Today we’d like to introduce you to Adrian Blake. Them and their team share their story with us below:
Adrian Blake is a Jamaican artist and the creative mind behind Adrian Blake’s Fine Art. My journey as an artist began in Kingston Jamaica, where I was born. I spent most of his formative years honing my skills in the Fine Arts at the prestigious Wolmers Boy’s School and then at the Edna Manley College for the Visual and Performing Arts. I then emigrated to the United States and studied Illustration at Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design. Since emigrating to the US I have made Athens Ohio my home, and this is where I practice.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Migrating to another country is never a smooth road- I can speak for almost every immigrant in saying this. For me, the road wasn’t smooth and still isn’t. Moving to a new country poses so many challenges, from trying to assimilate into the cultural differences in the US to diet changes.
Artistically, this challenge was even more evident because an artist has to think even more about the subject matter and how that relates to culture. Some of the struggles I encounter to this day is exposure. Even though we live in a world where social media is the biggest mode of exposure for creatives, the hurdles are still there because it is so saturated with like-minded Individuals with the same talent.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
My work is primarily figurative and representational. I enjoy painting people and exploring ideas that surround the relationship that we have with each other, our individual experiences, and the happenings that shape our lives. I’m best known for my portraits and for capturing a certain feeling in my work that connects the viewer with the piece and what I try to share.
I am most proud of my growth as an artist over the years that I’ve been in the United States, and the lives I’ve touched with my art. I believe that what sets me and my work apart is my unique ability to capture emotion in my work and bring the viewer in and keep them there.
Risk-taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
Taking risks is a big part of success and being successful. Risks, especially professional should be tackled with the utmost caution, and one has to appropriately measure the costs and benefits associated with one’s situation. I cannot say that I have been in any notable situations that involve me taking any risks as yet, however when those situations arise I trust that I will be prepared to analytically navigate the situation and make the right decisions.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.adrianblakefineart.com
- Instagram: @ablakefineart
- Twitter: @ablakefineart
