Today we’d like to introduce you to Rickale West.
Rickale, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
My journey as an artist started long ago. Music was where I initially fell in love with the arts. That passion only blossomed into other areas of art. When I was younger and some in college I played music in the bands along with writing poetry in my free time. Needless to say, I have always had a creative spirit. Fast forward to my journey as a visual artist. I often like to share the story of how I was in the process of redecorating my apartment and had a vision for a specific piece of artwork I wanted. I searched everywhere and could not find it. So one day I decided to sketch the idea and create it myself. That home decor d.i.y project was my first brush to canvas experience. It was like getting a taste of something I had never knew I needed and it immediately became a part of my life.
During that time I was also faced with a multitude of unexpected life changes and late at night I would find myself anxious and restless so I would get some of the leftover art supplies to create paintings. It was during those times I realized how soothing creating art had become to me. This realization eventually blossomed into my brand mission of art healing.
“Love can Heal, So can Art”
Before I knew it, I had built an inventory of art that had not been seen. I had become eager to share my work but lacked the confidence to put it out. So that was an assignment in itself, building up the courage to share my work. Once I got to the point of submitting and being accepted into my first art show in Atlanta GA. I knew the opportunities were limitless I just had to maintain the courage and discipline to keep going, keep creating and spreading my mission of art healing.
Prior to me going full on with my art career I worked in corporate. However, 2020 showed the entire world how quickly things could shift so being laid off opened my eyes to the possibilities of doing more rather than just holding tight to the idea of the 9-5 because as I learned that wasn’t as secure as I thought. During the pandemic, I made the decision to go full-time with my art career and launched Roxy Wuz Here Art. From then I worked tirelessly to enhance my creativity, skill and pursue opportunities and partnerships that would propel my work and mission forward.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
My journey has not been the smoothest. However, I know it could be worse. I have been fortunate enough to have authentically supportive people around me throughout this journey which has definitely made it possible to keep going. If I had to address the struggles I have faced along the way it would be understanding the business side of being a full-time artist. If it were up to me I would just paint and smile, however, that is not realistic! Also, understanding that as a creative you will hear more no’s than yes’s and not allowing those moments to make me doubt myself or ability but rather, be patient and, take those as teachable moments or motivation to continue learning and improving my craft.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
Roxy Wuz Here Art offers original abstract artwork, functional art, commission artwork along with custom brand artwork. Lastly, I offer small group workshops, as well as brand partnerships for interior designers, functional art inventory at wholesale pricing for shops and boutiques and art installations for businesses.
Function art consists of original designs transferred onto functional merchandise such as Tumblers, writing journals (Bestseller), throw pillows, coffee mugs, etc.
I consider my specialty to be intention. Obviously, everyone puts some degree of intention into their work however, what I feel is unique about my pieces is the stories they are telling or illustrating. As a primarily abstract artist, sometimes viewers don’t know right away what the intention is, you either draw your own conclusion based on how it resonates with you and where you are in life or you have to learn the story, which I always love to share. With many of my pieces, the title and description is usually written long before I touch the canvas. It is an expression of deep thoughts or life circumstances in the most abstract or simplistic way possible.
There are three specifically proud moments, which are the only moments that have actually brought me tears of joy throughout my art journey thus far. Firstly is my piece titled “I’m Ok” being juried into the “Thin Line” art show at the Art Center Highland Park in Highland Park IL. A show about mental health and its relationship to art which accompanied the feature exhibit “Being Bipolar in A Polarized World”.
Second, was the opportunity to install my “Overcoming” painting/project at a local therapy space in Houston. That project is one of the most intentional pieces to my brand’s mission of art healing. It is about acknowledging and managing the stages of depression and is a dedication to anyone who has dealt with depression, is dealing with it currently or has made intentional effort to overcome it.
Lastly, is my piece “I’m Not Ok” being juried into the Citywide African American Artist Exhibition at the University Museum at Texas Southern in collaboration with The Fine Art Museum Houston. That was the answer piece to “I’m Ok” and is about the power of being vulnerable enough to say “I’m Not Ok”. These moments are testimonies to what I have been working toward with art healing. It says to me that someone gets it, someone hears it so keep going!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.roxywuzhereart.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/roxywuzhereart/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/roxywuzhereart
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrBAIHd79BLXmzhsFITYHhw
