Dexter Grooms aka the 5Foot3r started getting involved in art in the summer of 2009.
"My Fine Arts advisor got me into it. Informed me of the photoshop class offered at FIU. Took it. Been at it ever since. The class taught me the basics, so i had to self-teach."
Now 22 years old, the Deerfield Beach, Florida native has a wide range on medium from pencil on pad to building walls to advertising posters to t-shirt designs.
"Haven't really found a personal style yet in Graphic Design. I just try to be as professional and pleasing to the eye as much as possible. Not too much of a style in my drawings either. I haven't really found a particular subject or focus yet. Its random as hell. I'll just be chillin' and I'll feel like drawing the human body one day. The next day might be an angler fish."
So then where does the inspiration come from, you may wonder (i know i did).
"As far as me gettin' into art, Salvador Dali and Todd McFarlane are my favorite and inspired me to pursue art. Oh. And Noah Jones. Was introduced to him and his work at a black history month event last year. He is definitely at place and doin' what i want to be doin'. You can check him out at www.njartworks.com"
With his great range of art and design and his sense of creativity, i had to ask how he came up with the name "5foot3r", cuz i was sure it wasn't just the height.
"A Tribe Called Quest are my favorite artists, especially Phife Diggy. That's where the name came from. 'It was me the Abstract.' 'And me the five footer. I kicks the mad style so step off the frankfurter.' That's the line I heard when I was tryna figure out an alias."
For those wondering where you can find him in action, unfortunately you have to catch him where you can.
"No set place. I'm on the go when it comes to my art. When it comes to the graphics, I be on the move. Me and Ebony (black Macbook) be mobile. I like for the person or a client to see their logo or flyer or business card design unfold right in front of 'em. But I'm usually in my room or dorm. I prefer sittin' on the floor though. At FIU campus I'm usually in the art warehouses."
But this doesn't mean you can't check out his work.
"Currently helpin' out the Black Student Union at Florida International University with some graphics for their Black History Month. Just made a t-shirt graphic for the month. Second time doin' a t-shirt graphic for their organization."
And with all this stuff in the works and a laundry list of accomplishments under his belt, what will he do next?
"I plan on havin' my own graphics shop. designing. printing. shipping. that's what I want. me and a team of dudes. that's what I want. Imma get it though."
Well this girl says if anyone could do it, i truly believe Dexter has it in the bag. And i should know, Dex and i go way back.
And now a few parting words of inspiration and appreciation from the man himself:
"You gotta stay on it when it comes to art. You gotta challenge ya self. That's one of the things the professors at FIU excel in. Puttin' you in an unfamiliar and uncomfortable places when it comes to techniques and subjects. Much love and appreciation to the Black Student Union at Florida International University. Shout out to Dalourney Nemorin, Blayne Stone, and Richard "Polar Bear" Pierre."
Now if you want to check out some more of Dexter's work that is not posted here, feel free to go look at http://www.5ivefooterart.com/
i wanna give mad love to Dexter aka The 5Foot3r for your words and your work, keep doing what you do, cuz you are truly a diamond in the rough.
Well that's all for now. Stay tuned for the next edition of Diamond in the Rough, coming soon.
Until then,
Happy Blogging
Theory
(All photos, quotes and links mentioned were given by the consent of Dexter Grooms)
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