We were lucky to catch up with Vivian Wilson Bluett recently and have shared our conversation below.
Vivian, appreciate you joining us today. Going back to the beginning – how did you come up with the idea in the first place?
When I was a kid I spend a ton of time with coloring books and sketch pads. At the time, I never thought being a visual artist was a career choice for me. In my early 20s I received an art set from my ex-fiance’ that included different types of paint. 10 years later (2015) I actually took the paint out the packaging and began to play around with it. At the time I had been laid off from my corporate job and I had no idea what my next move was going to be. Painting was something I began to do just to pass the time. I had no idea how to paint. I didn’t know the difference between water colors, acrylics or oil based paint. Although each type came int he kit, I decided I would focus most my efforts on learning to paint using acrylic. After painting for a few months, I eventually gathered the courage to shared my art on social media and people wanted to purchase the work. I never shared the work with he intent to sell. I was only sharing to show what I had been working on……With the encouragement of my mother-in-law I had my very first art show in 2017. I rented a facility, purchased snacks and printed invitations. It was really scary because I wasn’t sure if people were going to show up for me. I was also really nervous that no one would purchase the art. I felt very vulnerable that night. My anxiety was really high because I was forcing myself to face possibilities that I’d never imagined. I was struggling with the thought that all this effort was going to be a waste of time and energy…. However, that night was beautiful. It was overwhelming. I sold more than half my inventory…..After that huge event, I was still struggling with imposters syndrome. In fact, I still struggle now all these years later. I still wonder if I’m good enough? I wonder if people are simply being nice? Is my work really worthy recognition? Am I working hard enough? Am I making enough connections? Am I learning? Am I growing? Do I really know what I’m talking about? Am I skilled? Although I am an artist, I am also a mother and a wife. There is the struggle of wondering if I am spending too much time away from my family? Am I being a good wife? Who isn’t getting enough of my time because I decided to take this journey? To be perfectly honest, I really don’t know the answer to any of those questions. All I know how to do is TRY. Success in this profession looks different for everyone and I’m not sure what that looks like for me.
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?
I am a white and a mother of three boys. My art career began to move really fast once I joined a local art collective called Black Space Black Art. The goal of this collective is to put black art in spaces that are frequented by black patrons such as barber shops and beauty salons. Having my art shown in these spaces exposed me to a bigger audience which increased my art sells tremendously. Though this collective I was able to make some really important connections with other artists, collectors and curators. I would say the project I am most proud of would be both my Black Lives Matter street mural which is located on 63rd and Brookside here in Kansas City (2020) and also, my solo exhibition at the Natasha Ria Art Gallery (2022). Both of these projects really stretched me professionally. For both projects there was fear and excitement. Both projects were bigger than I could have ever imagined and I am super proud of myself for the work.
One thing I think I would like for people to know about my work is, the message isn’t as simple as the painting my seem. As an artist, I always want the viewer to take from the painting what they need. So I allow people to interpret the art however they want… I also encourage the viewer to ask me what the message is in the work. Most times, my message is much deeper than it may appear. The work I do has been very healing for me. I am able to acknowledge my inner child as well as honor my adult self.
Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?
One thing I had to learn as a self taught artist is, not everyone is going to like my art. This lesson and acceptance of this concept was forced upon me one day when we (Black Space Black Art) as a collective were asked to bring art to a new restaurant in the city for display. When the collective arrived, we unloaded our art. Upon entering the restaurant the owner began to look at what was brought and expressed her distaste for some of the pieces. She was given them oppuiunity to choose what pieces she wanted to stay and which pieces she’d rather not have. She didn’t want ANY of my art to stay. At the time, there were only 3 of us in the collective. She chose the paintings of the other group members instead. Our curator made it clear that we are a collective and one person could not be left out of the installation. So………….. All of my pieces that were allowed to stay were placed in the back of the restaurant and in the bathrooms. Initially, my feelings were really hurt. This move just played into the imposter syndrome that I struggle with. I tried really hard not to take anything that happened that day personally. I tried to remind myself to stay true to my art style and my sense of expression. I kept telling myself, ” Its okay, Its okay. Its not personal”……. Not too long after our art was installed, I started seeing women posting pictures of themselves in this restaurant in the BATHROOM. Whose art was the back drop? MINE!! My heart was full…. I learned to accept the fact that art is subjective. No matter how well you think you paint, no matter the message, not everyone will appreciate your work. However… for the people that do… nothing will smother the attention of the eye it was meant to catch.
I have also learned to talk about the hard things. I have had to unlearn that everything needs to be rainbows and butterflies. Some topics that I touch on while painting are hard to discuss. That doesn’t mean I should avoid the topic. Most times there is a lesson or a story that needs to be told.
I created a painting that I named ” After the Smoke Clears”. It was inspired by the story of the lynching of Mary Turner. (If you don’t know the story please look it up) I cried while reading the story, while painting and while talking about it for the first time. Although it was a really hard process, the message is extremely important and relevant today. We must be careful of the things we allow to happen to one another and we MUST be honest about why the barbaric things are allowed to happen with no consequence. We need to stop to think about how these things effect the children that are in our care and its our duty to be honest with them about WHY these things happen. If we are not honest, if there is any form of denial or sugar coating, we are altering the story and potentially altering history.
Any resources you can share with us that might be helpful to other creatives?
The resources I with I had known about earlier is the power of community. As an a visual artist most of my work is isolating. I really enjoy learning from other artists and I also enjoy teaching and sharing. Within this community is where I get a lot of courage to paint and discuss hard topics. The type of support system I have been able to find is priceless. I have real friends that really stick their necks out and will put their names on the line for me. I wish I had found these humans earlier in life. Some days I feel like I started this career late. Other days, I feel like I’m right on time. Both days, I’m glad I’m in the game.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.expressionsofblueart.com
- Instagram: expressionsofblue
- Facebook: Expressions of Blue
- Other: https://kcstudio.org/honors-vivian-wilson-bluett/ https://kcstudio.org/vivian-wilson-bluett-expressions-of-blue-natasha-ria-art-gallery/ https://www.inkansascity.com/arts-entertainment/arts/kc-art-on-the-block-poised-to-unveil-six-unique-blm-murals-in-september/ https://www.pbs.org/video/6-streets-2gifk8/