Meet the Artist: Euzhan Shabazz

Meet Euzhan: the Designer Behind Our Go With The Flow Tee

Euzhan Shabazz, is an artist and illustrator based in Columbus, OH. Her work focuses on characterizing specific moods, singular moments in time, and silly ideas and often highlights the nuances of black representation. You can find her work @sillyfruitstudio on Instagram or at sillyfruitstudio.com.

At HarperSage, we prioritize using independent artists for our custom artwork and consider them a core part of our community. Euzhan created beautiful illustrations for our fall graphic tee. Read on to learn more about her and what inspires her work!

When did you know you wanted to pursue art and design as a career?

What inspires you most as an artist?

Does the artwork for our new graphic tee reflect how you've been managing these uncertain times? What role in general has art played for you during 2020?

I think, like most, art has become a therapy for me. I'm able to express things I can't always express, and reach out to people all over the world.

What is your favorite medium to work in and why?

I prefer digital art. It gives me more options to play around, more leeway to mess up. I highly admire anyone who can work in an unforgiving medium. 

What do you do when you're feeling uninspired to renew your sense of creativity? Is this related to self-care or is it a specific activity, place, etc?

This is the 26 year old in me talking, but I just look through my Instagram. It's very inspirational to see amazing people create amazing things, and then also have the confidence to share those creations with the world. It really keeps me going.

Has the meaning of your work and the meaning of art changed at all for you in 2020?

Very much so, before 2020 I would describe my art as more silly, for lack of a better term. The pieces I've created this year feel more solemn, they feel more personal.

Compare yourself now to what you thought you might be doing. Is it different?

I'm not sure what I thought I'd be doing, but I can say being able to do art and creating a business from it feels right. 

How do you relate to the "Duo" concept of being both soft and strong, and how do you embrace that in life?

I heavily relate. Everything from my style, to personality has this duality of both soft and strong.

To keep up with Euzhan and her work follow her on Instagram or visit her website.