Meet Miss Lotus | Street Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Miss Lotus and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Miss, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking
Risk taking has played an immense role in my career as a street artist! Most of the time, my art is done without permission, so it can be quite risky.

I find it exhilarating to go out at night under the cover of darkness, and create beauty and art where there was none.

Whether it’s an old boarded up building or a city underpass, there is always a risk when you do graffiti. I love hot boy spots because they get the most visibility, but that also means the chances of getting caught are higher.

You have to be stealthy, quick, and have an escape route in mind. Sometimes you have to hide several times during the process of painting. Or maybe you don’t get to finish at all because you had to run.

You have to always be on your toes, always be on the look out, while also creating some cool art to look at as well. It’s very exciting! It’s not for everybody. It takes balls that’s for sure. I am also a skateboarder, so I love that feeling of adrenaline pumping through my veins.

But the risk does not end with the execution of the art… I’d like to also point out the risk that comes with surrendering your art to the streets.

This is a very different experience than displaying your artwork in a gallery. When you put your art up in the outside world, you relinquish control over your work. It is no longer yours, as it is now part of the community and shared space. Other people can rip it down, deface it, and go over it. It might get buffed instantly before you can even get a photo. Or if you’re lucky, people will respect it, love it, and find inspiration from it.

Street art and graffiti is alive. It interacts with the world around it. It cannot be contained in a safe, sterile gallery with hours of operation for the few who walk in. It is for everybody. It is alive. It breaks the rules.

Risk is a huge part of my artistic career and I like it that way. Graffiti and street art are the most fun you could ever have! Any chance I take doing this type of art is worth it. With great risk comes great reward.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I am excited to represent femininity in the graffiti world! This genre is dominated by mostly men, so it is fun to set myself apart by painting lotus flowers and female nudes. I love the combination of gritty, grungy streets and my soft alluring images.

I want the world to know about the meaning of the sacred lotus flower. This plant is associated with enlightenment because its growth is a metaphor for life’s spiritual journey.
The lotus seeds itself in the darkest mud at the bottom of the pond, representing this physical world and the troubles found here.
As the plant grows it travels upward through the water toward the light, representing each human’s journey of seeking spirituality.
Finally, the lotus rises above the waters to bloom in the sun, depicting the flowering of enlightenment.
In my art, I want to bring in imagery and energy that uplifts and inspires others!

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.
I would take them on a walking street art tour in the Noda neighborhood. We would check out the pop-up @toughasscrew gallery and eat açaí bowls at @luvspoons or get vegan waffles at @ohmysoulusa.

We would buy plants at @cactusclunco, get crystals at @thebagladyintuitivegifts, and take a yoga class with @megan_rising at @campnorthend.

We would get coffee at @queencitygrounds then skate the Charlotte Uptown greenway.

Eat plant-based food at @living_kitchen then hit up @cheapjoesartclt for spray paint

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My mentor and the most prolific graffiti writer in North Carolina, OBSOE. He taught me how to spray paint and brought me into the graffiti world. IG: @joeyobso
Online store: joeyo.bigcartel.com

Also shoutout to Mo Wineman who recommended me to Shoutout Colorado!
IG: @owlymo

Website: Misslotus.bigcartel.com

Instagram: @misslotus_