We caught up with the brilliant and insightful DooWop Byrd a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi DooWop, thanks for joining us today. Can you talk to us about how you learned to do what you do?

Born from a creative mother and father, I have been an artist as long as I can remember. I was always the little kid with paints and coloring books at the ready. Art found a way to weave in and out of my life throughout the years. Fashion school, music school, small art businesses, etc. Surrounding myself with creative friends and living in creative spaces has definitely changed my outlook on life. I have worked as an art assistant to Plastic Jesus which really helped inspire the next steps of my art career. Currently, I specialize in faux food contemporary art that consists of sculptures, wall art, lamps, tables, and wearable pieces all inspired by food. It still amazes me that I have found my own way to produce some trompe-l’œil. I am so excited for the future projects that I have in store!

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

Hi! I”m DooWop! I am a Multidisciplinary Artist from Los Angeles, CA. I would say that I am currently recognized for my fake food sculptures and commercial actor work. I love being an artist and rebelling against what society thinks a Black Woman should be doing with her life. I have always been a creative person, I have had many different artistic adventures that have led me to my current business. I am lucky enough to be taken under the wing of Plastic Jesus who is a very successful modern contemporary artist from the UK. It means so much when an artist that you admire sees the light in you. I am most proud of my journey and where I am going from here!!

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can provide some insight – you never know who might benefit from the enlightenment.

I think that non-creatives have a hard time understanding why I “go dark” at times. I have to disappear to be inspired to create and I do it best when I am isolated. I create all hours of the day and night so I require distance from others. Being an artist definitely requires discipline and that means having boundaries to obtain your goals. If I could give my younger self some advice, I would tell her to focus more on herself and let go of people and things that don’t serve you and support your dreams.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

A very important longterm goal of mine to achieve is to show my work at a major gallery and host my own solo show. I want to share my art with the entire world and I want to do so on a bigger stage than I have already. I would love to have a large enough creative studio to make all of the pieces that I imagine and sketch. I need a lot of space for my work. With showing more art in larger spaces, I feel as if I would be able to finance the creative space that I dream of.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://ithoughtthatwascake.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ithoughtthatwascake/
• Other: TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ithoughtthatwascake?traffic_type=others&referer_url=amp_ithoughtthatwascake&referer_video_id=7148529140478577966

Image Credits
Josh A Katz