Today we’d like to introduce you to Zykira Wilson
Hi Zykira, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I am a self-taught artist, and I first learned how to draw as a little girl (8) in church on just one Sunday by watching someone else draw caricatures, I went home that day and practiced those same lines over and as the years went on, I learned little by little how to grow with it. I didn’t start taking up drawing and painting seriously until the ages of 14-18 due to the depression I was facing. I always had a hard time expressing deep feelings or even feeling understood during my teenage years, so I spent majority of my time creating until I was able to come up out of the darkness that I was in. It wasn’t until I started facing reality and the adversities of life during college that I decided that I wanted to create art full-time to help move through my pain. I recognized that my art was actually healing all the pain that I was feeling or had been masking to the world, and I always wanted to go out and share that light with others, share how to turn nothing into something when all odds seem stacked against you. I was able to strengthen my relationship with God, my higher self and my present self through creating art, whether it was for myself or for others. The beauty of transmuting pain towards your passions to feel peace is something that I take pride in, I understand that everyone has a life of both beautiful/undesirable experiences and it’s important for me to share that with the world because we all live different lives but share similar experiences and feelings. It’s Human Nature. Art is my outlet, all aspects of it painting, music, and fashion all play a part in the pieces I create.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It certainly has not been a smooth ride but what is life without a few twists and turns along the way. Life is like a rollercoaster, you start out anxious, anticipating on the ride ahead the ride starts, tension is building as it takes off, you’re now hit with loops and hills but by the end you’re feeling the joy of the journey. That’s because you adjusted to the thrill of the ride after pushing past the fear, that’s how I look at life, you know you are going to experience something that will set you back, but you have to keep that same anticipation for your life goals no matter what happens along the way. I faced depression for many years, also not feeling safe in certain environments and having trust issues that kept me from connecting and networking with others. I had to learn that I first had to trust myself first also trust that I will always be fine in any and every situation. I had to deal with the naysayers and critics, having the lack of support from my peers, faced the people who were committed to misunderstanding me, the craft and the reason. I missed opportunities, I lost special connections with friends, even faced a near death experience that caused me to lose sight of the light for a while. I have endured many challenges on this journey, but it has been so worth it because it allows me to be both the teacher and the student in my own life. We hardly ever speak on the transition from girl to woman, all new feelings, a new form with all the lessons I learned as a girl to now having to apply as a woman standing on my own.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I create paintings working with different mediums bringing life to the canvas. My art is a depiction of my emotions, experiences, inspirations and a reflection of the culture. I am inspired by many things, mainly by music, fashion and even other creatives with beautiful souls. I always enjoyed witnessing and engaging in other people’s creative journey and how they choose to express themselves as much I do my own, whether they were creating music, sewing clothes, taking pictures or even doing hair it’s all a part of the culture. I also create works of art for anyone who has lost a loved one or even lost themselves at a point in time. I genuinely enjoy capturing the essence of those loved ones who have passed, highlighting what their souls reflected outside of the flesh. I love to capture their faces in black and white while having plenty of space to add color and liven up the canvas. When I create in that style of work I feel as if I am really fulfilling my purpose and doing what I was born to do. What sets me apart as an artist is that I use my mind, body and soul to create, I like to make others smile with my heart, a small kind gesture could make a difference in someone’s life. I am very proud of that alone, knowing that I was once very shy and afraid to speak up and share my work scared that it would not be as sacred to me, but it turned out that it’s more sacred than ever before. This journey has saved my life and as an artist, a woman, a young black woman that has both suffered and succeeded, I feel as if it is very important that I continue to create for myself and others along the way and show them the true beauty of who I am. My slogan is “Art for the Soul” because in those moments where I am painting my soul is speaking, and also it alludes to the beautiful souls that have lost their way or have been set free.
How can people work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
People can follow me on social media and share my work for support, direct message or email me for commissions. Outside of canvas painting, I also create murals, tattoos, do face painting and I offer sip n’ paint party packs . I am always willing to work with others on projects and looking forward to having a team around to support so if anyone is interested in working together or just simply supporting you are more than welcome to reach out to me on social media or via email.
Pricing:
- Commissions start at $150 (16 in. x 20 in.) *All prices vary due to size/complexity of painting)
- $175 (18 in. x 24 in,)
- $325 (24 in. x 36 in.)
- $375 (30 in. x 40 in.)
- Prices are negotiable. Check Social Media for more detail.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kiras.kolours?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==
