We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Simone Spruce. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Simone below.

Simone, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?

I began drawing at age six. My mother saw my gifting. My brother Donald Ray was actually the first artist in my family, but he didn’t pursue it as a career. He noticed my gifting as well, so they nurtured me in pursuing my career as an artist. My mother enrolled me in art classes at The Toledo Museum of Art where I was the only black student. From there, I continued to be supported by my art teachers and mentors.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

My goal is to bring about social change. My mood dictates my material choices when I begin a piece. For example, when I create a drawing, it involves the various ways I choose lines to create shapes, then adding tone and texture to create a three dimensional form. All of these elements express a wide rage of emotions.

As an artist I have the freedom through immediate response to tell the truth about humankind and create work that documents our differences, similarities and moments of crisis. My work gives voice to marginalized groups and inspires the viewer to take action and seek justice. I am informed by information which I then transform and bring forward in search of solutions, moving my audience from awareness to engagement.

What I create reflects my outlook on the world, my philosophy and my faith. I use my art as a platform to advocate and support multicultural issues that affect us on a local, regional, national and global.

Are there any books, videos or other content that you feel have meaningfully impacted your thinking?

Being a faith based artist, it’s important that I seek the proper spiritual guidance as I create my work. As a social commentary artist, I have to sit with each issue in order to best present my topic to my audience. When I am in my studio working, God and I are in conversation with each other. It is my safe space. My books of choice that guide my philosophy are the Bible and The Artist’s Soul by Linda Coons. It is a reference tool to aid in everyday struggles and obstacles, and a starting point for new artistic pursuits.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

Using your imagination to create possibilities.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://instagram.com/movingwalls
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/simonesrsstudios
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/simonespruce