Tea with Micah Blacklight: Cult of Personality, Artist, Author, Activist

Written by Possibiliteas. Posted in Blog

Micah Blacklight is a 21^st Century renaissance man:  Illustrator, fashion designer, dancer, motivational speaker and visionary cultural innovator. How he finds the time to be all of who he is artistically, as well as a committed father to a “new little life force,” and player at ComicCon NYC is a magical feat itself. But magic began working through Micah at early age and it’s not stopped coming through him as channel of all things hip, funk, sensual, sassy and, well different. We can bet his instructors at Pratt Institute of Art and Design never saw him coming!

He was raised by an alternating current of familial members ranging from his parental units to an invisible, rather obese, levitating female anchored in the corner of his bedroom screaming obscenities and brilliant concepts in equal measure—his Muse. He began drawing at three and a half, writing stories at six. He graduated from Pratt Institute heavier of experience and debt, but much lighter of pocket. At some point he decided to create fashion, and become an Empowerment Coach.

Micah now designs costumes, clothing, custom illustrations and apocalyptic assistance kits. He dances, sings, does motivational speaking, and creates his own comics. As an author, Micah wishes to fundamentally transform the entire genre of erotic literature by introducing his own—Fantasensua: explicit, graphically illustrated character and plot-driven erotic fantasy that “takes readers beyond mere entertainment and into the realm of the spirit, leaving them empowered, inspired, and aroused.”

While we’re busy shipping Possibiliteas to Micah to fuel his Muse, we have no doubt you’ll be inspired by his creative process and the advice he has for young creatives:  Be everything you are—never limit yourself, follow your passion and never, ever let the bad guys bring you down.
(And, don’t miss the American Success Story video-and other goodies-linked at the end of this article).

Tell us about your new book, Cult of the Serpentari.
It’s being described as “An intoxicating, innovative, deliciously sexy, illustrated erotic fantasy serial.” The only thing I will add to that is it’s not like any erotica you’ve ever read. Period.

Has the “creative force” always run through you or, was there an unexpected turn in your life path that brought you into this creative life?
Always. I was drawing and writing before I turned five. I used to hand-sew little garments for my thumb-wrestlers, make up songs in the shower and dance routines in my bedroom.

The next level isn’t a place to get to; it’s a place to BE FROM ~ Micah Blacklight

Describe your creative process. What is the journey like from inspiration to end manifestation of a creative work?
I get an idea for something. I write it down, begin to brainstorm and flesh it out, add to it, mess around with it, allow it to solidify in my head. Then I work on bringing it into this dimension. I get excited about it, fall in love with it, carve time to work on it until it’s done. Lately I’ve taken it a step further and started visualizing my ideal project, something that lights me up even thinking about it, and then visualizing people who are going to want to fund it. THAT’s where I’m playing now and it’s been incredible so far.

What is the biggest creative obstacle you’ve faced? How did you work through it?
Truthfully I would say the biggest creative obstacle I’ve had was and is figuring out how to monetize my passions. I’d say I’m still working through it but I’ve gotten a LOT better at it and I’d give a lot of credit to my experiences with a company called MTC [Move the Crowd] as a part of it, and breakthroughs I’ve actually experienced at the NYC Comic Con as a huge chunk of it as well, believe it or not. For me it basically comes down to recognizing that I AM my brand, and almost EVERYthing I do creatively can be commodified.

If you could spend the life in one day of your favorite fictional character, who would it be and why?
That’s a tricky one for me first because I don’t have a single favorite and second, the ones I love most, I wouldn’t want to BE- I just really enjoy watching them. Like, Joscelin from Jacqueline Carey’s Kushiel’s Dart series: I LOVE his martial prowess- love it, but I wouldn’t want to be him [except maaaybe in..specific moments.. I’ll leave it at that.. eh hem].

Do you have any rituals that sustain your creative process?
MANY. But here are a few:

-I’ve created a set of lists wherein I document ALL ideas as they come to me

-I frequently revisit these lists, add onto them, get re-inspired by them

-I create a feedback loop of self-inspiration before I ever have to look elsewhere

How do you take your tea?
Honestly, I’m not a big tea drinker, and I haven’t tried Possibiliteas {yet} madam. Therefore, cream, sugar, tea.. any kind of pretty mug thing.. Voila!

Words of wisdom for young creatives out there?
Don’t let ANYONE convince you to only go after one thing if you happen to be interested in several. Do your best to balance your energies but go after EVERYTHING that brings legitimate joy to your being. There is no greater gift you can give to the world than your passion and the joy that accompanies it.

Catch Micah on American Success Stories on YouTube

Follow the serial book Cult of the Serpentari

Connect with Micah on Facebook and Twitter

Visit Micah’s Gallery on Deviant Art

Tags: activist, American Success Story, art, artist, artistic process, artists, black culture, coaching, comic books, costume designer, Creating Outside the Lines, creative minds, creative process, Creativitea, creativity, creativity coach, cultural innovator, empowerment, entrepreneurship, erotica, fashion, graphic novels, inspiration, music, photographer, photography creative process, Possibiliteas, tea for creatives