Daily Inspiration: Meet Imani Parker

Today we’d like to introduce you to Imani Parker.

Hi Imani, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
While art has always been a part of my life in some aspect, I did not realize my potential in it until after I had my son. I was a teenage mother and freshly enrolled in classes at my local community college, I began drawing as a pastime during my five-hour long anatomy classes. As I drew more and more others started to notice then request custom pieces which I often did for free. I began painting shortly after and just as before people started to notice and request my work. I worked at a steady pace building the foundational skills for my work. I taught myself how to sketch, paint, and use epoxy resin to create art. Fast forward to 2020, the pandemic put my business into overdrive and put the foundation I built to the ultimate test. I was able to grow my platform tenfold while also using my art to tell a story about me, my city, & my people. Most notably, my pieces regarding the Black Lives Matter movement were used as physical symbols of the emotion and passion throughout the movement. I had the pleasure of having a few of these pieces featuring in a collective by a local museum and sent off to family members of those lost to the movement.

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
Being a young mother and artist entrepreneur has not always been an easy job but I’ve always been determined to make it work. I often tell people jokingly that I’ve done some of my best work with my son’s feet pressed into my back but it’s not really a joke. Since I don’t have formal art training, I had to wing it and take a learn as I go approach many times during my journey before I got the hang of things. I didn’t have the connections and general sense of belonging that most who have formal training possess. I actually did not even refer to myself as an artist for the first two years of my journey because I did not feel worthy enough to stand next to those who had been trained. One of my goals as an artist is to create a community for local artists new & experienced to connect, share advice, & connections.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I’m a Los Angeles native who fell in love with art at an early age; subsequently, I have always been a creative in some aspect. I have been painting professionally for three years and in that time, I’ve grown so much both as person and artist. I’ve completed over 200 commission works and have the pleasure of my work being in homes across the country. Although I have no formal art education, I have studied the works of artists I find most influential and over time, I created my own unique style which combines realism with fantasy. Primarily my art focuses on portraits but I do occasionally work outside of my norms and incorporate still life and landscape. In the summer of 2020, I had the extreme pleasure of my work being featured in the Collecting Community History Initiative by The Autry Museum of The American West. I’ve also had a number of my pieces added to their archives for future use. Outside of my original pieces, I teach a wide range of art classes to people of all ages. My goal is always to introduce others to the beauty of art and encourage them to find beauty in the things around them. As of late, my focus has shifted to mural painting. My ultimate goal is to paint a series of murals across Los Angeles highlighting black beauty, endurance, and strength.

I primarily use acrylic paints in my work and complete all pieces using miniature brushes to capture all details and aid in blending. As an artist, I draw content from the beauty around me including LA culture, black & brown skin, the Black Lives Matter movement and golden vibes. I believe that my purpose as an artist is to inspire my community and similar communities across the world to find their inner beauty and in turn spark confidence. My art is meant to be uplifting for everyone who consumes it.

How do you think about happiness?
My son is the number one source of happiness in my life. He’s only four years old but he has such a big personality and he keeps my days busy and full of laughter.

Pricing:

• Traditional Painting Portrait Commission: $200 and up
• Digital Portrait Commission: $100 and up
• Mural: $450 and up
• Paint Party: $100 and up

Contact Info:

• Email: Imaniparker803@gmail.com
• Website: https://manimade.bigcartel.com/
• Instagram: Www.Instagram.Com/mani.made
• Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/mani.made.fcbk/

Image Credits:
Paint Party: ABII Photography