If you’ve ever been to All City Chess Club’s website, you’ve probably seen the cartoon drawings of the musicians mentioned. Those images are just a few examples of what Princess Spencer, a 21 year old artist and graphic designer, can do. The Virginia Commonwealth University student is known for her creativity, as well as her artwork she has dedicated to numerous musicians, many of which are hip hop artists.
The self-proclaimed “Soul Addict” has been doing what she loves since her youth.
“I’ve been drawing since before I could write,” Spencer said. “It was embedded.”
Spencer started graphic design in 2008, when Nara Sushi, know known as City Dogs, asked her to do a last minute flyer for a hip hop show.
Although talented, Spencer wasn’t always sure if art would be such a major part of her life. She especially realized her art was more of a hobby than a career choice when she started attending VCU.
“Coming to VCU and feeling like the black sheep, not knowing this and that artist or technique or even supplies, and when I didn’t pass or get high grades…was when my work really started,” Spencer said.
That downfall in school made Spencer, also known as PS, develop a hustler’s attitude and start to manage her skill on her terms. Susann Whittier, Spencer’s VCU Arts Advisor, also felt that going to school for art wasn’t in Spencer’s best interest.
“You don’t need this,” Whittier said to Spencer. “You’re a hustler; you don’t conform to theis system.”
So from then on, Spencer came into her own and started working for artists and getting features, hence rising to the local celebrity she is now.
Spencer’s work comes from her own imagination, but she still is inspired by various artists, particularly musicians. Some of those inspirations include Musiq, Nickelus F, Kendrick Lamar, Mos Def, Common, 9th Wonder, and Ohbliv.
“The passion all those people bring when they create and as raw as their sound is…shows dedication to their crafts,” Spencer said.
That dedication can also be felt through Spencer’s work, whose motto is “love life.” And to anyone who dreams to do what she does for a living, she has sound advice.
“Do you,” Spencer said. “Be true to your craft. You know your purpose; own that.”
For examples of Princess Spencer's graphic, photography, artwork, etc., visit http://www.flickr.com/photos/virginia_princess. You can also visit her website www.psimdope.com.
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