We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Stanwyck Cromwell . We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Stanwyck below.

Stanwyck , looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?

As a kid, coming from a lineage of artists and creative people, from both sides of the family, I was naturally attracted to the visual arts and creativity. Everything I did, was inspired by art. I was surrounded by art, all of my life and found it to be a refuge, in times of agitation. At that time in my native country Guyana, there were certain negative stereotypes, surrounding being an artist. It was not until I came to America, in 1970, that I decided to pursue art, on a serious level.

Stanwyck , love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I’m a Guyanese-born visual artist and a retired Adjunct Art Professor, who have spent the vast amount of my adult life, in the USA. Despite my lengthy absence from my country of origin, my memories of Guyana, are richly abundant. A visual kaleidoscope from this exotic country, is referenced in my palette. The vibrancy of my colors, are reflective of my rich and diverse culture and heritage. Many of my fellow Caribbean artists, felt the need to tone down their colors, in an effort to adjust to the American landscape and also to camouflage their artistic identity. In direct contrast, I decided to retain and promote my cultural identity. As a family man, I realized the importance of financial stability, as it pertains to providing for one’s family, so I attended college, earned me a B.A and an M.F.A. Degree in Fine Arts. In an effort to solve art acquisition problems, I use my rich and diverse culture and heritage, to let potential collectors know, that they don’t have to go to the Caribbean to purchase “Caribbean”, and that I’m one phone call, or email away. I aspire to create an apex brand of art, that is visually and spiritually stimulating, with no dilutions.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

I’m a Guyanese-born, second-generation visual artist and a retired Adjunct Art Professor, who has spent the vast amount of my adult life, in the United States of America. Despite my lengthy absence, from my country of origin, my memories of Guyana, are rich and abundant. A visual kaleidoscope from this exotic land, is referenced in my art. Coming from a tropical country, where everything is referenced by color, my art radiates a colorful energy, that is both visually and spiritually stimulating. I find resiliency in being able to create artforms, that reflect my rich and diverse culture.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to

unlearn a lesson?

I’ve learned many lessons as an artist, but the one that stands out the most is, that as an artist of color, from another country, culture and custom, it is very important to embrace one’s culture and not try to confirm to another culture. Unlike some of my fellow Caribbean-born artists, who have deliberately changed their style and altered their color schemes, so as to fit in, I have decided to retain my cultural identity and created colorful artforms that that truly reveal my cultural identity

Contact Info:

• Website: www.stancromwell.com
• Instagram: stancromwell.com
• Facebook: Stanwyck Cromwell

Image Credits
All images were taken by me the artist, Stanwyck Cromwell