Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Lamar Mathurin. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Hi Lamar, thanks for joining us today. Let’s jump back to the first dollar you earned as a creative? What can you share with us about how it happened?
This is a rather challenging for me. Initially, I didn’t even consider my first payment as a payment; it was a beer. A Lone-star specifically, back when I drank beer. I’d rather tequila these days, as that was many years ago. I even remember the location being at Halcyon on 4th st. During that time, I was juggling two jobs – one during the day as a customer service agent at a call center and the other at night as a busboy at Sullivan’s Steakhouse downtown on 4th and Colorado. In between my shifts, I’d often stop for a coffee to keep myself awake and energized. My coffee breaks were a window into a world of diverse personalities. I had the opportunity to meet all sorts of people, one of whom was a cook from Lavatka Street Bar on 3rd Street. This was back in 2016. He was a striking character, with dreadlocks, a massive beard, and pants that seemed to have more pockets than pants. But what stood out most about him was his perpetual smile. He seemed ever-alert, as if he were ready to climb a tree at any moment.
I will be honest, I was more cynical back then, and my demeanor often carried a sense of weariness. It felt odd to be around him because while I was disenchanted with my work, he genuinely relished his. He enjoyed what he did from where I stood, and it showed in his demeanor. One day, I noticed a change in him during one of my coffee stops at Halcyon. He sat there with a beer, looking more troubled than happy. That’s when I decided to sketch him.
After I’d completed the sketch, I approached him without uttering a word and showed him the drawing. As he gazed at it, a faint smirk spread across his face. He eventually looked up at me and said, ‘ it’s that obvious, huh?’ With a subtle grin still lingering, he headed to the bar with a slower paced walk, and brought me a Lone Star.
‘I’ll be better tomorrow,’ he said, expressing what I assumed was gratitude for the drawing. I offered him the sketch, but he insisted I keep it. ‘It’s unlucky to rip pages out of books,’ he remarked, still wearing the smirk.
Lamar, 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?
I’m an Illustrator at heart, and at present, I’ve taken a step back from my previous work as a comic illustrator to focus on portraiture. This decision allows my upcoming projects the time they need to fully develop in my mind and gives my wrist a well-deserved break. I’ve discovered that this approach not only grants me the space to sketch less frequently but also allows me to be more present while subtly expanding my skill set to sustain myself. This endeavor has been a source of both inspiration and stability for me. It has provided a valuable opportunity to connect with and contribute to my local community here in Austin. Additionally, it has allowed me to see Austin through a fresh lens as the years go by. My curiosity leads me to various spots, from familiar bars and coffee shops to new places and events where I can sketch people. My current clients are individuals, and I strive to enhance the ambiance of each location where I work, whether it’s Halcyon Downtown, Zilker Brew Co. on the East side of 6th Street, ABGB, or Revival Coffee and the list continues. One of my preferred places to create portraits, due to my long-standing connection with the owners, is Buzzmill. I’ve been drawing people there since around 2016. Each place I work with offers a unique experience, and I’ve developed a distinctive relationship with every venue. Currently, my specialization lies in drawing portraits with a noir style of ink and brush. I find immense joy in the process, and it’s deeply satisfying to see how my clients appreciate the final results and the experience of being professionally portrayed. When I set up at one of the establishments I collaborate with, my goal is not just to make a living but also to provide a good time for all. I display my red umbrella sign with my portrait pricing and estimated turnaround time. I have a tradition of drawing the first person who expresses interest for free.
What’s particularly gratifying is how people from different tables, chairs, and friend groups tend to unite as they observe my work and participate in the portrait experience. Witnessing this transformation is truly humbling. Those who engage with my art usually leave with brighter spirits. Individuals who were once strangers often become friends after sharing this unique experience, and the businesses I collaborate with benefit from a compelling reason for customers to discuss and relish their time there. It’s a beautiful and heartwarming cycle that keeps me inspired and passionate about my work.
Is there mission driving your creative journey?
My goals have remained remarkably consistent since I was a child. I used to spend hours in libraries, sketching on computer paper while engrossed in comics and manga that they had way in the back section of the library. The idea of creating my own comic fascinated me from an early age, and I made several attempts as a kid. I vividly recall my struggles with fitting my stories onto folded pieces of paper, desperately trying to replicate the look and feel of a real comic. I was perplexed by the intricacy of the drawings in comic shops and how artists managed to convey so much detail on the standard 6 7/8 x 10 1/2-inch comic paper. As a child, I often thought, ‘I can’t draw that small.’ However, a turning point came during one summer when a kind librarian, who had taken a special interest in me, explained that the drawings in books were not indeed actually small, but printed that way. I look back and think to myself, were they trying to spare me of my frustrations as 8 year old trying to make my drawings tiny, or were the Liberians trying to save staples and stacks of paper, ha! This revelation led me to the realization that I needed to delve deeper into the creative process. Years have passed since then, and I’ve come a long way. I’ve finally figured out how to master the art of crafting intricate drawings on such small paper, though I have yet to master the quality in which I look to draw them in. All this to say my journey has led me to the pursuit of creating my own graphic novel, ‘GUMBO.’ While this project is temporarily on hold due to some wrist issues stemming from years of drawing, I like to believe that this downtime will only serve to enhance the quality of the story. I’m grateful for this opportunity to refine my craft and look forward to sharing ‘GUMBO’ with the those who are curious once my wrist is fully healed.
How did you build your audience on social media?
Social media is a complex, love-hate relationship. It’s a powerful tool with immense potential, and I sincerely hope it evolves into something that contributes more to our lives than it detracts. Personally, I’ve found that it can sometimes be both helpful and harmful. At times, I see exactly what I want to see, but on other occasions, I’m confronted with things I’d rather avoid. This mixed experience can be detrimental, especially for those striving to share their work without falling victim to distractions or being overshadowed by the noise in the digital landscape. The current incentive structures in place often leave much to be desired. However, I remain open to alternative perspectives on the internet’s current state. I’ve tried various approaches to grow my Instagram presence, but many of them proved unsuccessful, leading me to the realization that sometimes, success comes when you least expect it. Or in my case trying without trying. During the challenging times of the pandemic, when we were confined to our homes, I made a sincere effort to connect with other artists I admired and even those who might have been overlooked, like myself. I channeled my energy into hosting live streams and engaging in meaningful conversations about their art, creative processes, and the day-to-day challenges of their artistic journeys. At that time, I didn’t consider myself a professional artist, which made these conversations all the more valuable.
One of my most cherished interviews was with my mentor and friend, Viktor Kalvachev. I conducted around 40 live streams, averaging two to three sessions a week, each lasting about an hour. Because these interactions took place in real-time, people who were fans of the artists I was speaking to often discovered my work through these live streams, creating a connection and a platform for my own creative endeavors.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://gumbo-novel.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nimbus.black/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/Nimbus_Black
Image Credits
The photos of me were taken by AJ Webb here in Austin. You can contact him for his services at: [email protected] or his social media at: https://www.instagram.com/ajwebbdigital/