We had the good fortune of connecting with Sydney “FATIGUE” Mvrcus and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi FATIGUE, what role has risk played in your life or career?
I whole heartedly believe in the quote “no risk no reward”. In 2006 I risked my car braking down and being stranded on the side of the road in order to chase my dreams. In a 1989 Jeep Cherokee with a dreadful gas leak, a coolant leak, and a slow tire leak from a nail protrusion, I set my sails to Atlanta Georgia. I pursued my creative talents in Georgia up until 2019, when I felt the universe push me to move to Los Angeles California. Yet again with no hesitation, I took another risk and drove straight from Atlanta to Los Angeles with only one hour of sleep and worn out rear brake pads. My late great uncle Joseph came along with me for the ride to make sure I arrived safely, but sadly a few months lately he passed away from complications due to cancer. A part of me feels like it was destined for me to move to LA. Since relocating, I’ve had some amazing accomplishments with my art. From exhibiting at Coolkicks on Melrose in the middle of the pandemic and having my art seen by millions of people and being featured on Sports Center Instagram, to my art being exhibited in the “Heirs To The Throne” art experience in the Beverly Center Mall. The show went so well I was invited to showcase more of my work at the Lost Warhols art gallery owned by Karen Bystedt also located in the Beverly Center Mall. All thanks to my friend Robby Devine, who at the time helped curate the gallery. As a direct result of this opportunity, I was blessed to collaborate with Bang & Olufsen in Beverly Hills on a special edition of the popular Beoplay A9 speaker featuring my artwork the “X-Ray”. I recently showcased my art work at The Los Angeles fashion week located at the Majestic downtown. I’m so grateful of all these opportunities in such a small amount of time, and honestly I’m just getting started. Big things are coming so stay tuned.
Please tell us more about your work. We’d love to hear what sets you apart from others, what you are most proud of or excited about. How did you get to where you are today professionally. Was it easy? If not, how did you overcome the challenges? What are the lessons you’ve learned along the way. What do you want the world to know about you or your brand and story?
In order to convey what sets me apart from others, here’s my depiction of my style of art and a snap shot of what I want the world to know about my story.
A sense of style runs not only in my veins but also on my canvas. People gravitate to my work for its vibrant colors, modern appeal and cool factor. With an open-minded approach to the art world, I always remind those of us not to take life so seriously but to have fun. Hailing from Waterproof, Louisiana, and known by the name FATIGUE, which is an acronym for Faith And Trust In God Ultimately Exists, I feel that I have an unorthodox exploration of the art elements. Known by the name Fatigue , which is an acronym for faith and trust in God, ultimately exists. At a young age, my mother introduced me to coloring books, in which I mastered outlining and coloring within the lines. After my mother’s passing, her lessons stuck with me inspiring my career, making the lines of precision a branded technique of my work. As a graduate of Jackson State University with a major in art and concentration in graphic design,
I use various mediums from acrylic to copper coil. There are no limits to my creativity, no niche, no box, no particular style to my work. You never know what to expect from me. Art is genuinely expressive, and I want to be able to create anything that gives me life.
Anytime I do art, I create it, I live with it, and then I put meaning to it. The
originality and art intelligence of predecessors like Jean-Michel Basquiat and Andy Warhol have also inspired me to create high work levels. With my spirituality to keep me grounded, I stay connect to the most high. My mental freedom is attributed to my mindfulness and meditation practice and coupled with the power of visualization, which is an essential component of my work. I’m always beginning with the ending in mind. I consider my work an extension of my personality, bold yet risky, arbitrary, limitless, and unorthodox. Creating art allows me to become free in thought while tapping into my infinite creative intelligent side. I am a bit random with my art. I can go from creating graphic life-size nostalgic cartoon pop art with bold precise outlines to designing geometric abstract paintings. I have also done ceramic sculptures of a sneaker to stretch my limits. I believe that the level of success that one can accomplish is limitless and infinite. In conclusion, I always have and will forever live by this motto: Stretch beyond the limitations of your expectations.
I’m most proud of my accomplishments thus far and excited about what the future holds.
Professionally, I got to where I am today by believing in myself, taking risks, and leaving no stone unturned. It wasn’t easy by far, but I overcame and still overcoming challenges by pushing forward even through the most darkest moments. Trouble don’t last always, as they say. I’ve always believed that it’s not what happens to you but how you handle it. We always have a choice to think positive or negative. I’m more of a optimists, so I’m always on the positive side of things.
The lessons I’ve learned along the way are pretty simple. Stay true to yourself and eventually the world will catch on to how unique you are . Stay grounded because if you don’t the universe will remind you who’s the boss. Last but not least, just keep striving to be the best and only version of you.
What I want the world to know about my brand is that I’m making a unique approach to the art world and my art is only the tip of the iceberg. I’m a multifaceted artist with more forms of art to come.
Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
When my friends come to visit, the first place I take them is to The Waffle on Sunset Blvd. for breakfast. Afterwards it’s off to Runyon canyon or The Hollywood sign hike for a afternoon workout. Then to cool off a bit, it’s a must that we visit Venice beach and bike over to the Santa Monica pier. For dinner we head over to E.P. & L.P. in West Hollywood and then to Good Times at Davey Wayne’s to meet cool people and enjoy good music and drinks. Through out the course of their week long visit, we’ll also check out The Immersive Van Gogh exhibit, Griffith Observatory, Mulholland Scenic Overlook, The Escape Room (Hollywood), and Highland Park Bowl for bowling.
Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
God first always! My story wouldn’t be a story if it wasn’t for my mother Deborah, who always encouraged me to follow my dreams wherever they took me. Also shoutout my two sisters Kenyata & LoOona for always being in my corner, family is everything.
Instagram: artbyfatigue1 and sydneymvrcus
Youtube: https://youtube.com/channel/UCEaMznlV9Rr3j-k8RggQLyA