Life & Work with Quincy Harding of Spring Valley

Today we’d like to introduce you to Quincy Harding.

Quincy, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
My name is Quincy, I’m 26, and a black and native illustrator and designer originally from Massachusetts. I grew up in a family of creatives so it wasn’t a shock that I went into the art field. I was surrounded by painters, designers, and makers my whole life. After graduating high school, my art journey formally began when I attended Rhode Island School of Design with a BFA in Illustration. The biggest change to my art expression happened during my senior year (2020) when all schooling went remote. This was the first wave of remote classes so everything was still being tested out. It was difficult to get supplies when stores were closed. It was difficult to print, paint, or work with no access to a studio. I was finishing my last semester of college from a bedroom with limited supplies. This is when I fell in love with digital art. Previously I never enjoyed working digitally because I loved the tactile experience of traditional work. But learning this new form of creating changed my whole way of thinking. Since graduating college and moving to San Diego I’ve been improving my art style, focusing on my career, and building my small business. I’ve named my art style “Moody Glamour” as it depicts stylized women combining elements of fashion and beauty. I believe this style came naturally because it still holds the textures and vibe I used to love capturing in my traditional work. I sell my work online as well as at markets around San Diego. Within the last year Ive been trying my hand at airbrushing and sell one of one pieces along with my digital work. I’ve worked on public art projects, murals and collaborations designing clothes and products. And for the month of July I even have my first solo show happening in Massachusetts. Through my art I hope to encourage people to embrace authenticity, and inspire a new generation of women, youth and anyone who enjoys my work.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
One of my biggest obstacles was finding my art style. I think this is a struggle any artist can relate to. Even now I still wouldn’t say my style is fully developed. Theres really no advice I can give besides to keep going, keep experimenting, and keep getting inspired. When I have an art block I tell myself ” just draw what you like” Draw it over and over again if thats what keeps you going. One of my favorite sayings is “adulthood is liking everything you did as a kid but not being ashamed about it” Tap into that childhood wonder and never be ashamed of the failures or the bad sketches. Multiple times Ive almost come to the point of calling it quits, and because I didn’t want to waste the paint I had already poured out, I pushed through and ended up creating my favorite shirt design so far. I think social media puts a lot of pressure on artists to have a consistent aesthetic or style when in reality it’s impractical. The world is ever changing and therefore I believe art should be too. Be proud of your art journey so far and be excited at the possibilities for the future.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
My brand/style is called Moody Glamour, and this style is mainly depicted though my digital art. Moody Glamour started out as a feeling. A feeling that sometimes beauty hides in dark places and that there is realness and authenticity in the things you try to avoid the most. The lust for something you shouldn’t, or the addition of a toxic habit. Often times it’s not the greatest points of our lives that define us, but the darkest. Moody glamour tries to capture that glimmer of a moment where you can see theres so much more to a person than their present state of mind. A diamond in the dust, and on the contrary, dust within a diamond. One aspect I love to focus on is the eyes as they serve as silent narrators. The eyes tell all. With my admiration of fashion and beauty, I also love to incorporate unique hairstyles, makeup and clothes into my digital work too. These interests have lead me to design clothes collaborating with a large brand while also designing my own smaller collections. One of my favorite things to do is rework thrifted clothes and make them into something new. Whether this means airbrushing a new illustration on top or cutting and sewing the clothes back together I enjoy selling these pieces at my pop up shops around San Diego. I sell prints of my digital work, stickers, and other fun merchandise as well. Selling at vendor markets, and promoting my art online has helped me get involved in such a great community and also gave me many opportunities like large public art murals and art shows. I created a large banner in my hometown honoring the city and will be completing another mural debuting a new style I created specifically for that project. I’ve been a part of multiple different art shows this year and thats so new and exciting. This year I feel like I’ve started a new chapter in my art journey and I’m so ready for whatever it brings. My only hope is that my art reaches an audience that enjoys it as much as I love creating it.

What matters most to you?
What matters to me the most is being authentic and creating a community that resonates with that too. Feel your feelings and let them be heard. Like what you like and be proud of it. Growing up I always felt like I had to fit in, be part of the beauty standard or like what other people liked because it was popular. This new generation of youth is so accepting and creative and it’s so refreshing to see. I have a little sister who is in high school and I work with kids/teens as a part time job and after seeing the variety of aesthetics, clothes, hairstyles, makeup they wear, I’m proud that society has normalized being unique and different. Id love to inspire the world around me, how the world around me, inspires me.

Contact Info:

• Website: quincyharding.com
• Instagram: @quincyharding_art
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/quincyharding.art
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/quincy-harding-51154b158/
• Youtube: @quincyharding