

Aija: I'm complicated, because I make two different types of art. When I create abstract paintings, I lay my table cloth down and put out my paints, turn on some music, and just grab a color. There is no game plan or premeditated idea. I squeeze the paint straight onto the canvas and start painting. I flow through the rest. I use the same paintbrush for the whole piece and never use water. When I create my more abstract pieces using recycled materials, I'm more intentional. There's still no plan, just an idea in my head lol. I just go with it. I feel a piece out until I just get stuck or complete it.DDM: What’s your favorite piece of art that you’ve ever created? Aija: I have two: the African Queen that I created out of cardboard. She's the first one I created after my "art drought". The second one is my The Continuous Fight, that took a lot of planing and intention. It made me step out of my comfort zone. It's very deep and meaningful. It took a lot of volunteers, who believed in my art and my message. I am very grateful. I realized that I, as an artist, actually have a following and platform.


Aija: Right now my art is a little political. It's a representation of myself as an African American woman. I depict how it feels to be one in the world we live in. My art depicts beauty, love, pain, and strength.DDM: What’s the best advice you ever had about how to be more creative? Aija: I've never had advice, just a great experience. I had an art teacher in high school, who taught me to be myself. She trusted me as a student and allowed me to go "outside of the box" when ever she gave us an assignment. My final pieces were always bigger and far more elaborate then my classmates. Her trust in me allowed me to trust myself and my creative process. She's the one that convinced my family that I was actually talented and I could be an Artist! My freshman year of college, I tried to step "out of the box" with my final and my teacher shot me down. She told me if I was in a graduate program it would be perfect, but I was only an I undergrad. She said my fellow students would not understand my project if presented it during the critique. I trusted myself and did it anyways. It was an amazing feeling, because I didn't conform or restrict myself. Most importantly, My classmates understood my art piece completely. I am very grateful for my art teacher Ms. P, if it wasn't for her, I'm not sure, if I would be the artist I am today. That's sound advice! and thank you so much for this Aija, it’s been a pleasure to interview you.
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You can find out more about Aija Larry over on her site aijalarry.com or on Instagram and Facebook.
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