Deshon Washington

Your work blends realism with fantasy. How do you decide where reality ends and imagination begins in your drawings?

It’s a 40–60 balance between the two. Fantasy basically complements the reality portion so things don’t get too out of hand. On the flip side, fantasy gives the reality part a fun message to think about.

You often describe reality as the “blueprint” for your art. Can you explain how fantasy transforms that foundation in your creative process?

How I use fantasy — it acts as a “What if — within boundaries.” For example, the feeling of burning anger can be seen as a person’s hand on fire, or someone’s spirit animal walking alongside them.

Deshon Washington | Afro Woman | 2024

Many of your portraits explore intimacy and emotional connection. What draws you to these themes?

I grew up with 90s and early 2000s R&B. A lot of the themes in the music videos I saw are my source of creativity on those subjects.

Deshon Washington | AfroXYinYang

African culture and the Black American diaspora are important influences in your work. How do these cultural roots shape the stories you tell through your art?

Both Black American and African cultures, stories, and views on connection interest me — both how they differ and how similar they are to each other.

Deshon Washington | Butterfly Feelings | 2026

Butterflies, flowers, and elements of nature appear frequently in your drawings. What symbolic meaning do these elements hold for you?

I feel like nature can influence our mood and thoughts — the seasons, the animals and insects, the temperature. Everyday elements speak to our emotions in ways we don’t notice. It’s those feelings I like to illustrate.

Deshon Washington | Dark Rose | 2024

As an artist working between portraiture, tattoo aesthetics, and fantasy imagery, how do these different visual worlds influence one another in your practice?

There’s a lot of ideas to draw from between the three. Not all of them translate well on paper or skin, but with technique and a healthy balance there is some extraordinary imagery that can be made.

When viewers encounter your artwork, what kind of thoughts or feelings do you hope it awakens in them?

A feeling they’ve experienced, a feeling they’re chasing, or running away from. Maybe it gives closure, motivation, or a brief escape into a different reality.