Dré Black with his piece”Chaos Emerald” on MLK & Clarke
I was really drawn to your art because of the vibrant colors and exciting patterns. How do you choose the color schemes and backgrounds for the women you draw?
The colors depends on a couple of factors. For a woman’s skin and undertones I try to have colors that complement each other. Then there’s times I like a complete contrast. So it pretty much depends on my mood, my vibe with the piece and the look I’m trying to go for.
You channel this very beautiful divine feminine energy in your art. What makes you feel so connected to the women you draw?
Well, I was raised by an incredible single mother and I have a lot of very strong independent women in my family and life. Most of my art showcases women of color, who I feel are hugely misrepresented in society and media. My art is my tribute to them, their beauty and their wonder. Women are just fantastic human beings!
I was really glad we got to meet up in person. You have such a positive vibe and good aura around you. How do you maintain that positivity through your own creativity? What inspires you?
Gratitude, is the key to my creativity. To be thankful and appreciate the things and people who are around me. What inspires me? Family, friends, the people of Milwaukee, life, art, change, growth, community, music, culture and balance.
One of the purposes of art is to reflect the social context of its time. How do you see that happening now? What is it reflecting?
Working in public schools, I see women of color are grossly misrepresented in the news, and social media. This is reflected by my effort to show that brown and black women are beautiful in ways that traditional media overlooks. They are truly magic. #blackgirlmagic
What was the first piece you made that you loved?
“Glory” – It was the first 18×24 I’ve ever done and my first time using with watercolors.
“Glory” by Dré Black
What has been your biggest struggle as an artist, and how have you dealt with it?
How to find my place in this art world? Where do I fit? Will my art be accepted? What would happen if I changed up my style and tone? Will people still like my art then? I have dealt with it by repeating “it’s going to go the way it’s supposed to go”. I just have to be in tune with my guidance that I’m on the right path. It’s been working out thus far, why quit now.
Who are a few local artists that you really enjoy?
@Tystarr of course. His style is dope! @artisticabyjc, Josseline Castillo. Their abstract acrylic is amazing! @Xeronie_illustration , Yessica Jimemez. Her art leaves me in wonder.
What’s next for Dré Black??
More public art! My goal is do more murals and installations! I want to start painting with oil more and incorporate that into my mixed media style.
I’ve realized upon returning to Milwaukee that it’s not the same city I grew up in its morphed and evolved and taken a new shape like any living system. At the same time upon my return I recognized the quirks of the city that became expressions of my own unique personality and started to understand, “Ahh, this is exactly why I am the way I am!”
And so I return to my roots riding the same routes along those same roads to retrace my steps and learn the city once again. Realizing the ways in which the city and I have changed and embracing all the ways in which we’ve stayed the same, hopefully allowing this project to be a fusion of the two.
Bus Art Project MKE 