John D. Graham
American, born Ukraine. 1886-1961
Two Sisters 1944
Oil, enamel, pencil, charcoal, and casein on board
I spent many a days in the year twenty twenty-five feeling exactly like a FOOL. And not in a playful fun way like I am pictured on this album cover from my eleven minute satirical rap project released nearly a decade ago under the artist name Ankhle Conscious. Late night antics with my creative partner TK on a ride back to Brooklyn, I snagged a brown paper bag, popped in two holes for eyes and asked her to snap a photo. Typically my creative process is a mix of foundational but loose skeletal ideas and spontaneous additions. I don't linger and contemplate too hard. I allow and trust for things to fall into place. It's been my practice across disciplines, I've basically been cultivating for more than two decades. In rigid moments where I feel the FOOL. I have to soften up and remember to be as I am when crafting my art. My life is a living art project and treating it as such brings me present. Nevermind in retrospect a lot of the music I recored in the span of about fifteen years relays messages for my present and future self. It grounds me. Reminds me that I am in fact not a FOOL. but a genius here to create, be expansive and shine abundantly.
What messages does your past creative work, journals and or notes have to say to your present self?
One of the pleasures of being online is the ability to see an artist's development and growth in real time. The opportunity to connect with creatives who are pursuing what they love while impacting others is a beautiful experience. After following Beezy (@by.beezy) for a while on Threads I had some questions so of course into the DM we go. Here's one.
C. I've been watching you now for the better part of a year and I wanted to know if you could share one of your most remarkable and joyful experiences with regards to your art and a connection made with someone because of it.
Beezy Young: Earlier this year I had an art teacher reach out to me and told me that their students learned about me in her art class and did their own artworks inspired by the lesson. When I showed up to their spring art show it felt like a full circle moment because I couldn’t imagine being an artist when I was their age. They inspired me more than I inspired them. Seeing my art interpreted through their eyes honestly healed my inner child a little bit.
C. That's incredible. Real life proof of impact! Beezy Young is for the kids and the kids are for Beezy Young. That's the power of art.
