering Professions that I’m already deep in. Kuts From Above Barbershop, based in Moultrie, Ga is the barbershop I proudly represented back then! Transitioning to Atlanta June 2015, was my first big transition from my hometown as well as my home barbershop!
A1KUTZ is where God planted me and growing even more in my craft was my main motive. Being a big fish in a little pond was one thing but to be blessed to move to a larger, more competitive and dominant territory which is ATLANTA was and still is an even greater blessing.
I encountered many hardships and learning new film and television techniques for the everyday actor, athlete, actress and entrepreneur. Being also that ATLANTA is known for hectic and excessive traffic, I suffered 2 major motor vehicle accidents; June 2017 and April 2018. Physical changes from permanent injuries decreased my work hours and health was the more dominant priority. Following doctors’ orders, I wasn’t allowed to travel and cover ground as frequently as I did upon transitioning to Atlanta.
17months later after being treated 14-15 months total of therapy and treatments on my spinal and neck injuries, I’ve progressed so much further and grooves back into my normal executions each day. Missing out on traveling to visit home, I took on 3 new locations to accommodate to me visiting home as well as my ongoing and growing clientele here in all of Atlanta. Being cleared from injury release and being able to travel to and from my home as still execute here has brought me great joy & strength and not to forget extreme motivation.
In this moment, November 2018 I can smile as I type this knowing my career has been on an up rise and continuing to expand as I grow in craft and geographic territories of a barbershop as well as film & television.
Stay Tuned for what’s next. Anything could Happen…and there’s so much more of the story that can be shared but to some it all up, I’ll say this “Keep your eyes wife and hearts alert for what’s to come on behalf of Shatera Reina FORTNER!
God is the greatest and He’s thrusted me into the unexpected things thus far but by no means I’ll settle in growing and be content because I understand the simple measure of my destiny & the world that has witness will witness ever more that, it only gets better.
Thanks for Reading,
Shatera ‘Reina’ Fortner
My Current Up to Date is as follow:
Shatera Reina J. Fortner
Atlanta,Ga
-12 years’ Experience
- Professional Men’s Grooming Specialist
- Xotics Fastest Fade Competition Champion, 2014
- Platform Artist, JusMadon Productions & XOTICS Grooming
- Bronner Bros “Kiss Express” Graphic Design Champion 1st Place Winner
- Bronner Bros “Kiss Express” Beard Enhancement Competition Champion 1st Place Winner
- Celebrity Clients Listings:
Stevie Baggs Jr, Travis Cure, Marvin Bienaime, Robert Alford, Cobi the Entertainer, Atlanta Falcons NFL, Film Director Malcolm D. Lee, Gospel Recording Artist Todd Galberth, Actor/Model Public Figure Donny Savage, Actor/ Rapper Shad Moss (Bow Wow), Super Producer Drummaboy Fresh, Gospel Recording Artist, Enrique Holmes. Drum Squad Music Artist Quanta LA flare , Producer PimpinBeatz, Celebrity Photographer Erick Robinson, Actor Terayle Hill , Celebrity Choreographer/Actor Lil Dee Dee
Film/ Television
-Aspire TV
-After the Game
-Comin Out Hard Movie
-BMI Awards
- Brand Ceo // PUSH PAST EVERYTHING™
www.pushpasteverything.com // @pushpasteverything (Instagram / Facebook)
Work Seen on: BET, VH1, TVONE, Host of Reality Television , Krave Magazine , Jets Magazine, ESPN , Sports Center , Barbershop Connect , AspireTV, TSR, PUSH Films
Portfolios Are as Follow
– www.shaterafortner.com
-www.styleseat.com/shaterafortner
Facebook: HAIRBYREINA
Instagram: @officialreina01021
Please tell us about your art.
My artwork initially is inspired by everything literally! From hair to makeup to fashion and film and television even more all are attributes of my inspiration. Creating the unknown is my greatest joy when art is being made. The canvas and the person being made and created for is what helps me execute specifically for their career, image and/ or project or filming at hand.
My fellow artists, barbers, Groomer’s, and designers worldwide also carries a high level of motivation in my everyday creativity. By always being a student of new trends and new techniques, allows continuous growth in my art & I’m always in search of new ongoing inspirations as well that keeps the fire lit.
My art when Created in the canvas of hair is moreso freestyle and full of graphics, unless the client requests a particular image or name or style designed. Countless messages via social media assures me that I’m maximizing on my initial goal next to many others, which is simply motivating and inspiring thousands and even millions someday of other passionate artists and groomers that are starters in the industry. Not only beginners but even top barbers / groomers that are hands down the most influential veterans of the game that reach out in different moments that are still inspired by the ongoing growth and achievements I’ve maximized on thus far.
Do you have any advice for other artists? Any lessons you wished you learned earlier?
If I was to grant advice to other artists it would be simply to STAY HUNGRY & STAY INSPIRED so That complacency isn’t a factor in their gift and productivity.
Lessons are countless and I believe all were learned in the rightful timing and in the particular season they were needed. Each new level teaches and, in all things, I make it a priority to learn in great times as well as not so great times.
How or where can people see your work? How can people support your work?
My work is literally on every social platform that’s trending in today’s millennial generation.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.styleseat.com/fortner
- Email: pushpasteverything@gmail.com
- Instagram: @officialreina01021 @pushpasteverything
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/shaterafortner; www.facebook.com/pushpasteverything
Image Credit:
@sterlingpics , @thecamkilla , @imerickrobinson , @zachwolfe , @marvinbienaime , @raw.arw , @ceo6ix , @officialreina01021
Getting in touch: VoyageATL is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
