Hey there!. My name is Isissia and I am artist from Chicago. Writing for a blog is new for me, so bare with me. This space is intended to share what being an artist is like for me and my process of creating. The first thing most people want to know after seeing my art is what inspired me to do it. And (they say don't sentences with and but..hey) usually there isn't enough time to give a full detailed answer. Sometimes I don't even know myself for a while. Sometimes it's deep and philosophical or it can be very simple and reactive. One thing that I have learned is that the interpretation of art and its actual meaning or purpose (at least to that artist) can be drastically different. Either way, there was a connection made. I often watch videos or read articles about different artist and how they create. (Not just visual artists either. I look up actresses, singers, rappers, producers etc). The part that you don't see is just as enjoyable to learn as the finished product. I want to show more than just that end result so that those who are interested in my work can have an understanding of the behind the scenes of art making; what I see, how I think, and what inspires me.
The Epiphany.
Until a good friend told me I was an artist, I didn't believe it. I was a freshman in college studying psychology at Chicago State University. I remember working on drawing of President Barack Obama for an intro to drawing class my second semester. I can't recall the exact conversation,
but I do remember her saying "You do know you're an artist, right?". I sat there bewildered in the mist of shading the contour of President's Obama's chin. I thought "I'm not an artist". Of course, my definition was clearly far from what my best friend was referring to. In my mind, an artist meant an array of things. When I thought of being an artist I thought of Van Gogh, Pablo Picasso, or even my professor. I thought of someone exhibiting their work in storefront windows along Michigan Ave. I thought of artist selling their work for hundreds and thousands of dollars. I thought of museum exhibits, art shows, and interviews. I thought of wanting to be seen and recognized constantly searching for validation from upper echelon galleries in New York. In a split second, that's what the definition of being an artist meant to me. I was just a psychology major in a one drawing class.
"None of that is me", I said to myself lost in an internal conversation.. The way my friend presented this idea was like basic math. I love drawing so I was an artist. Well, that was the first time I accepted that I was a creator. I striped down all of the preconceived notions of what I expected an artist to be. I took the mantra that being an artist was whatever I wanted it to be. I would figure it out along the way and take it step by step. I will never forget this moment. It was in this conversation that I reconnected with a part of me I didn't see as a part of who I was. The important thing was that I accepted it. ;-)
That was about 7 years ago. That's when I decided to take more classes and make art my minor. About 3 years ago, I sold my first art piece to my hairdresser (one of The best feelings in the world) and designed my first public work of art. About 2 years ago, I decided to not just keep my art to myself and be more public by making an face book artist page. About 1 year ago, I displayed some of my work ( and made some money so I was legit then) at the Ravenswood Artwalk. Today, I'm making my first blog post!!!!!
ART>Fear in [Context]
ART>Fear or Art is Greater Than Fear is simply about getting over the reluctance of exposing myself as artist by sharing my experience with others. I was really shy growing up. Like super shy. I did't care to really express or share certain things unless it was absolutely necessary. Showing your art can be intimidating. Even if you're the most outgoing person in the world, it's likely that you'd have some reservations about it. Though I accepted that I was an artist, it took a while to admit that I was terrified of the vulnerability that comes along with it. I think the deeper you dig in your art the more transparent you become. Over the last couple of years I've been receiving the same message over and over. "Work through your fears because there will be something waiting for you much greater than what you're afraid of" Each time I faced a fear my art got better. It was painful but, I got through it. And I'm still getting through it. So...that's it. At least for now. .
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Isissia
"If you hear a voice within you say 'you cannot paint,' then by all means paint, and that voice will be silenced." - Vincent Van Gogh