Meet Destin Cramer | Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Destin Cramer and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Destin, what inspires you?
As a kid, I grew up drawing characters and the people I saw, i drew everything I could see constantly. I failed all my math tests because instead of doing my algebra classwork I would draw in the margins. I’m constantly inspired to create by my need to be understood in a way that I’ve been unable to verbalize throughout my life. I’m a childhood trauma survivor, as well as being neurodivergent. Growing up I was misunderstood and even demonized for my “strange” behavior and I felt as though I would never belong. I created fantasy worlds by drawing and writing to escape and find comfort in, and it eventually developed into painting and drawing landscapes, portraits, pets, and anything that brings me comfort and joy. I personally try to find the beauty that surrounds me and paint it to capture that feeling of comfort and joy, but I have dissociative identity disorder and an alter in my system named Blaine is more inspired by his personal feelings- his art isn’t about finding beauty in everything but rather expressing the intense anger and rage that consumes him due to the experiences he’s had throughout his life growing up. Due to my diagnosis of DID my art varies from Blaine’s style of messy, chaotic, abstracted works to a more modern fine art style. My inspiration overall to create is to be understood, to be seen, and to be recognized for who I truly am. For my experiences and feelings rather than what I look like or who people think I should be.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I’m an artist that uses a variety of mediums and styles to express the multiple facets of my personality throughout my work. In my paintings, i use vivid colors and bright imagery to convey the intense beauty and magic of nature that I adore so deeply. My drawings and digital art is more expressive of my emotions and the trauma that I have experienced throughout my life. As someone with Dissociative Identity Disorder and Bipolar as well as multiple physical disabilities, I often utilize my art as a coping skill to express my experiences with trauma, chronic pain and illness, and mental illness. While my styles and mediums vary, my passion for creating stays the same.
I want people to know that I create art for those who don’t feel as though they fit in, I want those who struggle with chronic illness, pain, mental health issues, trauma, loss, grief, etc to find comfort in my art, to find beauty in the idea that someone else understands their pain. One of the only ways to destigmatize mental illness and other conditions like addiction, depression, suicide, etc is to talk about it and bring these conversations to the public awareness. I would like to hope that my art brings this conversation to light and helps elevate the voices of those who struggle, and give them a sense of community and belonging.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Since we’re in San Diego, I’d obviously have ti take them to the beach- probably La Jolla Cove, as that’s one of the most beautiful spots I’ve personally ever seen. Then we’d probably stop by the tide pools, feed some birds, and get TJ’s tacos at Burritos Santana- they have the best tacos for the best price.
I’d also want to show them the San Diego Art Museum, Balboa park, and of course Old Town!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
There are a few people who have supported me monumentally throughout my art journey, and I think my biggest support is my Nana, Colleen. My family wasn’t supportive of my gender identity and expression, but she was the only person who called me by my preferred name and pronouns and never made me feel as though my calling to be an artist was the wrong path for me. She supported all my artworks and has helped me get through school.
Another person who has helped me is my best friend, and chosen sister, Julia. She has made me feel more confident in my art, and my identity. She’s the best friend anyone could ever ask for and is constantly helping promote my work, and reminding me that I am a great artist, even when I’m full of self doubt.
My last shoutout is for Cody, a great friend of mine who’ve I recently gotten closer with, and who supports all my art with their whole chest. They are constantly buying my art and have made me feel as though my art is something that can truly change peoples lives. I am so grateful for their friendship and love and am blessed to have such a supportive group of friends and family who have helped me throughout my artistic journey.

Website: https://destindraws.carrd.co

Instagram: https://instagram.com/destindraws

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