What does art mean to you?

Art is all of the things to me. It’s the connection to my grandmothers and my parents and it’s my legacy. It’s everything I know. It’s a means of communication and at the same time, it’s my escape. Art is for sure the cause and cure to my chaos and I wouldn’t for a second want to know a world where it didn’t mean everything to me.

What is your creative process?

My process starts with my sketchbook. Always. It’s what Drake’s Blackberry with the side-scroll meant to him—it’s got my thoughts, sketches, ideas, love letters, plans, all of that. And it’s with me 24 hours a day. I start and end my day inside of that sketchbook. I spend some time listening to music, staring at the sketches and that’s when I start seeing colors and color palettes that could work with them. And from there, that’s when I grab one of those five-foot canvases and get to work.

We’ve had numerous side conversations about the importance of being a black woman in art–also from Chicago. Can you elaborate?

I didn’t have anyone to look up to who wasn’t my mama or one of my grandmothers to be very honest. I’m not saying those people weren’t there, but growing up, that’s just not what I saw. I don’t want this generation of little artsy Black girls to feel unseen. 

How has working with Kendall & Arte Haus helped your career?

Kendall is great, just an all-around great human being—like I would go door to door with a pamphlet just to tell people how great Kendall is. Him, Corree, and Myia are all family to me. Yeah, we work hard and they work even harder behind the scenes to make all the things I want come to life. But at the end of the day, they truly have my best interest at heart—they even make sure I’ve stopped to eat when I’m at the studio all day cause I probably didn’t and that’s real love.

What does art mean to you?

Art is my everything. Since childhood, it's been my natural inclination. Even before the foster system, I'd find myself alone often in a corner, letting my imagination run wild. As I grew, I drifted away from it, but at 19, art found me again, and I decided it was my lifelong path. It's my home, a safe space, best friend, pain, therapy, healing, light, and so much more. Grateful to create every day, I reconnect with the child within. The kid with so many big ideas finally gets to bring them to life through art. In a literal sense, I see art in everything—the couch I’m sitting on while answering these questions, the houses we live in, the sneakers, and everything we wear. It's at the base of every single thing we experience and obtain in this physical realm. Every physical creation started as a thought before becoming a tangible thing. Being able to turn a thought into a physical creation is magical to me. So yeah, art means everything to me in every way, shape, or form.

Could you share your path to becoming an artist? How has art shaped you?

As a young lad, I was painfully shy and timid, rarely interacting with other kids. Naturally, I gravitated towards art as an outlet, drawing on clothes, books, and notepads throughout elementary and high school. My timid nature intensified during the two years that I was in the foster system, marked by mental, physical, and emotional abuse in the majority of the homes where I stayed. I’m happy to share that my mom fought to get my siblings and I back, and she’s been clean for over 20 years. 

After graduating high school, fear of rejection kept me from applying to college. My mom sat me down one day to have a real conversation, and she told me, “Listen, I know you're going through what you're going through, I know you're experiencing what you're experiencing, but you cannot stay here in this house and do nothing. I'm just not going to allow that. You can either get a job or go to a community college. You have to do something.” So, I reluctantly went to community college, taking visual communication to learn the basics of graphic design. Though I stayed only a semester or two, I discovered a profound connection to art's freedom, igniting a hunger to create and solidifying my decision that art was my lifelong path. My journey involved homelessness, sleeping in my car, a strict ramen noodle diet (lol), and various emotions, but I knew art was my purpose. It's not just a passion; it's a calling to heal, inspire, and bring joy. Connecting with others through art warms my heart, as I empathize with those who, like me, have felt alone. I salute anyone chasing the feeling of freedom and personal healing through their art.

What are some of your biggest artistic influences and inspirations?

Currently, I'm drawn to artists like Basquiat, a Chef's Kiss for sure, Salvador Dali, Peter Saul (whom I love), George Kondo, Keith Haring, Hebru Brantley from my city, Chicago, who's laying down a blueprint that I find inspiring. Kaws is amazing, and I appreciate the surrealist paintings of Craola, especially his unique take on Alice in Wonderland. Honestly, I try to stay within my own space or lane to ensure originality. While I do check out events and museums, I'm cautious not to feel like I'm replicating someone else's work. My specific style involves collaging objects, words, colors, and phrases to tell specific stories, with each painting accompanied by a reference list. I understand every idea comes from something, but I strive to stay true to my style. There are many more artists I admire, but those off the top of my head are immensely talented, and I realize they play a significant role in why I can do what I do. Salute and respect to these great artists.

It has been an absolute pleasure to partner with you on this project because this is an initiative geared toward providing our platform to others. Can you talk about why you wanted to be a part of this moment with Kith?

No, thank you. Truly, thank you. Kith, to me, is a monumental brand with global recognition and top-tier taste, quality, and aesthetics. Meeting the team, especially you, Marlon, during one of the biggest commissioned projects I've done so far was a spiritual experience for me and confirmed that things were aligning on my path. Your energy, good spirit, and genuine heart made this opportunity truly amazing. As a young artist from the South Side of Chicago, the gravity of this opportunity is beyond words.

What is your creative process?

Music and nature are two major keys that unlock my creative process. Reading, researching, and everything from culture to past icons! Information informs my process. I have multiple styles and approaches to creating images. One day I could give you a big-scale hyperrealistic portrait and another day I could give you a loosely rendered, heavy-textured masterpiece where the brush strokes are alive! The second style is like Jazz because it’s all about creating in the now and allowing myself to be guided by a higher source.

Your work is very identifiable by the signature elongation of one’s neck in your art. Where does this come from? What gesture does this represent or indicate?

The Long Neck aesthetic in work has a few different meanings. At first glance, it gives the viewer a representation of dignity, confidence, and pride. With our heads held high, we can achieve greatness. It’s also a nod to Afro Futurism. Before an idea comes into fruition we have to be able to see into the future first, so the long necks are a metaphor for that idea.

Where do you see you and your art going in the next few years? Any specific goals in mind?

Sold out solo exhibitions and sold out print editions. Launching a new art business!

It has been an absolute pleasure to partner with you on this project because this is an initiative geared toward providing our platform to others. Can you talk about why you wanted to be a part of this moment with Kith?

It has been an absolute pleasure to partner with you on this project because it has been an enriching experience and what better way to represent our people than through one of the best brands in the world. This is a huge moment and one of the most detailed and quality-oriented brands that you can work with. Kith is the ideal platform! I’m beyond grateful for this opportunity.

Let's kick this off by telling our readers what The Arte Haus is and why you founded it.

The Arte Haus, born out of a conversation with my good friend and artist Hebru Brantley, is a collective that is dedicated to supporting artists and the art community. Our mission is to disrupt the traditional dynamics between artists, galleries, collectors, and major brands. We strive to reimagine management and representation in a way that enables artists to fully harness the potential of their creative practices, whether it be through murals, billboards, successful exhibitions, or collaborations with renowned brands like Kith.

In addition to challenging the norms of the art world, The Arte Haus is committed to making art more accessible and prevalent in everyday life. We envision a more inclusive environment where art is seamlessly integrated into our homes and surroundings. Through The Arte Haus, I aim to extend this accessibility by creating a platform that encourages continuous learning, sparks creativity, and champions the unwavering pursuit of artistic excellence for everyone.

Where do you see Arte Haus headed? Any next steps?

AH is committed to constantly evolving and becoming a well-rounded collective. With Corree and Myia from my team, I know the possibilities are endless. Our goal is to represent even more talented and innovative artists, pushing the boundaries of the art industry. We are also exploring the possibility of establishing a physical location to further support and showcase our artists. With these exciting developments, we are determined to challenge the norms and create a thriving and inclusive artistic community.

What is your creative process when it comes to helping provide both emerging and tenured artists with direction?

My creative process starts by establishing an authentic connection with the artist's work. I make it a point to support the artist before any professional engagement. When working with emerging talents, I concentrate on refining their identity, while with established artists, I encourage pushing boundaries within their existing body of work. The ultimate objective is to cultivate a mutually beneficial relationship where the artist's creativity thrives, and their work strikes a chord with a wider audience.

Can you talk about why you wanted to be a part of this moment with Kith?

I am truly amazed by Ronnie Fieg and the Kith brand. Ronnie has accomplished some extraordinary feats over the years. Marlon, you’ve led this project with exceptional skill. It is clear that this collaboration is not just another item on Kith's calendar. The intention behind it is to genuinely support and promote these artists, and Kith's platform is being shared to its fullest potential. It is also worth noting that this is Kith's first time partnering with a collective like The Arte Haus. Kudos to all of you for acknowledging how we intentionally support the artists and allowing us to be showcased alongside them.