I think every woman can agree there’s just something about a
man with style, but there’s something even greater about a man with style, with
a love for Christ, plus a God-given gift, and an eagerness coupled with a
willingness to work for change in his city.
I’ve dang near stalked (sorry Joseph) this dude since I was
introduced to his Flight of Fancy tees over a year ago. He’s since ventured into various forms of art
and design and I recently had the exciting opportunity to pick his brain about
his awe-inspiring passion.
Please allow me to introduce to some
and present to others (that’s a throwback introduction of MC thing I picked up
in the Baptist Church) none other than a modern day Renaissance Man, Joseph Boyd!
Give us a little background on your passion for art or
design, but first tell us where your true passion lies.
Well, my love for art I think started back when I was a
child studying and drawing dinosaurs, comic books, and video game art. When I
was younger I would rip pages out of video game magazines in stores so I could
go home and draw the characters (Lord and Mama please forgive me). Drawing
spilled over into me doodling in class which I’ve done my entire scholastic
life (My college finance notes are covered in drawings and odd figures). I fell in love with sneakers and started
drawing them in junior high. I began painting shoes my first year of college
and started my t-shirt business my senior year of college (you need a nice
shirt to go with your nice shoes).
My true passion is just to create. I have to use my head and
figure things out and learn all the time. I always had an urge to create:
building, painting, drawing, outside, inside, fashion, computer graphics,
electronics, and things that have nothing to do with art. Because of the life I
lived, I’ve been a “Jack of All Trades” my entire life.
Most of us know you
by your sneaker and tee designs, but tell us what else you've got going on now?
I’ve kind of stepped outside of clothing and went a more
traditional route in art by painting on canvas and other surfaces. As an artist,
you have to grow and broaden your canvas. I couldn’t begin to name the
multitude of things I’ve done and had a love for outside of art/painting over
the course of my life. I am working on my own sneaker. So, Lord willing you all
will be wearing ME from your head to your toes!
I've noticed you to be a fellow Memph-geek. Tell me why it
is important for you as an artist to promote and cultivate a love of this rich
city?
Honestly, I wasn’t
always so eager to help or stay in the city. I always loved my city, but I
couldn’t see myself growing here at all as a person and with my business. After
a lot of prayer, talking to people, and being a part of different events, I
came to realize that this city has an abundance of talent that needs to be
nurtured and broadcasted to the world. There’s more than just Elvis, BBQ,
rappers, basketball players, and First 48 Episodes coming out of Memphis. We
have artist, actors, dancers, film directors, designers, etc. Memphis has this
negative connotation attached to it that prospers via the media (most times our
own). The world sees and reads about it, they begin to form a misconstrued idea
of the city that they spread to their friends and in turn keeps people away
from the city and also pushes people out. This city has the potential and
resources to become more MUCH more. Change has to start with self, If you don’t
want to change then don’t preach about change. When we all decide that we want
this place to change our next step must be to get up and do something about it
together.
What are some of your favorite places to visit in the city
and why?
I don’t get out as
much as I used to, but when I did it was primarily to eat. I love food, I
really and truly try not to eat at chain restaurants. It’s this place downtown
called Winkey’s on 4th I don’t know if they are still there, but it
was this hole in a wall restaurant with real soul food, I’m talking hot water
corn bread, pinto beans, sweet potatoes, made to order catfish…AHHHHHH! I’m
about to find out if they are still open! Soul Fish café is good in midtown.
Music wise I like BB Kings down on Beale St. really any place where you can
listen to live music especially jazz is good with me.
Share with me a little about your faith and how important it
is to you.
It’s not possible to
share a little lol, but if you’re ever around me or if you’re a friend of mine
on facebook or relative then you know that I’m a devout Christian and my love
for Jesus Christ is out of this world. I didn’t live a “hard” life, I was
blessed to have a roof over my head, food in my stomach, clothes on my back,
parents stayed together for a while; but even after they split they were still
there for my brothers and I and blessings actually came from it. A lot of
people don’t know about some of the things I’ve been through and the amount of
failures I’ve had in my life (Successful people fail A LOT before the success,
so don’t give up.), but HE does and has always been there to help me back up,
He placed my feet on solid ground every time and made me even stronger than I
was before each fall, He reassures me that He would never leave me, He
comforted me in my darkest times, He loves, listens to and understands me when
no one else does, because sometimes you have to stand alone, but as long as
you’re standing in Christ you’re going to be all right. I do everything through
God, and give Him all the glory before, during, and after whether I win, lose,
or draw. I don’t make a move unless He says yes. I have total love for
everybody because of Him. It comes a time in some people’s life that they have
absolutely no one. I don’t want anyone to ever feel unloved, satan begins to
step in and do his work when that happens. God will always love you, in
addition and because of Him and what He has done for me, to everyone in the
world: I love you, you don’t know me, but I love you, and there’s nothing you
can do about it!
Quick Fire Seven
1)
Best advice you’ve ever gotten?
They’re simple, but effective “Hard
Work pays off” and “Never give up”
2)
What and/or where do you see yourself in 10 years?
Lord willing, my own sneaker line with wife
and kids.
3)
Who is your favorite designer? I always liked Marc Ecko
because of his artistic background and graffiti style.
4)
Who has the most amazing style to you (can be anyone)?
Two: Andre 3000 and Pharrell
5)
Describe yourself in four words: Godly, gifted,
ambitious, loving
6)
Let’s say you have the opportunity to do anything else
you want BUT work in fashion, what career path would you choose? Always wanted
to be a Paleontologist or firefighter
7) Favorite bible verse? Proverbs 25:2 It is
the glory of God to conceal a matter; to search out a matter is the glory of
kings
His responses validated my stalking attempts, I mean how could you not follow a dude with this much ambition and humbleness. Be sure to send some love his way at
flightoffancyshop.bigcartel.com
