Blank Canvas: Celebrating Black Artists and Creatives

In Honor of Black History Month, we prompted four Black creatives with a Blank Canvas and two simple rules—make a statement and make it count. We wanted to know, when there are no other bounds, no limitations—how do you self-express?  How will you take something as uniform and classic as a jean and make it bold, different, and representative of who you are?  The end results are awe-inspiring.

Meet The Artists

ARRINGTON PORTER

Location: Chicago, IL

Tell the True Fam about yourself.

My name is Arrington Porter (Heir Porter) and I am a Chicago based artist and musician. The images I create are visual representations of my thoughts, feelings, and influences combined with my imagination. I illustrate with the intention of expanding one’s perception beyond traditional fine art practices. Each piece tells a story directly related to my own experiences or of those close around me. 

How do you define Black culture, and why is it important to recognize and celebrate?  

I would define black culture as a lifestyle that is demonstrated through many different forms of creative expression. I feel black culture is important because it gives people an opportunity to connect and to also become more educated in understanding who we are as a people. 

Tell us about your denim design. What message are you conveying with your art?  

The design I decided to go with for this project portrays my love for movie culture, more specifically the genre of Thrillers. For a while now I have been playing with the classic theme of zombie and vampire related content. I have always enjoyed the visual aspects of retro movie posters, so I decided to illustrate something that depicted this influence. The text "Elsewhere" is used to describe the moon below. The eyes on the moon represent a sense of personification of what it looks like to be other-worldly.  

How has community played a role in establishing yourself as an artist? Do you prioritize surrounding yourself with like-minded creatives to help inspire your artistry?  

Community has played a huge role in establishing myself as an artist. Living in Chicago there are so many talented and creative individuals around, it’s hard not to be inspired and motivated to improve on your craft. It's a very iron sharpens iron kind of city. With that being the case, a person has no choice but to work hard for their opportunities which translates into seeing success and progress from your efforts. I try to keep a trusted circle around me full of people who possess great taste as well as good judgement, they don't even have to necessarily be creatives themselves. Also, just exposing myself to different artists through social media or going to local art shows definitely helps with inspiration. 

NIA THOMAS

Location: New York City, NY

Tell the True Fam about yourself.

I love all aspects of art. I’m usually tucked away somewhere creating because that’s the best way to live in my opinion. My biggest inspiration is the earth and all its elements. Being surrounded by nature is my favorite because it’s so grounding and reminds me that the world and circle of life is so much bigger than just me or us. My real dream is to own a farm one day, so I can take care of myself and the people I love with natural/sustainable resources. I’m essentially always painting my own depiction of our reality and the future I hope to create for myself. It’s my dream world and I just want everyone to see what I see daily. I’m never too worried about how people perceive me or my art, as long as I make you feel something my purpose on this earth is fulfilled. 

How do you define Black culture, and why is it important to recognize and celebrate? 

Black culture is how we as a community convey our personal, multifaceted experiences through things like art, language, activities, media etc. It’s extremely important to recognize it and I celebrate it every day by being unapologetically black. I don’t believe in code switching, trying to water down my blackness or anything like that because my culture is my superpower for real. Anyone that doesn’t understand that sentiment isn’t worth my time or energy. Period. 

Tell us about your denim design. What message are you conveying with your art? 

I just wanted to use the denim as if I would a regular canvas. I painted a little bit of my dream world and the characters/objects that live there. I’m really fascinated by anatomy, nature, and emotions, specifically love and the conflict that comes with that feeling. My art is the most efficient way for me to express exactly how I’m feeling in the moment. Although I love words and how they are essentially an audible dance, I’ve always been better at emoting through visuals. I don’t care to make easily digestible art. I want everyone to have to take a second look and analyze if and why it makes them confused/uncomfortable.  

How has community played a role in establishing yourself as an artist? Do you prioritize surrounding yourself with like-minded creatives to help inspire your artistry?  

When I first moved to New York, I was immersed into a community full of people that took their art seriously. I watched them create every day, all day before I even knew I wanted to pursue a career in painting. I’ve been painting since I was a baby, but being around like-minded people that showed me the opportunities you can get from just working on your craft completely changed my life and mindset. Being an artist is a lifestyle to me more than it is a hobby or even a job. It’s difficult for me to get close to people that don’t have some type of craft that they’re deeply passionate about. I don’t think we have much in common as art is always going to be my main priority. My friends are literally my favorite artists of all time. It’s so inspiring to watch them create and do such legendary things right before my eyes. 

DEVIN MERCADEL

Location: Los Angeles, CA

Tell the True Fam about yourself.

Hello to you all. My name is Devin and I’m a creator from Los Angeles, California. Always remember …… “It’s what you make it!” 

Past or present, who do you feel has positively impacted the Black community and why? 

There are many figures in the community who are continuing the energy of our ancestors. There has been movement towards making a difference from local community leaders to people in the mainstream spotlight. Trailblazers such as Nipsey Hussle come to mind as someone who was a leader in our community and showed us other ways to make it happen while giving us the blueprint along the way. Thankful to have crossed paths with him. While speaking of community I cannot forget to mention Kika Keith and the team on Crenshaw. They have taken steps to build and establish a legacy for the black community in South Central with an innovative approach. We are still along the path to change; these are some of the things that keep me going! 

Tell us about your denim design. What message are you conveying with your art? 

There are many ways to create. Originally this fabric was designed for a new furniture collection until I realized a deeper purpose. I wanted to dedicate it to my family. My great grandmother used to make my mother’s clothes because they couldn’t go to the stores due to the color of their skin. Using my creativity in a world full of available resources is a must. Also, my grandmother loved to wear gold colors in her wardrobe so it's only right. 

Our Blank Canvas initiative is about celebrating expressive, confident, creative, and authentic people who continue to discover parts of themselves in our brand and aren’t afraid to color outside the lines—and that includes you. Can you tell us what coloring outside the lines mean to you while you're creating, but also in your everyday life? 

To me coloring outside the lines is going against the grain. When I started bringing these pieces to life I tried things that some didn’t get. Many late nights and early mornings on this journey. Times when I had to sacrifice to make deadlines. From gifting art to family for Christmas (that may not have seen the vision yet) to painting a mural in Watts that speaks about the issues in our communities. They can all be puzzle pieces. I believe a step a day is what it takes for us to grow. There is always a bigger picture. Keep Pushin!!! 

Kenna Reid

Location: Fort Worth, TX

Tell the True Fam about yourself.

My name is Kenna Reid and I’m the artist behind Sun Beam Dreams 

I grew up in a quiet suburb in Colorado. As one of few black girls in an upper middle class community, I rarely saw black women held in high esteem. Through my art, I wanted to portray women, especially women of color, in their femininity, highlighting our grace and our ability to nurture. I try my hardest to fill every world I create with the love, harmony, and optimism the real world is sometimes missing. As a young girl, I would spend hours drawing and creating using household items as stencils. It wasn’t until after graduating college though, that I realized I could build the worlds I’ve always imagined through my art.  

I started with mixed media and acrylic paint, but now I specialize in digital paintings. My appreciation for nature, feminine energy, anime, video game environments, and my involvement in art have helped me expand this universe I'm creating. 

Past or present, who do you feel has positively impacted the Black community and why? 

Today, I look at couples like MLK Jr. and Coretta Scott King, President Barack and Michelle Obama, and all those modeling or promoting a healthy view of black families and couples. I believe the nuclear black family has always been the single greatest asset to the black community. But today the idea of a black man and woman coming together isn’t given the priority it used to. I was fortunate enough to have both parents at home and their support has afforded me the opportunity to attend a university, develop my artistry, and to live my dream. 

Tell us about your denim design. What message are you conveying with your art?

Initially the idea was challenging, but I knew I wanted to paint two ethereal women existing in joy. I wanted the art to depict life and humanity flourishing. I painted the landscape to reflect the bountifulness above and beneath us. We have the ability for tremendous growth, but I think if we want to harness the power nature offers that it’s important to sustain, respect, and protect Mother Nature too. 

Our Blank Canvas initiative is about celebrating expressive, confident, creative, and authentic people who continue to discover parts of themselves in our brand and aren’t afraid to color outside the lines—and that includes you. Can you tell us what coloring outside the lines mean to you while you're creating, but also in your everyday life? 

I’m a strong advocate for experimentation and exploration when creating. Rather than working from a final draft where the color palette and concepts are already flushed out, I explore all of those things as I’m actively working on each piece. I’m constantly thinking “what if I did this?” or “I wonder what would happen if I tried ‘x’” It creates an environment where I can discover a compelling and authentic way to present my ideas to the world.

Dying my hair, experimenting with different makeup and fashion looks are some of the ways I color outside the lines in my everyday life. When I’m in situations that reinforce our societal norms, I try to remember that the way we contribute to this world is by expressing our true selves even when it’s difficult. 

Create Your Own

Shop the new stitch palette designed for the expressive creatives who aren’t afraid to color outside the lines.