The Blaxpat Weekly #6.2024
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Is it weird to be an artist who admires other artists?
I mean, fangirling isn’t a frequent occurrence in my life, but when it happens, I’m pretty okay with it. After all, watching someone do, be, or create something amazing is one of the joys of the human experience, I think. It’s impressive. It’s inspiring, even.
When my kid asked me why I bought art when I’m an artist myself, I simply said, “Because I can’t make that.” Even a 5-year-old understands the power of admiration.
So which artists am I crushing on rn?
Why is no one talking about art supplies?
Sometimes it’s the small stuff that makes all the difference. Being based in Africa, but with access to international supplies, I know I’m privileged beyond compare.
This weekend I had a glue fiasco and it’s got me wondering if part of the problem of art creation and development in parts of the world like where I call home isn’t just about understanding the industry. Literally, what holds things together—glue—can really fall apart and ruin all your hopes of creating a masterpiece.
I ran out of silicone glue a few weeks back, so I bought some from a well-known art supply store in South Africa. No biggie—“What’s the difference?” I thought.
Amateur hour. I tried this glue on a new piece and immediately knew I’d ruined it. By my standards, the finished work is kinda trash. (But, as an experiment, let’s see if anyone notices.) Needless to say, this unwieldy a$&, messy a$& glue decided to dominate the entire artwork and make me its proverbial—five letter word.
I had to work fast because while it dried clear, it also dried lumpy and bubbly. When I tried to peel it off after drying, it lifted the color from the paint underneath (my old glue didn’t do that). And now, I’m sitting on Amazon trying to see if I can find the same (extremely) basic craft glue from Peru that I originally used in my earlier work.
They say the devil is in the details, but not just in the finished work.
Let’s talk about the supplies.
Artists from around the world have unique world views, sure. But also they/we don’t have equal access to the same base materials that acclaimed or fine artists might have. That, too, is reflected in the work produced.
What I bought in SA was a far cry from what I’m used to, and that’s in a really well-stocked country. I could have just made a mistake and picked up the wrong brand, but what if I didn’t? Sometimes, the limitations or quirks of what we can get our hands on are the foundation of our signature work. It’s not just about an artist statement or our vision, sometimes it’s the simple stuff… the materials… the glue… the beads… the paper…
I’ve never felt bested by glue before, but here we are.
…Frustrating, difficult to make, rebellious in the face of the original intentions…
And yet & still, I can call it art.
Art Moms, Unite!
I recently visited a friend’s art studio (currently tucked into a backroom under a ramp in a skate park), and she really inspired me to take this leap and wear the label of “artist.”
One thing that stuck with me was how much her daughter had made a home for herself in the studio. She knew what to touch, what not to. And although the daughter was def a bit of a distraction, she was also a fixture. In watching this mom-artist claim space and normalize the entire process, I suddenly realized that I could surrender to the reality that my place would be kinda messy, have to have an area for my kids, and need to be close to home—cause, that’s where I always want to be.
Yesterday was the first time that both my kids decided they wanted to do art with me…
Usually, one is off playing Play Station (ahem, I bet you can guess which one).
And to say it felt great would be an understatement.
In fact, I found myself teaching them about freedom of creativity, responsibility (clean up your messes), and patience. These are things I preach in other aspects of life, but they’ve never seen me model in front of their faces.
Who’da thunk that making this shift would come with parenting perks, too…
Thanx for supporting my creativity. If you’re looking to support more, here’s how:
TheBlaxpat Etsy Store - my unique designs & merch!
Follow me on IG (lifestyle/influence) & X (writing/sources)!
Shop my Children’s Books & Explore thirdculturekiddos.com!
Links to watch:
ResArtis: Artists Residencies
National Museum of African-American History & Culture Intern- & Fellow-ships
ACAVA: Resources for Artists