Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Yvonne Onque. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Yvonne, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?
As a young girl maybe 8 or 9 years old I wanted to become a “commericial artist”. Today we know them as graphic artists or graphic designers. As it turned out I fulfilled my aspirations by becoming one of the first graphic artists hired by the Newark Board of Education. From there and under the tutilage of my mentor Rudolph Martin I learned the craft and went on to establish Ankh Designs, my own graphic design business. Coupled with my other aspiration to express my creativity with fine art I have experienced a truly rewarding career path in both genres of visual arts.
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 come from a long family line rooted in the arts. From fine art to music we have expressed our artistic creativity for generations. I am inspired by the unlimited creativity I see in other artists. They inspire me to try many different approcahes and techniques to doing art. Thru drawing, painting, using mixed media, wearable or sustainable art, I’ve discovered that life itself is truly an art. How we each express that creative flow is what sets us apart from other. I am particularly proud when I can use my creativity to have postitive effect on others. My wearable art has been my most consistent way of doing that. God-S (goddess) Wearable Art has provided positive images for black and brown women in particular to adorn on clothing and accessories, in a larger more dominant culture that has sometimes fallen short of providing those types of images. .After my wearable art I find joy in the murals I’ve painted. They tend to have a wider reach and ability to convey the message behind the art. I think public art is extremely instrumental in promoting healthy and positive attitudes for those who experience it. Lastly my mixed media art also gives me fulfillment. I have used it to tell my own story be it personal, cultural or historical. Some of my art won’t traditionally hang on a wall but does speak to “my world” and how I see it.
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 think the lesson I had to unlearn is believing that you’ve failed if you arent able to be successful as you flow thru the mainstream. My life has taken several twists and turns that I was totally unprepared for. Some due to youthful ignorance. Others due to extenuating circumstances. Nevertheless they each taught me the there’s true value in following your heart’s desires and listening to those inner feelings that tend to haunt you if your don’t. Know thyself, to thine own self be true, follow your first mind, expect the unexpected, and so on are for me are “sacred” truths. Over the years as I entered into eldership they are even more sacred. Being an artist may not be as lucrative for some as being a brain surgeon, yet its perks are even more valuable when you measure personal fulfillment against monetary gain.
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
The most rewarding aspect of being an artist is that I can work and still do what I love. Art is in me. It’s my work, my fun, my relaxation and my therapy all wrapped up in one. I feel a sense of gratitude when I see others around me working hard at things they say they hate. That for me is unacceptable.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.3theartway.com
- Instagram: @god_swearableart @3theartway2
- Facebook: Yvonne Onque