Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Rae Pleasant. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Rae, thanks for joining us today. What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?

The most meaningful project I have undertaken is an oversized quilt during my 2021 artist residency at Touchstone Center for Crafts in rural Pennsylvania in the Appalachian Mountain range. I lived at Touchstone for a month in the dorms and walked down a path to the sprawling upstairs loft of a farm structure, overlooking the forest, where I was given a studio. It was one of the very few times I was treated with respect and dignity while dealing with an arts organization.

The process of making the quilt was an introspective time of peace and tranquility because I did not have to ‘perform’ as an artist, but focused solely on art making. Even the drive from Texas was part of this process. To construct the quilt, I used my own clothing, my families old clothing, and sourced other pieces from thrift stores. I am still working on the quilt to this day; completing the backing and boarder, correcting mistakes, adding fine details, and evolving its meaning. It’s not pretty or perfect, it’s a glob of fabric that has endless texture and holds lasting memories.

Rae, 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 have always dabbled in making illustrations or paintings and sewing, along with collecting vintage clothing to repair. When I travelled to New Zealand, my art practice was reinvigorated and I started to sell items I made or collected. I try to prioritize eco-friendly and reclaimed materials or economically priced supplies. I am inspired by my personal history and immediate surroundings, or I let the materials drive my process.

I have worked full-time, for many years, in the arts and other fields, along with undertaking several degrees. All the while, experiencing horrible treatment in these environments. This led me to practice art full time in 2018, but the COVID-19 quarantine of 2020 halted my initial business model of community events and fairs. I am still finding my path with art making and business, splitting my time between Tulsa, OK, and Texas.

Since October 2021, I’ve maintained an art studio in Tulsa in homage to the store fronts of the historic Greenwood District. I am a descendant of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre via my grandfather’s survival and the centennial celebrations inspired me to journey back to Tulsa and continue the tradition.

What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?

I think that society should view creative fields as a trade skill like any other. The manual labor involved in making art or craft is a skill and the peripheral knowledge gained is legitimate just like any other field. For so long, young people are told to get ‘real jobs’ in order to make good money, but movies, books, fashion, and art are generating millions of dollars every year. The people who work to make those things come to life are using very particular skills and knowledge. In turn, I think we, as artists, have to strive to better our trade skill and professionalize our services. I was once commissioned to create a custom children’s book for the same resort hotel where a major network reality tv show is filmed. They wanted the exclusive rights to the words, pictures, and characters…in under one month with no budget. It was a messy ordeal rife with unprofessionalism and I am still hashing it out in court. I was seen as a plaything and not a professional tradesman.

Do you think there is something that non-creatives might struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can shed some light?

I believe that anyone can make art and that everyone is an artist! The difference is the time and frequency we spend doing it and how far we take professionalizing those services. I think some artists will be financially successful artists and popular while others will have a smaller, local practice and that’s ok! The goal of many artists is not to be famous or super rich, so I think ‘non-creatives’ should make art free from the pressure of being a super star.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.pleasantfolk.com
• Instagram: @pleasantfolk

Image Credits
Photos by Rae Pleasant