Dolo Art
Bronx, N.Y.
“I could literally snatch energy out of the air…”
For our second Spotlight we got the opportunity to speak to Dolo about his origins, inspirations, and aspirations. The Bronx painter gave us detailed explanations to some frequently asked questions and opened up to us about his motivations. Dolo has been an active for years hosting many of his own art shows and events where he often provides a stage for singers, rappers, and poets. We at Pour L’ame thank Dolo for his vulnerability, honesty and time. Follow and support Dolo on his journey as one of the more talented fine artists in the NYC Area.
Where did the name Dolo come from?
Dolo: It started in high school, I was cool with people but I’ve always been selective with my friends. We are all busy so half the time that’s how I show up, Dolo. And when I do show up with my people we’re all on the same page, united, we all move as one so it’s still Dolo. So it became a thing everybody always said ‘Yo you always Dolo’ and I just accepted it. I liked it.
What was your introduction to art?
Dolo: I’ve been drawing my whole life, for as long as I can remember. When I was younger I used to fight a lot and drawing used to calm my mind. Then it became fun to me. I had a lot of thoughts and ideas and I used to draw them out.
So you’ve been drawing for a long time, when did you realize that you were talented?
Dolo: At around 2nd grade I started to realize other pictures didn’t look like mine. Then people used to ask me to draw things for them and pay me about $2 - $3, lunch money to draw them pictures of themselves, pets, and cartoons.
When did it become a passion for you though?
Dolo: In 5th grade the day of my first art show my brother died. My piece sold for about $10k that day but it was donated to the school, and it was hung in the Bronx Museum of Art. Looking back on it, that’s when I knew I could do something with it. I knew I wanted to be a painter and I knew I wanted to be a Marine. Looking back on it I did both and I made it through it. Losers say I tried that, winners say I did that. I did what I said I would.
How did your brother’s passing affect your art?
Dolo: It’s the reason why I have to be doing something at all times but I wouldn’t say it made an impact on my art itself. It altered my perspective on life. The first time my parents were in the same room with no problems and that’s the news I got, it kind of set the standard for that arrangement. So this is why I’m always so active, I could literally snatch energy out the air even when I’m mellow, I can just pop up at any moment.
Would you consider yourself an art historian?
Dolo: In some aspects. I work with in lot of different mediums. I do some expressionism and some impressionism and that made me do research and educate myself on the history so I could master my techniques.
“Losers say I tried that, winners say I did that. I did what I said I would.”
Would you consider yourself an art historian?
Dolo: In some aspects. I work with in lot of different mediums. I do some expressionism and some impressionism and that made me do research and educate myself on the history so I could master my techniques.
Are there any artist that inspired your art?
Dolo: There aren’t any fine artist that inspired my art. My art comes from my emotions and the things I’ve been through. I will say though, there are a couple of people in the music industry who carry themselves in their space a certain way and that inspires me. For example I’m a little moody and unpredictable. So people like J. Cole, Future, people who will go away for long periods of time and come back spontaneously to release a project, I tend to learn a lot from. I feel like if you pick your spots, your impact will be more powerful.
My introduction to your artwork was Dolo’s Muses, tell me about that collection and its impact.
Dolo: These particular paintings they’re all lewd women of all different races and sizes doing random things they may do at home. In Greek mythology there are about 7 muses so I wanted to put my spin on it. So they all came from my mind, some were versions of women from my past that I changed the face of others were imagination. But it came with controversy people judged me saying I was being perverted obscene but it’s just art. It wasn’t anything sexual but people are always going to judge.
How do you want people to feel after seeing your art?
Dolo: Royalty.
