Today we’d like to introduce you to Lowkey Lyss.
Lowkey, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I am a visual artist from Fort Lauderdale, Florida. I’m 24 years old and I started painting summer 2016 as an outlet. At the time, I felt very lost and painting gave me focus. I began taking photos of my work and posting them to a Tumblr page to document my progress. I had no intentions on selling my work or showcasing initially, I just wanted to decorate my room with paintings. The more paintings I posted, the more feedback I got from my friends and followers. Soon, I sold my first painting (unintentionally). One of my Tumblr followers messaged me inquiring about my ‘LOWKEY GERALD’ piece. Then, late 2016, that same painting was posted on complex’ Instagram page. At that time, I wasn’t active on Instagram at all. My friends and the owner of the painting all messaged me telling me my work had been posted on their page. This was probably one of the most exciting things that have happened to me. Even though I was miss credited under the post, seeing the thousands of positive comments about how happy my painting made people feel under my work made me consider actually being an artist.
SN: ‘LOWKEY GERALD’ was posted on Complex’s Instagram the same day as Jay-Z’s birthday and got more likes than his picture. This small unimportant thing really boosted my confidence in my work
After this, I had been art online from the comfort of my room for a year. Many people who knew me personally don’t even have a clue I could even draw. That’s because I never took it seriously. Growing up, drawing was just a thing I did on the side of my notes in class when I wasn’t paying attention. I never considered it as a career path.
In November 2017, I decided to take my career in art more seriously, I decided to move to Atlanta. I heard ATL was “the place” for black art, so I took a chance on myself. With little to no money, I left everything I knew moved to ATL. A month after settling in, I did my first art show at TRAP ART. There, I did something I NEVER. thought I had the guts to do. Network. Talking to new people had always been very nerve-wracking (this is part of the reason I decided to call myself Lowkey Lyss). Art, for me, changed the way I interacted with people and how I saw myself. It gave me the confidence I didn’t have before.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Pursuing art definitely isn’t the easiest thing. It’s all trial and error. Moving to ATL, the hardest part was finding out what worked for me. After attending many art shows, the first half of 2018, I realized it wasn’t the best place for me to sell my work. During the summer, I took my work to the streets. I literally sold my art on the streets (also, why I call myself the “art plug”) at a place called Little 5 Points. I would take my art out lay it on the ground, sit in my lawn chair and let my work do the talking. There, I have sold more art than I have ever sold at an art show, and by not even saying a word. To the young women starting out in your art career, I encourage you not to be afraid of trial and error. You have to try new things in order to find out what works for you. Even if that means completely changing your environment. Things will eventually fall into place. For me, things are still falling into place, I’m just focusing on my vision.
Please tell us about your work.
Most of my work is based on the juxtaposition of nostalgic cartoons, music, and pop culture. For instance, my price titled ‘HEY ARNOLD X GET OUT’ depicts the characters of the Nickelodeon cartoon Hey Arnold set in the scene of the film Get Out. Or my painting of rapper Cardi B as Patti Mayonnaise from the cartoon Doug. The way I mash up pop culture and my childhood is very unique and relatable.
It wasn’t until I moved to Atlanta and started showcasing my work to the public that I truly knew what my work did for others. I’m proud to say that my work genuinely makes people happy. That’s my favorite part of showing my work off on the streets, getting people’s initial reactions to my work. Trying to see if they’re up on pop culture and can figure out the references.
The mash-ups of the culture uniquely set me apart from other artists. I believe it’s funny and witty. I depict connections in our culture that are overlooked and I show it off in the paint in a bright and clean way.
Were there people and/or experiences you had in your childhood that you feel laid the foundation for your success?
I think growing up an only child has a lot to do with my style of painting. I was very quiet and paid a lot of attention to detail. This may be the reason I have so much focus when it comes to my work.
Contact Info:
- Website: Lowkeylyss.bigcartel.com
- Email: lowkeylyss@gmail.com
- Instagram: @lowkey_lyss
- Twitter: @projectlowkey
Image Credit:
HEY ARNOLD X GET OUT, SUSIE X BIGGIE, KODAK X MICKEY, LOWKEY SMILIE, FREAKY FRIDAY REALITY, PATTI X CARDI, ATLANTA X FAT ALBERT
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