Today we’d like to introduce you to DeMetra Dixon.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Well, as a child, I have ALWAYS been interested in drawing and coloring. All I wanted to do was color in coloring books. I use to have coloring contest with my brother all the time. I remember my mom always letting me sit in the back of the suv (where groceries, etc go) so that I could be comfortable and spread out my crayons and coloring book while on the road. Every Sunday, I use to get the comic section of the newspaper and try to mimic the drawings of the comics. Not one time as a child did PAINTING cross my mind. I just colored and literally drew pictures for pretty much anyone who crossed my path, lol even if it was a tiny heart or star. Fast forward: middle school – I actually had someone tell me later in life that they didn’t like the fact that all I had to do was color good on the assignments to get a good grade. Smh lol as if I wasn’t smart enough to pass without coloring. I was actually straight A student. Lol, I knew what she meant, so it wasn’t taken wrong.
I’m still drawing and coloring… High school- now, I’m a little older and have realized I have a gift and will definitely put it to use. I did paint a book cover on a ceiling tile in my AP Psychology class in order to get 100s on all the tests that year. Now THAT was smart, lol. Outside of getting paid to do people’s homework (shhhh), I also drew tattoos on the side and basically drew on anything someone asked me too for a couple bucks, lol. One time my brother and I painted on Air Force 1’s back in 2000 just to be different for a school picnic and won best dressed… And there wasn’t even awards for anything lol. All of my best friends were male and played football so EVERY Friday, I basically hand drew all of the football team a ‘good luck’ something for the game that day. I was ALWAYS drawing something! College: long story short… I honestly dropped out of the art class because it was SUPER boring. Like suuuuuper! Lol I mean… I learned some stuff (the history of art, not any techniques) but whew chile… Snooze fest lol. The here and now.
In 2015, I was asked to be a brand ambassador for a hair company and while working with her and the other brand ambassadors I expressed to them my dreams and goals. They helped push me to pursue what I truly wanted to do every day… and that’s Paint. Crazy thing is… The owner of this hair company is who made the comment about me from middle school lol. I use to sit in her storefront downtown and paint as people walked by. The owner’s cousin was the first person I ever did a portrait for and *slaps forehead* it was beyond tragic (to me). Lol Since then I have literally ran away from doing portraits. I have tried to find my “nitch” and always told myself “I don’t HAVE to paint eyes. Its MY art! I can do what I want.” I continued to paint and continued to run away from portraits. Well, I was running so hard from it I literally ran slap into it! In 2019, my passion behind what I was doing was seen and I was blessed with a Publicist. She understands MY vision and what I am trying to accomplish. An artist that I grew up listening to came to town for a concert and I told her that I HAD to give him a painting when he came. Well my dream came true and I was able to present a celebrity with one of MY jewels (paintings). Ever since then it has been UP for me. And I am beyond blessed and thankful for everyone who has crossed my path and helped me get to where I am. I like to be very detailed, so I left out a lot lol otherwise this would have been a complete short story lol.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Pretty much a rollercoaster ride. I have had many obstacles on this journey. One obstacle for me was learning how to price my jewels (paintings). I know my worth but its hard trying to get consumers to see the the same value in your work as you do. Its not just plopping paint on canvas. Its the feeling, the time, the thought process, etc that goes with it. You should see some of the requests I get asked to paint. They will ask for everything under the moon and only want to pay $100. Another obstacles is not having enough time. On the surface… The painting is seen as ‘beautiful’ and ‘oh you did a good job’. Behind the scene… I work a reg job, so after I get off, I have a child to take care of when I get home, so I recall a TON of nights where I’m up until 3-4-5 am each night perfecting details. And have to clock back in at the reg job at 6:30 -7 am. I have had MAAANY sleepless nights but I always tell myself it will pay off. It will ALL pay off! I am definitely here for the ride. I don’t care how long I have to wait my turn in line because I know when its my turn, I’m going to secure myself in and enjoy this ride! Patience is key. I KNOW my smooth sail is coming soon as I get off this rollercoaster!
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
My name is DeMetra Dixon, the owner of Krooked Crown Artistry and I myself am an artist and creative director. I paint, sculpt, create logos, video edit, do make-up, provide video/commercial concepts, interior design, etc. I do A LOT lol I am a visual artist. I am a mixed media painter. As of right now my specialty is acrylic paint. I am known for my art, my style, and my sense of humor lol but mostly art. Since a child I have been known as ‘the one who draws or ‘the one who paints’ lol somebody once told me, “Oh, NOW you make sense!” After I told them I was an artist lol I am proud of all my work from beginning to now (no end in sight).
I can truly see my growth and growth is a beautiful thing to see. I am self taught so every jewel (painting) I create is always something I’ve never done before, so I always try to perfect it. I do have two pieces and working on a third that I REFUSE to sell. They are called ‘America’s Red Bottoms’ and ‘Unapologetic InNoSense (innocence)’. They speak on the injustice of black lives in America. What sets me apart: my mindset is one thing. I just do not think like everyone else. EVER. Lol I always say, ‘I can’t ever just do anything regular.’ Lol. Also, I don’t have a ‘nitch’ because I paint so many different ways and use so many different techniques. I’ve been trying to find my ‘nitch’ but I have come to the conclusion that NOT having a nitch IS my nitch. Lol Another thing that sets me apart and to me its major… is my vibrational energy. I am so positive its ridiculous sometimes lol. I laugh and giggle a ton. I refuse to put negative energy into my jewels (paintings). I will not paint if I’m having a bad day or my energy is off. My vibrations are felt in my artwork! I want people to FEEL my work even if they don’t understand the jewel (painting) itself.
Can you share something surprising about yourself?
I’m pretty much an open book honestly. Let me think… Hmm… Oh! I know… Being an artist is my destiny! Here’s why: my name is DeMetra Paulette and my nick name is Dee. If you take my first name and write it backwards you get ARTEMED which is ART E ME D (Art in me, Dee.) lol which is also my artist signature btw. Now, with my middle name… If you take out the ‘u’ you are left with Palette. So there you have it… A walking art palette lol My name is DeMetra the ART(ist) not only am I art, I create it!
Contact Info:
- Email: Artemed.kc@gmail.com
- Instagram: Instagram.com/krookedcrownartistry, Instagram.com/bellissimachaos
- Facebook: Facebook.com/krookedcrownartistry
- Twitter: Twitter.com/DeMetraDixon_
