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

Hi Brandon Rashún, we’d love to hear what makes you happy.
First i’d like to talk about what happiness isn’t… often times we’re led to believe happiness is found in external gratification i.e. money and the accumulation of material things. And once those things are acquired you somehow still feel empty and unfulfilled. In my humble opinion the path to true happiness is found through mindfulness.

Being present means being fully conscious of the moment and free from the noise of internal dialogue and external circumstances of our lives. Prioritizing my collective wellbeing and the state of my mind and the quality of my consciousness.

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.
Art is an extension of spirituality and a source of healing. my interpretation of art empowers vulnerability and natural beauty at its core. I aspire to create a sense of timelessness steeped in truth and passion. I’m really excited to see where the next chapter takes me artistically. The objective of true artistry is the ability and willingness to go beyond the realm of your comfort zone. The path to where I am today was paved with years of creative expression through various mediums and professions. It comes down to following to your internal compass. Thats what keeps me aligned with my purpose. Money was never the motivating factor for me. No matter where or who i’ve work for over the years I always knew I was destined for more.. In closing there are two things that sever as somewhat of a guiding beacon; preservation of culture and legacy. Those things help me monitor how I approach life. It’s all about being in constant pursuit of becoming the greatest version of yourself.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
In all honestly i’m a homebody, probably to a fault. But a few places come to mind. For food Negril Village and Twisted Soul Cookhouse & Pours have some of the most impeccable cuisine and charismatic ambiance. aside from that i’d say the Ponce City Market which is essentially a hub for everything from dining, drinking, shopping and other social gatherings. I’d also recommend visiting the High Art Museum as well as some local galleries.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Without a shadow of doubt I have to acknowledge my family whom were very instrumental in my development in becoming an artist. Especially my mother who has championed my creativity every step of the way, and remains my biggest source of inspiration. Collectively my family supported and encouraged me even when they didn’t fully understand the path I was taking. I grew up in a household where there was always an abundance of what I like to call the holy trinity of black excellence ( Jet, Ebony, and Essence). I remember being fixated on the imagery and the allure of the editorials, embracing every shade of melanin, body type and hair texture. I can’t stress the importance of seeing that type of representation and dignity at such a young age.

In addition to that I have vivid memories of going to fabric shops with my grandmother (a self-taught seamstress) to shop for patterns and materials and watching her command a needle and thread with the grace and fluidity of an orchestra conductor. My observations of her taught me to appreciate the ebbs and flows of the process just as much as the outcome. Little did I know these things would inevitably plant seeds that would manifest into being the cornerstone of my artistry.

Website: brandonrashun.com

Instagram: instagram.com/brandonrashun

Twitter: twitter.com/brandonrashun

Facebook: facebook.com/brandonrashun

Other: vsco.co/brandonrashun/gallery

Image Credits
@jamierbh @unapologetically_eb @shanelhenderson @simplyjonathanbrown

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