Where are you from originally?
I was born in University Heights district of the city of Buffalo and raised in downtown Buffalo. My elementary, middle and high school’s were all located in primarily in downtown Buffalo, so travelling back and forth to school every weekday, walking to buses to trains to more buses to more walking, at such a young age, really helped me to gain necessary street smarts. This city helped raise me.
What is your medium?
Oil paint is my first true “medium love”, but as of late, I’ve really grown to love ink. There will always be this love/hate relationship that I have with oil paint. But when I get my hands on some good quality ink, it’s alllll loveeee babyyyyy!
Where do you draw your inspiration from?
I draw my inspiration from my mother’s smile, my every changing body, especially my hips and legs, my tiny, yet resourceful book collection, my boyfriend’s kind words and my father’s business smarts.
Name an artist (or more) that most inspires you?
Kehinde Wiley, Oswaldo Guyasamin and Kurt Halsey Frederiksen.
What is your preferred subject matter?
The female body (minus her head).
How do you feel you can best advance to the next level, or are you most happy where you are now?
I am happy with where I am now. I create because I have to. I need it. I really feel like I can’t breathe without it. But, at the same time, I love the feedback that I get from doing so, and the more that I can create, share and get that necessary feedback the more I can continue to breathe and create. I am starting to narrow down the quantity of shows that I am doing and really starting to focus on the quality of the shows that I am doing. Ultimately, I want to aim for group (and solo) shows outside of my “comfort city” that is Buffalo. Not that this isn’t my ultimate love, here, but I feel, for me, the only way to keep advancing is to really, keep expanding.
What is another medium that you would like to learn? Or that you have already learned?
I studied a tiny bit of printmaking as an undergraduate working towards my BFA at the State University at Buffalo New York, but not enough to say that I could use that skill in my current works. I’d love to learn more about the process and be able to juxtapose printmaking with oil painting. That would the bees knees, fuh’real.
Is there a purpose to your artwork?
:smirk:
How often do you work on your art?
Only when I’m breathing. Ha. It’s a constant production for me. Maybe not so much literally, all of the time. But I am forever battling new ideas, new concepts, new ways to execute these constant thoughts and witty banters that go on in my head. I am a forever dreamer and the conversations that I hold daily, in themselves, serve as the base line of some of my pieces. My mind is always working on it then my hands have to do the catching up…whenever physically possibly.
What or who first prompted you to venture into the art world?
George Hughes.
Have you been schooled in art? Are you planning on attending art school? If so, where?
I studied oil painting, digital and dark room photography and art history at the State University at Buffalo New York and graduated from that program in 2009. I just recently finished my teaching certification in art education at the State College at Buffalo New York. My next venture, after a much needed year of travelling, art making and art scoping, is to go back to the State College at Buffalo New York in the Fall of 2013 to obtain my Masters degree in Museum Studies with a Museum Education and Curatorial concentration track.
Where is your current/next show in the city? Dates? Opening night?
“Mes Sentiments”
464 Art Gallery
464 Amherst Street Buffalo, New York
Opening Reception: Friday, June 8th, 2012 6pm-10pm
What is the title and theme of the show/s?
sentimentsplural of sen·ti·ment (Noun)
Noun: A view of or attitude toward a situation or event; an opinion.
General feeling or opinion.
What’s your favorite movie?
Fantastic Mr. Fox. 🙂
What’s your favorite restaurant in Buffalo?
If you haven’t gone to SUN RESTAURANT on Niagara Street for their Thai and Burmese cuisine. Well… let’s just say… you better. 😉
What’s the
best thing about being an artist?
best thing about being an artist?
Being an artist.
What’s the worst thing about being an artist?
Being an artist.
Facebook Page: AlanAdetolArts
Support our local artists. Here are a few more Buffalo artists and artisans to brush up on:
Sarah and John Cozzemera, Rob Hopkins, Jennifer Seth-Cimini, Elisabeth Strong, Michael Mulley, Patricia Schwimmer, Mikel Doktor, Jerome Greenberg, Elizabeth Leader, Jacqueline Welch, Doreen DeBoth, Joe Cascio, Candace Masters, Iris Kirkwood, Lukia Costello, Michael Morgulis, Julie Leatherbarrow, Chris Liberti, Michael Mararian, Daniel Rodgers, Bruce Adams, Ken Payne, Christina Cooke, Elise Anne Brooks, Frank Cravotta, Jackie Albarella, Gary Melius,Melissa Campbell, Jeff Quigley