Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Raven George. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Raven, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. It’s always helpful to hear about times when someone’s had to take a risk – how did they think through the decision, why did they take the risk, and what ended up happening. We’d love to hear about a risk you’ve taken.

Last year I left my job working as a Greenhouse Specialist, Bee-keeper and Florist at a local farm in Trenton. I’d been working here for sometime and although I absolutely loved my job due to being in service of others, the job itself was mentally, emotionally and physically taxing to the point where it caused blockages in my artistry. Not to mention, there were deadlines approaching given my solo exhibition at Artworks was approaching. I was barely making enough to pay bills and part of me felt unhappy. Time progressed and I grew more frantic with thoughts of departing from the farm, not having money and wanting to make art. Although I was a farmer in the flesh, I’m an artist at heart so there was never a passing moment where I didn’t speak my artistic goals into fruition and the affirmations were increased tripled. I put my two weeks in at the farm and the day after, Artworks published a studio space being available. THIS was my moment. Allah heard me, he heard my cries and prayers about fully committing to be an artist. So although I had doubts about not being approved, not having the down payment or money to pay the rent–I applied anyway. All that I had was all I needed, Allah, faith and confidence that everything would work out and so it did!

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

Raven George is a conceptual artist from Trenton, NJ renowned for her drawings and paintings exploring the relationship between love, identity and emotional intimacy. The artist experiments and innovates a wide range of styles and a profound mastery in oils and ink as her chosen medium. George creates an immersive experience within her works—for viewers to embody the beauty of these elements, find strength in vulnerability and spiritual enlightenment—encouraging others to reflect on their transformative journey of self-discovery. Drawing inspiration from both the luminous landscapes of her childhood and intricacies of human experiences, the artist confronts tension within her process and transforms this energy into inspiration.

George developed an early fascination with art at the age of two thankfully to her Nana. This interest grew into a lifelong passion as she honed her artistic skills and later graduated with a Bachelor in Fine Arts at Montclair State University. To Find Love & Death, the artist’s most recent exhibition at the Artworks Gallery travels through phases of fragility, healing, freedom and self-love. Inner child work is a daily intention practice as the artist ventures through styles like a playground within this body of work. Her work is a representation of the tension faced as she expresses truth and alchemizes emotions of fear and pain into something much more sublime. Because of this, George finds strength in vulnerability, release and learning through all changes and ego deaths.

“I cry because I’m free,” she says after speaking at her first artist talk. For years, she’s struggled to be vocally expressive, especially about her artwork—she gives thanks to Allah for using her as a vessel of unwavering strength to speak proudly through her work. George has the awareness of many not owing the luxury of utilizing art as a tool of expression. Because of this, it is imperative as a woman of color to be a reflective mirror for viewers to feel and come back home to ourselves. What sets the artist apart from others is being emotionally intuitive with willingness to be vulnerable regardless of the person or circumstance. George believes most contain their true feelings due to the fear of “being seen” or possibly being judged for allowing themselves to be. One of her favorite sayings is, the only way to is through. When a person truly allows themselves to travel to the root of their discomfort(s), there lies your power the true elixir of having the bravery to face whatever IT may be that’s prohibiting the individual from creative expression.
The artist is most proud of keeping the faith and never losing faith of the passions little Raven has always dreamed of. It is because of her inner child as to how far she’s become in her artist career and still in route!

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

In the year of 2016 I was admitted to intensive care unit after being diagnosed with a cerebral venous thrombosis also known as, a blood clot in the brain. It all began with a harmless migraine, so I thought. One evening, I could barely stand to clean my room I mean, experiencing severe fatigue to the point where I’d lie on the floor simply for not having the energy to get in bed. Eventually I got there yet, the migraine persisted into the following day. I’d take an excedrin in hopes it would relieve me but after hours of on and off sleep with the accompany of pain killers, nothing! Later that day I went to the hospital, the nurses took me in for a CAT scan and eventually an MRI for a closer look. Before I knew, there were IV’s and EKG wires everywhere once the doctor followed by other nurses explained I had a blood clot in my brain the size of an olive. During my weeks in the hospital, I’d have my laptop in hand in attempt to complete my work given my enrollment in Mercer County Community College at the time. My parents, loved ones and EOF were a great support and urged me to rest. When my visitors would leave, I’d spend the nights listening to Find Your Wings by Tyler the creator on repeat. All that occupied my mind is if I were to die tonight, it would be far before my time. Fast forward, the doctors were able to stabilize my blood levels and it deemed me safe for discharge. I needed assistance on how to walk again from being bed ridden for so long, it began small like being able to go the sink or sitting on the chair not far from my bed. Eventually, I walked the entire hallway with the help of my nurses and as I walked, all I could see were people that were in comas and critical condition. This could’ve been me or even worse, I thought. From that moment, I vowed to use my wings like the song reminded me to.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

The most rewarding aspect of being an artist is observing how others experience my artwork. There’s been many encounters where the viewer becomes extremely moved emotionally and/or spiritually about my work, others may even feel inclined to act or go back to a specific memory they may have forgotten. At times it can be intense but nonetheless a reminder as to why Allah has blessed me with a gift, to evoke emotion, provoke thoughts and inspire change. An abundance of fulfillment is what I feel knowing my work resonates with others, whether it brings joy, introspection, or challenges societal norms. My freedom of expression in exchange has brought me healing, personal growth, autonomy, and a connection with my community. I’m eternally grateful for the ability to see the world through God’s lenses to recreate it from my purview and experiences while here on this earth. Whenever it may be my time to transform back into a spiritual being, my art and the stories followed by will be a legacy lasting future generations.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.ravengeorge.com
• Instagram: raven.theartist
• Facebook: Raven George
• Linkedin: Raven George
• Twitter: raventheartist_

Image Credits
Abbas Wiswall Bentrice Jusu Habiyb Shu’Aib