🌞 faces in the crowd: reneesha mccoy
how motherhood reinvigorated reneesha's artwork and see her work at the first ever folkartwork exhibit, "faces in the crowd" opening november 9th in des moines, iowa
Immediately after birth I pulled at my soft loose and empty belly. When I began to nurse there were so many physical changes. I wanted to illustrate that. I felt compelled to. It wasn’t a perfect body but it was beautiful... — Reneesha Mccoy
Happy Friday! As you may or may not know, I don’t normally sent out newsletters on Fridays. Every Sunday, the “This Week In Outsider Art” newsletter recaps the week that was, and every Wednesday, paid subscribers will get “B-B-Bonus This Week In Outsider Art”. So what’s with Fridays?
I’m extremely excited that for the first time ever, FolkArtwork will be live and in person, with the “Faces In The Crowd” exhibit opening on November 9th in downtown Des Moines, steps away from the world renown sculpture garden located in the historic Fitch Building.
I’m also really proud to be working with the artists I get to work alongside. And I’m honored to showcase artwork by these extremely talented self-taught artists, including none other than Reneesha Mccoy.
I was fortunate enough catch up with the North Carolina artist and learn how becoming a mother completely changed her outlook on creativity and art. I hope you find it as fascinating as I do. Stay tuned for more interviews in the lead up to the show!
Introducing, self-taught artist and mother Reneesha Mccoy
FolkArtwork: As a high school art teacher, I’m fascinated with students’ art experiences and how confidence affects art making as a teenager in both a positive and negative way. What was your experience as a high school art student like?
Reneesha Mccoy: I was a creative child. My mother would always buy me sketch books. Though, I wasn’t very confident as a child. I always found joy in my art classes but never connected the dots. One of my fondest memories of high school was cleaning the art brushes after school with my sister!
FA: You started painting in 2019 and quickly became a full-time artist after that, what led to that decision and how has becoming a mother influenced your artwork?
RM: My partner who is also an artist encouraged me to pursue art full time. I knew I wanted to create. I’d known that for years but becoming an artist was not my plan. The idea of sharing something so personal to be judged was very frightening for me.
I have always been creative and tried many different avenues but there was nothing I felt connected to. That connection probably started after my miscarriage. I began to feel an urge to artistically explore my thoughts, my emotions, and the way I felt in my body.
The way becoming a mother has influenced my artwork was like flipping a light switch. Immediately after birth I pulled at my soft loose and empty belly. When I began to nurse there were so many physical changes. I wanted to illustrate that. I felt compelled to. It wasn’t a perfect body but it was beautiful and from there I sketched and scribbled with my oil pastels until I “felt” the imperfect body.
FA: How have you seen your art evolve in the 5 years since you’ve been doing this as a self-taught artist full-time?
RM: I’ve allowed myself to grow and understand my material. I’ve played around with different mediums. Even specifically my forms and the way I interpret them. I’m always learning and love to learn!
I love to think of new ways to portray the emotions of my figures and that always changes with different life experiences.
FA: Are there any artists, either self-taught or traditional fine artists that inspire you?
RM: I’m inspired and excited by so many artists. I’d hate to list them and not include everyone. I literally find beauty in everything. How could we not be inspired by something someone has taken the time to create? I’m inspired by passion, by drive, by simply having the courage to be yourself and put it out into the world.
The idea of starting with a blank surface and creating something is beauty of art.
FA: You have one of the most incredible outputs of art making I have seen. Especially as someone with young children, how and when do you find the time to make artwork? Do you have ideas and jot them down in sketchbooks as soon as they strike? Do you set aside some time for yourself and just get to it then and there? How do you make it work…
RM: Before I started rnwulf I did Inktober. Doing that daily challenge helped me understand how to incorporate art into my everyday life. My practice is also a priority outside of motherhood so it’s almost necessary as self care. That may mean my children are included in my practice or have an activity of their own. For a while I would paint while nursing. With two artists in the home we both rely on each other to parent as well as build out time for our practice.
I also think it’s important to note everyday is different. I’m always working on many paintings at a time so one day I may imperfectly add my backgrounds. The next day I may outline my figures. I usually paint during nap times so I’m also moving pretty quickly knowing my time is limited. Sometimes I don’t have the “perfect” art studio practice laid out but I’ve learned to create where I am with what I have.
FA: When making art, do you listen to music, podcasts or watch movies? Is there any other art form that helps you push through “creative blocks”? Or anything that helps you in the mood to make art?
RM: I usually listen to music while I paint, if I’m able! If I’m experiencing a creative block I’ll talk it out with my partner. I don’t experience it as often as I used to. I think it’s partly because I’ve balanced out expectations within my practice. I’m not aiming for perfection. Thinking this way helps me move freely through my work. At the very least fuel my abstractive backgrounds. Every mark comes with purpose, even the ones that get covered in the process.
FA: Is your art studio clean or messy?
RM: I work messy but I have to keep my area clean. I have a home studio easily accessible to my children and they love to get into art supplies and color or paint. I’ve had to rework a couple paintings because my 1 yr old drew on them!
FA: Do you have any pieces of art you’ve collected that you cherish? If so who is it from and what is it about that art that you enjoy?
RM: I have a pretty large wishlist of work I want to collect! I find beauty in a variety of work and my dream is to support other artists and collect as much as possible.
FA: Do you have any advice or anyone who is looking to start making art full-time and may be nervous or scared to do so?
RM: Starting an art career will look different for everyone. A few questions come to mind. Is this your only stream of income? What things are you willing to give up to support this lifestyle? Are you prepared to educate yourself on the business side of becoming a full time artist?
My advice for anyone who is looking to start making art full time would be to just start. Start building your collection and put it out there. Engage with your audience. Think about where you want your art displayed and work towards those goals. There’s so many possibilities; privately in residential settings, galleries, museums, coffee shops, hotels, etc.
FA: Is there anything else we should know about you or you want to share?
RM: It’s ok to do it both nervous and scared. Start a practice without expectation and explore. Use what you can and play until you’re happy with your output. Don’t worry about what others may think, don’t worry about the algorithm, don’t worry about having the perfect studio, or having the best supplies.
You can follow Reneesha Mccoy on Instagram at @rnwulf or learn more about her on her website.
Reneesha Mccoy’s work can be purchased in the FolkArtwork Collective shop and you can see her work on November 9th at the “Faces In The Crowd” exhibit at the Fitch Building in Des Moines, Iowa.
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