Meet Barbados Black

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Barbados Black a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Barbados , so excited to have you with us today, particularly to get your insight on a topic that comes up constantly in the community – overcoming creativity blocks. Any thoughts you can share with us?

I went to school for video game art and design as well as graphic design. One of the saying the teachers had was in order to be successful you have to be able to create everyday. So everyday I try to create something whether its a song I’m working on or a mural I’m painting. I try to keep myself open to all the influences around me for a creative spark. Sometimes you see a face in a cloud, or maybe you over hear a line from a conversation in a crowded room and it sparks a song idea. I think you have to stay open to the possibilities of creativity. Once you open yourself up the world will supply the rest.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?

Well I’m lucky enough to be able to do a myriad of things. Firstly I sing. I’m one of the few deeper male voices around right now. If you listen to the radio, most singer have a lighter tone. I was fortunate enough to be giving a voice that stands out. Its strong and smooth. Deeper than most of my counterparts. And it sounds like me. My voice is probably why I love singing so much. I connect to the music in a different way. I’m somewhat of an introvert, I usually stay to myself and do my own thing. But something about the music makes me want to move and breathe differently. I put on my headphones and it’s like I go to another place. When I’m on stage its like a wave of energy and emotion hits me in way that I don’t feel all the time. I feel like I connect better with people through the music more than I do when I talk to them.

As far as painting and being a graphic designer, I’ve always had a love of artwork. I think it comes from playing video games like Final Fantasy and Tomb Raider. I was drawn to places that were unlike the world around me. Something about seeing abstract clothes and cavillations really shaped my mind as a kid. There are so many ways to interpret the things we see and feel. And being able to communicate that through painting and drawing is something I don’t take for granted.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

I think the three skills that helped me are determination, being adaptable, and being delusional.

The reason being is not everyone will see your vision at first, most times the people around you will want you to do something different than you. Rather its a song choice, you wanting to be an artist or whatever you choose to do there will be adversity. And you will have to be able to stand on your own feet nd bet on yourself and put the work in to make your vision a reality.

I’ve found as long as you stay focused and roll with the punches when things don’t go to plan you can still reach your goal. The people will begin to support you and eventually you will be where you want. But it takes series dedication you only get out what you put in.

What was the most impactful thing your parents did for you?

Honestly I was able to express my own opinions from a young age. and they also gave me the love of reading and studying. I was a kid who didn’t mind reading books or trying to figure things out on my own. I spend allot of my school time in the library reading about Egypt and their beliefs. I think as a kid allot of those concepts made me see things differently and opened my mind up to allow many things to be able to exist at once. I think that freedom of thinking is the sole reason I am a creative. And being a student of the craft I try my best to learn as much as I can about the craft and how I can improve myself.

Contact Info:

Image Credits

Erica Rae Photography
KT Louie Certified

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