Graffiti University Comics Interview | Respect the Artist
How did you get your Artist name?
I created this name thru real-life experiences and thoughts
How did you get into creating?
I started creating art as a little boy after I saw my uncle Charles Blackmon creating art.
Where are you from?
I was born in Memphis, Tennessee. Now living in New York City for the last 6 years.
How did growing up in your neighborhood/city affect you?
Growing up in my hood was very dangerous. Drugs, racism, gangs, guns, and jails affected my whole life. Learning how to survive such conditions is a miracle for anyone to come out of.
What did you do to advance your skills/knowledge?
When I was shot at the age of 21, I lost my right eye and that changed my life forever. I became depressed. I was so far from reality I turned to hardcore drugs which led me to homelessness.
After years of suffering, I sought help. I began to heal from all my life experiences. At age 36, I went back to school to get my g.e.d. From there I enrolled in an art college and began to learn all the principles of art. By learning so much about art I wanted to share it with the world. So I started traveling to schools mentoring the youth with art and my experiences in the streets. College was where I got the idea to create comic books based on my true story.
What does your current setup look like?
I have a studio where I create but by living on the streets at times I learned how to create in any condition. I create with pencils, brushes, markers, and digital. Painting on canvas is fun too but creating and designing on a computer is my favorite place.
Who inspires you?
My uncle Charles Blackmon was my first inspiration to me wanting to create. Watching his hands create something was powerful to me. I was around age 7, when I first picked up a pencil. As I got older street artists to give me a great impact as well. After I learned about Jean-Michel Basquiat my passion took on a new journey, because he suffered from the same things I was going thru in real life. Homelessness and drug addiction were my worse reality.
What is your goal when you create?
My goals are to create educational art and art that can change the audience's perception.
Why do you create?
Because the Creator gave me this beautiful gift, to heal, and speak to the world, and
How has choosing your creative path affected your life?
By living my life as an artist, I see the world thru a creative mind set. By creating art I understand that everything around my was a thought first and action was taken to bring it into reality. Art is very powerful.
Did you have to overcome any obstacles along the way?
After losing my right eye, I had to overcome depression, and drug addiction, and accept my condition of being blind.
What's your go-to song right now and why is it important to you?
All of 2Pac music is my go-to music to inspire me to create. All Eyez On Me is my top rap song...
What is your dream as an artist and what steps are you taking to reach your dream?
My dreams are to continue to create comic books and art the educate of youth.
What would you tell someone else with a dream?
In order to make a dream come true you must put in action, action, and more action. I can have a dream all day but without action it won't come into reality.
Tell us about your most recent release
I released my new comic book Graffiti Elementary Comic Book 3 "Juvenile Detention" (Based on a true story)
available at Amazon.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_g.u.c.b
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Facebook.com: https://www.facebook.com/graffitiuniversitycomics
Photography credit: Ashshahid Muhammad
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