My artistic journey started at a very young age, with vivid memories of my childhood bedroom filled with stacks of crayons, colored pencils, and coloring books. As a quiet and reserved child, I often channeled my emotions and thoughts through drawing. My inspiration primarily stemmed from 90s cartoons, particularly the X-Men animated series, where characters like Gambit and Rogue captivated my imagination. These characters became frequent subjects in my drawings, adorning both my school notebooks and bedroom walls as my creativity continued to flourish.
In high school, I seized the opportunity to enroll in my district's Magnet Art Program, which exposed me to a wide range of fundamental art techniques, various mediums, and art history. I developed a strong affinity for the art of the Egyptian and Byzantine eras during this time.
Following high school, I pursued my passion for art at Corcoran College of Art & Design, where I honed my digital skills. Additionally, my enriching experiences at Howard University instilled in me the confidence to boldly depict and portray the black experience through my art. Like any journey in life, I encountered obstacles and temporarily lost my way, including a period of ten years when I lacked confidence and stopped creating art. However, breaking free from a toxic relationship marked the turning point when I began rediscovering myself and my artistic voice.
Today, with a liberated mindset and self-love, my art delves into the realm of personal experiences and desires, including erotic themes. Together with Michael, I co-founded Erotic Edges, and our recent artistic focus primarily centers on life models. I eagerly anticipate the opportunity to create more carefully curated theme-based pieces in the future.
ADRIAN TURNER
My creative expression has been deeply influenced by various sources of inspiration, notably the media and cartoons from my formative years, such as X-Men, Doug, and Hey Arnold. These shows not only captivated me with their engaging narratives but also drew me in with their distinctive artistic styles. I was particularly inspired by artists like Jim Lee and other illustrators whose work showcased a perfect blend of complexity and creativity.
The intricate storytelling in these shows left a lasting impression on me, shaping my artistic preferences. I strive to incorporate a comic-style aesthetic into my art, where visuals serve as a powerful means to tell compelling stories. For me, the fusion of captivating storytelling and stylistic artistry is crucial in creating a meaningful and impactful artistic expression.
In my art, I love blending the best of both worlds: the digital realm and traditional techniques. When I'm in my digital artist mode, I heavily rely on Adobe software and my trusty digital tablet. It's like having a whole universe of colors, textures, and effects at my fingertips. This digital playground lets me experiment in ways I could only dream of in the physical world, giving my creations that extra punch.
But you know, there's something about the rawness of traditional tools that I can't resist. For my initial sketches, I grab premium drawing paper and a bunch of color pencils. Especially during life drawing sessions, it's all about capturing the essence swiftly. I've got this layering technique where I outline the basic shapes and forms of the model with light, precise strokes. Time flies during these live sessions, so I try to soak in as much visual information as I can.
Later, I revisit these foundational sketches, adding all the intricate details. It's like shaping a rough diamond into a polished gem. This back-and-forth between traditional and digital methods gives my work that depth and finesse I'm always aiming for. It's a process I've come to love, blending the tangible feel of paper and pencils with the endless possibilities of digital art.
