Culture Wants vs My Wants
"Dazzle" 18x18 Acrylic and Gold Leaf on canvas. 2016.
Then
I first started publicly sharing my artwork in 2013. My focus was the Black woman, her natural hair, and the standard of beauty. Since I was educated as a designer, my earlier work all had a design fill to it, focusing on negative space, color contrast, and such. I would paint on the floor of my apartment and try to envision the painting in Adobe Illustrator as I created. I would freehand little details as if I was using a mouse to draw it on the computer. I primarily used gold, added crowns, and kept royalty in the forefront. I was all about uplifting the Black community, so showcasing us as queens and kings was one thing I tried to do. However, I started to feel lost in my artwork. The Black art scene was different in 2015 — not so in a negative way, but things were repetitive and grouped together since we all were working for social media. I was giving into what the culture wanted instead of what I wanted or loved to do.
“I welcome change just as I welcome blessings.”
– Addie Rawr
"Here Now" 9"x12" Watercolor on Watercolor paper. 2020.
Now
As I got older and started to understand my art as a business, my hobbies and interests changed. My art needed to, as well. I began to travel and explore interests that were related more to finding self, peace and expression. So in 2018, I shifted from acrylic on canvas to watercolor on paper as my primary medium. I began practicing yoga and reading more, which led to my more peaceful outlook on life. Using softer colors, simpler pallets, and more greenery in my artwork, I wanted to create work that related to everyone and made not only myself, but my supporters feel comfortable too. My dolls, the illustrated figures I currently paint, are the representation of myself and people who looked like me. I include them in my stationery collection that extends my watercolor illustrations across journals, mugs, greeting cards, and more. As my subject matter and medium evolve, my art purpose and meaning always aligned with who I am.
About The Artist
Adrienne, or as most know her, Addie Rawr, is a modern “artrepreneur” focusing on uplifting women of color through her visuals and products. Addie Rawr began creating designs in 2012 while still attending classes at Virginia Commonwealth University, leading to the development of Art & Ambition Studios. Since a young girl living in Norfolk, VA, Addie has always been interested in the arts and was never afraid to show her creative side. Years later, Addie is using her skills to paint unique, vibrant and relatable designs that she spreads across an array of products. She also mentors artists and shares her resources with organizations geared towards providing resources to Black Creatives. Addie’s work has been featured in popular magazines & outlets, such as AfroPunk, Black Enterprise, XONecole, Blavity, & Refinery29. She has collaborated with a variety of subscription boxes and small brands, and also had the pleasure of connecting with Essence Magazine, being an artist vendor during Essence Festival 2018. Her partnership with Refinery29 led to a project designing a custom pair of Ultra Boost X sneakers for Adidas 50 State project.