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[[File:EF2020-3_Page_11.jpg|266px|thumb|right|The article as it appears on page 9.]]
An Interview with Two Unicorns (view source)
Revision as of 00:11, 16 February 2021
, 00:11, 16 February 2021no edit summary
| italic title = An Interview with Two Unicorns<!--(Article title goes here and in the 'name' field below.)-->
| name = An Interview with Two Unicorns
| image = EF2020-3_Page_11.jpg<!--(If no good single image is suitable, use a screenshot of the first page of the article)-->
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| alt = The article as it appears on page 9.| caption = The article as it appears on page 9.<!--(If the infobox photo needs a caption, that can be put in this field.)-->
| author = Clarence D. Meriweather<!--(use {{unbulleted list|Author One|Author Two|Author Three}} to list multiple authors or subjects)-->
| illustrator =
| website = {{unbulleted list|[http://wiki.caricature.org/wiki/EF_PDFS/EF201?.?.pdf Full Issue PDF],|courtesy of {{URL|caricature.org}}}}
}}
Interview conducted via email by Clarence D. Meriweatherwith additional editing by Craig Israel__NOTOC__
==Article Transcript==
[[File:EF2020-3_Page_12.jpg|266px|thumb|right|The article as it appears on page 10.]]
[[File:EF2020-3_Page_13.jpg|266px|thumb|right|The article as it appears on page 11.]]
15 years.</br>
'''Where are you based and who do you work for?'''</br>ARIE: Currently, I live in Kansas City, Missouri and I work for myself under Drawlikecrazy Studios LLC. I also work as a contracted caricature artist for events, trade shows and parties.</br>KRYSTAL: Allentown, Pennsylvania.
I don’t work for anyone per se, but
I am listed as an independent contractor on About Faces Entertainment
'''Do you think there is a need for a collective for caricature artists of color?'''
<br>ARIE: I would love to see that, but I don’t
think it is absolutely necessary. Artists
tend to be naturally very introverted and
of black artists.
'''What are your long-term goals as a caricaturist?'''<br>ARIE: I want to continue to grow my
business and work with great creators
doing shows and events and maybe
my other passion and fund it with my
caricature business and lifestyle.<br>
<br>KRYSTAL: I love doing events, I’ll do
them until my hands don’t work. It
would be awesome to acquire the
into digital event services, for remote
or live entertainment—that’s a great place where [ISCA could provide
support].<br>
'''How do you feel about the BlackLives Matter movement?'''<br>ARIE: As far as social climate in terms of
Black Lives Matters and racism in this
country, I would say things have not
those that support my work and want
to have me as their artist.
<br>KRYSTAL: I feel as though it’s wildly
misunderstood. I understand that violence
and rioting are heavily associated
movement isn’t the prob.
'''How has the present social climateaffected you, your work or yourcreativity?'''<br>ARIE: The biggest way I have been
affected has been COVID-19 closing
down everything. One of the things I
while I am on the road. The financial
effects are also very real.
<br>KRYSTAL: It’s an emotional rollercoaster.
I feel as a collective, a lot of
black artists are extremely inspired
And that comes with its own problems.
'''Have you experienced any racism orbigotry while working?'''<br>ARIE: Yes, and also sexism. I have had
male artists get upset or jealous because
I had a line of people waiting to
drawn. I say it is their loss. They just
aren’t my customer.
<br>KRYSTAL: I would honestly be here
all day if I addressed everything. I’ve
always been the “token black person”
draw too.” Hey, maybe it’s not a racism
thing, but it’s certainly annoying and
stands out the most for me. I’ve beenexpected to answer questions on behalfof all black people for other caricaturistsa lot. Not like in this interview, but reallyignorant questions that always startout with “Why do black people...?”. Ifyou’re reading this, and you do that, stopdoing that. I’ve been the butt of manystereotypical jokes that I brushed off formany years. My actual butt has been thebutt of jokes—don’t get me started onsexual harassment in the art industry. I’vefound out that I was being paid less thanthe artists around me. Been accused ofstealing when other artists around werenot being accused of stealing. I alwaysget nervous going to events because Iwonder if they know they hired a blackperson and what their guests will be liketowards me. '''Which artists inspire you or do you follow on social media?'''<br>ARIE: I follow a lot of artists! There areso many people whose work I reallyadmire and I feel proud to also be ableto call them my friends. Sam Seller,Christian Meesey, Beeyjay Hawn, CandyBriones, Damion Dunn, Alex Casanova,Garret and Cece Holt, Tom Richmond,Javier Gonzalez....the list goes on andon. Such wonderful, inspiring people. Ifeel blessed to have worked with mostof them and call some of them my bestfriends. All of them are hard workersand amazingly talented.KRYSTAL: Tim Reed was the man whohired me in 2005 and I will always look athim as a mentor, an amazing artist andfriend. Amanda Hackert and Dennis Hartare very good friends and amazing artists.Who doesn’t like Tony Sobota? I’ve alsohad the pleasure of working alongsidegreat artists like Nick Mitchell and SeanGardner. There is a very talented and respectfulblack caricaturist named ReggieFerguson in Atlanta whose work I enjoyand who I appreciate. '''Do you have any words of encouragement for aspiring artists?'''<br>ARIE: Don’t give up on yourself,especially if you are just starting out.I remember being extremely self-consciousabout my work for a very longtime. I compared myself to a lot of othersaround me constantly. Then one day Idecided I needed to accept the way Idrew because a person’s style of drawingis ingrained like a fingerprint. No matterhow one tries to mimic someone else, italways comes back to your underlyingstyle no matter what you do, so just beyourself, work with what you’ve got andask others who you love for tips and helpso you can improve on your God-giventalent in your own way. Then get outthere and share it with folks and have funmaking money! In the end, beauty trulyis in the eye of the beholder. One personmight hate how I draw while anotherperson sheds tears of joy over it becauseit moved them so much. Be yourself,work hard and reach high. Only you canset your limits.<br>KRYSTAL: Consistency is key. Don’tcompare your work to others, just aspireto always learn from the people youadmire and to improve.
==See Also==
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