Today we’d like to introduce you to Suni Mullen.
Suni, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I began painting, drawing, and sketching when I was little. I can remember when I was about four years old, my mom had a box of old drawings that I had accrued over time.
From then on, I always painted and had the materials to do so at home. Outside of family and immediate friends, no one knew that I was interested in creating various works of art. When I got to college, it was a little harder to gain access to materials, but here and there, I was able to create different pieces. When I graduated and moved back to LA County, I was able to paint much more often than before.
Shelly Bruce, another artist, provided me with my first opportunity to paint at an open mic in Long Beach. Ironically, my Mom commissioned her for her first paid painting when she was in either high school or college. She had a painted dress in a shadow box at a tutoring program I used to attend in Downtown LA, and my Mom really liked the piece. I was extremely nervous painting while other people tuned in, as I never shared my pieces so publicly.
About a month later, at The Intersection Art Party, hosted and curated by Kamil Oshundara, gave me the platform to live paint while people performed, showcased their artwork amongst other party ventures. After that event, all throughout the Los Angeles and Long Beach area, people asked for me to live paint. I began to reach out to other organizations and events as well to see if they had space or would like for someone to come paints. For every, “no,” there were five “yes’s.” It was great.
The first time I installed artwork in a gallery was in Long Beach with the Art Realm community in Long Beach, CA. Watching people view my pieces has now become a favorite past time when presented with the opportunity. People come up with so many stories or ideas on what the pieces mean and how it affects them. I am more comfortable with showcasing as well as painting for myself versus painting for the acceptance of others which took some getting used to.
I took a hiatus from live painting to creative direct as well as coordinate for myself and others for events and projects in the Los Angeles Area. I enjoy assisting other bringing their vision to life and filling in the blanks for other events with performers as well as visual artists. I believe everyone should be presented with the opportunity to take advantage of resources as well as creating my own platforms. Painting publicly has provided so many opportunities for myself.
GIANTS, the YouTube web series via Issa Raes channel, opened up their platform to allow me to have a handful of art pieces on their second season which aired in 2018. After that opportunity, I was able to have some more of my pieces in a couple of music videos. Today, I never rule out any possibilities as they are endless.
Has it been a smooth road?
Each and every event or showcase that I am a part of, I learn something new; much of the struggles come from internalized anxiety- not so much the task itself. Nothing about getting further, and striving to be your best self is easy, and I take pride and accept the journey that I have chosen to embark on. Whether it be school or personal ventures, if it is smooth sailing, then no growth is happening.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the BLAK KANVAS story. Tell us more about the business.
BLAK KANVAS originally was my artist alias but has grown to become my alias alongside my company. It embodies all of the shifts happenings around us. I am a painter and creator of sorts.
I am open to experiment with all crafts that interest myself. I specialize in creating large bodies and works of art as well as artist relations. I am big on providing resources or pointing people in the direction to attain what it is they desire. Every day is an opportunity to learn, so I am always learning something new in order to share those networks and resources.
For the most part, I am proud of the relationships that I have built. I am grateful that people trust me with their visions, and myself with my own. The ideas never stop, and I fully believe that some ideas from within me are for others to bring alive as I am vessel.
Where do you see your industry going over the next 5-10 years? Any big shifts, changes, trends, etc?
Within the next 5 to 10 years, it is hard to gage where BLAK KANVAS will be going. As a human being, so many things interest me, so I like to believe that everything is NEXT. There is no 1, 2, 3, for me.
However, narrowing in, BLAK KANVAS is me. I see BLAK KANVAS in having solo gallery installations with buyers from around the world. I will be able to further provide resources and be able to compensate artists for their time and efforts.
As the vessel I am, consulting with prospective clients will be more curated to ventures that I would like to lead.
Contact Info:
- Email: blakkanvasmgmt@gmail.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/blakkanvas
- Twitter: www.twitter.com/blakkanvasmgmt
Image Credit:
Treyvon X, Nhi Dang, @ndre.m, Ekemini Sam, Bernard Essiful
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