Today we’d like to introduce you to Steve Paul.
Steve, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
After leaving southern California, I officially started my own venture in 2013. I became an independent comic book artist who wanted to create content that had black representation. I grow up loving to draw comic books because it allowed me to create worlds of my own. I was into the Marvel and DC comics, however, I didn’t see any representation of myself in they’re stories. Fast forward to 2012, I decided that I can’t wait for someone else to do what I would like to see in the comic book world so I made myself use the knowledge I have of the comic book world to create comic books that reflect my culture. I started with two titles, MOON reflection of the sun and FATHER. I self-produced them and took them to a comic con in Detroit call, THE BLACK AGE OF MOTOR CITY COMICS. IT WAS A SUCCESS! I had a very good response and from that day on it showed me that I can create these works of art and generate income that will eventually allow me to leave the job and do comic books fulltime. I moved to Atlanta late 2014 to gain a bigger audience for my art, not being from Atlanta, I had to figure out my living situation with little time to do it because I only had about a couple months worth of savings to live on. Eventually, I found myself in a small little city called Lithonia. In 2017, two days after my birthday, I received a call from mother telling me that my father died by committing suicide. My father dealt with depression and it took him out at the age of 61.
After my father’s death, I have seen it as finding a new purpose and that is to be an advocate against depression for I also suffer from it myself. By the end of 2017, I was able to acquire a small commercial building in downtown Lithonia. My mission is to bring the artist’s back into the community to use as a tool to help heal mental illness. I know, threw my own experience, that the art’s in the many forms it comes in, can help fight against depression, stress and anxiety. Art is very therapeutic and I want to create a safe space for those who struggle from mental health issues. It’s still a work in progress and I need this to work just as much as those who need it because I need to heal too. Lithonia Art Foundation is a nonprofit organization that is designed to be a platform for creatives to feel free to be themselves and allow themselves to let go of the everyday stress the world puts on you. I’m just doing my part to better our lives as people and to help uplift us as a whole. Peace & respect from your fellow brother Steve Paul.
Has it been a smooth road?
This was not and IS NOT a smooth road. Still, a lot of work to be done. The biggest struggle is finding the ones that believe in my vision. Financial backing is always at the top of the list. I’m just one man who still is human even tho I feel like I have to be Superman 24/7 I need people that I can trust and can depend on.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Lithonia Art Foundation story. Tell us more about it.
Lithonia Art Foundation will be the hub for creatives to be themselves to be able to express themselves freely with no judgment. I myself is a visual artist. I create comic books, fine art, sometimes music, I like to explore all types of art. What I’m proud of is that I secured property to where I can create a safe place for an artist. The building is located in a pro dominate black community so I can offer services to people that are under privilege and have been deprived of resources. What sets me apart is that I’m just like you but living proof that no matter who you are you can make a change.
How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
I see what I’m doing as a blueprint that will be replicated over and over.
Pricing:
- $5000.00 to complete renovations in a building
Contact Info:
- Address: 7268 center st Lithonia, GA 30058
- Phone: 4049004781
- Email: lithoniartcenter@gmail.com
- Instagram: Lithoniaartcenter
- Facebook: Lithoniaartcenter
- Twitter: Stevepaulcreations
Image Credit:
Stevepaulcreations
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