26-year-old shows art, develops style

LOUISVILLE — What started as a need for a therapeutic outlet has evolved into a love and pursuit of art for 26-year-old Louisville artist Tyzaiah “Ty” Harris, known to his clients as Yukswaiii.

Ty Harris, or Yukswaiii, stands next to an abstract painting of Jesus that was commissioned.

I came across Harris in July at the Fleur-de-Flea vintage market where he showed various paintings to the hundreds of visitors on the Waterfront.  I was captivated by a giant abstract painting of Jesus that was a testament to his style as an artist.

Harris describes himself as a free-thinking, free-flowing, and abstract artist.  He primarily uses acrylic on canvas, but he also incorporates watercolor, spray paint and paint pens.

When Harris began painting for therapy, it was less free-flowing, and more geared towards following a template to perfection. While the act of painting allowed him a place to put energy and emotions, this style did not get his creativity flowing.

As his confidence grew and he picked painting up more as a passion, Harris became more intuitive. Creating art in his own style means that emotions and instinct take control of the paintbrush, and his production ebbs and flows with the patterns of his mental state

“Creativity comes from whenever I’m going through something emotionally, dramatically, then I feel like that’s when I’ll get a more burst of creativity for my paintings,” Harris said. 

Harris has found that he produces his best and most work when he is experiencing a lot of things mentally and emotionally.

In addition to his emotions, inspiration for these pieces comes from things Harris sees in day-to-day life and images that just pop into his head, starting his creative process.

“I’ll start with an idea, but then I’ll get so many more ideas it’ll turn into something else,” Harris said.

While Harris said his art may come across as childish to some people,  he feels like viewers have to have a certain eye to see where his paintings are coming from. 

The artist has noticed that his paintings connect more with people who are already interested in abstract art, though his interested demographic isn’t isolated to any particular age group.

Harris began showing his work in art fairs this year, having participated in three so far. Before actually participating in art shows, Harris wasn’t expecting to sell so many paintings. He sold 11 paintings during his first show.

Before showing and selling his art at festivals and fairs, friends and family saw Harris’ work in an accidental art gallery in his home.  The response Harris got from those seeing his finished pieces motivated him to keep painting and helped build his confidence in selling his work.

“Me just appreciating my art was enough for me,” Harris said, but also noting that others appreciating it too gave him another level of encouragement. 

As his passion for his art form has grown, Harris has developed an attachment to his work and sometimes finds it difficult to sell his creations.  Solely selling original paintings, as opposed to making duplicates or prints, means that once a canvas has left his home studio, it’s gone.

“I actually would be so protective of my paintings. I did not want them to go anywhere,” Harris said, “I used to pride myself that people would come over and it would look like an art gallery.”

Though he hated seeing the paintings go, Harris admitted that it feels great to see people appreciate and love his art. With his paintings hanging in people’s homes and offices, Harris also noted that it’s nice to know that he will have a legacy beyond his friends and family through his work.

Follow Harris’s Instagram @yukswaii to see his art and find out what festivals he will attend next.