Today we’d like to introduce you to Eli Glasper
Eli, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
At a very young age, I can remember I always loved to draw, more than just a pastime I found a talent and passion for it. Without formal training, I would emulate my favorite cartoons and comic book characters, eventually developing my own original ideas.
My love of narrative has been and is what continues to inform my work.
While in high school, one of my art teachers recommended I become an apprentice at St Louis Artworks to further develop my skills. In that time, I also found a new interest in digital art. With that and a few more formal drawing and painting classes under my belt, I was making my own artwork and even managing to sell some of my work to my peers. However confidently this made me feel I still did not feel “ready” or “talented enough” to pursue a career in the arts.
I attended Southern Illinois University Edwardsville initially with aspirations of becoming a mechanical engineer, but a few semesters of grueling stem classes had me seriously reevaluating my future. I made a crucial decision to invest in my happiness by pursuing the arts.
I received amazing opportunities while in undergrad designing for my university’s Black Heritage Month celebration and as the head graphic designer for my school’s Black Theatre Workshop. My time in this role solidified not only my artistic abilities but also helped me understand how rewarding it can be to use those talents in the service of something greater.
The crowning achievement of my time in undergrad was my Bachelor of Fine Arts thesis exhibition “Ill Captured Cadence”, a series that vividly depicts the cultural appropriation of Black music through a series of thoughtfully designed album covers, highlighting both historical and contemporary narratives.
This furthered continuous themes throughout my work of politics and pop culture.
As of May 2024, at 21 years old. I graduated with my B.F.A. in Graphic Design and spent the summer after working as an Assistant Teaching artist at St Louis Artworks, the program that planted the seed for my current career path. In addition to that, doing freelance work with local businesses around the St Louis Area and nationally.
The variety of classes taken in my undergrad has given me a passion for creating in several capacities. I am currently working to do more gallery shows, and aspire to illustrate my own comic books, and even some film writing and directing.
I am so unbelievably thankful for the love and support of my family and friends on the path I have been able to walk so far and where it continues to go. Endless possibilities often left me uncertain about my direction in life, but being able to create for myself and in the service of others gives me the purpose I need to continue pushing my artistic limits.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It has not been the smoothest road but not the worst it could have been, I try to remain positive always. I am grateful to have a loving family, friends, and partner through it all.
There have been several internal struggles I deal with almost daily. Like others can probably relate I struggle a lot with comparing myself to others I perceive as “better” or further along than me. Insecurity is a constant battle I struggle with artistically and personally. I deal with imposter syndrome amid my successes. I am often unsure whether my work is important, makes any difference, or is worth holding space.
I struggle with my work feeling like a distraction from the real issues facing people in our world and I feel compelled to speak but do not know if I reach people the way I hope.
Financial struggles have made me feel as though I ought to be doing something more “practical” or just something to be making more money and not so much focus on my work.
Also feel somewhat alone on the specific path I am forging for myself because sometimes I am not 100% sure where I want it to go which can make it hard to know what exactly I should be doing.
I view all these struggles as a constant battle I fight and win over time, and sometimes lose. Thankfully I have the people close to me who can’t always fully relate, but I know will do everything they can to encourage and support me.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am an artist and designer who specializes mostly in illustration, painting, and graphic design. The primary focus of my work is politics and pop culture. I love media and consume a lot of it but as an artist, I think that makes me critical and want to analyze what I consume and analyze from broader contexts that inform certain media. I then try to express that through visual narratives, as well as through my specific lens of identity and worldview.
I primarily do drawings, paintings, (traditional and digital), logos, posters, and clothing design.
I am most proud of my B.F.A. thesis show because I have not personally seen that topic tackled in that way and feel as though it was a creative way to do so.
I feel the current art scene in a social media lens encourages people to niche down and pick a lane as far as medium or subject matter but I feel I like to present a little bit of everything that speaks to me even if it doesn’t “fit” other things I have shared, so I feel that sets me apart.
Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
Special thanks to my mom and dad, for loving and supporting me and always instilling the importance of hard work and integrity in everything I do. My brother for always being there to support and encourage my ideas and creativity and being a friend I can always rely on. My lovely amazing girlfriend Joshalynn Gibson, for always showing me how to love and value myself and giving me the fighting spirit to advocate for others. Finally, all my artistic mentors Tracy Jay, Tyler Harris, Barbra Nwacha, Kathryn Bentley, and Geovanday Jones for investing their time and energy into me and helping me grow in my craft, my voice, and as a person. I would not be where I am without their combined efforts in my life.
Pricing:
- Design rate – $25/hr
Contact Info:
- Website: https://eliglasper.art/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eliglasper/
