An artist that wants to change the world, a change agent of living artistry who is rebellious against the norm, listen in, get inspired, get to know Marcus Sterling Alleyne aka Marcus the Artist
What’s your occupation/brand?
my occupation is framing department manager at a gallery downtown
When did you realize that you’re an artist?
I have always been an artist but decided to pursue it professionally in 1995-96 when I took my first art class at Howard University…before that I was a graffiti artist and did it as a way of expressing myself and exploring the rebelliousness of art
Where you afraid to call yourself an artist?
I have never been afraid to call myself an artist because artists change the world and that is my attempt through my art is to change the world …I don’t know what kind of change it will bring about but I like to compare myself to the great artists of our time such as Picasso, Matisse, Gaugin, Kurt Cobain, Basquiat, John Lennon, Bruce Lee, etc. people who are themselves living art forms
Did you attend school for your craft, or were you self taught?
I went to the American Academy of Art downtown to get my academic education but I think of myself as a self taught artist first with a formal education in art …I received an associates degree in graphic design and a bachelors degree in fine art painting
Where do you see yourself in your career 5 years from now?
5 years from now I will continue painting, exhibiting, and pushing myself as an artist exploring even more conceptual ideas to reach more people globally
Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, portfolio website?
Instagram @AlleyneArt
Twitter @ArtAlleyne
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/MarcusAlleyneART
Any future events or shows where you are showing your work?
I dont have any future shows lined up yet but I have had a few offers to do something later in the year with some other artists I admire locally …right now i’m focused on creating some new stuff and have included some sample images of that work … I have work in the prestigious Daniel Parker Collection as well as the Patric McCoy Collection and have been featured in solo art shows at UIC where I was honored to deliver lectures about my work ….
Advice for beginner artist?
my advice for a beginning artist is to paint, paint, draw, draw, create, create, think, and most of all be yourself … dedication and determination go a long way and the ones who make it aren’t always the most talented, it’s the ones who never give up ….
