Meet Audrey | A Creative

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

Hi Audrey, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
Funnily enough pursuing an artistic career wasn’t my first option. There was always that stigma of being a starving artist and that was something I just did not want to be or go through. I knew I needed something that I liked that would also make me a lot of money, but I started to quickly realize that there was always something pulling me towards having an artistic career. That thing was freedom. I always wanted to feel like I had the freedom to do whatever I wanted however I wanted whenever I wanted and art was that way of having it just like that. Having an artistic career allows me the freedom to create however I please and to create what I see fit in this world. Art is open to interpretation in my eyes so whatever you see and feel is the meaning behind any piece of artwork is all on you and your own mind! It’s a beautiful way to look at things especially when everything in this world is technically art!

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 very me! Anybody who grew up with me or has known me within the last couple of years can tell just from looking at any painting of mine that it is definitely something that was created from the heart. As an artist I feel the need to create things that I personally think would look extremely dope if it was brought to life although some of my paintings do have a deeper meaning in them. Some of my art has my deepest emotions in it from just daily life to romantic encounters. Those pieces honestly speak the most to me when looking back because it is truly a gift to be able to not only pull an image out of your mind, but to also be able to add your emotion into it leaving it trapped onto the canvas for all to see. That is true vulnerability to me in a way. I love to paint black women and represent them in different colors and shades. Some might be blue, red, pink, etc. I also like to incorporate the things I find interest in like butterflies, sunflowers, sunsets/sunrises, some planets like Jupiter or Saturn and Neptune. I am most proud of putting myself out there more with my work and not being self conscious about the level of skill I have to participate in any endeavor. A key lesson that I have learned along the way is that everyone is their own canvas in a way, You add the colors you see fit and you paint the the picture (your life) however you want the world to perceive it so don’t be ashamed that things might get a little messy sometimes, this is life and you are the artist. The main thing that I would want the world to know about me and my story is that I am still creating it. I am a creative who is full of ideas that are soon to come into fruition. I can create whatever I want in this life and I choose to create things that will help the world understand more about themselves, smile more, laugh more, and inspire them to create for themselves as well. Everybody is an artist in their own way and I will show them!

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.
Oh man, I would have to say first we’re starting with one of my favorite places that I like to frequent Little Five Points! I absolutely love spending time there! If I take you there consider yourself a very special person to me! I would definitely have to show them Crystal Blue! I get most of my own crystals from there and it just has such an inviting energy inside, very calm and still. Next up would be Criminal Records! I personally have a dream of having a large record collection so I have to get you hooked on records as well! Right after we’re heading to Moodz Music shop! We can also pick up some records from here as well as take a visit to First Batch Artisan Foods located in the West End! She has delicious vegan alternatives for ice cream, peach cobbler, nachos, soul food etc.! We’re not leaving the city without visiting Shawna at Your Vitamin Lady Herb Shop! She has everything holistic from A to Z that you would ever need and has the most inviting and friendly environment, it feels like love as soon as you walk in! My next place would have to be the Beltline! There is just too much fun stuff to explore on the Beltline, but we have to make a stop at Playa Bowls along with Ponce City Market! The last two places would be Krog Street Tunnel for the experience/art and a nice walk in Piedmont Park to finish off the itinerary!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
There are many people who have contributed here and there along the way to my success, but I have to give special thanks to my mother Tiffany Brown and my grandmother Rosebud Dixon! My artistic capabilities come from my mother. She doesn’t just contribute in that way though, the moment she found out that I had inherited her talent she started accommodating it by buying me art supplies and anything else that would help my progression. She also took it upon herself to actually help me find an art school to attend when I started high school. As for my grandmother she contributed in helping with supplies as well, but between my mother and my grandmother I have inherited multiple creative talents so I am extremely grateful. My grandmother was always encouraging me to branch out and explore my other gifts and to make something of myself with them. She taught me that the world had so much to offer especially for a woman like me who was well rounded in the creative field. It was very helpful to grow up in a home with two of the people I care about the most encouraging my dreams no matter what they were and supporting them!

Instagram: @astoldbyaudrey_ & @revivemeart

Other: TikTok @astoldbyaudrey

Image Credits
Credits for the headshot and professional photos go to Wealthy of Red Scale Mag @redscalemag on Instagram