Today we’d like to introduce you to Osaze Stigler.
Osaze, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I’ve been creating art for as long as I can remember. Fortunately, I had parents who loved taking me to different museums growing up- specifically art museums. With each of those visits, I always noticed how little representation of black people I saw. So, from a young age, I knew that I wanted to focus on black people and black culture, as the center and anchor of the art that I create.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
This road has not at all been a smooth one. As an artist, I’m inspired by everything that I see. As a human, the way that I see and perceive things changes on a day to day basis. So, my art constantly changes and grows as I do. That has affected me solidifying my style and making what I create to be easily identifiable. That goes into the marketing aspect of art. Being marketable, and having an audience that’s receptive to what you make means the world as the artist. It wasn’t easy in the beginning for me to sell my art. Also, not knowing what avenues to go down to get my art out there was another big hurdle.
What do you do, what do you specialize in, what are you known for, etc. What are you most proud of? What sets you apart from others?
I specialize in several mediums of visual art, but mainly acrylic paintings. I’m most proud of staying true to myself and the things that I enjoy creating, rather than solely creating the things that might be monetarily lucrative. That’s another thing that sets me apart. The style in which I create my art is unique to me, and I feel that many people gravitate to what I create because of that.
What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
I haven’t had one moment that I would consider to be my proudest. I’m proud of myself every day. Success is not linear, and I don’t allow the pride that I have in my career and my art to be a reflection of where I am at the moment. When I fail and things don’t work out, I’m proud of my diligence and my perseverance. When I make something that feels good in my spirit, I’m proud. And also, when things go well, and I’m selling work and my audience is receptive, I’m grateful and proud of being able to have an impact.
Contact Info:
- Website: osazeakil.com
- Email: osazeakil@gmail.com
- Instagram: @osaze_akil
- Twitter: $OsazeAkil
Suggest a story: VoyageATL is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
