edreys

Artwork by Edreys

Artwork by Edreys: One who Masters the Pen

Edreys (e-dreese), a derivative of the Arabic name Idris, means “one who masters the pen or the skill of writing” I have always been a very talented artist and writer, which draws the question, “Did my name influence my destiny to be an artist, or did I consciously become an artist to live up to my name?”

My parents were both very creative people, my mother was an artist and seamstress who handmade many of the outfits and clothes I wore as a child. My father, also an artist, made a great deal of our furniture at home, and is most recognized in Buffalo for being a master craftsman jeweler. With this sort of influence in my home, through imitation I naturally began to draw.

From as early as age 5, I remember being very apprehensive about coloring my artwork with the fear that I would ruin the detail in the line and the overall raw look and character of the piece.  This trait later became my strength in the sense that, it has become a signature characteristic of my work, which primarily deals with black on white or white on black, the absence of color.

With the many years of developing my craft growing up at home, fine arts discipline at High School and graphic design at Buffalo State College, I have discovered a style that clearly reflects all of my influences, from the meaning of my name to my education. My art has a very graphic quality, due to my attention to craftsmanship, line integrity, composition and negative/positive space relationships. My artwork also has a musical resonance, as I am heavily influenced by hip-hop. My lines and patterns have movement and rhythm, a cadence if you will that makes all the parts read as a whole as does many note will do for a song or melody.

It is through my art that I learn more about myself in mastering the pen. I confidently convey to my audience that the pieces create themselves, as I allow my creativity to surprise me with the end product. I’m excited by every piece.