Meet Trenard Waite | Artist/Painter

We had the good fortune of connecting with Trenard Waite and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Trenard, other than deciding to work for yourself, what was the single most important decision you made that contributed to your success?
I would say believing in myself. I’ve had a pretty tough life at an early age and it’s taught me to be resilient even when things don’t work as I planned or intended.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
My art is reflection of me and they way I see things. I get a lot inspiration from nature and daydreaming. I’m self taught, I had an art class, and a cooking class in high school for one year. I always found myself doing type of art, wallpapers, PowerPoint presentations, graphic design for projects and events around school.

I’m very much an empath. I’m not to showy with my art as I am bit reclusive. Over the years my art has been drawing me out into the public more and more. Im learning to let my art be a form of healing and expression.

I’m most proud and excite about my progression.In September of 2021 I did my first art exhibit at the Tacoma armory. In December 2021 I performed at alma matter for Art battle Tacoma.
It was my first ever Art performance and I happy to have been a part of it. You know it feels good to be a part of something especially since its on YouTube lol.

It was hard getting to where I am and I’m still striving. I feel as an artist I’m always challenging myself to better and bigger things. It has not been easy, there are times when I was homeless and only ate one meal a day to save money to have roof over my head. I even took up full time employment away from Art to be able to pour into supplies, paint and showing up to exhibits.I’ve done many gig jobs to help make ends meet in dedication to my craft.

I overcame most of challenges by doing the work. I spent a lot of time by myself and being honest about things I needed to let go in order to grow. One things I feel that’s overlooked is mental health of an artist. Often times Im find love for the art and not the process and or person that was driven by those emotions or experience to manifest that art.
Going through the highs and the lows gives my art life, which allows me be soulbr03.

What I learned a long the way is that, you have to be willing sacrifice something in order for your Art to survive. For anything to work it’s going to take time effort and patience.

What I want the world to know about my brand and story of Soulbr03 is that started it 10 years ago at grandmothers house in Miramar,FL.
Since then I have picked and travelled to the Pacific Northwest, Washington.
There’s a lot of had to learn and get used to. What I value the most is that it’s conveyed in my art.
Most of my work is recently I have taken on abstract and impressions as way to get what want across. Another part of my work is that I up-cycle mediums and of things otherwise discarded, like turning pallets into tables and stands for my art.
I’m not the where I want to be as of yet but I’m happy with the journey.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
To eat: I would definitely take them by “Quickie too a vegan’ in Tacoma , also “The Fish house’” reminds me a lot of home in Miami. Last would be “Gyro bites” in Tacoma, “The blue nile” in seattle

To drink; “Island soul rum bar” in seattle great vibes, “The Red Hot” in Tacoma, “Seattle cider brewery in Seattle”
‘Marlenes health market”

Places to visit; Discovery park, Dash point peer, Golden gardens park

Places to hang out; if your into art I would say “Wa Na Wari “ Art gallery

Gifts and shopping “Uwajimaya” Market

Chill out “ Alki beach”

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I would like to give a shout out to my parents who helped me on the start of my journey. My siblings that support me, friends and family that now see me vision unfolding. I’m thankful for everyone in my life at this point. My Girlfriend for believing in me.

Website: soulbro3.tumblr.com

Instagram: SoulBr03

Facebook: Soulbro3

Image Credits
Nikiya Dunmore Khalil Waldropt