Gimmick Club: Visual Artist

I believe everyone has principles, everyone has methods and everyone has a gimmick. I want to explore the unique individuals of the world and share their stories. Today I had a chance to sit down with visual artist and creative director Diamond Symone to discuss her passion for art, her forthcoming projects with TRAPXART and the success of her newly formed business. Below is our interview which lasted over an hour.

A- So lets begin, what's your gimmick?

D- Sweet. I am a visual artist and creative director

A- Those are some fancy titles [laughter]. You're also part journalist last I remembered, how long have you been in this creative field?

D- [Laughter] thanks. I actually studied Art Administration at Eastern, earning my bachelors in the field. I’ve always been artistically inclined since a young lad. This year I decided to take it a step further and establish my own business this past April. So I guess you can say, it’s been years.

A- That's amazing. What's the name of your business?

D- Diamond Symone Visuals, LLC.

A- Most people aren't blessed with the talent that you have, that's pretty cool. So lets start from the beginning, what made you become interested in this profession?

D-honestly, depression. I always knew that I wanted to dwell in the arts but I had no clear path of how I was going to do it. I was in a very dark space last year trying to navigate through life and I decided to start painting to take my mind off of what I was experiencing. Once I started sharing my artwork, people started contacting me to do pieces for them and I realized that I could make a living from simply doing something that I always had an interest in but discovered that it made me feel at peace.

A- Wow, so this art form, it's more than just a lifestyle or a career for you. It's more therapeutic than we realize? We see a beautifully piece featuring artist such as big Sean but for you this is also an escape?

D- Absolutely. When I’m painting I only focus on being in the moment and creating.

A- So which piece has been the most therapeutic of all? Like I know depression can be very tough, so has there ever been a piece that was more mentally rewarding than others?

D- I don’t think I have one piece that’s greater than the other in terms of the therapeutic process. I think that each piece holds significance to what I was experiencing in that moment. I can say that “Watching God” was a piece that was created with a direct connection to struggles I had faced. It’s the piece with a woman lying peacefully under a wave of water. The water represents life’s storms and as long as she’s focused (on God) and calm during the storm, the water passes right over her. I think we can all relate to that piece and it was certainly rewarding to see my mended faith on a canvas

A- That's really amazing once you go into detail about the process in making a piece. So shifting gears for a bit, lets talk about your company. We know you do art pieces, what other products do you provide?

D- I also offer creative direction services, custom artwork grinders, decorative pillows and digital prints. More products underway.

A- I'm really looking forward to these. So along with being a visual artist, do you practice other forms of visual arts such as photography or videography?

D- I don’t actually [laughter]. I do however own a really cool DSLR camera, but I typically use it for my in house projects/photos.

A- [laughter] that's smooth too. So between the grinders, pillows and prints, what's been in demand the most?

D- Surprisingly, the grinders.

A- [Laughter] people have habits. So going back to the watching God piece. You went into great detail about how the colors each have some impact or meaning behind them. Is that typically the thought process you approach every piece with?

D- Not at all. [Laughter] sometimes it’s just all about what I’m feeling. As we speak, I’ve been feeling reds and oranges lately so I’ll probably play on that for my next few pieces.

A- What's the overall theme of the piece if you don't mind.

D- Sex and Sensuality. I’m working on a few pieces for the upcoming TRAPXART Detroit showcase.

A- Oh! TRAPXART I've heard of that. Is that put on by people you know?

D- No I actually don’t know the people that put it on. They're actually based out of Oakland.

A- This would be your 2nd time, if I'm correct?

D- Yes.

A- What was your first piece for them?

D- Officially [Laughter] “Lip Service” a spray paint and acrylic piece.

A-Well I can't wait to see how it turns out. Well thank you for this time today. The interview was amazing, can't wait for the next piece. Welcome to The Gimmick Club.

D-Thank You!

For more information on Diamond Symone, check out her store at www.diamondsymone.com.