Artist Profile: Alice Traore

Alice Y. Traore currently resides in Madison, WI, but was raised in Peoria, IL. She works at the University of Wisconsin-Madison as a facilitator and curriculum designer of learning communities that assist faculty and staff in the exploration and implications of their social and cultural identities. Traore describes herself as a self-taught watercolor artist.  Her artist-life adds an additional layer of depth to her full-time work as it provides her further space to explore her own socio-cultural journey.  

Sunday Evening Saints

How does your background in creative writing influence or help shape the visual art you create? Are there other artistic mediums that influence your painting?

I hadn't made the connection immediately — writing to painting — until images for my artwork started emerging as frequently as lines for poetry popped into my head. I'd stopped writing for quite some time — especially at a time when I was dealing with large amounts of change: an uprooting and culture shift, marriage, a new job, a new city.  Once I felt a sense of calm reenter my life, the urge to create blossomed. At the same time I rediscovered painting, I went to work reclaiming my writer's voice, a voice I lost right after grad school (which is a WHOLE 'NOTHER STORY!!!!). I've loved discovering the patterns in my creativity — what awakens a poem or prompts journaling and how that process is now mirrored in my approach to painting. I can now address subject matter multiple ways. Also, my inspiration for both comes from reading other poets and authors, writing, and listening to music. It's all interwoven. For my most recent solo exhibit, I wrote a companion poem for the show.  I typed it up, and it hung on the wall with the rest of my work.

What advice you would give to an artist struggling with their creative practice? When you've felt frustrated or unsure of your creative work, what encourages you to dig back in? 

I would advise artists to explore what is rooted in the current struggle, so you can break it into recognizable, relatable chunks. It's not a quick fix; however, it allows you to face "something" as opposed to "everything.” Can you key into specifics so you don't overwhelm yourself: are you lacking inspiration, seeking to get better in your craft, feeling like you have no time to paint, needing better materials, etc? The world is currently overwhelming. Sometimes we just need to dig deeper and sit with the root of our struggle to stop us from rolling into deeper despair. I think creatives really need to avoid the trap of comparison. I look at so many things as a journey now — even my art. My growth and evolution excite me most about my artistic journey. I do art for me.  It's a blessing and bonus that other people appreciate my work as well.

Memorial

Where are your influences and inspirations coming from these days?

My biggest influence has been and always will be my father, Preston Jackson, who is a sculptor and a painter. He gives feedback that I trust and value. One piece of advice he gave me recently is "how does your art speak to the current times?"  This advice reminded me of something Nina Simone said about the writer's role: “You can't help it. An artist's duty, as far as I'm concerned, is to reflect the times.” My mother, Melba Jackson, inspired my love for poetry and fiction and my love of writing in general. Right now, in these current times, all the words of some author-giants are in my head: Gwendolyn Brooks, Nikki Giovanni, Langston Hughes and more. Lately, I often think about Toni Morrison's quote, "Racism is a distraction…"  I think a lot of Amiri Baraka's play "Dutchman."  Although much of what I reach for was written or composed ages ago, it's what I was raised on, and it's still relevant.

Healing

What are 2 to 3 exhibitions, concerts, books and/or book talks, spoken word events and/or films you're hoping to check out this season in Wisconsin or virtually?

I look forward to attending an exhibit at the Arts + Literature Laboratory that runs through November 9. It's called Little Boy Black and it's a photography exhibition that features the work of Rashod Taylor.

And if I am in town around the holidays, I hope to take a creative journaling course December 21st, at Olbrich Gardens. Amelia Fontella is teaching the course called Winter Reflections for Writers and it's open to writers of all levels.