We recently connected with Dasia-Ann Easie and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Dasia-Ann thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?

In 2023 I was invited to accompany a mission trip to Addis Abba Ethiopia, to use my talents in service. The task was to paint a mural in a classroom used as a learning space for vulnerable kids. My plan was to not only beautify the space, but also create positive visual representation of black children to aid in their development. I was beyond eager to accept the opportunity, but could have never predicted the impact it was about to have on me beyond the art.

I went with the intention of broadening my horizons, experiencing a new culture, and to expand my portfolio. And though I returned from the trip having done all that, I never anticipated the fire it would awaken in me to be a better human. Painting that mural was the first time I felt I truly used my talent for a purpose greater than myself. The experience was deeply emotional for me and was a ‘wakeup call’ of sorts. I realized I wanted to incorporate humanitarianism into my artistic journey. I learned so much just through the simple act of providing a service for the sole purpose of improving the quality of life of another. I came back home with the understanding that creating a non-profit was something necessary for me. Bringing that classroom to life with the help of my team, Knylah Fultz and Nahima Derival, was the first time I saw my work serve a purpose greater than personal fulfillment.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

My name is Dasia-Ann Easie, I go by Easie, and I’m a 23-year-old artist born and raised in Jamaica. Throughout life I’ve experienced many changes, many ups and downs, but the one thing that’s remained constant for me is my love of art. From as far back as I can remember art was always a tool of self-expression for me. From a little girl in grade 3 drawing pictures of a ‘happy life’ as means of coping, to the girl in grade 5 always drawing in the back of her notebooks, to the 23-year-old nursing school dropout committed to making art my career. For me, everything is art; everything I see, touch, make. It’s who I am. How I express. How I release.

For a while, as I was coming into adulthood, I had a hard time calling myself an artist. I thought in order to claim such a title I had to have a specialty, a focus, and I don’t. I do everything. I struggled with how to pitch myself to others. Because how does one say, “I paint, draw, do woodwork, experiment with tapestry, graphic design, pottery, and fifty other things I haven’t done yet”? Understanding what it is to be a multiple disciplinary artist completely changed the way I saw myself and my future. I take pride in my versatility and my ability to excel no matter the medium. I’ve since coined the term “Collective Artist” as a means of describing myself. To be a collective artist is to have no bounds, to have no true preference, I serve the art. There’s so much to discover and explore, and I intent to do as much of it as I can.

Over the years my art style has centered it’s self around black bodies, walking the line between femininity and androgyny, authenticity, and vulnerability. Though I do a lot of commission work for clients, my personal projects tend to be different iteration of self-portraits. My portraits have taken form through paintings, drawings, and even pottery. It’s a series I’m exploring as a means of getting ‘closer to myself’ as I navigate womanhood. Though I haven’t announced it yet, my big project for 2024 will take form as an art show in late August exploring the theme of ‘getting closer to yourself’. It’ll serve as a platform for not just me, but other artists wanting to show some insight on their journeys.

Art is a means of communication; it fosters community in some of the most beautiful ways I’ve seen. I am endlessly inspired. The goal is to continue to build. Not Just for myself, but to create something that lives beyond me. I don’t have it all figured out by any means, but I’m genuinely enjoying the journey.

My brand “By Easie” will continue to serve as means for me to express, no matter the medium.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

The most rewarding thing for me about being an artist is watching my art do work for me. So many of my projects start as scribbles or a simple sketch; and I’ve gotten the opportunity to watch these scribbles and sketches open doors and put me in new spaces. I started 2023 with the desire to be around more of my artistic peers. And just through continuing to put in the work and share what I do I was invited to be a part of an amazing organization, New Art. New Art is a platform for the discovery of specialized creative talent and serving as aid in uniquely telling artists’ stories. It’s been such a privilege getting to work alongside like-minded driven individuals all looking to ‘build’ something in their lifetime. By the end of 2023 came the opportunity to go do artwork in Africa. I would have never stepped foot in the ‘Motherland’ at the age of 23 had it not been for my art. Putting in work to create the art, then in tern watching it do work for me is always mind blowing.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

My creative journey, at its core, is driven by the love I have for life and myself. I’ve had to overcome so much physically, emotionally, spiritually; things that should have broken me. Understanding the path I’ve traveled and the resilience it took to still maintain my love and optimism for life has recycled itself into a constant form of motivation for me. Ultimately the end goal is to create a life I’m proud of, a life that makes me happy. Every project, every decision, every risk is taken to get closer to that goal.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://byeasie.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/byeasie/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBW1tF-0sn-lTvLxUCxerBw