Women at Work: Wokeface
If you have ever been to Portland, Oregon, then there is a good chance that you have spotted a few smiley faces with a third eye scattered across the city. When I first traveled to the area, I stumbled on a street art installation of a flower at a colorful intersection called Sunnyside Piazza. After this initial encounter, it seemed as though everywhere I looked, from street signs to bar bathrooms, I ran into this whimsical urban hieroglyph at every turn. After having so many unexpected meetings with the cheerful image, I knew there was nothing left to do but turn to Google and put my Internet sleuthing skills to use because I had to know who the person was behind all of these mysterious stickers and installations.
Lo and behold, I discovered that the signature symbol belonged to Wokeface, the creator of the iconic Portland street art project and movement. Hailing from Collierville, Tennessee, Wokeface has quickly made a name for herself in the art world since 2016 when she turned her love of creativity from a hobby into a full-fledged career. Voted Best Artist 2019 by Willamette Week, Wokeface has multiple successful collaborations, murals, and community projects under her belt and has been hard at work for years expanding her creative catalog. In 2021, she opened her first brick-and-mortar, Higher Self PDX, on SE Holgate Boulevard. There, customers shop for fun finds ranging from pins, stickers, keychains, and prisms to clothing, fragrances, glassware, and ceramics that support the local economy and small businesses across Portland.
Resin coated painted woodcut art by Wokeface
Wokeface posing in front of her Alice in Wokeland piece
Wokeface is for everyone, and her creations place a strong emphasis on accessibility. Many people who appreciate art often get priced out of collecting it themselves. At Higher Self PDX, Wokeface provides her shoppers with a free art box that gives people the opportunity to exchange or walk away with complimentary stickers and other small items at no cost. In addition, Wokeface frequently hosts giveaways on her Instagram, where she hands out free art to her community of followers. If you live in the Portland area and enjoy a good scavenger hunt, Wokeface also does art drops without charge, hiding her work across the city for people to find.
Undoubtedly, Wokeface is one of the most emblematic artists in Portland. Her pieces promote self-love, inclusivity, empowerment, and empathy— four crucial core values that resonate with her supporters and embody the moral principles of the city. If you casually browse through the comments section of her Instagram posts, you won’t be hard-pressed to find words of gratitude from her fans expressing how much joy her work brings to them. It’s one of the happiest accounts and welcoming spaces on Instagram.
The chief mission of the Wokeface street art project is to urge people to become more aware of themselves, to think critically about how they interpret the world around them, and to help challenge the viewer’s perspective and ideology. After all, reality is subjective. Everyone has a different understanding of the human experience and their own relationship to the world based on their personal perception. In knowing this, Wokeface and her street art project also ask the viewer to recognize other individuals’ realities and empathize with their created truth. The world is not black and white; it’s a kaleidoscope of shapes and colors. Wokeface and her collection of lively artworks remind her supporters to resist a fixed mindset and instead open themselves up to new points of view. Only then can a compassionate community be created, one that not only uplifts each other but loves themselves, too.
She does graffiti…
…wheatpastes
…and woodcut art installations. too!
Can you tell us a little about yourself and your background as an artist?
As a child, I always loved art and creative projects and classes. I also enjoyed drawing and designing. I grew up in the 90s in the early days of the internet and taught myself HTML. I was drawn to graphic design, so I pursued digital media in college and became a graphic and web designer. I worked for an e-commerce company and several agencies before becoming a freelance graphic designer, which I did for about 12 years. In 2016 I started street art as a side hobby for personal creative expression, which quickly grew into making my own art as a passion, and a couple of years later quit my job to pursue my art full time.
You worked as a graphic designer and illustrator for over a decade. Were you always interested in art, or is this something you discovered later on?
Yes, I have always loved art. I would have taken only art classes in school if it were an option.
Your style is distinct, and your art is iconic to Portland. Wokeface is certainly among the most recognizable and beloved images in the entire city. Can you tell us how you came up with your signature design and how you developed your style? Was the third eye a part of your artistic vision from the beginning?
Wow, thank you— such a huge compliment. Finding one’s artistic “style” is a challenge for many, and it was for me too. I spent most of my previous career being asked to mimic the style of other inspirations to meet a client’s vision and felt like a chameleon in many ways due to that, never really honing my own style. This became a skill in itself but was not very creatively satisfying. I think my “style” was developed in street art because I was no longer answering to anyone’s direction.
I also felt my illustration skills were not that great, to be honest. Focusing on graphic design and my client projects meant I did not make much time for sketching or drawing for myself. Initially, the anonymity of street art gave me the bravery to put my art out there and release the idea of perfection. This allowed me to accept my “poor skills” and recognize that I can make art anyway and it sort of developed into my style!
What is the significance of the Wokeface name? How is this different from an “all-seeing eye” design and meaning for those unfamiliar with your work?
Honestly, I was just looking for a snappy title to create an Instagram account for my street art. I thought that my friends on my regular account would not be interested in seeing my street art project, so I wanted to make a separate account for it. For me, the face was representative of my own spiritual awakening, so I just created the most concise riff on that I could. At the time, I was not aware of the word “woke,” as it has now become a polarizing buzzword. And that meaning is not really how I meant it. Although there is some overlap, I feel there are incorrect assumptions made about me or my art due to its current mainstream usage. But ultimately, just like art, it is subjective, and interpretation is often the reflection of the viewer.
What motivates you as a creator?
At the beginning of Wokeface, motivation was abundant. Starting the project was like unleashing a great passion. I was buzzing. I would set my alarm to wake up super early just to go put up street art. It was incredible. But that feeling, while exhilarating, is akin to mania and is not sustainable forever (for me, anyway). And I think that’s ok and normal. Resting and periods of not making are very healthy, though not promoted by western capitalist culture.
Waiting for motivation to create is not the best move for me. The truth is that often I just have to start action without motivation. And consciously decide that what I am making doesn’t have to be for anyone’s consumption or “likes” on the internet. Aside from that, having lots of variety in what I do helps me stay interested. I thrive on variety and like to switch based on my mood. The side effect can be too many balls in the air to where I get overwhelmed. That is something I am still working on. Collaborating with other artists can also be great motivation!
How many murals would you say you have worked on in your career? What are some of your favorite murals you have created so far, and are you excited to be working on any other pieces coming up?
I still feel like my mural-making career is very new. I have done maybe 20. One of the most exciting projects was actually a mural that is not even visible to the public. It is in the lightwell of an apartment building, only visible to residents. It is three stories tall on four walls and required me to hire assistants and install scaffolding. The project was super intimidating, and I had to overcome self-doubt. Even some people in my life told me they didn’t think I could do it. But I knew if it could be done, I could do it, and I did.
Another big one was the mural wrapping around a corner market that is in a very focal spot in my neighborhood. It was a big undertaking and a bit controversial, but it made me feel like a part of my community.
I know you just opened your first brick-and-mortar, Higher Self PDX, in 2021. Congratulations! That must be very exciting. Can you walk us through the journey from having a studio space to owning your store? How long was your shop in the works before you opened it?
Thank you! Over the past five years, Wokeface has felt like a hermit crab graduating to bigger shells as it outgrows other ones. It went from overtaking my tiny apartment to my first studio and then another studio and then another. I was outgrowing my last studio about a year ago and started looking at options available. Finally, I found this spot, and it came with a storefront!
Although the idea of having a storefront was always there, it was not something I was specifically pursuing. But the fit for this space was so good it felt like it was meant to be. After running the merch side of Wokeface online for several years, I knew that a large portion of my audience was local. I have also done several pop-ups and vending events over the years. I loved doing those, but the set-up and tear-down were brutal. So this just seemed like the best option.
I knew it would be a lot of work, but, typical to me, I still grossly underestimated how much work it would be. It took months longer than I thought, but it has been an incredible journey, and I am overwhelmed with gratitude to my community for the support and engagement. It all still feels quite surreal and like a big experiment! The biggest challenge has been that I have had very little time or energy to make art during the process, but now that we are open, that is starting to change.
Let’s talk about your product line. What are some of the best-selling items in your shop? Moreover, what are the pieces that are your personal favorites?
Stickers are probably the most popular! They were the first thing I ever sold, so it’s cool to me. I love that stickers are a really affordable way to collect art. Aside from that, the third eye beanies and rainbow window decals are very popular. It’s hard to choose a favorite, but I have been very lucky to collaborate with other artists such as ceramicists and jewelers for special releases. That is the most exciting part to me because it’s something I would not have the skills or patience to create on my own. I also get to work with the most inspiring people!
How do you decide what subject to focus on when creating a mural or designing a piece? Essentially, what is your creative process like from start to finish?
For client pieces, usually, they will have some points of inspiration or subject matter for me to consider, which is what I start with. In my personal pieces, I usually ask myself, “What would make me happy to see?” or "What message do I need to hear right now?” In both cases, I usually start sketches in Procreate on my iPad and refine from there. I generally always start with a digital sketch before I paint anything.
You have created stickers, murals, wheat pastes, and wood installations. I’m sure I’m missing a few, but what medium are you interested in working with the most and why?
I like them all! I love variety. I don’t know that I could choose. Although murals are very exciting because making the art big is thrilling.
Hands down, Higher Self PDX has the cutest storefront in all of Portland.
Storage jars, mugs, rolling trays, ceramics, incense, and more at Higher Self PDX
A small sampling of the stickers, prints, prisms, pins, earrings , etc at Higher Self PDX.
The infamous Art Box. If you’re in the area, open it up to see what’s inside!
Your pieces are a ton of fun. They are whimsical, colorful, and more importantly, they make people smile. Are there any artists and artworks, styles, movements, or other media that have inspired you and influenced your work over the years?
Thank you! Yes, there are SO many artists I find inspiring for many reasons, and I am lucky to be friends with some of them. I think it’s probably obvious that, as a child, I was influenced by Lisa Frank, Rainbow Brite, Care Bears, etc. However, I think a lot of what inspires me is very nostalgia-driven. In many ways, I am making art for my inner child, and I’m drawn to a lot of colors, types, and textures from the 70s, 80s, and 90s.
I really appreciate the deceptive simplicity of good graphic design-- art that makes a big impact without excess, where each element is mindfully placed. I think a career of making hundreds of logos helped me appreciate that. I am also attracted to art that captures ideas, feelings, and concepts that are difficult to put into words, like visionary art. Some artists that inspire me are Alex Grey, Mark Ryden, Oliver Hibert Hiller, and Goodspeed.
If you woke up one day and somehow weren’t an artist, what career would you pursue instead?
I think it would be cool to work in a national or state park or something similar that involves the outdoors and being a steward for natural beauty.
You have collaborated with artists like Rx Skulls, DREYFUS ART, Mike Bennett, among others. Are there any artists you have not collaborated with yet that you want to work with on a future project?
I would love to work with Oliver Hibert, Killer Acid, Jen Stark, or Dabs & Myla.
Wokeface is not solely a brand; it’s a movement. In your opinion, what role should artists play in their community? Likewise, can you tell us about your mission and goals for Wokeface in your community and beyond?
All artists “should" do is exist, observe and create, but I think it is most magical when they also share their art, which is a brave thing to do. I have learned from my own sharing and consuming of art that it is an invaluable way to express and convey ideas and feelings that make others feel seen and understood. For example, when I share art about my feelings or wisdom, it connects with others experiencing or seeking the same. It can be mutually healing and beneficial. It can also shake up your worldview and broaden your perspective to ideas that you don’t identify with, and that’s great too.
How has the street art scene in Portland changed over the years? What has been your relationship to the culture? Is there anything about it that you would like to change or that you especially admire?
I entered the Portland street art scene in 2016 without any other scenes to compare it to, and I found myself warmly welcomed immediately! I think it was the kindest “scene” I've ever joined. Folks were so nice and supportive and collaborative, and I was invited to meet up, trade, and go put up street art together. I would not have continued to do it if I had not felt so welcomed. I have the Portland street art scene to thank for where I am right now, and I really try to make newcomers feel as welcomed as I did.
I still think, for the most part, it is this way. Although as with any scene, there are occasional antagonists and folks that seek drama. Sometimes the graffiti writers view themselves as enemies of street artists, and there can be beef there, which I got a tiny taste of once. But I think once you learn not to feed the antagonists your energy, they are no longer a problem.
I've traveled to other cities and have learned that street art scenes can be very different in other places. They can be more territorial and not so welcoming. So it made me appreciate Portland even more. Of course, it helps that the city is relatively tolerant of the art being put up; some cities take it down right away.
Meetups have stopped with the past two years of the pandemic, so it’s hard to accurately gauge what the scene is cohesively, but I love that there’s still tons of street art going up.
What are the most significant challenges you face as a street artist, physically, existentially, and otherwise? Similarly, what is the most difficult challenge you have encountered in your career as an artist?
Making and putting up street art or any art for that matter can take a lot of time and energy, and it’s not always sustainable. But street art adds a unique layer of “a legal grey area” that can dictate what hours and where you do it, so there’s a consideration of safety, how you dress, and planning out all the components involved to get it up quickly and move. Existentially it’s invited heartbreak and exhilaration. It’s broadened my awareness of what realities exist in the shadows, and the art and beauty are hidden there.
The most difficult challenge I’ve encountered in my career as an artist has been making a career out of being an artist. It’s a constant struggle to keep the spark of joy alight and not smoldered by the reality that it’s a job and now tainted by the ugly lens of capitalism. There is a balance for sure, but it’s a daily struggle.
What is your dream commission to create?
I’d love to design a fully immersive experience. For example, working with Meow Wolf or something like that!
Do you face any pressures as an artist regarding being yourself and creating pieces that are true to who you are versus what would be well received on social media? Similarly, do you feel that art has the potential to lose its integrity when artists heavily cater to their fans?
99% of the pressure I feel is self-inflicted, but it’s definitely there. I can’t help but notice what pieces of mine receive the “best” feedback and then feel like I want to tap into that again. But I also know that my best work is rooted in authenticity, and I can’t fake that.
There is a fine line between constructive criticism and outright negative criticism, which goes for inspiration and imitation, too. As a popular artist, how do you handle unfair criticism or copycat artists? Is negativity and idea theft something that just comes with the territory of reaching a certain level of success?
Unfair criticism and copycats used to affect me a lot more. I would like to think I’ve gotten wiser and less attached to those things, and for the most part, it no longer ruins my day. When comments are cruel, I can see that it is a projection of that person and not really about me.
People heavily inspired by my art don’t bother me; I love and encourage that. It only really bothers me if they are directly copying and then selling it as their own because selling my art is how I survive, and it’s not cool that someone else profits off it. But ultimately, my goal is just for the art to be out there and make people feel good. So I let it go when I can’t do anything about it. I have many of my designs copyrighted in case it is worth pursuing legally, but that hasn’t happened yet.
What advice do you have for budding artists who want to get into the street art scene, paint murals, or sell their pieces but don’t know how or where to begin?
Just start making art! It doesn’t have to cost anything. Go to the post office, get some “free” labels, draw on those, and stick them up. Draw on junk mail and staple it to a pole. Get creative; street art can be made with anything. As far as making connections or getting to the “next step," pay attention to who is doing what you’d like to be doing. Follow them on social media. Go to their art shows.
My advice would be to focus on making the art before you worry about selling the art. If you keep making it and sharing it, the sales and projects will come organically. But it is definitely helpful and inspiring to make connections and surround yourself with those on the same path.
For questions about custom commissions, you can reach Wokeface at Wokeface@gmail.com
To browse through her online catalog of art and other awesome items, visit Wokeface.com and HigherSelfPDX.com. Otherwise, for more good vibes and positive affirmations, as well as information on her street art project, check out her Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok by searching @wokeface and @higherselfpdx!
