May/June 2025 Creative and Visual Art

Bryan "King Prolifik" Hickman

Visual Artist of Infinite Mediums

What does the name “King Prolifik” represent?

I crowned myself with the name Prolifik in my early 20s. At the time, I was attending college. I would often encounter new vocabulary to add to my verbal arsenal. I found the word prolific, which, by definition, equates to the essence of something or someone who is bountiful in what they produce. As an artist, I felt a strong connection to this word, as it was a symbolic description of an energetic field that I was already ascending towards. I placed the word (changing its spelling to my liking) between my first and last name on social media. It remained that way for so long that my peers would identify me as Prolifik in public settings. That was all the affirmation I needed to fully lean into the name. The prefix, King, was added around 2019.

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Follow At:

Instagram: @kingprolifik

Facebook: Bryan King Prolifik Hickman

Facebook: King Prolifik

TikTok: @Kingprolifik1

Photographer: WE & COMPANY

Jewelry Credit: Warren Cobb

Bracelets: Freebird1985

Y o u v e l i n e ' s
C r e a t i o n s

Y o u v e l i n e J o s e p h

M u l t i d i s c i p l i n a r y A r t i s t
o f M i x e d M e d i a

What inspired you to start your journey as a visual artist?

It is hard to pinpoint when my journey officially started because I have been creative since my childhood. I would draw my dolls, sketch in my school books, and on the back of my
assignments. I would say my official artistic journey took off about 6-8 years ago after graduating from college in 2017. During that time, I was coming into myself as an adult. It was the height of a shift in culture with the Black Lives Matter Movement and The Natural Hair Movement. A time when brands were striving for inclusivity, such as the launch of Fenty Beauty. The “Black Panther” film came out, and Beyoncé performed at Coachella. All these events made me want to create art that represented people who looked like me. I wanted to showcase the beauty, culture, and diversity within the African Diaspora. I felt that there was a lack of it in the world.

Follow At:

Instagram: @youvelinescreations

Facebook: @youvelinescreations

TikTok: @youvelinescreations

X: @youveline_

Kaiser Doricent (Vlkaiser Photography)

Ascencio/Zoe Janvier (High End Photography)

E s t h e r

F r e e l a n c e D i g i t a l
A r t i s t X G r a p h i c
D e s i g n e r

F r e e l a n c e I l l u s t r a t o r |
C r e a t i v e E n t r e p r e n e u r

What inspired you to start your journey as a digital artist?

I used to create a lot of traditional art, but I fell in love with the look of digital illustrations.
The colors were more vibrant, and it was easier to fix mistakes and experiment with different color palettes. I found digital art to be less restrictive, allowing me to feel freer in my creative process. I didn't have the best quality of art materials. My mom wouldn't let me use paint in the house because she was afraid I would mess up her carpet! That's why I decided to make digital art my primary medium.

How would you describe your art style and aesthetic?

I would describe my art style as urban, Afrocentric, with a pinch of cartoonism. I love creating artwork inspired by my African background and African American culture.