Today we’d like to introduce you to Latika Ann
Latika, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Well my name is Latika Ann, I’ve been in the art world for as long as I can remember. Drawing has always been a real love and passion of mine since I could first pick up a pencil. Over the years my love for art started to develop beyond using just a pencil. As I got older I started to try every form of art. From learning how to use colored pencils, to using calligraphy pens, to branching off into trying paint brushes, while diving into the fashion world full force, to then going into spray paint and etc. I’d say the last 25 years of my life have been solely dedicated to perfecting my craft as a mixed media artist. I am now really focusing on doing more murals and getting my clothing brand where I need and would love for it to be. I would say for me being able to stay active with the youth is what really gives me the drive and energy to really keep this art and fashion alive. I wouldn’t be as far as I am and as confident as I am if I didn’t have them.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Is anything in life worth having a smooth ride? It’s about not giving up when those times do come. I’d say for me personally the ride has been more of a roller coaster ride. There’s those super high highs when you feel invincible but when you’re coming down from that high and you’re entire body tenses up, that’s how my journey has been. I love every part of the journey though. I’ve never been to the point where I am completely just over it ya know? It’s like I feel the strongest amount of love when I am creating. I feel like one of my main and probably my only challenge over the last 4 years is trying to understand how a coworker goes missing in a day. How is it that a person I once saw and gave frequent hugs to is now missing to the world and the people she cares about. I think about Tonee a lot when I’m doing commission jobs, just walking in certain areas of the city, looking and hearing things about certain politicians just has been one of the biggest things in my mind on a day to day basis. Tonee and I had a few ceramic related projects for the near future so it’s been very hard these last 4 years just trying to even get into ceramics without her near.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I would just consider myself an Artist of All Art Related Trades. My top 3 that I guess we can say I specialize in the most would be Screen Printing, Graffiti and Fashion Design. I would say I’m just proud to be blessed with the ability to create anything I imagine. Working with the youth at BYP doing fashion and media was some of my top highlight moments when I was starting off with doing more teaching artist lessons. Being yourself is what will always set you apart from others, that’s why we were all created differently but should always be treated equally. There’s nothing about me that should remind anyone of anyone else, I am just as unique as the person to the right or left of me.
Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
I would like to give my spirit sent brother Alize Dees aka Mr,HighAllYear the biggest virtual hug. Alize and myself linked up back in about 2012 and have literally been connected ever since. He’s literally the ying to my yang. We’ve done countless shows and events together and when I say the love and support has always been there with him, there’s no one in this world I would want to be doing this with. Would also like to give huge gratitude to my art brother’s HyFly, Stoagie, Ray2Low, and Dripp. My bestie for always reminding me of how capable I am and encouraging me to embrace my worth. Lastly, the people who I have worked with at the BCLA, Leslie get’s a little more love and appreciation. Without her guidance coming fresh out of college I don’t know where I’d be in life.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/latikaann
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@2lowent.813
- Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/alize-cliffsquad/sets/1-of-1-htel?si=10951da62da84c71bd35d0424704e486&utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing
Image Credits
HT2LowEnt