Today we’d like to introduce you to Amber Owens.
Hi Amber, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I started making clothing for myself in 2019, first crafting items with messages to wear while supporting black-owned businesses through Support A Dope Black Business. Eventually, I received inquiries from individuals interested in purchasing a piece. This prompted me to begin designing collections and various “session” pieces. In the latter half of 2023, I decided to create a distinct brand that highlights my passion for art, textiles, and color. My brother came up with a name that captured his perception of my talent with fabric: “add more color silly.” What began as a pursuit of infusing color, powerful messages, and humor into clothing transformed into the creation of visual art using those same fabrics, remnants, and scraps from prior projects. One of my artworks, “who’s to say you can’t fly?” (shown in the photos), was recently showcased at an art gallery in Dallas, TX, for an exhibition focused on breast cancer awareness. I aspire to be featured in various galleries in Atlanta as well as internationally.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Excuse my language, but F#$% NO—it has not been an easy journey! While my city boasts a wealth of talent, energy, creativity, and is often portrayed as a nurturing environment, it is, in reality, quite a cliquish community. If you’re not part of specific groups, easily managed, or granted permission to play with…opportunities can be hard to come by. Sadly, talent, creativity, and the ability to execute don’t carry as much significance as simply being “in.” That’s why it was essential for me to step outside and seek opportunities beyond my local area where my art can truly stand out. It’s not that I don’t desire to have my art showcased in my hometown; I simply want the city to recognize all the creative talents within the community rather than just focus on popularity.
Another challenge has been to avoid overanalyzing my creations; it all began as an enjoyable experience. I started repeating to myself the mantra, “if YOU possess the vision and knowledge to create, why should you question or doubt the talents you’ve been given?”
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
What do I do? I am a self-taught textile artist, specializing in hand-dyeing fabric. My focus is on tie-dye, where I let colors blend freely without any specific patterns, resulting in bold and vibrant creations. I enjoy embroidering various quotes, phrases, and lyrics that are uplifting or meaningful to me. My mixed media artwork consists of fabric, each piece holding its own narrative. I can share the details of when, where, and how each fabric was incorporated into my collage-style creations. For instance, some of my artworks features sections of a corduroy dress from Forever 21 that I dyed.
What am I most proud of? I take immense pride in my creative growth. Everything that is part of “add more color silly” started as a fun, expressive outlet for me, allowing me to bring colorful and wearable ideas to life.
What distinguishes me? That’s something you’ll have to experience for yourself; I believe my presence as well as art will convey everything you need to know.
What were you like growing up?
As a child, I enjoyed being creative—coloring, crafting with flowers, painting, playing the trumpet, to making bottled sand art in the UnderGround. I also would rummage through my mom’s thread box, pretending to sew, and create daily outfits for my dolls, turning their lives into a dramatic saga. I have always loved animated films, and that passion remains strong today. My heart is drawn to music, all things vintage, and handmade, colorful creations, as they resonate deeply with my spirit. My artwork is rooted in nostalgia, so each of these elements significantly influences what I produce.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://addmorecolorsilly.square.site
- Instagram: @addmorecolorsilly (IG)
- Facebook: @addmorecolorsilly (FB)
Image Credits
all photos were taken from my devices.
