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Montreal-based artist Kezna Dalz, aka TEENADULT, is a self-proclaimed nugget of sensibility. Her work speaks to a modern viewer about themes of love, identity and life as a black woman.
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TEENADULT goes straight to the heart.
How would you describe your art? I believe my art can be described as a huge chunk of colours and emotions. I have a specific palette that I love to use that includes turquoise, baby pink, baby blue, bright yellow and other vibrant colours and my favourite topic to address in my art is the emotions that all of us humans go through and sometimes have a hard time dealing with.
Talk to us about your creative process. I usually start by sketching ideas using markers, pencils or paint. Then I refine them digitally on my iPad for murals especially, I often digitally draw directly onto a photo of the wall. I mostly use spray paint, wall paint or a combination of the two for painting large murals. Sometimes I also use acrylics and acrylic markers for smaller details or line work.
What is inspiring you right now? I don’t really have a precise creative process but everything I work on begins with an emotion. Whether it’s inspired by my personal life, by a situation someone I know is going through or just something happening in the world really, I take the time to sit with the way I feel about it or the way I interpret the emotions I see and then let everything out on paper and canvas. For me, it definitely helps with understanding and dealing with them better. |
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What is bringing you joy right now I believe that because of the past year and a half, the smallest things are easier to appreciate and less taken for granted.I have found myself enjoying simple things such as making myself a good breakfast or watching a good (or bad) movie even more than I used to before. Although things are a bit chaotic, I am definitely thankful for that and I hope it doesn’t go away.
Can you talk to us about your next project? I am very excited because I have a lot of ongoing projects for 2021. However, I am not allowed to announce most of them but there is a mural coming up and also some beverage designs. That is all I can say for now. What is already announced though and that is pretty exciting is the release of the book “Dear Black Girls” which I illustrated. It is a children’s book written by Shanice Nicole and I am so happy that it is finally coming out after so many months of hard work! I am very proud of that project.
What are your go-to shoes? I really loooove walking barefoot. As a kid, this was actually a problem as my mom really wanted my siblings and I to wear slippers. She would say it wasn’t good for the bones to walk on a cold floor. I do wear shoes when I am outside though and, if I have to choose, I believe Converse shoes are my favourite. It’s a classic and there are so many models! I feel like they go well with everything.
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