Dara Abrams Interview | Respect the Dreamer
In the bustling art scene of New York City, DARA Abrams stands out with her vibrant and multidimensional pieces that seamlessly blend Pop and Street Art. Her work is more than just visually captivating; it's a heartfelt exploration of positivity, nostalgia, and commentary on pressing social issues.
What inspired you to pursue your dream, and how did it all begin?
DARA's journey into the art world began with a deep love for creativity that she nurtured through her youth. While initially hesitant to share her work, her passion for creating whimsical cartoon doodles eventually evolved into studying fine art in college. This experience paved the way for her current practice, where she thrives in the realm of mixed media, constructing pieces that are as textured as they are thought-provoking.
After studying art in college with a concentration in drawing, I was talked out of pursuing anything art-related in my career, so I put it on hold for about 20 years—until recently deciding to pick it back up and pursue being an artist professionally.
Can you share a defining moment in your journey that shaped your perspective and fueled your passion?
Honestly, moving out of Manhattan is what initially triggered me and inspired me to pursue sharing my art with the world.
All of a sudden, I found myself out in the suburbs, living this different life, in an environment I wasn’t familiar with. It was very lacking in the rich arts and culture I was used to being surrounded by. That’s when it clicked for me—I realized I needed not only to have art constantly present in my life, but I needed to be the one creating and sharing it with the world. It’s always been funny to me that I never pursued being an artist professionally when I was living in the place that lends itself most to the type of creating I do.
How do you handle setbacks and keep pushing forward in the pursuit of your dreams?
Being positive is a daily struggle. I feel things very deeply and sometimes let myself be affected more than the average person. Over time I’ve learned to speak kindly to myself and be more mindful of who I let get close to me. I surround myself with people who pour the positivity back into me as I do for them.
Are there specific individuals who have inspired you along the journey?
As corny as it sounds, my children have 100 percent been my number one source of inspiration. I woke up one day and realized I wasn’t leading by example in the life I was living. So I started making changes. I started pursuing things I had always dreamed of doing. At the very least, my goal is to be a good role model for my children. I want them to see that they can manifest their destiny and create a reality out of anything they can imagine. I encourage them to explore the world around them and find what they are passionate about so that they can stay on the path that will forever make them happy. It’s exciting to be able to expose my children to a world that until recently I didn’t even know existed.
How do you maintain a balance between pursuing your dreams and handling everyday responsibilities?
I’m extremely hard on myself in this regard. Sometimes it’s really challenging. I drink way more Red Bull than I should and try to multitask as much as possible. I also try to stay grounded in the fact that certain things might take longer for me to accomplish or complete than my peers because I’m dealing with much more on a daily basis than most other artists I know. I’m okay with that and I’m grateful that a special space has been carved out for me in this NYC community of artists.
How do you overcome self-doubt and stay confident in your abilities?
I don’t think you can ever overcome self-doubt, but with practice you can put reality and your wants into perspective. I try to do things I enjoy. I spend time with friends, I work out, and I try to speak positively to myself. I put a lot of time aside for self-care. I know it’s something important for me specifically—it helps keep me grounded and remember how much I’ve accomplished, not only where I want to go.
Can you share a memorable success story or achievement that resulted from your determination?
When I first started putting up wheatpastes on the street, I was pretty certain no one was noticing. I would put up a piece and it would get torn down the next day. As annoying as it was, I didn’t stop. After a while, my stuff started sticking. People started taking pictures of my art and sharing it. They were telling me how much they enjoyed it. People started reaching out asking how I was making my pieces, and I was even featured in a street art magazine. It felt really good to be accepted and seen. I definitely don’t get out and up as much as I want, but when I do, it is always special because now I know people are watching and waiting to spot my art out on the streets.
In what ways do you stay motivated during challenging times?
I try to put everything in perspective. On the real, I think challenging times are ongoing, so I work on reframing whatever the current challenge is. I’ve overcome so much to get to the point that I’m at now. I try to focus on the fact that even though I’m not stopping, if I did—and never made another piece of art again to share—I could be proud of all the risks I’ve taken in the past couple of years to share myself with the world.
What dream are you living right now?
The biggest dream that I’m living right now is that people actually know who I am. People recognize my art. People are interested in the work I’m creating, and every day I’m gaining a new collector or fan. People want me to be part of their projects, and at this point I have enough people that genuinely support what I’m doing with my art that I really don’t care about those that don’t.
What advice would you give to someone with a dream?
As hard as it is, I would say just don’t give up. Nothing is easy, and pursuing a career in the arts is probably one of the most challenging paths you can take. Make sure that you are doing what you want and not following someone else’s idea of what it is you should be doing in your life and career.
Website: www.daraabrams.com
Instagram: @dara_dara_dara__
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