Interview Feature with Avid Lover.
Lover Spotlight: DriSkee
I first met Dri when I joined her Crossfit gym down in Miami, FL. We instantly became friends and I am constantly in awe of her strength, both in and out of the gym. Besides being a total badass, Dri has always had a passion for art and the talent to back it up. She made the jump to fully commit to her art and I couldn't be more inspired by her and her artistic rebirth as DRISKEE.
YOU TOOK A BIG JUMP FROM BEING AT THE CROSSFIT BOX THAT YOU OWN TO MOVING AWAY TO PURSUE YOUR PASSION. WHAT DROVE THAT DECISION?
Taking the jump wasn’t easy. I got to a point in my life that I got real with myself. I felt like there was something missing. It's hard to explain but I felt like I was on Autopilot. Every day was the same. Little signs kept popping up all the time to just GO. Travel, experience new things, new cultures, new environments. I dedicated 7 years of my life to the gym to try and building something special; my partner and I did just that. I felt that The CUBE finally had a soul of its own, it wasn’t dependent of me anymore. That was my ultimate goal. I wanted to build a culture and a community driven by the staff and members. It's truly a beautiful thing what goes on in that space. Before leaving, I spent about 6 months creating a system that allowed me to run the back end of the company remotely while my partner was physically there.
HOW DID YOU GET INTO ART?
Well, I've always been creative. Growing up, I was always making, painting or drawing something. I was fascinated watching something come to life. As I got older I continued to draw and paint as a hobby. It's just something I did and loved doing. Unfortunately, as I got older adult life started to kick in and I didn’t have much time to paint anymore. ( I actually did have time but I was caught up on the way society thought I should live my life and my priorities were a bit cloudy) Fast forward to 2011, I took a major hit to my knee and was on bed rest for a couple of months. Now that I had all of this time on my hands, I started to paint again. I realized how much I missed the feeling it gave me. Once my knee healed and I was back to my regular life, I began to prioritize my time and do what made me happy, and that was painting. Eventually, I began to share my work on Instagram and Facebook. In 2013 I sold my first painting that wasn’t even for sale. I never imagined I would sell any of my paintings but it happened and keeps happening.
WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE MEDIUM TO WORK IN?
I recently began working with ink and I love it. I really love that ink has a quality of fluidity and transparency. I mostly work with acrylic and spray paint so it's been fun experimenting and playing around with ink.
DO YOU LISTEN TO MUSIC WHEN YOU WORK?
Oh YES! Listening to music while I'm painting is almost mandatory. Unless I'm out in nature; It comes with its own soundtrack. My playlist is constantly changing but right now you’ll find a mix of 90's alternative, country, Jazz, music scores (currently obsessed with the LA LA Land soundtrack).
WHAT INSPIRES YOU?
Music, the ocean, mountains, rain, the wind, basically, everything nature. Another big inspiration is watching someone else do their thang! Listening to a musician jam out, watching another artist get down on the canvas, a writer converting their art into words. It's all very moving.
I NOTICED SOME OF YOUR PIECES CONTAIN POPULAR FIGURES. WHATS THE SYMBOLISM/MEANING BEHIND THAT?
I absolutely love painting portraits. I enjoy painting popular figures because of the story behind them. I tend to dive into the world and mind of my subject. I study every aspect of their life, it becomes a bit of an obsession for a couple of days. Another reason I like to paint popular figures is because it allows me to connect with other people. When someone sees the painting, I can instantly see the look of recognition and connection between the painting and the viewer.
WHAT MESSAGE OR IDEA ARE YOU CONVEYING WITH YOUR WORK?
I've been at this for a long time so my work has changed and evolved a lot. As I grow, so does my work. Overall, looking at the big picture, I want to send out a message that will inspire people to do what moves them, what excites them. To chase that feeling that sends electricity up their spine. Not to worry about what comes from it or how much money it makes. Forget all that, just do it with lots of love, honesty, and integrity.
HOW DO YOU OVERCOME CREATIVE BLOCKS?
Over the years I've mastered how to avoid creative blocks. Whenever I don’t feel very creative or inspired I just take a step back and take a few days off until I feel something again. I don’t allow myself to put that kind of pressure on my art. Also, finding another creative outlet really helps. I just recently started playing the Ukulele. It's a blast.
ANY ADVICE FOR SOMEONE WHO’S ON THE FENCE ABOUT GOING FULL FORCE INTO THEIR PASSION?
Just start. Show your work. Do what you can with what you have. Stand behind what you do 100%. BE PATIENT. Take the hits. It's long, painful, beautiful, euphoric and worth every struggle kinda thing. Don't try to be like someone else, you’ll go crazy and end up quitting. One of my FAVORITE quotes that I live by is from Jim Carrey “Your need for acceptance can make you invisible in this world. Risk being seen in all of your glory”.
WHAT’S NEXT FOR YOU?
Whatever the universe has planned for me. I just keep my mind, heart and soul open for whatever comes my way. Im traveling a lot right now and truly loving it. Everyday is a new adventure. Im currently in Upstate New York living in the mountains. Its beautiful up here, so much inspiration everywhere and lots of time to paint!
Keep on loving.