Art Silent Auction featuring Marian Mekhail

On Saturday, January 14th from 5PM - 9PM come and check out some amazing art and even have a chance to take it home in a silent auction.  Hosted by and featuring the work of the incredibly talented Marian Mekhail

Place: Kindred Coffee Company 
Address: 8700 N Tarrant Pkwy #109, North Richland Hills, TX 76182

Date: Saturday January 14th

5-9 PM (Live Music 7-9PM)

Bidding starts at $50.00

Crimson (Fashion Film)

Crimson is a beautifully mastered piece produced by renowned agency Artisan By Trade  and lead by cinematographer Julian Race and stylist Dani Brown.

In this piece we see a fashion film depicting a lady in red and her journey through a forest area. Serenaded by the sounds of nature you see a number of beautiful crimson gowns captured through captivating cinematography. Showcasing the results of fashion caught in motion.

Director / Cinematography - Julian Race Stylist - Danielle Brown Model - Alanna Cain // Dragonfly Agency, Dallas Hair - Erika Emely Cuellar Make up - Hiedi Xayasouk

Jack Daniels Art, Beats, and Lyrics

Art Beats +Lyrics is a traveling urban art and music exhibition founded by Cult Creative.

AB+L started as a local art show in Atlanta and has grown to support visionary artists and musician who values of authenticity, creativity, and individuality.  Now it makes it's way back to Dallas this Friday Jan. 13th at Gilley's Dallas.

These amazing creators are at the core of AB+L's mission to create a unique art experiences that help move the culture forward. Art, Beats + Lyrics is proud to have showcased hundred of visual artists from across the U.S. and feature acts like Snarky Puppy, Teddy Riley, Mansions On The Moon, Kendrick Lamar, and Shock-G. .

The driving force behind AB+L it's the curating. The show is designed so that audience can interacts within this ‘space’ and ultimately leave feeling inspired.

To RSVP text DFWABL to 68405 at the official website.

Women In Transit Cocktail Reception

words by Marco Smith                                                                                                   Photo by Tasteworthy Photography

If I told you I knew where this was going I'd be lying.  That this was all part of my master plan and it turned out exactly as I thought it would, that would be untrue.  Truth of the matter is this was something that I stumbled on.  I just started writing a list of people I wanted to profile and by the time I got to the fifth name I realized they were all women.  And that was it, Women In Transit was born.  But that is just the tip of the iceberg of what I didn't know.  I had no idea where this journey would take me.  No clue about the friendships I would make, the things I would learn, and how I would grow.

Photo by 1 Plus Cool Visuals

As progressive and as forward thinking as I like to think I am, even I underestimated the power of women and the impact they can have as a unified collective.  Women In Transit became something bigger than I was and has taken a life of it's own.  I could have never guessed the reaction from the audience who read the articles or the reception of the attendees at the event.  How the feedback opened my eyes to perspectives I had yet to even contemplate.

Photo by Tasteworthy Photography

There was the strength and perseverance of Tiffani, the dopeness of Ursa, the infectious positive vibes of Christina, and the realness of Erica.  Takiyah taught me what a late bloomer was and how cool it is to be one.  Angela taught me I don't have to be just great at just one thing. Dani showed me what tenured knowledge in your profession looks like with youthful spirit and Morgana showed me how to be comfortable in your own skin artistically. Amber and Shareea shoot with lenses that literally romance the very world that we inhabit while Mel's art is the very lifestyle that she lives.  Yasmine's journey shows how she managed to go through life and keep on dancing while Marian's depth and artistic range know no bounds.

Photo by Tasteworthy Photography

Now comes the challenge of going forward and building on the foundation that was set.  A responsibility that I take great pleasure in.  In 2017 we'll take it to the next level!  Although Women In Transit was about celebrating the talent of these phenomenal ladies I can say that I truly benefited from it as well and couldn't think of a better way to end 2016.  Thanks you ladies!

WOMEN IN TRANSIT COCKTAIL RECEPTION

Free People Afro Art and Fashion Show

FREE PEOPLE AFRO ART AND FASHION SHOW intends to celebrate the African American art and style perspective and bring awareness of these creatives to the Dallas community through fashion design and art. Designers and artists have been handpicked, each with a unique design aesthetic,that contributes to their individual style story. The FREE PEOPLE art show will shed light on current social issues, creating progressive dialogue amongst its spectators, and most importantly, highlighting the vast diversity within the DFW Metroplex.

Come Saturday, January 7, 2017 for a night of epic creative proportions. Complimentary drinks and DJ SO4KIS setting the tone, this event is conscious and sexy. After 5 attire is strongly suggested. Enjoy a traditional gallery presentation, curated by Nychelle Elise and a style showcase presented by Ashley Williams. Prepare to see original designs from:

Devaun Robinson
Akisha Kirkland
Mykel Rose
and an accessories presentation from Bow Tie Mike

Highlighted visual artists include:

Nychelle Elise
Kirk NOIR 1 Garnett
The Noiz
Fragyle Art
Spencer Evans
Veulah J
Riley Holloway
Pamela Danai
Aleisha Art
Fela Raymond
Gabby Rachel
Angela Webb
JetheVANDL
John Owens
...and more!

Get your tickets here

WOMEN IN TRANSIT: Dani Brown

    words by Marco Smith                                                                                                                                                photo by Emily McCartney

Dani Brown is one of those individuals whose youth doesn't match her experience.  As a matter of fact if you were to sum her just based on her appearance you'd be missing out on a lot.   She's tall, slender, stylish, and doe-eyed gorgeous with just enough melanin to give her skin that cocoa finish.  So you're thinking to yourself "she's a model", and you'd be right.  But you'd be wrong too.  This is where she fools you.  She's only 25 but Dani is a vetran of the fashion industry here in Dallas.  As a model, stylist, and now with her own agency Artisan By Trade where she reps Hair and make up artists, illustrators, sylists and photographers.  This Dallas native by way of Pleasant Grove has been a staple on the creative scene in her city for a long time.  You'd be hard pressed to find a model, director, designer, or photographer who she hasn't crossed paths with.  She played an integral part in helping this series come together so it was only right that we sit down and pick her brain a little

IT: What led you to do what you do now or how did you get started?

I've always had a creative background.  I went to the Booker T. Washington School for visual arts and did a lot of painting, drawing, and mixed media.  From there I studied fashion design.  I've always loved it.  My dad was one of those people who would dress up just to go to Walmart, so presentation was always key growing up.  He would say you never know who you're going to meet so you have to prepare to do so.  From there I started modeling and I did my first photo shoot my freshman year of college.  A photographer friend of mine told me how much he liked my style and suggested that I be a stylist. So then I started styling all of his photo shoots and from there it blossomed.  I started reaching out to other photographers and then they would hire me and I've been busy ever since.

What is your opinion of the art scene here in Dallas?

It's growing!  It's had its ups and downs.  We've been more buyers in the past without actually having our own thing but with so many people moving here I think its becoming what we always knew it could be.

photo by Emily McCartney

What were your earliest influences artistically?

I would have to say Van Gough honestly.  I was really inspired by his use of colors and the medium over all.  And his story, it's kind of heart breaking if you look him up.  It's really sad and to think he didn't become famous until after his death.  Syle-wise I would say Edward Enninful over there at W Magazine in New York.  He's definitely someone I look up to as far as aesthetics and just his approach to style.

What has been you experience being a woman in this industry positive or negative?

I thinks its been pretty positive.  In the industry it is kind of ruled by  men as far as who is creating the fashion. A lot of your main designers of all the big fashion lines are designed by men.  The ironic thing is that they are women's wear designers.  I'm glad there is an interest and growth of women trying to take more of a lead in this industry but I will say that as an African American woman I am one of a very few who are stylists.

photo by Emily McCartney

What inspires you?

What doesn't inspire me is the real question.  I get inspired by a lot.  Sometimes it's the model herself.  It can even be someone's photography.  It's everything around me.  You got to be able to find it.  Like some people struggle with inspiration, I struggle with not to be so inspired by everything.

What gives you the most joy doing what you do?

Finishing it and seeing the reaction from people.  The excitement as it builds throughout the shoot.  Knowing that I was able to get one of my artistic visions out in a way that can be shown visually.  That's what brings me a lot of joy.

photo by Emily McCartney

What is that you bring to the table artistically that is unique to you?

My vision.  The way I look at things and how I approach the subject I would say is different.  The way I look at fashion and the way I look at my work, I look at it as an art form.  I put a lot of passion into it.

What's next?

My agency Artisan By Trade is my main priority right now.  I definitely looking to expand my clientele.  So watch out!

WOMEN IN TRANSIT: TaKiyah Wallace

                            words by Marco Smith                                                                            photo by Emily McCartney

Takiyah Wallace is...quite simply put.....the modern day renaissance woman.  She does everything and I'm convinced she can do anything.  When I ask her what her day job is she pauses, showcases her bright smile, laughs and says "I have several day jobs.  I teach the gifted and talented at Roger Q. Mills Elementary school in the Dallas Independent School District, I have a photography company called Some Sweet Photography, and I run a nonprofit called Brown Girls Do Ballet."  This is just a quick look into here personality.  This makes me probe deeper, she says "I found a word last year called a Mutipotentialite".  I immediately grab my phone to Google.  "There is a whole site directed toward the word itself or people who identify as such.  Before that is was described as a Polymath.  It basically means someone who is good at a lot of different things and has a lot of different interests.  I could never see myself at one day-job for the rest of my life doing just one thing.  Even if you called me an expert in it, my eventual goal would to become a PHD in something just so people would have to call me doctor"  she laughs.  She continues "I like to try things and so far things that I've tried I have been accidentally successful at.  I feel like everything that has happened to me has happened by accident but ultimately led me down the path that I should be going....which really means it is no accident".  All that and she manages to maintain her home life as well.  She is a wife of a loving husband and mother to two small children.  The song "Superwoman" comes to mind.  Now depending on your generation or how you choose to identify you could take your pick at which version makes the most sense.  You could go the old school RnB route and go for the Karyn White version or if you're feeling a little uptempo and hip hop you might lean more toward the Lil Mo version.  But when talking about Takiyah I'm personally going to go with the Alicia Keys rendition.  Where the first two were more directed at using their "super powers" for their significant others the latter was more all encompassing and not just limited to personal relationships.

IT: What led you to do what it is that you do now or how did you get started?

TW: When my daughter was 3 years old she told me wanted to take ballet.  I didn't know anything about that but I do know Google.  So as I was looking at different programs in the area the very first thing that jumped out to me from a visual perspective is that there were no little girls in these programs that looked like my daughter.  That prompted me to specifically search the term "black ballerina" and the only thing that came up was shoes.  As in back ballerina flats.  Mind you this is before Misty Copeland hit the mainstream.  So I made that my project (as a photographer) and put out a casting call for dancers of color in Dallas, Austin, and Houston. The next day I woke up and it had gone viral and I didn't quite understand it.  The following weekend I began shooting in Dallas and I had all these moms crying to me about how important this was.  Afterwards I went home to do more research and realized there were no dancers of color at the time being promoted that these girls could look up to.  It just hit home how representation really does matter.  As I continued to shoot I started receiving emails from all over the country asking when I was come to their city when I no intentions to.  Then someone volunteered to do my PR and before you know it I was getting interviews for an organization I had yet to formally form.  Soon after I set up the website and immediately started receiving donations.  Before you know it I started receiving communications from different little girls who had amazing opportunities to participate in prestigious dance programs but not enough money to get there.  That's when I decided what this organization could be.  So we are a philanthropic, nonprofit organization that provides resources to aspiring dancers.

What is your opinion of the arts scene in Dallas?

Ummm....you know I'll be honest with you.  Very candid.  Up until about 5 months ago I had been reaching to people in Dallas to let them know that Brown Girls Do Ballet even exists.  Like when I go to New York and mention the program name, it's like rock star status I kid you not.  I started this here in Dallas and wanted to do it here in Dallas but when I reached out to reputable schools here I got crickets.  That always bothered me because I'm community based and I wanted it to thrive here first before I took it anywhere else.  I'll be honest, that bothers me.  That I have to go out to get press for us.  We've been covered by The Washington Post, The Huffington Post, Ebony etc. and I've yet to get any mention in Dallas at all.  But I've decided to push pass that and ignore what's not happening and focus on  creating my own path to make things happen.  

 photo by Emily McCartney

What were your earliest influences artistically?

You know I'd have to say my family.  I have a really great family.  My parents always taught that I could do whatever I want to do.  And as a parent I've instilled that in my children.  So I have my mother's work ethic but I have the thinking of my father who told me that after I come home from work you still have to have something that is for you.  So I tend to try to find things that are a combination of both of those. So how can I eat and still feel attached to what I'm doing.  So everything is a heart-project for me.  If I don't feel it then I don't do it.

What has been your experience being a woman in the field positive or negative?

I think women are always feeling like they are fighting a battle creatively when it comes to creative endeavors.  Even in photography which is a male dominated industry women are pigeon-holed.  So if I'm a woman photographer then automatically they assume I shoot babies or weddings while the males get to be the gritty street-photographer.  So I feel like there are stereotypes in certain genres and I fall into that a bit because I shoot kids and families but I've tried the other stuff and I didn't like it.That's not what I'm passionate about.  For me I often feel like an outsider because not only am I a woman but I'm a woman of color and people feel like you're not as well trained as someone else.

 photo by Emily McCartney

What inspires you?

Hmmm.....kids!  It may sound strange but when I look back on everything I've done in my life its always about protecting the innocence and encouraging the creativity of children.  In photography I encourage kids to be themselves with out posing them and I love teaching.  I think it's my duty to help them become the best versions of themselves.

What gives you the most joy in doing what you do?

I am probably the happiest business-wise when someone else is able to articulate to me what I have done.  Because even with all the challenges and drama if they can recognize that then I'm good.  I don't need a thank you, I just want to see that they are happy.

photo by Emily McCartney

What is it that you bring to the table artistically that is unique to you?

You know I honestly believe the thing that has got me to where I am is that I'm authentic and super honest.  I know my shortcomings and I know my failings.  I'll tell you those things upfront but you can't call me out on something.  I already know that.  I'm open and you can talk to me.  I'm not trying to be something I'm not.

So what's next?

A lot.  I'm looking to get an office/creative space here in Dallas.  Everyone thinks I should do it in New York but I want to do it here in Oak Cliff. I want it to be a creative gallery space for people,  I want highlight creatives in all forms on an ongoing basis.

WOMEN IN TRANSIT: Angela Flournoy

    words by Marco Smith                                                                                                            photo by Emily McCartney

It is often said that a cat has nine lives.  We as human beings are fortunate enough to have one life.  A life that can have many chapters.  Where and when those chapters begin and end is all part of the journey.  Whether it be in our personal or professional lives.  Now whether you're successful in these stages is for another article.  Angela Flournoy on the other hand has had the unique experience of living several different lives professionally.  She's been able to navigate from industry to industry in a seamless attempt to push herself professionally in her various passions.  And she's been successful in doing it each and every time.  Now when I say successful I mean that she's been able to thrive and flourish in every new endeavor she's taken on.  The Shreveport, Louisiana native  took her talents all the way to New York.  She was a television producer,  worked for NBC and then worked for Al Roker's TV production company.  She dabbled in other industries as well but then switched gears to graphic design which led to web design.  Now she lives in Dallas and works as an Art Director, Web Designer and Developer.  "You know the phrase: Jack of all trades, master of none? I don't really subscribe to that.  I feel that you can be a master of all things that you love.  As long as you put enough energy into them.  I don't want to be limited to being great at just one thing." she says,  And with that, you pretty much get an idea of what her frame of mind is. "I'm an all around creative.  I don't want to think of myself just in one box.  I've done just about everything you can think of that is creative. From television, to dabbling in photography, to now being a mobile designer."

IT: What led you to do what it is you do now or how did you get started?

AF: It started at a young age.  I can remember in elementary school designing my own fashion collection, painting, and drawing.  I've always been an artist so I knew in my career that I was going to do something creative.

What is your opinion of the arts scene here in Dallas?

Ahhh...it's interesting.  You know I moved here from New York where you can find art everywhere. There is the underground scene and there is the mainstream and I was kind of surprised to see that exist in Dallas as well.  You have this very organic, eclectic, underground scene and then you have the fine art mainstream. I've been here since 2007 and you can kind of see that merging and I see new artists and underground artists getting more shine and that makes me excited.  Overall I'd love to see those worlds blend more.

photo by Emily McCartney

What were your early influences artistically?

It's funny because I started dancing when I was seven.  I did ballet, modern dance, and tap.  So from an early age it was Alvin Ailey and Judith Jamison.  I was very much into the art of physical movement.  Dorthy Dandridge too, I mean the list goes on.  I find inspiration in every industry.  In furniture and product design, I love Phillipe Starck and mid-century design.  I love Ray and Charles Eames.  I find inspiration in various industries.

What has been your experience being a female creative in your field.  Positive or negative?

From a positive perspective I feel like I've met incredible women who have tried to help me further my career.  I've never come across any pettiness.  When I meet a woman in my field its positive and we try to elevate each other.  On the other hand I'm in a very technical industry.  I go between design and development which is a digital technology driven industry.  So a lot of times I'm the only woman in the room and sometimes I'm talked over.  I have to fight to be heard and that is challenging but that is something to where you just need to rise to the occasion.

photo by Emily McCartney

What gives you the most joy in doing what you do?

I always wanted to create something from scratch and in the other industries that I've been apart of whether it be television or film you're not really empowered with that creative control.  But in digital technology it can somewhat me my concept completely and I get to create something from scratch. Then I get to make it real and that is exciting to me.  Seeing something come to life that I've created with my own mind.  That's incredibly rewarding.

What inspires you?

Just the world.  I love being outdoors or walking in a park.  Checking out downtown or a small neighborhood.  Just the aesthetics of the world inspire me.

photo by Emily McCartney

What is it that you bring to the table artistically that is unique to you?

It's funny you say that because you know design is very competitive.  I can't say that I'm the most creative designer out there but I know that I'm driven.  Driven to keep perfecting my craft and get better at what I do.  So I strive to be better every day

What's next?

Next for me is combining all of my skills into a service that I can provide to small businesses.  I find that a lot of business owners don't know where to begin be when it comes to the creative side of their business.  They have a clear definition of what their business is, but they don't know how to represent it visually.  That's where I come in.  From the brick and mortar to the digital space, I provide the overall creative direction for the brand

You can catch more of Angela and here work right here

WOMEN IN TRANSIT: Shareea Woods

     words by Christiana Harris                                                                                                                                           photo by Emily McCartney

When you talk to Shareea Woods you sense a feeling of warmth and easy going comfort. This wife and mother originally from San Diego, CA exudes positive light and energy in every aspect of her life. She describes herself as creative, ambitious and fun to be around. By chance you may meet her out and about "socializing" but she also enjoys the comforts of staying home as entertainment.  Shareea has picked up many hobbies through the years, some she’s stuck with and others she’s left behind, but she has a integral way in photography to display all her passions in life while being creative and acting as a force of positivity throughout her work. Shareea is that friend/colleague/confidant that we all need in this world to inspire us to do it all and stay connected. 

IT: What lead you to do photography?

Shareea: It all stemmed from the passing of my grandfather a while back. I remember taking the pictures for the funeral service and what caught my attention was a photo of my uncles sitting on the front row. They served as pallbearers and they all have bald heads like my grandfather did. It was awesome to capture them looking at my grandfather in the casket and realizing how they all got their bald heads from him. That photo of them just really stood out to me as something powerful.

 What’s your opinion of the art scene in Dallas?

You know I’m not familiar with the art scene in Dallas. I had a friend who mentored me early on in photography by just letting me do graphic designing for her for a short while. She really helped shape what I know artistically but I do not have any friends who are on the art scene or anything, especially since my mentor/friend moved away from Dallas. So I’m not sure how it is.

                            photo by Emily McCartney

What were your early art influences?

“People in conversation.” It is always inspiring to shoot two people interacting with one another and “connecting”. I do alot of portrait photography. I try to shy away from doing events LOL. But I love people. Also, a while ago I used to paint and I believe that my love of Photoshop and editing stems from when I was a painter.

 What has been your experience as a woman in photography?

Umm it has been an asset for me because I feel I am a very relatable person and I try my best to make my clients feel comfortable in whatever way I can. Sometimes when I’m working with couples, and it may be a couple who is having a hard time, I try to get them to talk about how they met just to make them feel comfortable and break the ice a bit. It helps them connect more during the shoot, and that’s what I love to capture.

What inspires you?

Love. Connection.
I like that answer!

    photo by Emily McCartney

What gives you the most joy in what you do?

I would say client satisfaction. I love when I’m shooting a client and I’m able to show them a few shots in between and they get excited and immediately want to post their shots on social media. To see their excitement about what we’re creating is what gives me the most joy in doing photography.

What do you bring to the table that is most unique to what you do in photography?

Well, I feel that I am very “go with the flow” when I’m working. I hate the “posed” look in photography and I try to just focus on what’s organic to the client that I’m shooting. Especially with newborns, it just makes more sense. You get the right picture for the right person. I approach every shoot without expectation of what could be created.

What’s next?

Well, I really want to focus on being more creative. I currently juggle my love of photography along with being a working mom so I’m not sure when I could do photography full time. I have a good job so its not a financial pressure. But until then, I just want to work on being more creative. I love taking pictures of hands and I have few shots I can show you of that. Hands really help me capture scale and connection, especially if it’s the parents holding a newborn’s hands or I even have a photo of a woman holding a man’s head and just showing that connection of love and perfect balance. So, I just want to do creative things like that and maybe even have a gallery exhibition of my work someday.

You can see more of Shareea's work right here

    photo by Shareea Woods

    photo by Shareea Woods

                            photo by Shareea Woods

WOMEN IN TRANSIT: Christina Moreland

                            words by Marco Smith                                                                           Photo by Emily McCartney

The first thing you get when you meet Christina Moreland is energy.  It’s evident even before you meet her.  Just take a look at any of her profiles across  any social media platform and it’s easy to see.  You feel it when she walks into a room.  She’s just a huge burst of positive energy and excitement.  The type where it would be hard to imagine her sad about anything.  She’s a self-proclaimed “goofball” who doesn’t take herself too seriously.  She also happens to be an extremely talented illustrator but don't limit her to just that label.  "I guess I prefer saying artist because I like doing other things. I like animation, I like video and photography as well.  You know just being able to dabble in other things." Whatever medium she chooses there in one constant....her sense of humor.  "I think humor is important.  I think being able to make people laugh is important.  So I always try to combine the two and make really funny goofy art. Cartoons that's my thing.  It's such a universal thing to me."

IT: What led you to do what it is you do now or how did you get started?

CM:  I got started just by being that "art kid" in high school.  I was the kid that would doodle in her notebook instead of taking notes.  Eventually people noticed and would tell me how good I was.  Then I thought that maybe this was something I could pursue.  It also helped that my parents were really encouraging with my artistic endeavors.

What is your opinion of the art scene here in Dallas?

I love it!  I think it's the right size compared to bigger cities like New York and L.A.  It's small enough to when I attend events or art shows I can approach people and they're very welcoming and supportive of what I'm doing.  For the most part it's very family oriented from my experience.  That spirit of collaboration is definitely here.  But I've learned I haved to be more extroverted to be able to really take advantage of it.

    Photo by Emily McCartney

What were your early influences artistically?

Disney for sure.  Like those first animated movies were like the first seed in my whole love for art.  Artists like Mike Mitchell who does really awesome cartoon work and hyper-realism portraits. Also local artists like Joonbug whom I've always followed.  He really showed me that you can make it as a freelancer and as an illustrator.  Especially when people tell you not to go into illustration because of money or whatever.  He really inspired me to stick with it.  I also get inspired by artists who don't necessarily draw like Jeremy Biggers who does all sorts of things or Topic.

What has been your experience being a female artist positive or negative?

I honestly don't think I've received any negative experiences being a woman. Maybe being as young as I am, people don't want to take you seriously unless you've already made a name for yourself.  But for the most part people have treated me pretty well.  I'm pretty lucky because I know that women, especially women of color experience prejudices and discrimination.

What inspires you?

I just want to be able to work wherever I want to because my work is that good. I want them to hunt me down to work on their brand or collaborate on their project.  Mainly because I love the idea of traveling and I want to be able to do that with my art.  That inspires me.  Also because I know If I don't put the work in I'll be disappointing all the people who supported and believed in me and also myself.

What gives you the most joy in doing what you do?

Just having that person come to me and say "Hey I saw that illustration you did" or "Hey I saw that artwork that you posted and I loved it."  It makes me feel good.  I giggle a little bit.  Here's a stranger that became my friend in that way. I love that feeling.

What is it in your opinion that you bring to the table artistically that is unique to you?

I think just my energy.  I always try to be overwhelmingly positive and goofy with my work.  There is so much negative crap out there and I don't ever want that to be the focus.  I want to reflect that positive energy in my work.

Ok, so what’s next?

That's a good question.  I'm in the process of finishing my comic book which is a learning process in itself because I didn't know much about the production of comics. But I want to do a little miniseries for that.  I want to get into animation more and just finishing up school.

You can check out Christina's work here

    illustration by Christina Moreland

    illustration by Christina Moreland

WOMEN IN TRANSIT: Erica Davis

                            words by Marco Smith                                                                          Photo by Emily McCartney

Erica Davis not one for doing a lot of talking, much less talking about herself.  So when she agreed to sit down to talk with me I was happy to say the least. There is a quiet strength to her that you pick up immediately.  Soft spoken sure, but definitely not a push over. She’s a single mother to her an 11 year old son and a school teacher in the Mansfield Independent School District.  She admits that there is an internal battle within her between what she calls her business mind and her creative mind.  But all in all she’s very simple “I teach and I’m a mom” she says.  She spends her days teaching special education students in Mansfield.  “ When I used to be a substitute teach for the district I was one of the only ones who would pick up the calls for special ed and I discovered that I really connected with those kids and that’s when I decided to go back and get my Masters Degree in Special Education and Autism” she says. This enabled her to in her own words become the bridge between special education and general education so that all kids can have that authentic class experience.  She also happens to be a gifted artist.   But that’s just the beginning.  The more you sit and listen to her speak the more you learn about her.  

                            Photo by Emily McCartney

IT: What led you to do what it is you do now or how did you get started?

ED:  Art has been since childhood.  I was that kid that when it came to Christmas or birthdays if you give me an art set, easel etc. I was good.  All my electives in school were in art.  I'm not fond of the idea of being graded on art. That would irritate me.  You often have the professors that want it to look the way they would create it and art is not something you can do that way.  It has to be your creation, your authenticity.  Not fitting in the box of someone else’s vision for what you are trying to convey.

What is your opinion of the art scene here in Dallas?

I’ll be honest I’ve been a little disconnected from it. The experience I did have when I was plugged in was a bit surface level.  I don’t think there are very unique and supportive opportunities to build a full arts culture.  I think we’re getting there compared to what it was years ago but I think a lot of it is still very surface level in terms of the audience truly embracing art.  It’s more about posting on social media about being at an art event as opposed to supporting the artist and truly trying to understand their work.

                            Photo by Emily McCartney

What were your early influences artistically?

My mom taught me how to draw people so that would the first.  But I grew up with a lot Black art in our household.  Everything is just kind of where I’m at in my head-space as far as inspiration.

What has been your experience being a female artist positive or negative?

I don’t really see that there is a lot of distinction.  I definitely think the guys are able to pull larger audiences when shows are taking place. Other than that I haven’t seen any huge disparities.

What is your preferred medium?

I’m burned out on painting.   I've always done figurative painting and then I tried to dabble in abstract and that requires abstract thinking and being in touch with your feelings and I don’t really do the feelings thing.  It was really hard because I like very clear definition.  So I’ve been leaning more toward drawing, especially with the Sharpie.

                        Photo by Emily McCartney

What inspires you?

I usually have to an image of something and then I go from there but it also depends on where I’m at headspace-wise.

What gives you the most joy in doing what you do?

I would have to say when I run into people who have purchased my art and they still have it and it’s up and displayed.  When you come to my house my art is everywhere but displayed.  It’s in the attic, the closet etc.  But when other people have it displayed that’s nice.

What is it in your opinion that you bring to the table artistically that is unique to you?

Well with the Sharpie the way I’ve modified my own crosshatch pattern. I haven’t seen that replicated

You canview more of Erica's work here or on Instagram