Today, The Platinum Mask channel would like to introduce Asia Griffin for a conversation.
Hey! Please explain to the audience what you’re promoting.
Promoting local artists will always be my main priority, but I also would like to promote Black women with small businesses, and women with natural bodies.
What was the biggest obstacle in your journey and how did you overcome it?
My biggest obstacle was not knowing what I wanted to do career wise after teaching , I was never a indecisive person I always knew what I wanted early as a child , but I found myself very indecisive on what I wanted to Do with my life . I have always felt that me getting fired from teaching was a sign that that’s not what I needed to be doing with my life , and that I should try to pursue being an artist.
What separates you from similar artist in the Dallas-Fort Worth area?
My paintings and drawings are very intimate and very erotic , I have models pose nude for me because that’s our natural state and when we fell the most comfortable, I have had people comment on my art because of the nude women , and sometimes it has discouraged me from painting . Art can be whatever you want it to be and I find beauty in the women around me.
Is there anything you wished you would have known earlier in your journey?
I wish I would have learned that the artist industry is hard ,I get low balled a lot on commissions, I get requests to do pieces for free , I also get people who are interested in my art but not to purchase it . I’ve met artist that are full time and I and just amazed because all the artist I know in my circle have full time jobs , the studio gallery I have , all the other artist that reside there have have full time jobs to support and invest in their art . I have a full time job I’m a graphic designer for JSK marketing & web , so I go to the studio after work or whenever I can because I have to buy canvases , and paint , and rent . Me going to work full time and also being an artist it takes away from my personal time ,and I wish I would have known that before I decided to pursue.
Do you have any favorite spots in the Dallas-Fort Worth area?
Daisha board gallery in Dallas , she has multiple events each month that spotlights different local black artist , and also the Goldmark culture center in Dallas where I have a studio and other Dallas artist who have a range of different medians.
Were there any major challenges due to the covid-19 pandemic? How did you overcome them?
The only obstacle I would say would be not being able to paint my friends , most of the women in my life have been gracious enough to model for me , not being able to figure draw was hard to do because of close contact , so I focused more on graphic design and perfecting my skills.
What was your upbringing like and did you discover your passion early on?
My mother and father both instilled in me early on to always make the best decision for myself , watching my mom work and go to school and watching my dad work as well and get his masters , this made me want better for myself, I always kept painting and drawing to myself because it brings me joy and peace , and I didn’t want any attention or compensation . I attended a magnet charter school from grades K-6 , and after high school I wanted to become a teacher myself , I never took in to consideration about becoming an artist full time , which being 26 I do feel like I started taking being an artist late , and I should have taken the leap early on in life.
Do you have a mentor and can you remember any key advice they have given you?
I go to two people for advice always and that’s my parents , they give me great advice and nobody knows me better than they do.
Were your friends and family supportive of your mission?
My friends and family are very supportive of me my mother has bought my paint , easel , and a display folder for my canvases , I’m sure she would be more proud of me if I was a teacher, but she loves me and supports all my decisions.
Any links you want to share for the viewers?
