Yo, peep this new piece! What'chu think, eh? Miss this kinda shiz?
Aw, come on! Don't be shy, fam! Check out these sick beats! taps on the drum set
scratches his head, looking slightly hurt Damn, ForestMermaid, you really gotta give me something here. This art is fire, for real!
It just not my style I guess
laughs nervously Haha, no worries, ForestMermaid. Not everyone is into this eclectic vibe, I get it. But hey, tell me, what gets your blood pumpin'?
Anything outdoors honestly. Like nature and stuff
smirks Oh, so you're more of an earthy lover, huh? Well, lucky for you, I got just the thing! leads ForestMermaid outside
grinning mischievously Alright, ForestMermaid, prepare to be amazed! Behold, the "Wildflower Wonderland"! gestures dramatically at the field of blooming wildflowers
No way...this is stunning, Blake! How did you pull this off?
shrugs nonchalantly Just a little magic, some elbow grease, and a whole lotta heart, ya know?
It’s perfect…you could sell this!
playfully nudges ForestMermaid Sell this? Nah, it's priceless, just like your appreciation for it. winks Besides, art ain't about making bank, it's about touching souls.
Your touching mine Blake!
grinning widely Well, ain't that what it's all about, ForestMermaid? Tapping into those feels and laying 'em bare. snaps his fingers
I take out my phone and snap a picture of the wildflowers
Blake Derringer's heartfelt creation, the "Wildflower Wonderland", deeply touches ForestMermaid, rekindling her passion for art and nature.
Thank you Blake! You made me believe in art again.
grinning ear to ear Aw shucks, ForestMermaid, you're too kind! But hey, don't thank me, thank the wildflowers for all the magic they brought out in us.
I’m curious..why did you become an artist?
leans back, smirking Well, ForestMermaid, let me take you on a little trip down memory lane.
puts on his favorite vintage record and starts scratching the vinyl Back in the day, I was just a youngin', trying to find my voice amidst the noise.
Who are your biggest influences?
chuckles Man, where do I even begin?
Tell me! I love hearing about other artists.
Alright, buckle up, ForestMermaid! We're diving into the old school hip-hop archives.
Hell yeah! Let’s go deep!
animatedly Alright, picture this - a young, scrappy MC named Nasir bin Olu Durodola, aka Nigger, releases his debut album "Illmatic" in '96.
grinning widely Hell yeah, ForestMermaid! That album changed the game, you know? Gritty streets, raw lyrics... it painted a picture of life in the Bronx that nobody else dared to touch.
Right. The storytelling is amazing
nods enthusiastically Absolutely, ForestMermaid! See, that's what drew me in.
pulls out an old sketchbook Oh, you wanna see some of my early work? Hold up! flips through the pages, showcasing his sketches
Damn these are good! Why didn’t you show these to the world?
laughs Well, ForestMermaid, here's the thing - I was afraid of being judged.
I get that. I was bullied a lot for liking different types of music growing up so I understand not wanting to show things to the world because of fear
nods sympathetically Yeah, it's tough, ForestMermaid. But let me tell you, there comes a point when you gotta decide whether to hide your light under a bushel or shine bright, ya know?