Allie Lyke shares a Q&A with D.C. painter André Belton, better known by his artist name AB Arts to discuss his artistry, life, and his true intention as a Black painter. AB Arts: The ArtistQ: How long have you been an artist? ABA: I've been a visual artist since August of 2014, but I've been an artist for as long a I can remember. I write poetry, I dance, I step. Art has always helped me through rough times. Growing up, my younger brother could draw, he kinda planted a seed way back when. Except I couldn't draw, lol, but lo and behold years later, I still can't draw, but painting somehow works. Q: Where do you get your inspiration? ABA: Inspiration comes from strong emotions. Like good sex, my best pieces come from either anger and/or passion. When I first started painting, it was actually because of a really bad break up. Q: Do you still own your first painting? Why or why not? ABA: Yes, I love my first piece, her name is Jazz. If I ever gift her to someone, we're probably getting married, so I'll still have her. Q: What products do you use? ABA: I paint on wood, canvas, and I've done a couple murals. I've painted drums, earrings, and necklaces in the past. I use different gel mediums, shells, stones, spray paint, hemp cord, and copper wire. Q: Who do you paint for? Who is your intended audience? ABA: I paint for anyone that can understand and appreciate my work. Each piece tells it's own story, if you get it, it's for you. André Belton: The ManQ: What's the typical day for AB Arts? ABA: Monday through Friday a typical day starts around 5. I pray, mediate, shower, and get my life together for the day ahead. I get to work with the most AMAZING 2nd grade students from 8a-4p. I get my life together, again and I paint, I practice capoiera, I sketch/draw. I work as a brand ambassador every now and then for a foreign bet l beer; I like being paid to be social. Weekends I don't sleep because I always end up finding someone, or something to keep me busy. I'm a practicing loctician, which means I maintain locs. Q: How do you maintain balance and persevere through trials and tribulations? ABA: Balance is key. When I was younger, my motto was "if I'm not doing everything, I'm not doing anything." I get bored easily, but I have a million and a half interests so there's always something to do. Every now and then I find myself sketching or thinking about a New piece while I'm at work tho. In times of stress, I buckle down, grit and grind. I keep to myself, and I hustle until the sun comes out again. During major life changes I tend to uncover a new/hidden talent. I can't wait till the one that unlocks my voice comes along..Lol I will sing myself through Hell, and sound terrible while I do it. Q: What do you do to get in the zone? ABA: When I'm getting in the zone, I blast my neo soul music. Definitely Badu, Jill, John Legend, Hamilton, one of my new favorites is Lianne La Havas. Lianne La Havas, if you're reading this, I want you to sing at my wedding!! I'll pay you and paint you! Life goals right..Lol oh and I get my herbs together and ascend, if you feel me. Q: If you could be featured anywhere, where would it be and why? ABA: Outside of this GREAT online magazine, I really want my art featured in 2 places, in the halls of Lulu Vere Childers Hall at Howard University, and in the African American Smithsonian, as soon as it opens in Washington, D.C. Q: What is your favorite food? ABA: I love to cook! I make this bomb gluten free macaroni and cheese, with cilantro and salmon, then I match that up with my fried chicken, and some asparagus. Don't knock it took you try it. Black Art: The Movement Q: Why not just call yourself by your real name? ABA: I don't want people to see my name and then expect something it's not about me, I don't want to be limited by a preconceived notion of "André Belton" the this or that. I want the art to speak for itself. The name ArchimedeΣ was given to me by accident. I was presenting a piece to a newly wed couple during a function in their home, I didn't know anyone, so I'm working the room meeting people, networking and I hear someone yelling "Where's Archimedes? I need him to come tell you about his painting..." We joked about the name for a while, but then I researched the Greek philosopher, liked him and the name stuck. Ba, however, is Egyptian. And it describes how people view you, and your works. Your Ba is how the world, your audience, perceives you. I want to spread education, in everything I do. Q: What inspired you to incorporate slavery and its narrative into your artwork? Why do you feel it's so important to express? ABA: Strange Fruit by Billie Holiday, more specifically, the rendition from Nina Simone, helped me to understand that everyone ain't your friend. I was trapped in a really bad place, at a bad job. And that song just kept playing over and over in my mind until I created the piece Strange Fruit. This is the first of a LONG series. It's important to include the narrative of slavery because I feel like we as a people have forgotten it. We've become complacent, we will drag our own brothers and sisters through the mud to get a buck, but will roll over when someone that ain't family says something. And the worst part is wr are still enslaved, mentally, financially, and emotionally. Out here looking crazy trying to be up under someone that couldn't care less about us. I'm proud of my blackness. It took a long time, to get here, but I'm here. I can't help but remember going through school and learning nothing about black art in art history. That's not real life, WE EXIST!! I excuse blackness through my work, hopefully, so that future generations will have more positive examples and reminders of the impact the African Diaspora has made. They need to know that someone that looked just like them not only existed but thrived. Q: What advice do you have for aspiring artists? ABA: For any aspiring artist. The only thing stopping you from living the life you want to lead is you. Put your work out, tell your story, and don't stop. No one will appreciate you or your work initially, that's ok.Be ready to defend your work, love it, but don't get attached. But MOST important is be able to communicate, effectively!! Passion can get you but so far, if you can't talk to people, go work at someone's drive thru. Q: What makes you against the stream? ABA: As if being a 24 year old second grade teacher, that paints, plays Capoiera, Loctician, does a lil marketing on the side, didn't make me Against the Stream enough, I gotta say I look damn good doing it. Follow AB ArtsThe AB Arts PortfolioJoin the Movement
1 Comment
Deena
10/11/2015 08:57:59 am
Keep up the great work! I'm proud of how far you've come!
Reply
Leave a Reply. |
Details
ATS MagAgainst the Stream Magazine is an urban platform. We edify our readers by finding noble, pure, and true talent and giving it a stage to flourish. While we love bragging about the folks around us, we also tackle urban issues by giving real world solutions. Archives
October 2015
|