The rising female artist discusses her multifaceted creations, path numbers and fashion shows.
PEN & PAPER: ROSHI K
From murals to works on paper, you’re interdisciplinary. Which mediums do you prefer working with?
I adore the fluidity of watercolors because it reminds me to maintain my equanimity. I sometimes get a little emotional when I don’t have control over certain situations, so working with watercolors reminds me that there is a boundless beauty in not having full control of everything in life. When you let go of control, magic is allowed to happen; this is true for watercolors and life.
You’re most recent pieces were made using watercolor. What refueled your interest to work with this medium again?
My most recent revisit to watercolors was fueled by the necessity to travel light. I had been doing a lot of traveling back and forth across the country, so the easiest thing I could do was pack a sketchbook, some hot pressed watercolor paper, and my tin of Lukas watercolors.
Walk us through your creative process.
Through the creative process, I find myself exploring mythology, psychology, symbolism, esoteric schools of thought, and pop culture, among other subjects. I also explore my own mind. Creating is a therapeutic process for me so often my works are personal sigils that have healing qualities. I choose palettes and colors based on their chromopathic properties. I also choose colors just because I like how they look together. A piece is finished when I can walk away from it and feel satisfied.
Who are your art heroes? Which one has made a lasting influence on your creations?
Joshua Mays, Audrey Kawasaki, Nosego, Alejandro Jodorowsky, Kara Elizabeth Walker, Heather Mahler, Hueman. I think the art hero that has created the most lasting influence was one of my studio art professors, Honoria Starbuck. She taught me the art of finding zen moments during creation and to allow the piece to take me where it wanted to go.
Tell us about the subjects in your works. Who are they? What inspired them?
The subjects in my work are amalgamations of all the strong and beautiful women that I have known in my life. Sometimes they are personal explorations of the powerful woman I strive to embody. Other times they are visual altars to honor the divine goddesses that influence the benevolent forces in our world.
What is the atmosphere like when you are creating works?
When I’m in the studio, the vibe is all chill all the time. I prefer a nice lo-fi hip hop station, some incense, bright sunlight (unless I’m working into the wee hours of the morn’), and lots of space. I prefer to be in the studio alone because it’s easier for me to move around quickly, I also like to talk and sing to myself so I don’t want an audience while I’m being a total weirdo. When I feel like I need to get outside, I’ll pack up a sketchbook, my watercolors, Copics, my iPad, or whatever else and go set up at a local coffee shop. People watching is great creative fuel.
How do you approach commissions? What are your golden rules when choosing to take on a commissioned project?
Each commission is unique so I prefer to do as much research as I can before I get started. I like to think of it as filling up on input before I do any output. If I am given creative license, it can be pretty fun to let loose on a design challenge. My golden rule when I take on a commissioned project is to always create a sketch to present to a client before plowing straight through to a finished project. It can be frustrating if you get excited about design and work it to completion only to have a client say you went in the wrong direction completely.
What was your inspiration behind the design you created on the Crown Royal bag?
My Crown Royal bag design was inspired by what I consider to be the regality of the natural world. It’s a tip of the hat to the luxurious floral kingdom that blooms around us.
Why did you choose to pursue a career as an artist?
I am and always have been a creative person, constantly doodling, drawing, and creating. When I was in grade school, I went through reams of printer paper my IT dad brought home from work. By high school, friends were paying me to decorate shirts, shoes, backpacks, etc. I even hand sewed a few messenger bags. Luckily, I had a supportive art teacher who encouraged me to attend university to study Art & Design. In my mid-20s, while attending school for animation, I started to pay more attention to the political climate and injustices in our country and on the world stage.
As a female artist can you talk a little bit about the industry for female artists right now?
Women are absolutely thriving in all of the creative industries right now! As a young woman, I didn’t feel like I had a lot of female role models to look up to but now they are everywhere (once again thanks to the visibility that social media affords us). We have always been a part of the creative industries but now we are finally being noticed and given a moment to shine. Women have always been admired for their sex appeal but it finally feels like we are being noticed for our intelligence and talents as well. The next generation of women will be a force to be reckoned with in art as well as engineering, politics, medicine, and so on.
Roshi K is a multifaceted artist who lives and works from Austin, Texas. Initially trained with an animation background, the rising creative’s path is fueled by advocacy. Whether it’s a large-scale mural or a watercolor painting, the subjects of her diverse artworks portray female role models from her personal life who continue to serve as major inspirations for her upcoming pieces. The artist also credits anime, manga, nature and the history of the African Diaspora as additional sources that have helped her form her unique aesthetic.
In light of National Women’s History Month, we met up with Roshi K to get her thoughts on what the creative industry is like for female artists today while also discussing career highlights and her latest collaboration with leading Blended Canadian Whisky label, Crown Royal.
Read on to learn more.
How does the floral motif fit with the history of the bag?
Crown Royal whisky was originally created as a gift for the visiting King and Queen of England in 1939. I stayed true to this historic detail by designing on a background of royal purple. I used a floral motif to represent the exotic surroundings that any King and Queen would desire. The inclusion of the lotus flower is a representation of the grace and purity that any royal would strive to exude.
When creating a design to go on fabric what do you consider?
I aspired to design a pattern that would appear to create movement on the fabric. My own personal aesthetic is inspired by flowing fabrics and patterns and I wanted to inject that into these designs.
What advice would you give to those who are looking to pursue a career in art?
My advice is to always carry a sketchbook. Jot down ideas, keep track of everything that influences you. Draw random things. Make this sketchbook like a journal because it could go on to influence so many of your pieces later on down the line. Also, learn as many mediums as you can, it can be pricey but it is completely worth it. Look into local community colleges or collectives to see if they offer classes focusing on different mediums. Also, don’t be afraid to take breaks from creating. Put the pencil down and go outside, get some sunshine.
Please Drink Responsibly.
CROWN ROYAL Blended Canadian Whisky. 40% Alc/Vol. The Crown Royal Company, Norwalk, CT.
Please Drink Responsibly.
CROWN ROYAL Blended Canadian Whisky. 40% Alc/Vol. The Crown Royal Company, Norwalk, CT.