Yolanda Galery is an artist in Seattle who is “capturing the essence of Black one color at a time.”
Seattle Refined: How long have you been creating? What mediums do you work with?
Galery: Not to sound cliche, but I have been creating for as long as I can remember. I’ve always loved the arts, from visual to performance. I wrote my first rap in 3rd grade, and in 5th grade, I was selling drawings to my classmates for 50 cents to $1, depending on what they wanted. I dabbled in music for years, picked up visual art again in 2018 and started drawing and doodling. In 2020, I picked up paints for the first time and haven’t been able to put them down. I love using acrylic paints, and I also create digital art as well.
Can you tell us about your artistic process and how the different stages work into it?
My process is pretty simple, to me at least. I find a muse and create a reference to go off of. I’ll sketch it out on my iPad and make a mock-up to use as the foundation. Next, I sketch it onto my canvas and start throwing paint. I like to do a few layers of underpainting to map out my values and whatnot, and then I go back and detail it and start building the layers up. I love using vibrant colors and playing with the color wheel to push boundaries of contrast and complementary hues. It started as very experimental, seeing if I could still capture the essence of a subject using unnatural colors, and I found it both challenging and satisfying. Generally, I go into each piece with a reference but not a super rigid vision. I like to let them develop their own personalities and flow out however they will. I’m usually pleasantly surprised at how many of them turn out. I just paint until it tells me it’s done, as strange as it may sound. I definitely personify my paintings and can sort of hear their unique voices.
Tell us about where your inspiration for your art comes from.
My inspiration has evolved over the years. I started out drawing cartoons and familiar characters. Then I went to drawing and painting pop culture icons and artists/performers which I still enjoy. But the heart of my inspiration comes from the unappreciated yet ever-so-consumed beauty of Black women. Growing up, I didn’t have much representation or reinforcement to teach me self-love. To love my skin and natural hair, my features like my nose and lips. In my mid to late 20s (I’m not going to age myself any more than that) I went on a self-discovery journey. I chopped off my chemically processed hair and let it grow out naturally, and eventually decided to loc it. I want to portray pieces of my journey along with my appreciation of the beauty and sacrifice that other Black women and girls live as well.
Do you have a specific “beat” you like best – nature, food, profiles, etc.?
I wouldn’t say I’m into anything too specific. I wouldn’t call myself a foodie, but I love to eat and try new foods. I love being outdoors on nice spring or summer days and paint outside as often as I can. Another fun fact about me is I am a complete horror movie buff and will watch anything in the genre.
Do you have one piece of art that means more to you or is extremely special to you?
The one piece that I can’t part with is my painting of 2Pac. I’m super attached to that piece because, in my early childhood, 2Pac was basically like a distant older brother or cousin. His voice and influence helped define a generation. He resonated with so many, and to this day, his impact is still felt and recognized. That piece is very sentimental to me, it’s like a portrait of a family member.
What experiences in your life have affected your art the most?
I won’t get into a memoir about my childhood, but it had its rough times. Growing up, I was very self-conscious about my appearance and how others perceived me. I remember being told by my crush in middle school that I was “pretty for a dark-skinned girl,” which bothered me even years later. That’s what drives a lot of the art I create. As of late, I’ve been on a new journey of healing past trauma and discovering more about myself and my heritage. Going forward, my future works will definitely reflect this new evolutionary path I’m on.
If we want to see more of your work, where should we go to find it?
I’m sprinkled all over the Seattle area. I have Art up at 23rd Ave Brewery, which is a Black-owned brewery in the Central District, I have a couple pieces still up at Wayward Vegan in the Roosevelt area, I have a storefront window display in Little Saigon at the Mason and Main building that will be up through February 2024, I have a piece in show at Onyx Gallery located in Pacific Place, and I have a sports piece up at Legion Sportsbar in Bellevue, which was a big deal for me, thanks to Elev8prm and Cultiv8 Collective for that amazing opportunity. And, of course, you can find me on the internet, mostly on Instagram at Yolanda_Galery_Art.
What is next for you? Anything you’re working on right now that you’re really excited about?
I have some really cool opportunities and projects coming up in the new year. Some I can’t quite share yet, but mid-January, I have the honor and privilege of being a part of a specially curated exhibit at the Bainbridge Art Museum, so I’m very excited about that.
Lastly, how do you take your coffee? (We ask everyone!)
I am a mushroom coffee drinker, but before, I was definitely a cup-a-day type. The running joke is whether or not I like coffee with my creamer. But I like mine with a sprinkle of cinnamon and a generous amount of creamer. Right now, my favorite is this oat milk brown sugar creamer. It’s delicious!
About ‘Artist of the Week’: This city is packed with artists we love to feature weekly on Seattle Refined! If you have a local artist in mind that you would like to see featured, let us know at hello@seattlerefined.com. And if you’re wondering just what constitutes art, that’s the beauty of it; it’s up to you! See all of our past Artists of the Week in our dedicated section.
