Meet E The Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with E The Artist and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi E, let’s start by talking about what inspires you?
If I had to sum up what inspires me in two words, I would say that life and textures. Life brings loss, fear, love, or the lack of it, anger, repulsion, loneliness, intrigue… We meet and experience people that are catalysts of such large and engulfing thoughts, feelings, and physical sensations. Some of them we digress and push past. Some of them bring us to art — the need to create in order to let go, to understand; to relate with others. For me, when it brings me to art, ideas form and are often pivoted by happening upon and exploring a new material or texture, ultimately inspiring a new direction to communicate and evoke a certain experience.

Life, especially with the power of social media, also brings new people around who have amazing creative minds and will-power. People like G. Darkins and Vanessa German whose stories and art remind me how limitless creativity is, addressing any insecurity that comes with pushing the envelope in my own creative journey. Their works have inspired me to not move in fear of it not being understood.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
My story is about redirection and evolution, about being resilient-ly resourceful, about choosing your dreams however and whatever it may end up being… especially if it looks nothing like how you started.

Pursuing art was never the plan. My high school art teacher planted a seed that continues to grow despite any adversities. It survived moving around after college, art block, fear that my work wouldn’t be accepted or understood, and a DV incident that made creating art so painful. I could barely hold a paint brush.

After that unfortunate event, I prayed to God to give me any sign that I should stop trying to be an artist. During that time, I made art featured in online magazines, in coffee shops, in art shows, etc. God showed me, and continues to show me, all the fight and sleepless nights, all the blood, sweat, and tears are just a part of the journey for what He has planned for me. I made a plan to figure out how I can continue to do what brings me the most joy.

Over the last two years or so, I have been exploring sculpting using mixed media and recycled objects to tell stories that communicate the complexities of how we interact with ourselves and the world around us. Currently, I am working on a collection of 5 pieces that I cannot wait to share. Coupled with intellectual curiosity as a self-taught artist, this collection centers on hypersensitivity sensory overload. It emphasizes how glaring colors, lights, loud noises, sharp, grainy, dull textures and materials impact a space and trigger memories and emotions — specifically for those with complex PTSD.

I am most proud and excited about what is next for me. I know I still have much to learn, much to create, and much to become.There is so much power in the redirection, and I am so thankful that I was forced to redirect despite all fears. Because of it all, I have come to learn that fear is just an invitation to evolve.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
If you were visiting Atlanta, these are some of my recommendations:

Eat/Drink:
Cafe Intermezzo in Midtown to people watch
Buford Highway
Brush Sushi
Authentic Tacos – Julia’s Taqueria
Tre vele
Voga for Gelato
Yalda
Okiboro Ramen
Vegan Dream Donuts
Tassili’s Raw Reality Cafe

Visit:
Museums — Zucot, Atlanta Contemporary Art Museum, Museum of Modern Art, Art Museum at Spelman College, Buckhead Art company
Apache Cafe
Nello vintage
Botanical Gardens
Scooters on the ATL Beltline (there are some really good food spots along the Beltline)

Hangout:
@AltATL and @blaq.atl for my fellow Rainbow members
@themixerATL
Poetry on Peter
Poetic Jazz
@soultheory
@Buckheadartevents
Clubs I like to go to: Sanctuary, Tongue & Groove, El Malo, the district
Rock Steady on Tuesdays
High Frequency Fridays at the High Musuem (first and third Fridays of the month)
Free Second Sundays at the High Museum

Honestly, Atlanta has so much to offer, so much to experience, so much talent to see expressed. This is based on what I enjoy doing, eating, and seeing as a creative and a foodie who loves to be surrounded by music and good vibes.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My high school art teacher Ms. Spinelli for introducing me to different mediums and not making me feel crazy for my creative ideas. My first real love for buying my first paint set and pushing me to pursue my passion when I didn’t know that it was my passion.
My mom for surrounding us with so much creativity growing up.
G. Darkins — you taught and showed me there are so many blessings in redirection.
And to my Grandpa Norman: the apple didn’t fall too far from the tree.

Website: Etheartist.org

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elisa.theartist?igsh=MXVka210bmhzY3ZoMA%3D%3D&utm_source=qr