Today we’d like to introduce you to Joshua Smith.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Joshua. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I was born and lived in a country town two hours south of Atlanta called Macon. While I was living there, I was interested in graffiti, poetry, designing clothes, writing, and architecture. I started by creating poems and just sending them to my friends at times and what not and creating prints for T-shirts. Throughout all the ideas that I said to people, they supported me through it all from my friends to complete and utter strangers. Without these people, I wouldn’t be able to place these ideas into the world to the fullest extent at which I could. Everything I couldn’t be in life has caused me to succumb to the realization that I am who am regardless of others opinions.
Has it been a smooth road?
It was very grueling to reach this point as I had to understand that I am human and I’m inclined to make mistakes. Also, when it came down to the financing in my projects, I had to get a job while simultaneously being in school which made it quite difficult to regulate my time and money in a more efficient way.
Please tell us more about your work, what you are currently focused on and most proud of.
I’m a poet, writer, designer, graffiti artist, and I dabble in architecture. With my graffiti, it allows me to place my art in different formats and I’m absorbed by the element of surprise, so when people walk down the street they can be entertained by just having it painted on the wall. The focus of my arts is derived mostly from my own experiences and the concept of existentialism that I incorporate into each body of art I create. I’m known for being the creator of the brand Lemonblues, that which is a representation of most people’s conflicting emotions. As the motto is, [ACKNOWLEDGING ≠ UNDERSTANDING] which means that we can be acknowledged by millions of people but feel isolated in our own thoughts; being known as one who understands them or attempts to; and vice versa as we can be understood but not acknowledged by none being that they placed you in the underdog position. As in comparison to other brands, they allow themselves to be influenced by trends. That which is detrimental to there company as well as deters there initial audiences away. But in the context of how I market my brand, I stay loyal to the concept of my brand and it’s easy being that it’s an extension of my mentality.
Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and the least?
Atlanta was a pivotal mark in the “Clout Era” that which caused experimental forms of art to grow. Also, there is a plentiful diaspora of eclectic people that you can relate to more or less varying on who they are. The city is a fertile place to ground your ideas across various scenes and platforms but contrary to those people who have an inflated ego’s that shows through the events they curate. The fact that underrated artists that create for the culture and not for short term accolades are being watered down by the Atlanta art scene to were if you find a genuine artist you’ve found the holy grails of Atlanta. So there are major pluses and minuses to the city but in all, they make the city what it is, a beautiful dystopia that which is plentiful in “positive” and “negative” experiences so it makes you stronger regardless of what you encounter so that’s always beneficial.
Pricing:
- SUNKIN’ thoughts tee – $15
- SUNKIN’ thoughts long sleeve – $25
- Skull Tote -$22.22
Contact Info:
- Website: http://www.lemonblues2008.bigcartel.com/
- Phone: 4783188352
- Email: joshsmith0527@gmail.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/_fujiriver_/
- Twitter: www.twitter.com/lemonblues2008
Image Credit:
Salim Garcia (@salimgarcia)
Getting in touch: VoyageATL is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
