Publishing Art: Charcoal & the City of Grit

SERVICES
Art & Print Design
CREDITS
Randall Owens, Grit City Magazine
CLIENT
Sierra, Grit City Magazine
YEAR
2023
Embracing the grit of Tacoma
Grit City Magazine is a local magazine that explores the gritty tales of Tacoma, WA since 2017. In 2023, I was invited to be the featured artist of the 20th issues and instructed to make it about Tacoma. Although I love Tacoma, I have always had a bittersweet relationship with it. However, I wanted to capture all the emotions of coming home in one piece that I call the Grit City Groupie. One of my favorite facts about this published piece is that all of her tattoos are from real local Tacoma people and made by local artist. The poem that accompanies this piece brings it all together and captures the complexities

“From finely balanced graphic design to rough charcoal drawings, I haven’t yet found something that Elexia is bad at. I intend to keep looking but I don’t anticipate finding it anytime soon.”
—Sierra Hartman, Founder of Grit City Magazine
Continuing my art career
The original is in GCM's Tacoma office. Copies are available on their site, alongside my feature article. You can purchase your own copy of Grit City's Magazine HC20 at gritcitymag.com
Having my work recognized as the featured artist was pivotal professionally and creatively. I am now officially a published artist. I aim to continue incorporating narrative art across client projects and personal explorations. Authentic perspectives resonate, even amidst doubt. There are always more gritty stories waiting to emerge through my hands.

I often like to do portraits of woman and originally thought exploring an interactive concept could be a lot of fun for subscribers. In this concept, I would draw some tattoos that reference Tacoma and then readers could use other Grit City stickers to decorate her face.

One of my favorite spots in Tacoma is Ruston way. I love going here to go rollar skating and proposed an alternative concept that would be less gritty and more wholesome.

This was the first sketch for the Grit City Groupie but many edits lead to a grit and less sensual depiction of the Tacoma woman that I feel more accurately reflects the essence of Tacoma.

I often like to do portraits of woman and originally thought exploring an interactive concept could be a lot of fun for subscribers. In this concept, I would draw some tattoos that reference Tacoma and then readers could use other Grit City stickers to decorate her face.