Chris Nguon:
Peace community. Welcome to another episode of the CARMA Chronicles podcast, where we speak to the nation's leading healing centered practitioners. I'm your host Chris Nguon and today we hella juiced to speak to Dariane Beamon burgeoning and I do mean versioning I'm talking about blowing up artist on the scene. Incredibly talented and someone who has also been an educator and extended learning programs. Just a pleasure to have her. Our conversation, next.

Chris Nguon:
Dariane, how you doing fam?

Dariane Beamon:
I’m good, how are you?

Chris Nguon:
I can't complain it's such a pleasure to have you on the CARMA Chronicles. I know you have been doing your thing. I know you just got back into town because your art is just blowing up and the point I don't even want to belabor the point. Tell the people about your art.

Dariane Beamon:
Thank you so much. It's a pleasure to be here. My name is Dariane Beamon. I go by Dari B the Artist and I started painting in 2016. I was at the time working in education. I actually worked with Chris and oh no, that wasn't yet. At the time I was in college. I was going to UC Berkeley. And it was kind of a rough point for me. I was trying to figure out what I wanted to do. I wasn't necessarily happy going to school. So my art at that point in my life. I worked acrylic wash and that's the medium of focus. talks a lot about who I am. The things that I've been through. Who I want to be and yeah, things along that line. So again, I'm excited to talk to you all about my journey and it's a pleasure to be here

Chris Nguon:
Doing the thing that everybody in society says we're supposed to do after high school, go to college, and that's where your art was birthed in so many ways. Now Dariane’s artwork that she's doing has really been taken off the boxes that she's put on and the dedication and the tablet and all of those things but I just wanted to start right there in 2016. Specifically, was that rough patch that you mentioned, really late to you dive in deeper into your art or was your art already part of the process? What you've always done and it's just more of a focus and break that down a little bit.

Dariane Beamon:
It was more so in 2016 I was just going through a lot and I think that's also where you know my healing journey started. For me it kind of started from a place of not knowing, you know, I didn't really know who I was. I didn't know what I wanted to do, and most importantly to be so as I started like asking myself those questions and thinking about my life like in real time the things that are the person that I thought I wanted to be and who out who I was at that moment wasn't really aligning right. 

So I had to like take a step back and really try to focus on you know what I wanted to say. And that came with a lot you know, that came with me, you know, stop going. I stopped going to school, because I just didn't feel like being at that institution really reflected who I was. I changed a lot to the point to where I didn't really know you know who I was like, I'm poor. So as I stopped going to school, the people around me kind of noticed when I stopped going I didn't really tell anyone. But of course you know, being a full time college student there's a difference right so people started to see and started to notice what was going on with me. I think everybody knew something was going on, but nobody really knew the depths of the like the mental kind of like anguish I was in so yeah, I took a step back. I stopped going to school and with that, you know, the people around me specifically my partner he was he was concerned, you know, he was very concerned and like everybody knows that. 

I'm overachiever. I do try to do everything to the best of my ability. So when I wasn't really like just putting in real effort towards anything. It was concerning. So he was just like, you know, you kind of need something to do like you need something you know that makes you happy and on the journey to like figuring out what that was. Everybody knows that. I'm super artistic. That's something that I did pretty much all my life. But paintings introduced to me at that time and I just went to the store one day and got a canvas and some paint and some brushes and I started painting. 

And that's when I started to really break down what my child was worrying like, flow first. It wasn't that deep at first. At first it was just like this is something that's making me happy, right? Like, the common theme was like I wasn't living my life for me like that was the common theme around that time. So it felt good to just like have this new passion and to find something that I could write that didn't require anything back to me. At that moment. Like it was extremely freeing. And from there, you know, my art journey kind of started. So

Chris Nguon:
Beautiful. Thank you for breaking that down. And I think you know, there's so many questions that is coming to me right now. And what I'm thinking about a lot is courageous vulnerability. You know, I'm curious because you have really talked about tapping into a passion something that you had and that's what you said you started. You just started doing art. Because it's something that you like to do.

Dariane Beamon:
It's a career principles that we talked about these really purpose, really climbing roles that were meant to. So you know, talk me through a little bit that journey in terms of

Chris Nguon:
How did you really get to that point it was it scary. You know, what supports were there for you, you know, you mentioned your wonderful partner. That was their guy you said I you know, but talk me through that process of really making that.

Dariane Beamon:
Yeah, I think so first, it was definitely just something that I was passionate about. And a lot of people around me didn't even really know at that point in like 2016 2017 that I was kind of like taking it serious personally. Until like people started coming over to my house like I'm super social. I have a lot of friends right. So like, as my friends started to, like kind of trickle in and out. People started to like, see, see my art in my mom. My mom, she's so supportive, like she literally started helping me so as everybody started like, seeing what I was getting better they started encouraging me to get on Instagram, and then from there, my custom pieces. So I started doing that and that's when I first started to see like, wow, like this is something that I could possibly like. You know.  

So at that point, I just told myself like, especially coming from where I was before and feeling like you know, I will always start stuff but I wouldn't finish right even when, like college like that was a big thing for me, like started finishing and it was so many things that I were embarking on starting but not finishing. So with that idea in mind, I just was like, you know, I'm gonna have an art show, and I'm gonna post that I'm gonna have our show on Twitter. So that I can I have to accountable right? At that point, like, you were like, following me like tapping in and like really wanted to see my work. People were starting to become super invested into what I was doing. So when I posted on Twitter, I knew like okay, I kind of got to make this happen. And that's when I plan my first show, which was 25 reasons and that was 2019. I did that for my 25th birthday. 

And that night is really what changed my perspective and you know, I realized that yes, my art like feeds me like spiritually, but you know, it can also like feed me like actually like, I can actually do this, you know, like, so that night you know, I made the most I've probably ever made in my life. And just a couple hours I filled out all my pieces. And that's like, Okay, I found what I what I want to do, I found what I want to spend the rest of my life doing. So from there on, you know, even though I was still working jobs during that point, I knew that my ultimate goal was to you know, just make enough money. So that I can invest it back into my art and do you know what I'm actually deserve to do? So that was kind of a journey and how it how it shifted from, you know, just being something that I was passionate about, to being something that you know, I do full time now. And then I'm down for Time now for the last little bit over a year. So

Chris Nguon:
I look on Instagram or every time I check in with Dariane I just see all the comments. Instagram just really so, so happy to see your success and happy to see that.

Dariane Beamon:
You know, now that I've gotten to the point to where I like know that this is what I want to do, is really is really free. Like that's the word that comes to my mind when I think about it. And it's still scary now, right? I still have moments where I'm insecure about it. I still have moments where I doubt myself but you know is just it's just so much more like so much more comes with it. So much positivity comes with it. So much healing comes with the right like and although is most times a super like labor is in emotionally draining experience all that pain. Just what's on the other side of that is just always so worth it. So yeah, it's just it's just super free and super free.

Chris Nguon:
And I want thank you for that. How would you say your healing process? And if I were asked you now how are you healing? What would you say?

Dariane Beamon:
I heal I heal through art, you know. I've realized and I've recognized that, you know, going to the canvas is what helps me it's what it was. It's what completes me so when I'm feeling sad or when I'm feeling happy or when I'm feeling scared, fearful, you know, all of those things. Lead me to the canvas and I think now in October I'm just really more focused on like finding my voice through my art and be super intentional about what I want the viewer to get from my pieces. So that's what I'm really, really working on right now and then just like being able to express my creativity through my art but then how I present my art as well. Right so like, not art just being one piece of the art. Right so yeah, I'm just it feels good. It feels good. Healing is being going to that Canvas obviously and it's kind of scary sometimes because like I said like it's super emotionally draining right like just everything that I do everything that I paint so intentional, like the color choices, the type of flowers while I'm choosing this flower now like you know like all of those things are our conscious decisions that I'm making. 

Specifically, stemming from the things that I'm going through. So wow its super emotionally draining. It's also very liberating. So that's how I heal that's how I heal and it's kind of difficult, detaching, like my healing process. Kind of in some ways. It's also attached to many so sometimes it's like, I don't really want to pay, you know, I don't I don't want to I don't want to do this. But at the same time, I know history shows me that. It's what I need. And it's always like some type of like good feeling inside. Yeah, it's still scary, but it's definitely necessary and I've realized how necessary it is my life not just art. 

Chris Nguon:
You know, we've worked really closely together at specific Elementary School. In connection with young people, your ability to cultivate such a safe container with young people. Incredibly inspiring in so many ways and even then you both recognize your ability, but it wasn't quite extroverted in that same way, in that way. But I saw that connection that you have young people and as you think about how your artists represented now publicly, now that is out the box to see or you know, I think back to when we work together with young people, and I think back to how young people find different ways of healing as well. So just you know, kind of tells me you know, your work did you learn that really helped you?

Dariane Beamon:
Yeah, that time was so special. Like I feel like I learned so much like being in that particular position and like working with you, and it's something that I still carry to this day. I think that the most important time right now is just like being really. You dance. Right? And a lot of times in my experience like it builds community and I think that's why I was able to kind of like succeed in that aspect. Because no, I was being honest with these and I would want to you know, like I would tell them, you know, I'm not having a good day today. You know, like, I will tell them like oh, it's a lot of time or, you know, this family member just dying is how I feel, you know, so it's just like, being super honest and transparent, transparent with you. It would allow me to build community. And with that, like they feel more comfortable with being able to be with this understanding, right? It's creating that space. In that space now.

 And like, a lot of people like realize how passionate like kids are, you know, like, if I was telling them, I'm having a rough time, you know, the youth that may need a little bit of extra love. Like they'll fall back. Just like being enabled to motivate safe space with him in how you do that is just by being honest, you know, and like giving the people what you expect from him. And I think that's where a lot of people kind of miss the mark. Especially like as authority, authoritative figures. You kind of expect kids to do things that you don't you know, or expect them to give you things that you don't get, or that you don't give yourself right so it's like it's all of those things are getting right for you. Getting right so that you could create the space for them to get right and yeah, it's just like it's just like a cycle, you know, that you kind of constantly got to pour into, but it really just started with you. And like being able to, to be honest with the things that you've gone through. And allowing them to move from there.

Chris Nguon:
Absolutely. You speak on it so eloquently. Even my own experience of working with young people as well. What we call at Flourish that lens to mirror work and learning from that experience. Reflecting on our time together, I made a lot of mistakes that no one else caused, that it was on me. But also that that’s okay and that it’s all part of that journey.

Dariane Beamon:
That's a big that's a big piece that mistake piece is super important. And just being able to admit like, that wasn't right, you actually did that. You know, like just being able to just have those super transparent and clear conversations. Is very, is very necessary needed. Transformative. 

This is a question my curious about. I obviously don’t know what it feels like to be a woman living in this world. Specifically a black woman living in a world where there is anti-blackness everywhere we learn. As a Black woman who is now really public, through your art, do you feel that there is an additional sense of responsibility that you uphold? Where does that representation land for you? Help me tap into a little bit of that process as well and how you hold your boundaries and vulnerabilities in this duality of space.

Dariane Beamon:
Yeah, I think it's definitely you know, like, I have a responsibility to myself to my people, to people who look like me, to my elders, people. Who like, you know, paved the way for me, definitely had a sense of responsibility and it's something that I've carried. And now that I'm in the space to where I'm reading more, and I'm learning more. It's definitely going to start even more reflecting in my work with some of the things that I'm working on. That'll be out soon. But yeah, definitely something that the responsibility that I carry evil in my heart now and seeing, you know, only black women and that's intentional. You know, that's on purpose. That's how I was gonna say, because I just think that it's important to share my voice with people who may not have the exact same experience but in many ways experienced the same things as it comes to how we are able to move to move to this capitalist, patriarchal society is definitely reflected in my work, and it's definitely something that I am extremely intentional about. 

Chris Nguon:
How would you describe the Oakland and the Bay Area artist scene right now? 

Dariane Beamon:
I think this kind of hard because I feel like tapping in with our Bay Area artists is something like just working on right now. I will say probably like in the last like three months or so. But from the people that I've experienced thus far like it's definitely been something that is super importing it feels important when I have conversations with them. It's definitely is definitely something that takes time and takes care. It takes understanding, I think the Bay Area aren't seeing right now. It's something that's really flourishing. I think, I think we saw I really like kind of taking form with uprisings last year, we kind of saw people like, you know, just doing whatever it is that they want to do like taking up space and, and, and taking over spaces with art. So I think that was super dope. But I think the Bay Area art scene is something that is has been around for a long time. 

It's something that is that super strong, and I think it's definitely something that's gonna continue to grow. I see a lot of people collaborating and stuff like that, which is super dope, and it's something that I want to tap into in the near future. Yeah, I haven't really I feel like I haven't really done all the work I've needed to do as when it comes to, to networking and building other artists. So it's kind of hard for me to answer. But yeah, I would just say something I'm super interested in doing and from what I see right now, I can only I can only imagine it growing. So yeah. 

Chris Nguon:
And I think is what I've recognized, you know, folks from the town, from the Bay, nationally, is connecting with your art. And art means something different for everyone. To be able to build that container is really beautiful. Our conversation today you’ve talked about your healing process. For fox who work with young people and are interested in doing things in a more healing centered way, if you were to give advice to practitioners, what would you tell them?

 Dariane Beamon:
I will say I think we put a lot of emphasis on like verbal communication, especially when it comes to you right, like something will happen. Tell me what's wrong, right. And I think most, most people in general, in general aren't, you know, emotionally mature enough or not comfortable? You know, or sometimes simply just don't know how to tell you things that are so heavy. So I would say to try to find verbal ways to get used to communicate what they feel right and like really trying to just like tap into like other avenues and other forms of communication. Whether that be through the arts, right? Through saying do song and dance, right? So just understanding that healing isn't always going to be birthed from talking, right and most times is what people aren't saying where the true, you know, healing lives. So my advice was to just think outside the box and just try to emphasize other ways besides your speaking. Yeah.

Chris Nguon:
What is next for you? How do you see yourself continuing to heal both through your art and through other avenues that, you might not have answers to?

Dariane Beamon:
I will say sharing in healing who I was and talking a lot about who I was past. The things that I'm affected me up until this point in my heart. And I think now in the future, shifting more towards talking more about like who I want to be and let him art really speak to that. So in the future, I'm going to like I said, you know, just be more intentional about the things that I want to say. And then also, just being able to tap into my creative side and show you know, yes, I am artist and I'm really the peace right but also like, just allowing my creativity to shine in other ways how I display the art right how the art came about and like really just shining more light on to that showing the person that I'm working on who I want to be in the future. I’m working on other mediums besides painting and that’s coming up soon. Healing is a is something that happens every day. It's something that you choose every day. Now just kind of like just watching that right? You kind of got to choose every single day. So being able to constantly be in a state of learning, learning the people around me learning about the world learning about myself in how it relates to those things.

Chris Nguon:
So where can folks find you?

Dariane Beamon:
You can find me on Instagram. My Instagram handle is Dari B the Artist. You can also check out my website. It's www.daribtheartist.com. And yeah, those are the main two places that I'm at right now. I'm about to release. I would just say I'm about to release a book soon.

Chris Nguon:
Oh, yeah, hold on. Stop the presses. You gotta tell me about. 

Dariane Beamon:
So the book is not like, well, maybe it is more like a memoir in collaborating with a new collection, like my last collection was called the fluid collection. And it just really dives into the 12 pieces that I put out. And it actually aligns. Which is why I was like let me just say it. It kind of talks about my healing journey like in more depth and it related to each piece so you see, entire process, just a little collection of how it came about. I have my sketches in there so you can see my sketches. And yeah, it really just details each piece and what each piece means to me, because I feel like I have to show you know, I kind of leave it open to interpretation and let people get whatever they want to get to art, but through the book, I'm gonna like share what my take on it was like what the inspiration behind each piece was and you kind of get a little bit like my story and how I got to where I am right now. And yeah, so that will be coming out in November. So super excited about that. I'm super excited.

 So like that just connects to what I was saying about like you know, displaying art in different ways. Yeah. And allow myself to be creative and like saw my writing. You can see like my writing in it. And you can see my sketches and I just the entire process, which is a little bit scary, but I'm excited, nonetheless. I think it'll help people get more a better idea of who I am as artist who I am as a person. 

Chris Nguon:
Like I told y’all at the beginning DB is extremely talented. She just coming out a book and she just thrown it away, you know, but, you know, not surprised at all about this young lady's talent not surprised about her drive or ambition and her honesty with her own healing journey. And that's why we're so honored to have Dariane on the CARMA Chronicles with us. So as she said y'all can check her out on Instagram at Dari B the Artist.

Dariane Beamon:
Thank you so much for having me. Thank you so much.

Chris Nguon:
Have a great rest of your day. You know next time we tap in, man we're gonna be talking about more beautiful and amazing things you are doing.

Dariane Beamon:
keep thank you so much.

Chris Nguon:
All right, folks, and that wraps up another episode feel free to reach out to us on flourishagenda.com and Instagram to share what we do. Appreciate y’all. Until next time, peace.