Today we’d like to introduce you to Nona Ray.
Hi Nona, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
As a little girl growing up in a small town in Louisiana, I had so many questions about life and why things appeared as they did. I grew up in a town where the people were segregated and separated by a railroad track. There were black people on one side and white people on the other. I was too young to grasp the concept of what was happening or why. Early on, I started to use my imagination: wondering what the inside of the homes belonging to the white people looked like and what was so different about their whole way of life vs those on the side where black people (I) lived. I had no way to personally experience this so I created a world all of my own inside of my head.
My family moved to Dallas when I was 12 and I was in total shock to see what I saw. Just as I had imagined, there was a place where all sorts of people lived among each other. Black and white people talked to each other; I saw kids from other countries! I saw jewelry and clothing that I had never seen before but I had indeed seen all of this in my imagination. It was like having my wildest dreams come to life. I remember asking for a camera one year for Xmas the following year of us moving to Dallas. Taking photos was the only way I felt the images I saw would last and become visible to me even if I could not see any of this in person again. I took photos of everyone and everything. The greatest feeling of all was to hold the photos in my hand after they had been developed. It was nothing like it on earth to me. From then on, I always had a camera and my love for photography grew and grew. During my high school years, many of my photos were selected for various periodicals and yearbooks. Unfortunately, my family moved around quite a bit so I never received credit or notarization for my photographic contributions.
I purchased my 1st professional camera in 2005. It was a Nikon D80. I started taking professional photos and doing photoshoots for various events, local musicians, weddings, maternity, baby’s 1st pics, delivery room pics, engagements, youth and adult fashion models and many others. After several years of doing this, I realized this wasn’t quite the direction I wanted to go. While I put photography on pause to discover a new direction, I began painting. At 1st, it was just something to do to help me release creatively. Over time, I found that I had come to really enjoy allowing my brush to do what it wanted. That is when my love for abstract art/painting began. Over the years, I began to get more and more comfortable allowing my brush to follow the hints from my mind and create many beautiful yet indescribable works of art. I would soon find myself adding various mediums to my paintings while trying platforms such as wood, muslin paper and sometimes aluminum. Thinking back to the days of growing up in Louisiana – I grew very fond of black and white images. I found it very fascinating to look at a photo with no color and imagine what the scenery would look like in the various ways I imagined. That soon lead to my love of abstract photography, focusing on predominantly black and white imagery. For a span of 10-12 years, I entered a number of Art shows showcasing my paintings and photography. Today some of my artwork adorn the professional offices and homes of clients nationally and internationally.
During the pandemic that Re-shaped the world in 2020, A thought came to me to reintroduce some of my older abstract photos and start a T-shirt line called ConcepTTees. These T-shirts are special as the images are chosen were to evoke a feeling or emotion only acquired by its owner that speaks for them or represent an unspoken “something” in which the image becomes the thought or feeling. Starting ConcepTTees during one of the most trying years of my life was a feat all on its own. This endeavor showed me that I had an incredible strength that I never realized existed. This concept took almost five months to become a reality and has now become a part of the LRo Arts family of Art services. LRo Arts is the name I chose as an umbrella for all of my Artforms. The name has a special meaning relative to the little curious girl I once was and the woman I am constantly evolving to become. My art is now my full-time priority. There are now three layers of my art and each offers viewers a look into a world that is all of their own. A special place unlike any other. Today, I invite my clients and customers to a similar experience to that which I had as a kid in Louisiana. That experience would be to develop a personal concept as you view my artistry in either of its forms.
***In 2016 I was very sick and acquired a service animal. My story would not be complete without mentioning her. Her name is TobieLynn and she literally SAVES my life in some way every day! I never thought I would need the support of an animal to be “alive” in more ways than one. She gives me the strength and motivation to do what I do. It is such a pleasure and blessing to have her! Thanks Tobie!****
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Wow! I cannot say that this has been a smooth road by far. As with anyone trying to pursue a life in the Arts – you have to get out there and make yourself. Art is not a career choice that poses immediate rewards. I still worked a full-time job as I was building my portfolio in photography and painting. I could only do so many shoots or take on very few commissioned pieces because this was not consistent so I could not let go of my full-time job at the start. Also, from what I can see, there is not a very big art scene in the Dallas area. There are certain shows that come through Dallas, such as the yearly Deep Elum Art’s Fest, which was put on hold for 2020 and a lot of one-off “underground” shows which you pretty much have to know who to sign up with to feature join these shows or just put together your own show. As much as one may want to avoid the topic…
There is an issue that arises with the different are focuses. I am all abstract. However, some of those putting on art shows may invite me because of the color of my skin, assuming my art will look similar to the other participants and that is not so. Most of the festivals and other shows have a pretty hefty cost for space rental unless you were invited to participate. Most of this will come from who you know. Putting on your own art show is a great way to establish a name for yourself. However, the cost and labor that goes into finding the right venue and marketing yourself can take a toll on one overall with hopes that all of your efforts do pay off. Sadly race/color plays a part in everything, even art. Most people will gravitate toward their art of interest and that is fine. However, when you consider creating art for any and all people, and you are boxed in due to appearance and assumption 1st that can create unwarranted obstacles. I am not sure how things are going to look following the pandemic. Here is expecting the best outcome ever and more channels opening for all artists.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
After over 20 years leading a successful Consulting Career, I am currently pursuing my passion as an Abstract Artist. In 2005, I started my 1st Art focused company under the name 3rd EyE Impressionz that focused mainly on photography in all areas. During that time, I had the opportunity to be one of the photographers to shoot the B.E.T nomination party for Dallas Rapper “Dorrough” among many other memorable shoots and Art showcases.
Some of the photos taken during that period were used as the introduction in launching my T-shirt line; ConcepTTees! During a time where it seems as though the world stood still; the pandemic of 2020 was my wake-up call to grab hold of my life and do what makes me happy. I decided to rebranded myself by focusing only on abstract, included my paintings and apparel to my artistry and began my new venture; LRo Arts!
LRo Arts is an Abstract collective of several art mediums as seen through the eyes of NonaRay! LRo Arts offers pre-bordered photo prints in various sizes (mostly black and white), ConcepTTees and abstract paintings both custom and pre-painted.
What sets my art in a class of its own is that not only is it designed for viewing pleasure, my art also embodies the ability to induce positive feelings. The passion and intention that goes into my work will be felt by all of those who view it and/or wear it!
What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
I would attribute my ability to positively influence people to be my best quality. I approach life with consideration that ALL people are “human” above race, gender and all other defining elements. Keeping “humanism” as my #1 guide to living a great life, I generally see the good in people and their intentions versus what is sometimes shown. I understand the perils life brings upon us at times and the way we express that is sometimes difficult. With that in mind, I tend to not take unkindness personally and strive to display it in any way I can. By doing so, I have a strong basis for developing trusting relationships that span across my personal life, business and philanthropy. ConcepTTees was birthed with that very aspect in mind. Choosing to use my art as a way to allow others to express what they feel when words and actions may not come easily is something, I feel the world definitely needs.
Pricing:
- S-L T-shirt 40.00
- XL-2xl T-shirt 45.00
- 11×14 photo prints 175.00
Contact Info:
- Email: innerray77@gmail.com
- Website: lroarts.com
- Instagram: @nonaraytheartist
Image Credits
There is one from a customer wearing my shirt. Her name is Trina and she helps me with Printing my Shirts. Her business is Demi’s Treasures. She is on IG.
