Yaya

Who or what are your biggest artistic influences?

Beyoncé. Contrary to popular belief, we don’t have the same amount of hours in the day as Beyonce. But I aspire to attain a level where I have the talent, community, and resources to make all my artistic visions come true, just as she has.

Honorable mention is my grandmother, a clothing designer, potter, oil painter, and whatever medium she decides to delve into and master with minimal effort. She introduced me to the art world and has taught me everything I know.  The most important lesson being, there is no such thing as doing too much. Because of her, I know there is nothing I can’t do.

What is your favorite artistic medium, and why does it resonate with you?

While it may sound cliché, my favorite artistic medium is music. It serves as my foundational inspiration, allowing me to explore and engage with other mediums. A close second is potter's clay. Working with clay takes a high level of skill and intention, but it is boundless and forgiving.

What hobbies or interests do you have outside of your artistic pursuits?

Hiking, fishing, gardening. I’m outside.

If you could work on any project, without limitations, what would it be?

Deep Art Society.

Is there a mantra or piece of advice you tell yourself to navigate and persevere through your artistic projects?

“Release now. Revise later” - Signed, a Virgo that thinks everything needs to be perfect by unrealistic standards.

 

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 Madison

Is there a specific routine or ritual you follow before diving into your work?

I tend not to be the most organized person, I think most artists can relate to that. I move so fast between projects and activities that I often forget to pick up in between tasks, however, when it comes to working on a project, that all changes. Before I dive into creating, I prime my space by cleaning up any clutter, getting the lighting right, and grabbing something to drink. Preparing the space I’m in creates a clean canvas for my brain to begin creating something new.

Who or what are your biggest artistic influences?

I am driven to create by my feelings and emotions. Even when designing a logo for a brand I think “What feeling does this evoke to the viewer, what does this brand want you to feel?”  and nothing makes me feel more than music does. Music plays into my work deeply, for my personal artistic endeavors I often draw inspiration from my favorite musicians. I deeply admire Lana Del Rey for creating her own world based around her music and aesthetic, her beginning originated from creating a space for her to escape, then inviting others in. I began creating for the same reason, to escape to somewhere better, I have my own “dream world” I often live in.

What advice would you give to your younger artistic self?

Don’t worry about what other people think. Not everyone can see the vision you have. A lot of people will take a look at what you’re doing and they won’t understand what you’re doing until it’s complete, even then they still might not understand, and that is okay. Not everyone is meant to see what you see, but your work will attract the right people if you put it out there.

Are there any unconventional tools or techniques you enjoy incorporating into your work?

Every piece of art I create at some point was worked on  by using my hands. From painting to digital art I always find a way to use my hands, whether it’s blending out paint with my pinky, or  using my finger instead of a stylus when drawing on my ipad, every work of art is in some form or another hand made.

"Is there a mantra or piece of advice you tell yourself to navigate and persevere through your artistic projects?"

“It doesn’t have to be perfect” I’ve found that perfectionism is the killer of creativity. I have collections of unfinished art from a time period in my life where I didn’t bother to see a project through if it wasn’t going exactly where I thought it should. I’ve learned since that if you push through the urge to quit after things don’t go quite to plan it will come together in the end, even if it wasn’t what you initially imagined. That’s how you create and find your art style. Your art lives inside you and you can’t always interfere with the way it comes out.

 

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Website - www.shopbertie.com

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