We were lucky to catch up with Rashaad Black recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Rashaad, thanks for joining us today. We’d love to hear the backstory behind a risk you’ve taken – whether big or small, walk us through what it was like and how it ultimately turned out.

There is something liberating about throwing caution to the wind and pursuing a dream. When I first picked up a paintbrush, I was questioned as to why would I ever want to paint? From time to time I began to question my own motivations because I never had the desire of painting before that moment. Was I ever going to be a Picasso or Van Gogh? Maybe not, but at some point, even Van Gogh must have been lost in the dream of creating before his fame ever existed. Although I did not have a clear purpose in the beginning, I never gave up on the feeling that I was doing the right thing. Before I picked up a paintbrush, I was a writer, and was in the process of writing what I thought would be my first short film. One day, I went to the local art store and purchased paint and the cheapest canvas I could find. That first painting was by any metric terrible, but I loved it. I couldn’t stop and I found a new love. Sometimes in life, those around you may not understand what lives inside you, but don’t allow their limitations to imagine stop you from following your dreams.

Rashaad, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

Originally I am from Chicago, Illinois, but I made Miami my home. I am a self-taught art that focuses on abstract forms of expression. Participated in several international art shows and was a feature artist during Miami Art week at the Soul Basel Village at the Lyric Theatre. My art represents my struggles of navigating the world as an African American Artist. I have always wanted to find ways to fight the struggles my people face,, and I have found that my creations are the most powerful weapons I have. My piece “Reflections of Caesar” speaks of my struggling to survive a pandemic that tested my spirit as i watched a nation divide. I sometime felt that I stood in the middle and the only way for me to truly speak was to paint.

In 2022, I took a step back from shows to focus on creating. As an artist, my greatest satisfaction has always lived in the creation of art. Although I did not participate in shows this year, I did donate several paintings that benefited schools and organizations doing amazing work in the community. With 2023 around the corner, you will find me refocusing on sharing my art with the world. The plan is to get ready for the Art Basel/ Miami Art week 2023, because I have something to say and the world needs to hear it.

Most recently, I ventured into the world of fashion. Using my art on clothing has given me the ability to express my art in a whole new way. My focus has been bags and t-shirts, but I do have jackets and dresses available as well. The passion for fashion has always been there and as I grow in the world of art, I find that it is just as important to share my love of clothing and accessories with the world.

Alright – so here’s a fun one. What do you think about NFTs?

I have a love hate relationship with NFTs. On one hand, I love the possibility they represent and on the other hand, I despise how saturated the market because of fluff. I entered the NFT space in 2019 and really dived deep into that world in 2020. I even wrote a guide to understanding NFTs, as it was a new space that many wanted to enter. There was joy bringing people into this space as I viewed it as another conduit to express, but I quickly experienced that many people viewed it as a means of getting rich quick. Personally, I have backed away from the space, but I still believe that it is the next frontier of expression, especially with the growing popularity of AI art.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

The most rewarding thing about being a creative is having the ability to create something from nothing as a means of processing the world.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.rashaadfashion.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rashaadfashion/