We were lucky to catch up with Malique Pye recently and have shared our conversation below.

Malique, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?

My most meaningful project I have worked on is my self portrait exploration. I am exploring self portraits with photography and story telling. I have had self image issues stemming from childhood and I have never fully come to terms with the image of myself, always seeking improvement. I came to the idea of how to work on this for my mental health while looking at photos of myself during training for a MMA fight. Looking at the images I was in shape and the most lean I have ever been, but I remember not wanting to face myself in the mirror because I wasn’t good enough.I have never been able to appreciate myself in the moment. By deciding to start the self portraits I have been forcing myself to look at myself like I look at other people. Seeing how I can create art with myself and bringing out the best qualities of myself. It has been an uncomfortable process but it has helped me ease my expectations and critique of myself, at the same time it is helping me with posing models for photoshoots. I did not expect this to be a short term project, it is something I know I will be working on for a while to grow as a person and an artist.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I started drawing as a baby, like most people I know, but as I grew drawing was freeing for me. I was in another world when I could create something, anything that could leave a mark I would use. Rocks on concrete, sticks in dirt, fingers in mud; if I could use it I would. Art and animals were, and still are, my two main passions that bring clarity and a sense of purpose to my life and I have been fortunate enough to find work in both fields. As I grew and experimented with mediums I began to find an understanding of using art as my voice and what I want to say with it. My art teachers were some of my biggest influences providing space for me to create uninhibited and creating opportunities for me to create more. I am also incredibly fortunate and grateful to my family for allowing me to explore and supporting my drive to create. I have practiced and experimented with all forms and mediums of art, graphite, charcoal, pastels, paints of all mediums, sculpture, literary, dance, cinematography, tattoo, and photography. I believe that there is no one war of creating art and that each medium has its strengths to tell a different story, and I want to be able to use all the tools available to me to express myself. I think that is one thing that sets me apart from my counterparts, having the ability to look at things from different perspectives and see how they can best conveyed. When I approach a piece, I take in to consideration how I feel, how I want the viewer to feel, and what I can do to achieve both goals; colors, composition, textures etc. The work I am most proud of is the work that is a direct reflection of my voice, it is not a single piece but the idea behind it. I know when I create from my heart and my voice, that those emotions are conveyed strongly and thoroughly. After I finish those pieces there is a sense of accomplishment and fulfillment that fills me and reassures me why I create. Currently my work is primarily in the photography field, while I still draw and paint, I have begun school in pursuit of my BFA in Photography. Working towards my career goal of working as a freelance photographer in the sports field; hoping to work with companies like Red Bull, Nation Geographic, Monster Energy, MotoGP, and World Rugby; also creating work to show in galleries that continue to tell stories and express my creative mind. My ultimate career goal is to have my own studio where I can paint and work on photography projects and hold space for artist who have gone through similar struggles like myself, trying to learn, find funding, and gain exposure. As much as art is a individual career, without a community it is lonely and incredibly tough to keep the desire to continue.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

I think my story in itself is a story of resilience but if I were to speak on one aspect of it I would say I was most tested in roughly 2015-2016. I was living with a friend in our own apartment, working full-time and part time, and began going to school from part time to full-time. During this time I did everything I could to provide for myself and continue working on my art, I slept about 4 hours on average while juggling my time between classes, working full-time at a pet resort, picking up shifts on a horse farm when possible, and painting on the side. At this time I was taking any painting commissions that came my way to make do, often being taken advantage of and several times not being compensated for my work. During this time it took everything in me to not give up, I in fact almost did if it were not for one of my professors; Professor Orenduff. I met with her and told her my frustrations and my thoughts on dropping out of school and art, after a long talk and discussion of my portfolio she pointed me in the direction of going to art specific schools and assured me that I have what it takes to find success. After our discussion I left with more options and ideas, and a new vigor to create. I stopped taking commissions just for monetary purposes and found my focus again.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

An important lesson I learned was to value myself and my art, and not place the potential clients wants over my needs. When taking commission work I did not want to let down or disappoint the client. Often adjusting my rates to fit what they wanted to spend. This led to me over working myself trying to maintain what I thought was professionalism and creating a burnout in myself. When I began implementing this mindset and valuing myself, my time, and my skills more it drew in people who felt the same way I do about my art. I still deal with being undervalued but I now have the confidence to know my worth and appreciate my work.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.maliquepyephoto.com
• Instagram: Malique3_14
• Facebook: Malique Pye Photo
• Linkedin: Malique Pye

Image Credits
East by North Dance, Amelia Island Dance Festival, Jacksonville Dance Theatre,