Meet DorianTroy | Artist, Creative Director and Writer

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

Hi DorianTroy, is there something that you feel is most responsible for your success?
The most important factor behind my success would probably have to be my ability to see people for who they are and connect with them there. It’s funny because I feel like when I usually hear “I see people for who they are” it’s coming from a negative place, but for me, it comes from a very positive and truthful place. As an artist, I think it’s important to see people – and yourself – for who they are at their core because that is what we as artists are supposed to translate into art and share with the world. All of my favorite pieces have a sense of vulnerability because they were created with the subject’s truth in the forefront. My artwork does not have to be pretty, understandable or easily digestible; it just has to be true. I apply my artistic connection with people to how I also communicate with my clients and create work for them. I have conversations with all of my clients so that they can trust me as an artist to see their vision and execute it, pulling creative aspects into their projects that they may not be able to see or able to vocalize. For that reason, I think that I have become a trusted artist for a lot of people and that makes me not just happy, but honored to be a creator.

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 journey as an artist has been one filled with love, heartbreak, obstacles and many triumphs. It’s funny how hindsight can be 20/20, because there was a time where I gave up on art and could not imagine myself making an actual business out of my talent. Although I was devoid of my art at that time, I actually fell deeper into understanding myself, my blackness and my queerness which inspires the afrofuturistic work that I specialize in today. As an afrofuturist, I create art pieces that represent what I see as the full breath of the future of the black experience. That experience includes black joy, black freedom, black tears, and all other facets of the diverse black emotional experience, and I would not have discovered some of those deep emotions if I did not give up on art. Even as a more established artist today who loves the work that I create, there are definitely times where I become overly critical of my own work because I think there is a heavy burden on artists that we sometimes place on ourselves. Art is the most subjective thing in the world. Art is forever imperfect, because it’s based on expression, an idea or a feeling, and those are always changing. So how can we not be judged or judge ourselves? As a creator, we must know that being an artist is also courageous, brave and beautiful because we have tenacity to bring ideas to life and say this is my truth, even if it’s just my truth today.

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.
Okay, so I am only 3 months fresh in ATL, but as soon as my best friend steps off the plane, we gotta go to Toast if it’s daytime and we want brunch or if it’s the evening, we are going over to Rock Steady for spicy margaritas and their oxtail pappardelle. The great thing about Atlanta is there is always something new to do, so whether it’s a pop up festival, concert, or new exhibit at the High Museum, our schedule will be packed with adventures and good food. Atlanta also has its staples like Krog Street and Ponce City markets, Piedmont Park and Edgewood which are all great options for day time or night time fun.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I have to dedicate so much of who I am today to my mother. She has always been my biggest supporter, and not just as an artist, but as a human. She has consistently seen me for who I am, who I want to be and who I am becoming, which is a true gift that I hope she has passed down to me. Beyond my family, I have to thank my community which is spearheaded by my friends of over 10 years, UNT and so many others who have uplifted me as a creator over the years. And I have to give a special shoutout to my Brunch& Family: the group of creatives who I built our first film project with and who has inspired me since then to keep pushing creative boundaries. Most of all, I have to thank God for being my reason to create and giving me the ability to be an artist.

Website: www.doriantroystudios.com

Instagram: doriantroystudios

Image Credits
JPR Studios