Sometimes the world of being an artist can feel lonely. At times you feel like you are battling yourself and the voice inside your head. Building a community of people who are striving to create and build out their dreams is a reminder that there is always a place for belonging. Over the years I have encountered so many talented and dedicated artists who have truly have inspired me to keep going and creating visions of the world I wish to see. I am so honored to have known these people and am continuously in awe of their methods, words, identities, and paths. It is a reminder that no path is the same or better than another. Step into this article and explore the vibrant world of creativity as this spotlight article unveils the brilliance of some extraordinary Black artists whom I admire dearly.
Andrea K. Castillo is a Belizean-American artist & entrepreneur born and based in Brooklyn, NY. Her creative practice spans many mediums including music, visual art, dance, artistic direction, and writing. She is the founder of AKCreative, a one-stop creative agency with a focus in photography + writing, and co-founder of Double Barrel Rum Club, and The New Cari.com agency + publication.
IG: andreakcastillo
Ari Jayd is a queer self-taught photographer hailing from the Virgin Islands, currently based in Los Angeles. Her love for photography stems from her passion for preserving memories and embossing moments in time. Throughout the years, her passion has evolved to aiding others in feeling comfortable being photographed and showcased as authentically as possible. With that goal in mind, she aims to amplify the image of the Black Women, LGBT+, and Caribbean communities that are often underrepresented.
IG: thejaydimage
Devynn Barnes is an interdisciplinary artist, new Black Renaissance archivist, and visual emoter. Based in Oakland, Devynn draws deep passion and inspiration from her people and the rich tapestry of nostalgic moments. With reverence for timeless authenticity, she embarks on a journey of visually memorializing the ethereal nature of folx of color, celebrating their magnificent simplicity of being. As a queer Black artist, they navigate the delicate balance between documenting and challenging societal norms and shedding light on the intricacies of marginalized experiences. Through their art, they seek to uncover untold stories, illuminating the unspoken truths that reside within the archives of the past. By melding documentation with artistic expression, they invite viewers to confront their own narratives, encouraging a collective awakening and communal (melanated) homecoming.
IG: dev_inthepaint
Edolia Stroud is a creative director and photographer from Brooklyn, New York. Working in the mediums of both photography and collage, her work explores themes of female identity. Her narrative fine artwork weaves images together telling emotional stories through portraiture, still life, and documentary. Her fashion work exudes playfulness with a focus on color. Stroud has a bright and funny personality which translates through her vibrant imagery. Her work has appeared in The New York Times, Vogue, Teen Vogue, and Vogue Italia. IG: edoliastroud
Jordan Saintil is a photographer born in France to Haitian parents, and currently based in Brooklyn, New York. His passion for photography has been a journey of self-exploration and continuous experimentation with various techniques. Overall, he has embraced photography as a medium of connection, cultural exploration, and the celebration of life’s intimate moments.
IG: josaint_
Meika Ejiasi is a Black Woman Photographer located in Oakland, CA who refuses to niche down and specializes in portraiture, food photography, and commercial photography. She believes in the capabilities of being a jack of many trades and allowing her creativity to blur the lines of traditional lane-keeping. She’s worked on food photography projects for brands like Good Eggs, and TCHO Chocolate, and portraiture projects for brands like Target, Starbucks, and American Airlines. IG: meikaejiasi
Mekhayla Diaw is a self-taught artist hailing from Columbus, Ohio currently based in San Francisco CA. Her work reveals the tenderness often concealed in our demanding world and the delicate intersection between unwavering joy and strain. Her work provides a glimpse into the journey of seeking, celebrating, and establishing peace of mind.
IG: mekoray
Founded by art director Joreihl created Monolith. Monolith IV is a full-service multimedia company, that supports every aspect of modern entertainment and art.
IG: joreihl
Nafisa is a multimedia graphic designer and illustration artist. By day she works at a marketing agency and by night you can find her creating illustrations or products for her side business/creative account. Her art focuses on pulling inspiration from her Black and Muslim identity and communities.
IG: @fisacreates
Nate King is an American photographer, based in Oakland, CA. Nate's work primarily centers around evoking the feeling of nostalgia through travel and portrait photography. Having spent his academic career studying Spanish & Portuguese, Nate is fascinated with how language bridges worlds, and attempts to do the same through the lens. Nate has worked with brands such as Spalding, Google, Auchentoshan, VSCO®.
IG: Natekang
Nathan Abia Lawer-Yolar is a Ghanaian-born American image-maker and filmmaker with a passion for capturing the extraordinary in the ordinary. Born and raised in Kumasi, Ghana, his journey in the world of photography began at a young age when he discovered the magic of freezing moments in time through the lens of a camera. Photos always fascinated him and he wanted to learn how to make them. The process of learning and indulging was ongoing but he didn’t pick up his first camera till 2017 when a therapist suggested picking up a hobby to help grieve the loss of a sibling.
His work is a testament to my belief that every moment, no matter how fleeting, holds a unique story waiting to be told. He specializes in portraiture, where he strives to blend technical skill with artistic vision to create evocative and compelling images.
Drawing inspiration from the interplay of light and shadow, his photography often explores family, friendship, and relationships be they intimate or platonic, seeking to reveal the beauty that lies beneath the surface of everyday life.
He has honed his craft through years of experimentation and continuous learning, constantly pushing the boundaries of my creativity. His work has been featured in 3 exhibitions and in YNST magazine (in West Virginia), where he has received acclaim for his ability to infuse a unique perspective into familiar subjects.
As a dedicated artist, he picked up filmmaking to extend the ideas and stories he wanted to tell. In addition, Nathan is the co-founder and president of Arrived Creative Collective, Inc., a non-profit organization committed to intentionally creating space for black & brown emerging artists and creatives to find community, access resources, and gain exposure.
IG: esthersyute
I hope you enjoyed exploring these artists' paths and inspirations. PLEASE take it a step further and support them this month and every month by heading to their websites, Instagram, and all of the above. Show them love and pass it around!
Join me next month in celebration of Storytelling Day on March 20th, where I share a new series to tell a visual story.
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