|
|
| INTERVIEW WITH DAWN OKORO:::::::::: by Gbenga Teejay Okunlola |
11/21/2009 |
|
As the saying goes, “It is true that without art there is no life...Without life there is no culture...” Artist, innovator, animal lover, hostess, organizer, speaker….this woman does it all! It is a great honour to meet and interview Dawn Okoro. I am thrilled to know her! Dawn is one of my inspirations. She shows me the possibilities that are there in art if you just open up your creative centers and let fly with the imagination. Oh yeah, combine with that lotta hard work, blood, sweat and maybe tears along the line. But it’s all worth it. Dawn Okoro, a painter is an embodiment of art. She’s an accidental celebrity consort and a portrait artist to the stars. Dawn has teamed up with Erykah Badu to raise awareness for the singer’s non-profit organization, and has had Shaun Robinson of “Access Hollywood” and Victoria’s Secret model Nichole both commission portraits. She’s shown artwork in London, Paris, and even sent a painting to a show in Australia whose organizer turned out to have appeared in a recent “Star Wars” flick. Dawn’s art has recently graced the pages of reputable magazines such as Paris-based “CLAM” magazine. With minimal self-promotion, Okoro has managed to sell several dozen paintings and has developed cadres of collectors in Dallas, New York and Los Angeles. What more can I say? Not only is she multi-talented, she is an exotic beauty. Rarely does one come across a being as strong and determined as this lovely sista.
The Voice: When did you first realize you are an artist Dawn?
Dawn: I have loved creating art since I was around four years old. My mom showed me how to draw a basic human form and I took off from there. I was drawing on any piece of paper I could find around the house and all over the walls!
The Voice: What is it that inspires you to paint a particular subject and how are you motivated when things get tough in the studio?
Dawn: I am very interested in the human form. Facial expression and body language tell a story; I aim to capture that story within my paintings. I like to photograph my subjects as if the image were going to be in a fashion magazine. Then I paint from the photograph, taking artistic liberty to add bright, saturated colors.
The Voice: How would you describe your work and the challenges you have faced?
Dawn: One of the biggest challenges I have faced lately is finding the time and resources to create my work in spite of other major events going on in my life. I didn’t get to create some of the art that I wanted to over the past few years.
The Voice: Were you struggling with just formal ideas of making a painting rather
than what a painting meant?
Dawn: I did have to take a step back at one point and ask myself what my artwork
meant to me.
The Voice: What famous artists have influenced you, and how?
Dawn: I am influenced by Andy Warhol for his incorporation of pop culture and heavily saturated colors. I am also very influenced by photographers like Richard Avedon and Steven Meisel for their abilities to tell a story and create a strong composition.
The Voice: How would your life change if you were no longer allowed to create art?
Dawn: If I were not allowed to create art, then I would focus my creative energy
somewhere else. I would be focused more on law and legal work.
The Voice: Are you a spiritual person?
Dawn: I do believe in a higher power.
The Voice: Are you an “artist” or a “painter”?
Dawn: I am both. I am an artist who paints. I do plan to expand my practice into other mediums such as sculpture and film in the future.
The Voice: How has your work evolved over the years from when you where beginning?
Dawn: Yes, my work has evolved over the years. I have known for as long as I remember that I like creating figurative work, but I am more focused now, style-wise.
The Voice: What is your family background? Were there any artists or creative
types in the family?
Dawn: I come from a working class family in Texas. I am the oldest of five children. I am the only visual artist in my immediate family, but my mom and sisters are interested in creating music.
The Voice: What upcoming series, projects, shows etc do you have coming up?
Dawn: My work is going to be on exhibition at the Texas Biennial from soon in Austin, Texas. I am also working on a series of paintings to be shown at the California African American Museum later this year.
The Voice: Do you always paint women?
Dawn: Most of my paintings are of women, but I plan to incorporate some male forms in some of my upcoming paintings.
The Voice: Do you have collectors?
Dawn: I am honored to have many collectors.
The Voice: What do you do for fun (besides art)?
Dawn: I really enjoy watching movies either at the theatre or at home. I have one of those accounts that allows me to rent DVDs by mail.
The Voice: How have you handled the business side of being an artist?
Dawn: I think I’ve handled it pretty well so far; I haven’t had many business disasters yet.
The Voice: Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
Dawn: I see myself branching out into some other business ventures besides fine art.
The Voice: Tell me more about your latest series of paintings and where you are going with them.
Dawn: Currently, I am photographing interesting people that I come across. Then
I am creating paintings based on those photographs. I am photographing people while they are wearing what they consider their best outfit. This allows the subject to let her own style show. I want to explore the effects of consumerism.
The Voice: What advice would you give to an artist just starting out?
Dawn: Focus on creating amazing work.
The Voice: How did you meet Erykah Badu? What’s she like?
Dawn: The first time I met Erykah was when I came along with a photojournalist
who was shooting a story about her at the time. She is a very cool and down to earth person.
The Voice: The last film you watched at the cinema?
Dawn: Although enjoy going to the cinema I haven’t been to one in a very long time. The last movie I saw inside the cinema was “Iron Man.” However, I have seen some more recent movies on dvd at home.
The Voice: Tell me, what qualities do you look for in a man?
Dawn: Just like most people, I have a long list of qualities that I look for; some of those qualities are more flexible than others. The most important quality is that the person is good-hearted.
The Voice: Favourite holiday destination?
Dawn: I don’t really have a favorite holiday destination, but I do like the outdoors and warm ocean views.
The Voice: Last time you cried?
Dawn: The last time I cried was probably a few weeks ago. I was probably stressed
out.
TThe Voice: Most embarrassing thing that has happened?
Dawn: Hmm. . . . I am not able to think of any embarrassing moments right now.
The Voice: Favourite book?
Dawn: I am a fan of books by Zora Neale Hurston.
The Voice: Name five things we don’t know about you?
Dawn: My favorite color is purple. I used to play the violin. I am very introverted.
I have two cats. I am in law school and I just got an “A” on my paper about the death penalty.
The Voice: Annoying habits?
Dawn: Not that I am aware of.
The Voice: How would you like to be remembered?
Dawn: I want to be remembered as a good person who created art that people enjoyed.
For contact: www.dawnokoro.com
|
|
|
|
| Comments | Post your comment |
Fine interview. I think Gbenga Teejay Okunlola is one of your(THE VOICE)'s finest writers. Well done to all of u guys at TV...
Commented by: Tom
on: Thursday, January 07, 2010 15:35
|
|
 |
|
|
|
