Meet Symone Lakes: Visionary Artist | Founder of Omi Grace

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

Hi Symone, what’s one piece of conventional advice that you disagree with?
One that has always made me feel a way is ‘I’ll sleep when I’m dead”. Admittedly, based on hip-hop references I chose this one because it’s usually used to convey grinding, working hard, and a no days off mentality. But I looked it up today and found out, it wasn’t even meant to be about that. It’s about partying and enjoying all of life. And though that’s a way better sentiment, how exactly can one enjoy life sans sleep? I love a nap. I love relaxation, leisure, and just laying in my bed. As a matter of fact, I get my best ideas when I’m not working. It allows me space to be inspired. To imagine. To refresh. All of these together make for powerful creative tools. Tools that help me be a better artist, a better creative, and a better human being.

Please tell us more about your art. We’d love to hear what sets you apart from others. What do you want the world to know about you or your brand and story?

Can we talk about color?

After many years of creating, I can say with certainty that it’s unlikely that I’ll ever give up on bright bold colors. Color is a sensory experience! I love the way it can affect mood, evoke feelings, and create vibes. Or how seeing a particular color can take you back to certain memories or remind you of someone special. On the flipside, I think there are too many rules for what kinds of colors go in which places, which ones are appropriate for which occasions, and which ones go on what kinds of bodies. I like to challenge that with my art, because my absolute favorite thing about color is the way it can call attention.

Back in like…2018…I wrote this long story on social media about being afraid of what people would think of me. Of who I was. Of being judged for my choices. I spoke about hiding myself, my body and also my personality, to fend off the judgement. Shrinking to fit into a flimsy box that I was way too big for. I ended that series of messages with #NoMoreHiding.

Color played a big part in helping me move forward from there. It forced me to be seen, even if that meant somebody would see parts I thought they’d judge me for. I mean, nobody is going to ignore the girl with pink hair. Nobody is going to miss this yellow suit or my sky-high wrap in Pink Lemonade. Or this bright blue bag and these silk tassels. And it’s true. Everybody noticed me. I got tons of compliments. It made me smile when I wasn’t my happiest. It made me remember all my best stuff. Color brought that to me. So that’s what I want the world to know. Don’t be afraid of adding a lil more color. It belongs everywhere. Especially on you! And if you feel like people aren’t really looking at you or seeing you…color can help with that. They won’t have a choice but to take notice. And if you’re wearing Omi Grace, they will say nice things.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
This question made me feel like a homebody. Lol. Do I even hang out? Before the pandemic, I was at an art show or event every weekend and even though it was usually for work, if I wasn’t working, that’s still how I’d choose to spend my free time. One of my favs to participate in was A Spectacular Black Girl Art Show, which features all Black women artists. It happens a couple of times a year. They have a show just for men as well.

When I’m not working, my husband and I spend our weekends hunting for delicious places to eat. Le Fat is our fav and we take all our friends there when they are in town. I haven’t eaten anything that I didn’t like, but the chicken clay pot is a must. If it’s not too late, we’ll hit up Morelli’s for ice cream. Or if the weather is nice, we’ll hit up Varuni Napoli, grab a couple of pizzas (and dranks) to go and enjoy them at the park.

And nobody’s going home without a bag full of goodies, so we’ll definitely do a little shopping. We’d stop by The Village Retail at Ponce City Market to buy Black then grabbing lunch. Then maybe we’ll go browse the vintage fashions and antiques at Highland Row Antiques…then try to get home before the rush hour.

So basically, for the authentic Atlanta experience, we’re going to eat and fight traffic.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I’m forever grateful to women who expose us to both their beauty and imperfections. Those are the women who inspire me. Who make me feel safe to be that woman for someone else. Shoot…who make me feel safe enough to be that woman for myself. So I’d especially like to thank my friends who have created that safe space for me. And for leading by example.

To my customers turned community for seeing themselves and their loved ones in my art.

To Erica, for shoutin’ me out!

And to my Huuuusband, who refused to deny himself the joy of spending his life with me.

I love y’all!

Website: https://www.omigrace.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/weareomigrace

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/weareomigrace

Image Credits
Carol Lee Rose of colurwrk