21ST ANNIVERSARY POSTER

Artist Statement

Everything we see is art, therefore art is to see. From what I can see, art is more than a drawing, a painting, a sculpture or photo. Art is an umbrella that covers the various categories of expression, emotion, memory, imagination and creativity. In all of its awesome forms, we can find joy in art by exploring the endless definitions. I enjoy the basic elements of art while continuing to practice and improve in new art mediums. As a local artist, it’s inspiring to see so many others creatively participate and enjoy visual arts, music, food, and more. When designing the poster for Art Beat, my goal was to display the atmosphere that the event promotes. With its variety, vibrant color, family-friendly activities, and overall welcoming environment, Art Beat is a special gift to the community.

Artist Bio

DeShawn is better known by his nickname 2B. Fun fact – he is a triplet, and to help his mom identify the three babies the doctor marked him and his siblings in the computer 1A, 2B, & 3C. Everyone's been calling him 2B ever since!
At a very young age 2B picked up his first pencil and paper which opened the door to a world of creativity. As time progressed, so did his ability to draw in a more skilled fashion. Drawing became more than just a pastime. It transformed into a passion that would soon become a career choice.
In conversation with his mom, 2B once said, "Everything we see is art, therefore art is to see." He went on to say that even a blind person can see art because of the art of imagination.
Based out of South Bend, 2B's artwork began to catch the eyes of many friends and family. Kids in school would often ask for sketches, doodles, and drawings. Class projects were especially enjoyable for the young artist as he could use his creative side for almost every school subject. In 2006, The Robinson Community Learning Center of the University of Notre Dame put together a comic book addressing the issue of bullying in school. This comic was to teach students coping skills from the (TAKE TEN) violence prevention program, and 2B was privileged to be chosen as an artist for the project. That same year 2B was recognized by the South Bend Tribune and mentioned in the fall issue of a magazine titled Arts Everywhere, an initiative of the Community Foundation of St. Joseph County. Transitioning from Middle School to High School, 2B was one of two given the 8th Grade's President's Award as well as a Hoosier Art Award his Senior year.
Fast forwarding to more recent times, 2B has continued exploring new mediums of art and excelling in his creative talents. Along the road, he has done many tributes, commissions, and projects involving acrylic paint, watercolor, graphite drawings and digital illustrations. Several celebrities have also had 2B's art in their hands and have engaged with him on social media due to his artistic abilities. In 2016, 2B visited his first Comic Convention as a guest and made it a goal to participate as an artist soon after. Frequent comic conventions, gallery displays, and art fairs have built awesome connections and friendships for the artist. 2B has also shared in giving art tip sessions and motivation to others alongside local libraries and studios.

For 2B, art has become his full-time occupation. Behind the scenes he has been working on several other projects including works as an author, voice acting, and photography. Throughout his journey, 2B continues to find ways to improve and is always looking for new creative ways to build on his craft.

There's so much to explore under the umbrella of art. Join in on his journey!