Today we’d like to introduce you to Aurora Walker.
Aurora, we’d love to hear your story and how you got to where you are today both personally and as an artist.
Born in New Orleans and raised on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, I am a good ole’ Southern gal born and bred. I have been surrounded by the arts my entire life. I grew up with my single mother, Rita, and attribute all of my artistic and creative ability entirely to her. Participating in theater, competitive dance, and choir in my youth all the more affirmed my desire to work in the entertainment industry. Graduating high school just after Hurricane Katrina, I was faced with challenges and experiences at an early age that taught me to overcome adversity and find meaning in our struggles. After completing my Bachelor’s at MS State University for Apparel, Textiles, & Merchandising, I began my career as a seamstress and designer with aspirations of one day owning my own business.
A second natural disaster occurred in my life while living in New Orleans after college, leaving me homeless and with no insurance. Despite our obstacles since that time, my husband and I started anew here in Atlanta just over two years ago and aren’t looking back. Since embarking on the journey of my career and my life, I have loved and lost, fallen and risen, laughed and cried. I have been a seamstress for hire, worked in bridal, worked in industrial vinyl fabrication and sewing, Mardi Gras costuming, film and television, been a burlesque performer/producer/designer, and so much more than I have the room to type. In between work when I am allotted, I enjoy traveling with my husband, working on projects for myself, spending time with my family and friends, cooking, and gardening.
We’d love to hear more about your art. What do you do? Why? And what do you hope others will take away from your work?
The only thing I can really say about my work is that I feel it is an accurate portrayal of everything I feel within. Whether it is a garment of my own creation, a sketch of just a raw idea or concept, doing pin-up or lingerie modeling, making a small accessory last minute for a burlesque performance, or just something crazy, I know its a symbol of me. I take pride in everything I do, and for as much of an obsessive perfectionist I am about my work and my life, my mistakes are usually my greatest accomplishments. Whereas I am officially a seamstress/tailor for a living in film and television, I also do independent contract work as a designer and seamstress from home. Apart from my day job, I also perform under the stage name “Roux La La” as a burlesque performer and producer with my troupe Four Suits Entertainment. Whether people are customers of mine for my trade, or they are patrons of the audience from a show that I performed in, I hope everyone holds my name synonymous with quality.
The stereotype of a starving artist scares away many potentially talented artists from pursuing art – any advice or thoughts about how to deal with the financial concerns an aspiring artist might be concerned about?
If money is the only thing holding you back, then you should re-examine what exactly your art is about. No matter what your medium or discipline, artists have an ability to see beyond what is there. Our creative way of thinking applies not only to the art we create but to the manner in which we execute it as well. Find scrap materials wherever you can. Ask for donations if there are others willing to help. Devise a plan of how to use what you have rather than focusing on what you lack. When you allow matters such as money to stop you from pursuing your art, then the battle is already over.
Do you have any events or exhibitions coming up? Where would one go to see more of your work? How can people support you and your artwork?
Anyone is welcome to check out my website which is www.designsbyroux.net.
I also have Instagram under @designsbyroux which has photos of my work for everyone to enjoy. If you have Facebook, please follow my burlesque page www.facebook.com/RouxlalaAtlanta/ where I update everyone on upcoming shows and costume pieces I am working on.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.designsbyroux.net
- Phone: 2284247872
- Email: walker.aurora@yahoo.com
- Instagram: @designsbyroux
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RouxlalaAtlanta/
Image Credit:
CB Photography, EV Gulick Photography, JC Barger Photography
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