Today we’d like to introduce you to Ajia (Chresylius) Williams.
Hi Ajia, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I am a self-taught Graphic Design Illustration Artist, growing up in Baltimore City with a family of 7 raised by my mother we’re all creatives so it’s only natural I’d pick up a thing or too. I learned character design and illustration through my sister’s. My oldest brother often would approach me with a new creative idea, so I bounced around a lot before deciding on this medium.
I watched alot of cartoons and anime growing up so when developing my style naturally, I’d gravitate to the most visually appealing which made me want to get into Caricature Art, I love the thought of merging the people I see with the imaginative world we all admire one way or another.
The concept of being an artist is amazing. A person able to imagine and visually/physically create an embodiment of that thought into reality for the world to admire whether they understand it or not. I’ve used this mindset to craft a style of my own that allows me the privilege of displaying those merged worlds to my audience.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It’s hard when you know what you want to do at a young age some assume you’ll change your mind as it tends to happen, others don’t believe you should be taken seriously because you’re young. Even through family wanting the best for you, wishing that you’d choose a path leading to a direction that displays frequent or immediate results.
So yeah, I’ve received my fair share of rejection, I’ve been taken advantage of through creative labor, had my physical art stolen, and left with projects to figure out on my own. I’ve felt the need to quit municipal times because my choices don’t appeal to …really anyone other than me but isn’t that the best part about being creative? Because I’m an original i don’t compare myself, No two things are the same so I won’t pretend to be.
I didn’t start finding my people until high school/college it’s not until you step away from where you grew up and from those who have a predetermined image of you that the real version you’ve always believed in can be seen.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
When I create caricatures I merge the concept with the drawing, and what i mean by that is if I’m wearing bunny ears in the reference photo then in the actual drawing, I’ll HAVE real ears. Since building on this concept, I finally decided to bridge the gap between myself, and my art- So I got into Cosplay!
Cosplay is the act of dressing up as a fictional Character whether it be to its original design or an alternative look captured to either the characters acts/ personality or the cosplayers comfort and redesign. My love for Anime is still apparent growing up in an environment where you’d get bullied/clowned or even ostracized for liking it, That never sat well with me I never hid it and eventually formed lasting friendships along the way because of it.
Given that I specialize in Character design and Caricature Art, be it original or redesign both in reality through my cosplay or fiction through my art. I am most proud of my attention to detail when it comes to lighting and depth of a reference- the photos have to be clear otherwise I’ll free hand any missing proportions.
Since I started Cosplaying I’ve both guested at various events and have been hired as a Costume face painter for birthday parties. While working with different organizations across the DMV including but not limited to Plus Ultra Entertainment, and Tokyo Genesis for Otaku Trivia Night, as well as hosting my own Main Character Energy event once a year, to bring these individuals together who never got the chance to love their interests out loud unapologetically.
Creating caricatures for clients, Cosplaying at events or birthday parties, bringing people together through mutual love of a genre/series, reigniting that child-like- wonder you were never allowed to fully express, but you can now so what’s the wait? That is what I strive to do.
Can you talk to us a bit about happiness and what makes you happy?
Whenever I start a project just the thought of having the finished product in my hand and out of my brain is motivating to me,
every Artist has their process and yes sometimes it can be stressful but when its out its like a weight off your shoulders. a lot of the time you keep it in your head afraid of it being stolen but for me I fear no one would understand it until I show proof.
Rather than being “the girl who cried Art!” I wanna be the girl who shows art and I want others with over stimulating creative visions but maybe not enough creative prowess, to see in me that we’ll make it exist some dreams are small to others but mean a lot to you what makes me happy is making those dreams come trues.
Pricing:
- Caricature piece: BP $150 add ons pricing may very
- Character Re-draw/design BP $60
- Tattoo Design BP $50 increases with size and detail
- Commission work: Forms are open NSFW’s not take
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chres_ylius/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/17fr34rrKv/?mibextid=wwXIfr
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@32ajia
- Other: https://linkbio.co/Chresyarts
Image Credits
Plus Ultra Entertainment Photographer- Instagram Handle 8th.aperture
