Meet Ann Adele Blassingame | Printmaker & Upcoming Tattoo Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Ann Adele Blassingame and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Ann Adele, how do you think about risk?
Without implementing risk into many of the things I do, I would not be in the place I am currently, doing what I love to do. For me taking risks has been something shunned upon within my family. For them, risks are expected to lead to much harsher consequences which I think comes from generational traumas whether it be institutional racism or tragic death within the family. Finally breaking through the barrier of fear holding me back has given me some of the best opportunities in my life so far. I took a risk with creating art and it has led me to becoming a finalist for the UNCo Southard Awards. Without risks I wouldn’t have the wonderful job I have at the Gender & Sexuality Resource Center, supporting LGBTQ+ students on campus and within the local community. Risks are an essential part of my creation process.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
For me, art has always been something that I dabbled in from time to time, not seriously considering it as a career until I actually began university. I was significantly pushed away from the idea of art after a bad experience in a middle school class where I was essentially shown that I shouldn’t have my own creative freedom. Today, I strive in continuing to prove that teacher wrong by pushing my creative limits and experimenting with my favorite medium, printmaking. With my art, I use it as a way to work through my traumas and move past them in a way that transforms them into something more pleasant. I realized this was the best way for me to begin my creative journey because my traumas were what was holding my back from doing so. Facing them head on through my art, I can now create works that others can look at and dissect from their own perspective. As a queer, black, AFAB creative, it is incredibly important for me to also speak my truths, as historically it has been silenced. In the 21st century, I find it unacceptable that voices like mine continue to be pushed to the background. Recently, I have been using my art in the form of tattooing. When I was younger, I often heard that more melanated folks couldn’t get color tattoos or tattoos at all. I am working towards showing that darker skin tones can look beautiful with permanent artwork on their bodies, as we shouldn’t be excluded from such a practice.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
My favorite thing to do in Greeley is on Saturday mornings from 8am to 12pm. The Greeley farmer’s market has so many wonderful vendors ranging from fresh produce to lovely pastries to beautiful art. There is always something for everyone. My favorite stand has freeze dried treats, and I love to get the freeze dried sour skittles! I also love to stop by the XLVII’s stand as they have some of the best french pastries you can find in the area. As nature is one of my greatest joys, I love to take walks around Greeley and visit parks. Glenmere park is a beautiful area to skate around or have a picnic with friends. I also love having picnics on the University of Northern Colorado’s central campus where you can hammock in the trees and enjoy the campus scenery. There is also a tree tour that you can go on that goes through each part of campus!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I am so appreciative of the incredible group of friends and colleagues I have met and grown close to in my time at university. Going into my senior year, I am getting to make one of my dreams come true by living in a house with many artists and having a collective studio together. We are working towards creating projects together, organizing galleries, and having art related events which has helped me to realize the potential I have when it comes to using my voice. I also want to acknowledge my professors, Andrew Meyer and Andrew Liccardo, and the incredible effort they put into helping students to progress in the art world. Without these instructors, I would not have the creative abilities nor understanding of myself as an artist. I would also love to shout out my best friend Nikaiya Lawson. Together we are curating Black is Punk, a series of events held throughout Fall 2023 that showcase the creative talents of Black individuals. Nikaiya has been there for me as an artist since the beginning of my career, and I am honored to be able to collaborate with her to create community based events!

Website: https://blas4619.wixsite.com/babubearx

Instagram: instagram.com/babubearx

Image Credits
Blassingame Hunter Rensink