Art is a medium for creativity, and people express themselves through a variety of different art forms, such as painting, sculpting, knitting, writing, dance, drawing and illustrations. The latter became a passion for one Baltimore-based freelance artist, Marz Lewis (aka Demar Lewis), a 21-year-old from Rosedale who discovered his love for it as a child. Here, he shares the inspiration that led him to becoming the artist he is today, as well as some tips for budding illustrators.
How did you get into drawing/illustration?
Back when I was about 7 years old, I was in love with watching my favorite cartoons and making up my own stories about what the characters would do after the episode goes off. One day, I started trying to draw my own scenes from shows like “Family Guy,” “Dragon Ball Z,” “Naruto” and “One Piece.”
Could you tell us about your work? What’s your inspiration?
I have a kinda crazy story about how I found my love for art, cause actually I had to do it twice.
Fast forward to 2021, me and three of my siblings got into a crazy car accident. Luckily, everyone made it out and made a full recovery, but as for me, I got a pretty strong concussion and lost all my fine motor control.
So, all the skills and practice I had in drawing and sketching from age 7 to 20 years old were gone. I couldn’t even remember how to hold the pencil anymore, but I loved drawing.
I couldn’t think of anything else but art and what I wanted to make next. So, every day I would try to practice drawing, writing and making something out of my imagination become reality. Over the past four years, I’d say I’ve gotten back my ability to draw and dream big dreams again.
I call [my art] Thekings43rd, and now every piece I make is to show that no matter what, if you put the effort in, you can make anything you can imagine into reality.
Any tips/advice for kids and/or anyone who is interested in drawing/illustration?
If I had to start all over again, the first thing I would do is fill up a jar with as many random ideas I can think of … shake it up and whatever comes out of that jar, I have to make into some type of drawing. It helps loosen your mind and play around with your imagination.
What would you recommend for drawing/illustration beginners?
All you need to start is a pencil, a sketchbook and you have everything you need to create a new world.
Do you use any art programs/apps for your art?
As for the apps I use when I make my digital illustrations, I use Procreate and my iPad and Apple Pencil for most of it.
But oftentimes, I’ll start with regular mechanical pencils and paper.
That’s just what I find most comfortable right now, but I’m always trying new techniques and tricks to try and find new ways to do things. Anything that helps me express some creativity.
Anything else you would like readers to know about you—any present/future plans, etc.?
Yeah, of course my main goal when I make art is to one day have a studio. Where I can go and teach people how to draw and paint, to host art shows for local artists to come, starting the same way I did.
For interested readers, how can you be contacted?
Anyone looking for some inspiration/advice on how to make your imagination come to life, art requests and purchases, you can reach me at: thekings43rd@gmail.com. T
Follow Marz at ko-fi.com/freshoffthesteps, @Thekings43rd on Instagram and Thekings43rd on Deviant Art.
