We had the good fortune of connecting with Breanna Willis and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Breanna, what’s the end goal, career-wise?
As a Black Artist, it has been hard for me to find spaces that look and feel true to myself in the Los Angeles art scene. My journey has inspired me to stay consistent in my creativity and create the space that I’ve been searching for. Ultimately, my long-term goal is to open my own art gallery in Los Angeles that will showcase Black Artists. I’d like to host mixers and events to get creators in the same room. My short-term goal is to have murals throughout LA, we really have a unique community and I want to be able to connect with my city through art.

A lot of creativity is being sucked out of this generation and as we evolve in technology and I want to ensure that true artistry, creativity and collaboration are still celebrated now and in the future.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I love that I am not tied to one style or one look that defines my art, I make original acrylic paintings, wood cut outs, 3D art and I do a lot of customizations on shoes, purses and clothes. Some may argue that Artists should have a distinctive style, however that’s what sets me apart. In this generation and with the popularity of social media, people tend to get bored fast and that has some effect on me having fresh ideas and conveying them in my art.

Art is truly not a guaranteed field, it takes a lot of mental strength and willingness to be consistent. I’ve learned to trust the process without losing myself. The more time I spent having a positive attitude for the ups and downs during this journey is when I’ve seen the results I prayed for.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Born and raised mostly in Los Angeles I spent most of my prime years in the Crenshaw District. Los Angeles has some of the best views overlooking the city! Of course we have the beach, Hollywood nightlife, Downtown LA events and activities. To catch a vibe, driving to a view in the Hills or even taking a hike opens your eyes to the overlooked beauties of L.A.
Anywhere that my friends and I can dance to good music and eat quality food is fun for me !

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My Shoutout goes to my village of family and close friends. They all play a huge part in the support, mentorship and encouragement I feel throughout this journey. There are a lot of highs and lows being an Artist but with genuine support and recognition it makes it worth it.

Website: https://shedrawtoo.squarespace.com/

Instagram: shedrawtoo

Other: TikTok: shedrawtoo

Image Credits
No image credits/ All photos taken by me.

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