By Mekhi AbbottSpecial to the AFROmabbott@afro.com
Nate Couser, founding father of The Artist Trade and VashtiBlue Jewellery Studio, honors his heritage and Black historical past by his artwork and self-expression. Now, by each his educating and his enterprise, he’s on a mission to make sure that Black artwork is correctly taught, correctly represented and will get the popularity that it deserves.
Couser interprets his experiences and people of the broader Black neighborhood by his jewellery, clothes and artwork. As a trainer, he integrates classes on Black artwork historical past and the affect of the Black expertise on artwork all through the years.
Couser’s profession as an artist started as a supply of inventive inspiration and expression.
“In school, I might make my very own garments and jewellery and folks wished to purchase it. I noticed I couldn’t simply maintain giving it away. Folks had been prepared to purchase what I used to be creating,” stated Couser. “Previous to going to school, I went to predominantly White colleges and realized principally White artwork historical past. I needed to undergo a journey of studying extra about myself, and that’s after I began calling myself a Black artist.”
Couser majored in city arts and manufacturing at Coppin State College, a traditionally Black establishment in Baltimore. At Coppin, Couser started to make items honoring his college and paraphernalia for members of the Black Greek fraternities and sororities. Couser credit his professor Amini J. Courts for connecting him together with his historical past, which he didn’t study on the predominantly White colleges the place he studied artwork.
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“There’ll by no means be sufficient artwork, sufficient motion pictures, sufficient books or tv reveals to cowl each single Black story,” stated Couser. “Folks by no means inform different cultures to cease telling tales about their historical past. Some individuals are ashamed of their historical past and sadly I imagine that it has contributed to the suppression of our voices. Black artwork must be preserved.”
Couser stated that being an artist is synonymous with being an entrepreneur, however he considers his artwork to be much less of a commercialized entity and one thing that’s extra “non secular.”
“Artwork is life. I do artwork for psychological stimulation and it become a enterprise. I create artwork for myself and it simply naturally grew right into a enterprise. My greatest battle is definitely that I’m not a cash pushed particular person,” stated Couser. “My focus is at all times simply getting the artwork out.”
Jaye Nicole, an avid supporter and buyer of Couser’s, spoke extremely about VashtiBlue.
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“In the event you’re searching for jewellery that speaks earlier than you even say a phrase, look no additional than VashtiBlue Jewellery by Nate Couser. Each piece I’ve acquired has been nothing in need of distinctive, inventive and deeply inspiring. It’s like wearable artwork that carries a narrative,” stated Nicole. “Nate has a uncommon expertise for capturing individuality in his designs, and each time I put on one in every of his creations, I stand out with out even making an attempt.”
Nicole additionally complimented Couser’s customer support. She described Couser as very skilled, personable and stated that he “communicates each step of the best way – from customized designs to transport updates.”
When requested how he sees each his artwork and enterprise rising sooner or later, Couser informed the AFRO that he’s wanting ahead to doing extra collaboration. In the meantime, loyal clients proceed to sing his praises and increase his enterprise.
“In the event you’re able to elevate your accent recreation and spend money on one thing that feels private and highly effective, I extremely suggest VashtiBlue Jewellery,” Nicole added. “Nate Couser is formally my go-to designer for one-of-a-kind items. Belief me, you gained’t discover the rest prefer it.”
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