Biography

A native of East Texas, but raised in Kansas City, emerging artist Vivian Wilson Bluett is the wife to Jason Bluett and a proud mother of three boys.

Raised by black women, Vivian’s life and artistic practice was shaped by experiences common to the black family dynamic. 

Along with her mother, the youngest of five daughters, Vivian’s upbringing was heavily influenced by the black women of her family.  Despite existing outside of European standards of female beauty, these women who lived lives of joy, pride and purpose.

“My Aunt Flora is a huge influence in my art. She was very jazzy and stylish. She always has curves and she always knew how to wear them. She was never afraid of color. She proudly wore bright greens, yellows, oranges and reds. She could also wear beautiful earth tones. She was fashionably fearless. She was definitely in artist in that regard. 

She passed away in 2015 before I started painting and has never gotten to see my work. So, I create in her memory.” 

A lifelong artist, Vivian’s practice began with coloring books, markers and crayons. 

“I expressed my desire to paint to my ex-fiancé in my early 20s. Shortly after that he gifted me with an abundance of art supplies. I opened everything and played around. Put it all back in the box and didn’t open it again until almost 10 years later.”

A self taught artist with the support of her family unit, Vivian’s work has evolved over time and her collector base is growing as well as her reputation within the art community.