Today we’d like to introduce you to Simone Barlow.
Hi Simone, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I was always drawn to the arts. Anything art related I was all about. I remember being in school & drawing in all of my notebooks in class & outside the classroom. I would daydream & draw clothes, anime characters, tattoo designs, sneakers, pictures for my classmates & even my name. It got so bad my grades started slipping & my focus started to shift. My mind was more on Art & less on my studies. So my mom decided to put me in a trade high school where my trade major was Graphic Design. During my senior year, I took college courses then went to college & graduated with an Associate’s in Graphic Design.
Alright, 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?
I would be lying if I said it was ever easy. After college, I lost a lot of inspiration & was unmotivated. I was stuck in the “What’s next after college?” phase I would have a lot of artist block much like writer’s block. But my mom & my best friend were always there to encourage me and constantly remind me that I had/have mad talent & that I would figure it out. Sure enough… I did. So whenever I wasn’t painting or creating something I was paying more attention to my second love, writing.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am a Painter, Freelance Graphic Designer, Graffiti Artist, Fashion Creative, & Writer. I paint illustrations, people, abstract pieces, & whatever comes to mind honestly. I create logos, I love tagging, I love street fashion, I specialize in studded/embellished jackets, & I’m a writer. I’m about to release a Memoir Anthology about my life that’s set out to be released in 2022. I am most proud of my book, it gives people that know me for being this walking art board another avenue to get to know me know me & express myself a little more. What sets me apart from others is my spectrum of inspiration. It’s almost like code switching but in a artistic sense. On one end, I can be very raw & urban then on one end I can be very sophisticated & create based off of what’s going on in the world. Not only that but just being multifaceted & involved in any & everything art related.
Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
Yes, keep working on your craft always! Even when you’re going through those moments of being unmotivated & lack inspiration. Take some time to retreat and work on that other hobby you put on the back burner. Oh! Keep your circle of support, they are really rooting for you! Never give strangers or even people you know the opportunity to try to persuade you from your dream. They don’t understand that you’re 1 of 1 & that’s okay!
Also, never give up on yourself. If you don’t believe & give life to your dream … guarantee you nobody else will.
Contact Info:
- Email: laminathecreative@gmail.com
- Website: https://linktr.ee/la.mina_
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/laminathecreative_?utm_medium=copy_link
- Twitter: https://mobile.twitter.com/lamina___
- Other: https://www.behance.net/simonebarlow
