We were lucky to catch up with Daaja Sutton recently and have shared our conversation below.
Daaja, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Can you take us back in time to the first dollar you earned as a creative – how did it happen? What’s the story?
the best way to describe the feeling is warmth. i had signed up for a local artist’s pop up shop in atlanta, ARThouse, this was in about early 2020 just before the pandemic really took effect. the feeling of not knowing whether or not you’ll attract people to your booth let alone not knowing if you’ll make a sale is definitely a scary one. especially if you’re already not one for socializing and trying to sell yourself but there’s always going to be somebody ready to support your craft and support they did. the same customers even came back hours later during the event to show me they changed into the hoodies that they bought from me and they were telling everyone they came across exactly where they got it from. that’s love. i needed that kind of love because it was the biggest confidence booster alive. even when people don’t spend money, though, you have to love the love they’ll give you via a follow on social media or a repost or something along those lines
Daaja, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
oh okay so HELLO, i am Daaj and i consider myself to be a creative. for me, that’s a very broad blanket statement cuz i’ve dipped my toy in a large amount of visual arts lately. i specialize in painting and drawing, but i consider myself proficient in clay, resin, jewelry and yarn art as well. i’ve been a creative since i could pick up a pencil, and i’d say my bigger accomplishments have been simply getting my art out into the public eye at all in the last 5 years or so. thats what i think is the hardest part of it all sometimes, getting the confidence to collect your favorite pieces so you can approach the public like “HEY i made all this stuff, come and buy it maybe?!” there’s enough room for every creative to have a seat at the table to eat, and thats all i’m looking for in my clientele, really. artsy folks or alternative folks who love art to support each other and spread that love. mostly i prefer to sell clothing items, like hoodies, tshirts and homemade crochet iteems and resin jewelry. i’ll do a painting for people, but i think my art style is far more suited for the wearable. i want to be able to walk down the beltline and see one person wearing one of my hoodies and another one wearing my pants. or even both! to see daaj brand become a locally known gem in the black art underground community
Can you share your view on NFTs? (Note: this is for education/entertainment purposes only, readers should not construe this as advice)
i need everyone to understand how silly they truly are. you know how in the 90s, people were buying stars? that’s how i see NFTs. you bought a star.
Is there mission driving your creative journey?
the mission of spreading the love and the support especially amongst black creatives. that was one of my stipulations for doing another one of these interviews — i need as many of the local artist homies to make it as possible. i strongly believe that everyone deserves to do what they love and we all have our own sets of talents, aspirations and general abilities. the city and other ones like it have bred such amazing creatives i just need to see everyone win. even if it means my own creative journey is slowed because i’m too busy boosting everybody else, that’s fine. i’ll get there eventually. but, it seems like everyone can be a little TOO focused on their own come up to boost anybody else. which i get, it just isn’t the way i’m trying to live my artsy lifestyle that’s all. i don’t know how comfortable i’d be able to sit at the top if i know i had to kick so many people down on my way there lol
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @jeezdaaja @dodgebutsofter
- Twitter: @shutupdaaja