Today we’d like to introduce you to Lolita Christian.
Hi Lolita, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Greetings, I’m also known as The Daughter of David (a name which pays homage to my late father). I was born in South Florida, with the deep-rooted heritage of a Georgia southerner. I graduated from college in Miami, Florida with a degree in psychology and went on to work for the department of detention. I worked inside of the jails to be precise, but I was miserable from day one.
I quickly wondered what I had gotten myself into and how I was going to endure working in a jail on a daily basis. I felt like there was little to no difference between the inmates and myself. We all wanted to go home, yet neither of us could. I continued my career within the department of detention for almost ten years before hitting a breaking point. I knew something had to give.
I wrote my letter of resignation and turned it in. I felt a weight lift off of me, I had no idea what I was going to do, but I knew whatever it was, it had to be better than this. I’d never painted a day in my life, but I’d always loved art and anything creative, so I kept getting this hankering to paint. I thought nothing of it and never mentioned it to anyone. One day I was on the phone with a friend from church and he randomly said “you know Lolita, the reason you keep thinking about buying paint is because God wants you to create art”. Mind you, he knew nothing of my desire to paint. I had never mentioned it to a single soul because it felt silly coming from the type of work I used to do. Wow, I thought to myself. I was absolutely flabbergasted.
Say no more! I basically ran to the store with a trail of smoke and gravel behind my feet. I think all I’d needed was permission, but once God sends word then it’s safe to say permission has officially been granted right? It was love at first brush stroke. I began my art business right away in 2019 and was blessed to be apart of the 2019 “We Are Who We Are” art show in Miami, Florida at Griot’s Gallery during Art Basel Noir for the emerging artist portion, which was curated by artist Frank Frazier. The events, showcases, exhibitions, and artistic opportunities to give back have continued to roll in, which I am grateful for. Most recently, I’ve been featured in The Haitian Times News, Art Beat Miami, & Creativ Magazine’s 50th issue and I’m looking forward to what’s coming next.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It has been a progressive road, but definitely not a smooth road. There have been many struggles, discouragement from naysayers has been almost debilitating at times even with the success and notoriety I’ve been blessed to have in such a short period of time. Being a full time visual artist who paints on canvas is viewed by some as not truly having a career, no matter how much effort you put into it. I also find that as an artist many people love the wow factor of art and desire it, yet somehow struggle to make the connection that it must be purchased, just as you would for consuming music, a play, an opera, or any other form of art. I find that in my personal experience people often feel entitled to art for free as if it’s created off of a whim, which has created a great deal of struggle for me on this creative journey.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
My main medium is acrylic paint on canvas; however I’d describe my style of artistic expression as all-inclusive, ranging from a hodgepodge of abstract expressionism, mixed media, NFT art, cartoon characters, & digital art all the way to folk art. Some of my biggest creative influences are God (Exodus 35:35), southern African-American culture, comedy, Haitian culture, cartoons, and black women.
I think I’d have to say I’m currently most proud of my NFT art called the “Mamii” collection, which is available on Rarible under Daughter of David. I love them because they’re each individually drawn, not computer generated like a lot of NFT art out right now and each little lady represents an important woman in my life in some form or fashion. What sets me apart from others is that I started so late in life because I’d never painted before. I paint straight from the heart, completely self-taught and I’m spiritually motivated, had it not been for divine intervention I’d probably be doing something completely out of sync with my core nature. I’m a hippie at heart.
How can people work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
People who want to collaborate with me are welcome to reach out via Instagram @DaughterOfDavidArt or email me at [email protected] and for those who’d like to support me they can purchase my original paintings and NFT art via my website at www.DaughterOfDavidArt.com
Contact Info:
- Website: www.DaughterOfDavidArt.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/daughterofdavidart/
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@daughterofdavidart
