We were lucky to catch up with Courtney Graham recently and have shared our conversation below.

Courtney, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?

I have always enjoyed drawing and coloring growing up, but I did not want to be an artist. I just knew I wanted to help people and children in particular. I put down markers and coloring pencils when I finished high school in 2009. I did not pick up art supply again until 2020 when the pandemic hit. It was in that moment of not feeling comfortable enough to work outside of my home and dealing with depression that I decided to create for a living.

Courtney, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I am a single mother of 5 who draws. My children will tell you I am an artist. When I started drawing in 2020, art was more so therapy. I was giving so much of myself to children that I had nothing left for me. Not only do I have children but I was working with toddlers full time. I had 20 toddlers in my care when I was working at a day care center. After work I had to muster up the energy to still be a full time mom. I was doing all the things I needed to do and not having any time to do something special for myself.

On top of being a toddler teacher and a mother I was a wife and that was a very stressful time for me because again I was being poured from and not watered. Art watered me. When I first started drawing again I was using supply such as markers and colored pencils. Social media introduced me to digital art and so I purchased an iPad and Apple Pencil and began practicing.

I love markers, Sharpie markers especially, but there is just something about having less tools to do more. When I tuck the kids in at night that is when I create the most. It’s so easy to sneak off with a tablet and pen, in hand, to find a cozy place to sit and create. There is no mess! Now do not get me wrong, getting messy while creating is so fulfilling, but when you have children the last thing you want to do is clean some more.

My brand name is Sharpie Darling. Sharpie is my favorite tool to create with. It’s the start of my creative journey. Darling is a word that I like because it’s feminine and classy.

When I started drawing I decided to share my art on social media. I remember the feeling I felt when I sold my first piece of art on paper using markers. That sale is what let me know that I can be a professional artist and that art can bring joy to people like art brings happiness to me. I remember my first digital art sale as well. I was so proud of myself. I did not share my art with an expectations but the feedback was so uplifting.

There are many reasons why I create. Art is so much bigger than me.
I create for joy and happiness.
I create to represent Muslims, women, children and black love.
I create to pour into others like I needed someone to pour into myself.
I create whether is brings in income or not.
I create to bring color to memories that should not be forgotten.

Most of my digital art is based off of photography. When I say I love art I mean art in every aspect of the word. I just chose drawing as my way of expression. I love photography, dance, writing, architecture, interior design and much more. When I look out into the world I see nothing but art. I see the beauty in the chaos. I turn what I am looking at into artwork before it even hits the canvas.

I am most proud of the the fact that no matter how hard it gets in life (mentally, physically, emotionally and financially) that I have continued to turn inward and create. I create daily. I turn photos into beautiful works of art. I can do the same with turning ideas into art. I am getting into abstract. I look forward to getting a studio space where I can get messy and showcase my process. I will be working with paint, wood, canvases and yarn/fabric in the near future. This is just the beginning of my creative story.

When I walk into department stores or local shops I would love to see more art that looks like me. I am a mother of many, I am African American and I am Muslim who wear niqab (veil/face covering). I wrap myself in fabric from head to toe and I would like to see that represented in art because there are so many women who look like me and we get overlooked. My art represents this women. I am very particular about how I recreate people in my artwork.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

Art feeds my soul, but art does not always feed my family. Sometimes I have to take on others jobs in order to make ends meet. I know a lot of this has to do with my lack of knowledge on marketing so I am learning. I have been creating since 2020, but this year I had to go back to work as a toddler teacher and create art part-time. I was so unhappy making that decision. I did teach for several months, but decided I had to give myself and my passion all or nothing. I quit my teaching job to create full-time. The decision was easy, but the drive to keep going even on $0 days is hard but worth it. I am only able to do so because of my support system. My aunt and grandma have helped my children and I in a major way. I am hopeful that in turn me choosing art will allow me to give back to them and other women who are in my shoes.

I clock in for my business now. Everyday I wake up with an agenda. I set my timer and get to working. There is no giving up. Art is plan A, B, and C.

How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?

The best way to support artist is to buy art from local artist. There are so many unsold pieces of art out there that needs a happy home. Time and talent is put into art and that is actually priceless. Other ways society can support artist is by sharing the art across all platforms and engaging with the artist. Ask questions, get to know the artist, their process and their back story. Engagement matters. Likes, comments, and sharing goes a long way.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: SharpieDarlingLLC
• Facebook: SharpieDarling
• Youtube: SharpieDarling
• Other: Threads: SharpieDarlingLLC Email: [email protected]