The BronxArtSpace was filled with extreme girl power and extra love back in April, huge thanks to the ArtsyWindow presenting TREAT Yo Self, it was an art show which brilliantly showcased the important reminder for women to love themselves and supporting other women. The positive energy radiated so strongly across the room, not only did I admire the craft and techniques of each piece from the art show, but I was also very captivated by the messages of each work. It was an absolute inspiration to notice young creatives being able to connect, it was an opportunity for young women to raise awareness or share their story, especially in a world where society has always attempted to silence the voices and gifts of women.

The room was remarkably filled with a diverse group of artistic women from New York City. One of those women being Amber McDonald, it was the first time I got to see her work up close and in person, it was also the first time I got to meet the artist. Her presence was extremely charming, and her energy was glowing with such joy and kindness. It was shocking to discover that this was her very first art exhibition. This Afro-Latina artist has quite the ability to convey such crucial topics such as feminism, body positivity, racism, and illustrating a variety of vibrant curly haired women. It is very admiring to see the representation of figures in her work, as she also challenges toxic masculinity through her piece of a young black man wearing roses. I recently had the opportunity and pleasure to interview Amber McDonald, and I must say, I am more of a fan now than I already was, I think many would be inspired by what she stands for as an artist. Amber McDonald not only won my heart with her work, but with her soul as well.

1. What’s your background?

I’m an Afro-Latina, Brooklyn turned Bronx native visual artist. I’ve been drawing for about 7 years but I’ve been involved in the creative arts all my life.

2. Why is art important?

Art is imperative because it creates an alternative dimension that mimics the world around us.

3. What is your favorite thing about art?

It provides me with an escape. Sometimes I can be very in my head, my art silences all of my worries and allows me to relax.

4. What role do you as an artist have on society?

Nina Simone says it best, my role as an artist in society is to reflect times that we live in and possibly even to offer a solution to our problems.

5. Name at least three of your top favorite artists and why are they your favorite?

That is such a hard question! So many artists have provided with most of the techniques that we used today and they’re all my favorite because of it. Caravaggio of course! He’s the Baroque artist that provided us with the technique of intense lighting, also known as chiaroscuro. Monet, an impressionist artist, and his beautiful water lilies. Seurat with his pointillism. Van Gogh with his movement within paintings. My list goes on forever, I apologize.

6. What is your goal when it comes to your art?

I have many goals, my number one is to be a successful freelance artist. I want to build up my clientele so that I don’t have to worry financially. After that, I’d like to create a book filled with my poetry, prose, and artwork. Very Rupi Kauresque.

7. What’s your favorite artwork? (Your work and/or other artist, why?)

Favorite artwork of mine would have to be my most recent. Displayed is a Warrior, he’s got green pigmentation, blue hair with red horns and fiery orange eyes. She’s from an alternate world and is chosen by the mother universe to protect her planet from corrupted humanity. I love it because of how long it took me to create it and the amount of detail I put into it.

8. How is your personality reflected in your work?

That’s a great question, I classify all of my works as self-portraits because I see myself in every one of them. I’m reflected in my work in that most of my creations are of strong, marginalized women and I hope that’s what people see in me.

9. How do you work? (A brief snippet of your process)

I lay all of my materials out in front of me, either on my bed or my floor, and if I’m not creatively influenced by my imagination, I go searching for a reference photo. After I get right to work. Finding a reference photo helps me decide what medium to use.

10. How do you overcome creative blocks?

Those are the worst! I’m currently in one now. What I do is play some Lauryn Hill and India Arie, those women and their music empower me. I always feel refreshed and invincible after an album.

11. Why do you do what you do?

It’s the only thing I’m currently good haha! Actually I do it because I love the reactions I get from people. I’m a total attention whore when it comes to my artwork. Tell me why you do or don’t fuck with it. I want make people feel something.

12. How has your art changed overtime?

Initially, I was only drawing cartoons and mimicking other artists but after high school I began looking into fine arts. I’m currently studying that now and it has helped me immensely with my work. I’m not able to create full figured characters that are correctly proportioned. My work has also changed in terms of themes sage they give off. Before my work had no meaning, I’d draw just for the heck of it, now I draw to express myself and my beliefs.

13. What themes do you pursue in your work?

Badass women that don’t give a fuck about patriarchal viewpoints!

14. How has society or your reality inspired any of your works?

Society is a big influence. Day in and day out women are shamed for being carefree and that’s what drives me to create depictions of those women. The more society sees these women portrayed as an art rather than a rebellion, the more they are willing to accept them as opposed to degrading them.

15. What and/or who inspires you?

Women. Powerful, powerful women. Lauryn Hill, India Arie, Maya Angelou, Nina Simone, Nayyriah Waheed, Rupi Kaur, Reyna Biddy, Alexandra Elle, Aaliyah may she rest forever at peace, Yrsa Daley-Ward, all of the women in my family. The world. Everything.

16. What do you love about the art world?

I love learning. The art world provides me with new knowledge daily.

17. What makes you angry about the art world?

I hate wasting my time and often potential clients will ask you for work and not pay for it. That shit pisses me off to the max! I also don’t like not being recognized for my work, people share my art and sometimes they don’t credit me. As a marginalized, Afro-Latina woman, it’s already hard for me to build my brand and my name and when people discredit me, it only makes it harder.

18. Hobbies?

I love singing and dancing and reading and doing math. I LOVEEEE MATH! I once took 3 math course during my sophomore year in high school.

19. Favorite movie? Why? (And favorite song or favorite musicians)

I’m a sucker for romance films. “Chick flicks” all day! My current favorite is Me Before You, it’s the first movie in a while that has made me cry. Favorite song: Is This Love by Bob Marley. That man’s music puts me in the best of moods.

20. What is one or some of your most favorite artistic experiences? (Whether it being a cultural experience, dance, music, performance, painting, film making, editing, painting, drawing, networking, collaboration, etc. any form of art)

My favorite was my first large commission. I couldn’t believe that someone actually wanted to buy my work and was willing to pay the price it was worth. It made being a freelance artist feel achievable to me. Like I can actually make this my career. My other favorite was my first ever exhibit at the Artsy Window: Treat Yoself , which your beautiful self-attended. It was so surreal! It felt like a level up for me, I had sold my only two displayed works that night. I’ve heard it’s rare that people actually sell work during gallery exhibits that made me appreciate it a lot more.

21. What are your personal challenges when it comes to art?

Creativity I think. Sometimes I literally have a brain fart and I can’t get anything worth looking at down on paper. Other times its funds. I require materials that are expensive and if I’m not getting enough commissions, I can’t purchase those mediums which prevents me from working.

22. Any other talents? What are your other passions?

When I was younger I used to be a dancer. I’m talking full on, front of the stage dancer. I loved it so much, sometimes I wish I had never stopped. I also love singing but I’ll probably never sing publicly. Poetry was my best friend in junior high school, I had the best English teacher. Her name was Ms. Hassan and she loved one of my poems so much that she drew a tree in front of our classroom and had put my poem on it.

24. Highlights of your journey

The aforementioned commission and art exhibit, and my upcoming live painting at the Muchmore’s cafe in Brooklyn, hosted by @CrackedBinding.

25. What do you love about the Bronx?

Diversity! The Bronx is filled with so much culture. We started from nothing in the ’70s and now look at us! We’re prospering.

26. What do you hope can improve in the Bronx?

Gentrification. I know it can’t really be improved because not a lot of people in power care about the marginalized people that reside in the Bronx, but it’s something I hope can be stopped before it’s too late and us “minorities” no longer have affordable living. And stop the violence!

27. Plans? Whether it being artistic or not?

I plan on finishing out my associates and then traveling for a bit. When I return I’d like to continue my art career and pursue my book that I mentioned earlier.

28. Your message to the world?

Be yourself. I know it’s cliché but it’s cliché for a reason. It’s one of the most important lessons there is. Being yourself is so hard in a society as judgmental as ours, and so I ask that we be brave and be ourselves, unapologetically ourselves.

 

You can meet Amber McDonald live from The Boogie Down, presented by Parlour Productions which is in associaition with Fantasy in Color on July 8^th, you can also find Amber on Instagram: @afrodeity & @afrodeity.art

 

 

*The opinions and ideas expressed are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the opinions of The Bronx Brand*

Leslie Garcia has been living in the Bronx since she was 11 years old.  She loves the rich history of the Bronx, and how the Bronx has given her strength and hope.  She loves the shopping areas, the food, and the activities for families (which is what she plans on showcasing to the world).  She loves the culture and beauty of the Bronx and can’t imagine living anywhere else. Follow her here:

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