We were lucky to catch up with Carole Smith recently and have shared our conversation below.

Carole, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with 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.

The biggest risk I’ve taken in my life wasn’t necessarily the moment I picked up a pencil—it was the moment I chose to truly share my art with the world on my terms.

Like many artists, I started out by imitating others. For a long time, I was figuring out who I was as a creator, mimicking the styles I admired to learn and understand the craft. Through this phase, I stumbled upon photography—particularly action, nature, and portraiture. These subjects began to speak to me, especially in relation to myself and the hip-hop community I was so deeply involved with. As I grew, my style evolved too.

But the real turning point came when I decided to turn my art into something more than just a personal pursuit—it became a business. Encouraged by friends and even strangers who said they’d buy my work, I felt a spark to take it seriously. I began selling pieces, but over time, something began to feel off. The more popular my work became, the more I noticed that my customers were mainly drawn to imitations of things they’d seen before—not the original, boundary-pushing pieces I longed to create.

This tension built up, and I found myself leaning more into graphic design, because it seemed to be what my clientele wanted. I hated it. I didn’t want to just create designs that catered to the masses; I wanted to breathe life into characters and concepts that felt true to me.

That’s when the shift happened. I realized that I’d been chasing validation through my work rather than creating for the sake of creating. So, I made a choice: I would draw what I wanted, no matter who liked it.

The risk was huge. My artwork became contentious at times—provocative, even—because it was no longer easy or mainstream. But it was mine. And the freedom that came with that decision was liberating.

What I learned from this journey is that art isn’t about pleasing anyone else; it’s about being honest with yourself and putting that honesty out into the world. I’ve always taken feedback well—both positive and negative—but now, it’s no longer about appeasing anyone but me.

Sure, I’m lucky to have a fantastic support system—friends, family, and an amazing partner who appreciate my work—but ultimately, the only person I need to answer to is myself. And now, I thrive in that space. Whether others love or hate my art, I’m at peace because I know I’m creating exactly what I want to make.

In the end, the biggest risk was taking ownership of my vision, even if it meant stepping away from what was popular or expected. And honestly? It’s been worth every second.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

My work is a dynamic exploration of the feminine form, blending both male and female characters in a powerful dialogue that challenges conventional portrayals of beauty and strength. Using a mix of traditional and digital mediums—pencil, ink, chalk, acrylic paint, and digital tools—I create bold, visceral pieces that evoke raw emotion and contrast.

Drawing inspiration from the worlds of fashion, graffiti, and the energy of music—from the intensity of hip-hop to the rebellious pulse of alternative rock—I aim to channel the dynamism of these influences into my art. My approach is unapologetically loud, full of tension, and ever-evolving, mirroring the transformative power of self-expression. Having spent time working with arguably one of the top fashion brands in the world, I came to appreciate the importance of a distinct visual identity, which has influenced the development of my own artistic voice—a voice that is audacious, clean, and recognizable.

I thrive on the emotional push-pull my characters evoke, capturing the raw energy of graffiti and American comic book dynamism while challenging, and in other ways, upholding, traditional notions of beauty and strength.

I don’t create for comfort. I create to provoke. My work is a conversation with the viewer, sparking reactions, challenging perceptions, and inviting a deeper understanding of how we engage with the world around us. Whether through the elegance of a flowing line or the jarring intensity of bold color, each piece is an invitation to confront what lies beneath the surface.

Do you think there is something that non-creatives might struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can shed some light?

As an artist, I’ve come to realize that creating is a deeply personal act—one that cannot be dictated by trends, numbers, or the endless scroll of social media. There was a time when I fell into the rhythm of crafting pieces that would garner likes, shares, and comments. The thrill of seeing my work “perform” online gave me a rush, a feeling of accomplishment. But over time, I realized that this validation, while momentarily satisfying, could easily become a trap.

In moments of quiet reflection, I’ve learned that my art must first and foremost make sense to me. It has to speak to my experiences without the pressure of trying to satisfy an invisible audience. The need for external recognition has its place, of course, but I’ve come to understand that it cannot be my guiding star.

Sometimes, this means stepping away from my work entirely. It means giving myself the space to exist in the world, to gather new experiences, to breathe in life outside of the confines of the canvas or screen. This period of reflection isn’t a break from art—it’s a necessary step in my process of reconnection.

In this way, I’m realigning myself with the core of why I create in the first place. Art, for me, is not only a commodity to be consumed; it’s a language, and a way of understanding the world. If I am to remain true to myself, I must let my work speak on my terms, not on the terms of trends or algorithms.

Ultimately, I am creating for me—not for likes, not for followers, not for applause. When I create from this place, I find peace. I find my voice. And when I am ready, the work will find its way to others, not because it fits into a mold, but because it comes from a place of true self-expression.

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

Being an artist has been an incredibly fulfilling experience for me, as it allows me to see the world through both an analytical and a creative lens. Every movement I observe, every color I process, and every line—whether bold or imaginary—becomes part of the way I understand and engage with my environment. This dual perspective has deeply influenced how I create, pushing me to explore the balance between precision and expression in my work.

I specialize in drawing stylized characters, often place them against blank backgrounds. This minimalist approach is my way of imitating the bold, flashy aesthetic of graffiti—art that speaks loudly and unapologetically. It’s a style that thrives on energy and defiance, and I love the way it allows me to break away from the conventional. The way these characters interact with the emptiness around them, and how the color and lines stand out so starkly, is both a visual statement and an emotional one.

The beauty of being an artist is that it gives me the space to express my thoughts, emotions, and observations in ways that feel true to me. I love the freedom that comes with this identity—the freedom to see, interpret, and create something that reflects my unique perspective on life.

Contact Info:

• Website: http://www.illpixy.com
• Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/illpixy
• Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/illpixy
• Linkedin: http://www.linkedin.com/in/cxrole