I have been following the work of Yes Lioness for years now, and recently had an opportunity to connect with her in person. She is an artist, entrepreneur, and definitely someone to follow. I want to share her with you. Check her out.
So, how did
Yes Lioness come into fruition?
Yes Lioness Arts was created after I finished Art School as a way of showcasing my work to the general public. Initially it began with Art shows, street festivals, and impromptu sidewalk tables. In 2003 Yes Lioness,Com joined the web, and since than has reached people all over the world.
What's the background with the name of your line?
"Yes Lioness" is a greeting which refers to a beautiful, regal woman of color as a female lion. Although I am not a Leo, I like many women embody some of the attributes of a strong, fierce yet humble being.
My creative process begins with an idea, sometimes writing, other times researching images to help inspire or inform a realistic sketch. From there it may become a painting, a t-shirt, greeting card in any medium.
Can you speak more about your work as a fine artist and how it differs from your work with your line?
My work as a fine Artist is still very much a work in progress as I devote more time to the business
of earning a living as an entrepreneur than I do painting for the love of painting. Painting requires more introspection on my part as opposed to illustration which is more interpreting the outside world.
Although I started out as a fine artist, eventually illustration or "commercial" art became my focus due to the practical side of my nature and my strong desire to reach more people and inject art into their everyday lives.This led me to begin creating items like refrigerator magnets, bookmarks, journals & eventually t-shirts.
Where do you hope to see Yes Lioness in the next 5 years?
My vision for Yes Lioness is to become a globally distributed brand that is recognized as being a leader in products that represent Women of Color in the most Beautiful & Inspiring light.
Tell me about your most memorable moment with Yes Lioness?
There are so many, but one of the most satisfying was when I did a book signing for my first published children's book and so many of the children said it was their favorite book and that they loved the fact that the characters looked like them. The parents also expressed their appreciation for the images that reflected their beauty.
What do you want to leave in terms of a legacy?
My goal is to create a vast body of work of enduring images of people of color that reminds us of our greatness, dignity, self-worth and beauty while depicting our magnificent Culture.
Check Yes Lioness at the following links:
