In February, we're excited to kick off a special series to celebrate Black History Month by highlighting the amazing creativity of Black artists in the crafting community. Throughout the month, we'll introduce you to incredible creators who inspire us with their talent, passion, and unique ideas.
To start, we asked Amber Peeks, a multi-disciplinary artist and content creator from Atlanta, Georgia, about the motivation behind their artistic journey and the inspiration for their colorful designs.
How has your background influenced your artistic style and approach?
My background as a Black woman deeply influences both my artistic style and approach. I often feel that the representation for African American women in the art world, if any, depicts stories of our struggle, our pain, and our past. What I seek to do with my art is to show the world there is more to our creativity than depictions of our struggle or pain. We are imaginative, we are trendsetters, we are visionaries. Those parts of us deserved to be highlighted as well.
Can you share how Plaid products have helped you bring those stories to life?
Plaid has been a major cornerstone in my artistic career. A few years ago, when I decided to take my talent seriously, I realized I did not have access to professional-grade art supplies. This is the unfortunate case with many other young creatives, especially those sharing a similar socioeconomic background as me. In my humble opinion, Plaid products are not only great quality, but are accessible and affordable as well. Without that accessibility and affordability, I don't think I could've become the artist I am today.
How do you use your art to connect with your audience on a personal level?
I connect with my audience by fostering a dialogue around creativity and imagination. I do this through the use of non-traditional mediums and techniques in my work, while opening the floor to critiques, opinions, and even suggestions on things to try moving forward. Consistently keeping an opening dialogue breeds a sense of collaboration between me and my audience. It allows them to truly feel connected with my work and subsequently, connected to me.
How do you approach starting a new project, and what inspires your creative vision?
The first step in starting a new project is the brainstorming process. During this process I'm gathering references, creating mood boards, and sketching out my ideas. The thing that inspires me most would be nature, as it offers an endless array of textures, colors, and forms that stir my imagination. Botanic elements have been a key motif throughout my work and my creative projects.
Check out more of Amber’s incredible art, and join us next week as we spotlight another talented creator in our Black History Month series.
To start, we asked Amber Peeks, a multi-disciplinary artist and content creator from Atlanta, Georgia, about the motivation behind their artistic journey and the inspiration for their colorful designs.
How has your background influenced your artistic style and approach?
My background as a Black woman deeply influences both my artistic style and approach. I often feel that the representation for African American women in the art world, if any, depicts stories of our struggle, our pain, and our past. What I seek to do with my art is to show the world there is more to our creativity than depictions of our struggle or pain. We are imaginative, we are trendsetters, we are visionaries. Those parts of us deserved to be highlighted as well.
Can you share how Plaid products have helped you bring those stories to life?
Plaid has been a major cornerstone in my artistic career. A few years ago, when I decided to take my talent seriously, I realized I did not have access to professional-grade art supplies. This is the unfortunate case with many other young creatives, especially those sharing a similar socioeconomic background as me. In my humble opinion, Plaid products are not only great quality, but are accessible and affordable as well. Without that accessibility and affordability, I don't think I could've become the artist I am today.
How do you use your art to connect with your audience on a personal level?
I connect with my audience by fostering a dialogue around creativity and imagination. I do this through the use of non-traditional mediums and techniques in my work, while opening the floor to critiques, opinions, and even suggestions on things to try moving forward. Consistently keeping an opening dialogue breeds a sense of collaboration between me and my audience. It allows them to truly feel connected with my work and subsequently, connected to me.
How do you approach starting a new project, and what inspires your creative vision?
The first step in starting a new project is the brainstorming process. During this process I'm gathering references, creating mood boards, and sketching out my ideas. The thing that inspires me most would be nature, as it offers an endless array of textures, colors, and forms that stir my imagination. Botanic elements have been a key motif throughout my work and my creative projects.
Check out more of Amber’s incredible art, and join us next week as we spotlight another talented creator in our Black History Month series.
