Akasya Crosier’s Journey Through Art, Healing, and Community
The Buffalo art scene has been making waves lately. As home to some of the most talented, eclectic, and culturally diverse female artists that Western NY has to offer, the Queen City’s art movement is thriving more than ever. Local graphic designer and mixed media artist, Akasya Crosier has earned recognition as the creative force behind Buffalo’s most celebrated graphic designs, logos, and artistry. Born of Turkish and French descent, she is a 2017 graduate of the University at Buffalo where she studied Communications and Graphic Design. Crosier has often found that art is more than just a mode of self-expression; it’s a way of life and self-healing.
Before finding her footing with graphic design and mixed media, Akasya felt out of step within the world at times. “Sometimes jobs didn’t work out, or I didn’t like the manager. I felt like, ‘Am I the problem?’ It felt like my artwork was just inevitable,” she confesses. Fortunately for her, there was a much greater purpose yet to unfold. Art became more than a pastime but a valuable tool to communicate and process emotions. “I think I have had such a close personal relationship to art in a healing way. In the last couple of years, I have gone through tough stuff, but art is a unique type of outlet that allows [me] to express [my]self,” she says.
Crosier’s love of graphic design and her unique individuality helped pave the way to working with some of Buffalo’s acclaimed businesses, nonprofit organizations, and mom and pop shops. Her services include digital design, print design, brand development, and social media marketing. Most recently she has worked with the city of Lackawanna and Shea’s Performing Arts Center.
She says that sometimes art can come to fruition by mere chance. Arguably, Akasya’s biggest claim to fame is “Juicy Josh,” a concept that came to her after a night out with friends. A beloved Buffalo gem, the “Juicy Josh” print humorously depicts the famed Bills quarterback, Josh Allen, in a pair of Juicy Couture sweatpants. It wasn’t long before the print made its way to Reddit, Instagram, and eventually to the Bills training camp. “It’s very surreal to see it out in the world. I see people wearing it and I am like ‘Hey, I made that shirt!’ Someone brought the print to training camp and he did sign it,” she adds.
When asked what her favorite media to work with is, Akasya admits she has an affinity for mixed media paintings and digital illustrations. By using acrylic painting materials and fabric scraps sourced directly from Stitch Buffalo, Akasya infuses her unique blend of creativity and sense of humor into every project. Stitch Buffalo is a center close to her heart. They are a nonprofit textile arts center that promotes community education and awareness for refugee women and other immigrants by selling handcrafted goods, textile supplies, and offering sewing classes.
As a lifelong resident of WNY, Akasya draws much inspiration for her work from friends, family, and her love of all things Buffalo. Recently, Akasya lent her creativity to her most heartfelt project yet following the loss of fellow artist and friend, Jennifer Orr. After struggling with her mental health, Orr lost her battle in November 2022, a loss that deeply impacted the Buffalo arts community and all who understand navigating the complex reality of living with mental illness and the stigma associated with it. Since then, the Orr family has raised proceeds to honor the life of their daughter by gifting the Kristen Vincent Respite & Recovery Center with art produced by local artists. Orr herself strongly believed in the importance of bringing art to Western New York. Akasya recently dedicated a portrait of Orr in commemoration of the life of the late, beloved local artist.
Finding healing in loss and transforming pain into light is one of the many benefits of art Akasya understands all too well. Frequently her work can be described as a quirky, fun tribute to everyday life in Buffalo, NY, and other times a vivid and emotionally complex inner world of an evolving artist.
“It’s very surreal to see it out in the world. I see people wearing my art and am like ‘Hey, I made that shirt...’”
The Buffalo art scene has been making waves lately. As home to some of the most talented, eclectic, and culturally diverse female artists that Western NY has to offer, the Queen City’s art movement is thriving more than ever. Local graphic designer and mixed media artist, Akasya Crosier has earned recognition as the creative force behind Buffalo’s most celebrated graphic designs, logos, and artistry. Born of Turkish and French descent, she is a 2017 graduate of the University at Buffalo where she studied Communications and Graphic Design. Crosier has often found that art is more than just a mode of self-expression; it’s a way of life and self-healing.
Before finding her footing with graphic design and mixed media, Akasya felt out of step within the world at times. “Sometimes jobs didn’t work out, or I didn’t like the manager. I felt like, ‘Am I the problem?’ It felt like my artwork was just inevitable,” she confesses. Fortunately for her, there was a much greater purpose yet to unfold. Art became more than a pastime but a valuable tool to communicate and process emotions. “I think I have had such a close personal relationship to art in a healing way. In the last couple of years, I have gone through tough stuff, but art is a unique type of outlet that allows [me] to express [my]self,” she says.
Crosier’s love of graphic design and her unique individuality helped pave the way to working with some of Buffalo’s acclaimed businesses, nonprofit organizations, and mom and pop shops. Her services include digital design, print design, brand development, and social media marketing. Most recently she has worked with the city of Lackawanna and Shea’s Performing Arts Center.
She says that sometimes art can come to fruition by mere chance. Arguably, Akasya’s biggest claim to fame is “Juicy Josh,” a concept that came to her after a night out with friends. A beloved Buffalo gem, the “Juicy Josh” print humorously depicts the famed Bills quarterback, Josh Allen, in a pair of Juicy Couture sweatpants. It wasn’t long before the print made its way to Reddit, Instagram, and eventually to the Bills training camp. “It’s very surreal to see it out in the world. I see people wearing it and I am like ‘Hey, I made that shirt!’ Someone brought the print to training camp and he did sign it,” she adds.
When asked what her favorite media to work with is, Akasya admits she has an affinity for mixed media paintings and digital illustrations. By using acrylic painting materials and fabric scraps sourced directly from Stitch Buffalo, Akasya infuses her unique blend of creativity and sense of humor into every project. Stitch Buffalo is a center close to her heart. They are a nonprofit textile arts center that promotes community education and awareness for refugee women and other immigrants by selling handcrafted goods, textile supplies, and offering sewing classes.
As a lifelong resident of WNY, Akasya draws much inspiration for her work from friends, family, and her love of all things Buffalo. Recently, Akasya lent her creativity to her most heartfelt project yet following the loss of fellow artist and friend, Jennifer Orr. After struggling with her mental health, Orr lost her battle in November 2022, a loss that deeply impacted the Buffalo arts community and all who understand navigating the complex reality of living with mental illness and the stigma associated with it. Since then, the Orr family has raised proceeds to honor the life of their daughter by gifting the Kristen Vincent Respite & Recovery Center with art produced by local artists. Orr herself strongly believed in the importance of bringing art to Western New York. Akasya recently dedicated a portrait of Orr in commemoration of the life of the late, beloved local artist.
Finding healing in loss and transforming pain into light is one of the many benefits of art Akasya understands all too well. Frequently her work can be described as a quirky, fun tribute to everyday life in Buffalo, NY, and other times a vivid and emotionally complex inner world of an evolving artist.
LOCAL ART OPPORTUNITIEs
Locust Street Art (www.locuststreetart.org): Free art classes in Buffalo (grant funded). Up until recently I was a teacher and a marketing coordinator for them.
The Foundry (www.thefoundrybuffalo.org): My sister teaches sewing here and I have used them for countless resources, and it’s a great and accessible makerspace. The Foundry is an active, community-based makerspace committed to hosting afterschool arts, STEAM, entrepreneurship sessions, and workforce development opportunities for young adults, providing hands-on classes for adults and supporting local entrepreneurs in developing maker-based businesses.
Other cool Buffalo artists Akasya recommends
Danielle Saeva, @danielle.saeva - oil painter and muralist. Quite literally the best painter I know.
Kimberly Crosier, @kimmy_stitches - my sister, a sewist! Makes custom corsets that are truly works of art and does alterations at a local tailor shop.
Emma Brittain, @blackandbirdy - ceramicist with a love for birdwatching/nature. She’s currently building massive parade puppets for a grant.
Kenny Bud, @kny_bud - film photographer who focuses on Buffalo and just captured some of the most beautiful spots over the course of a day at different points in time, and works with CEPA, a local gallery with a focus on photography and digital medias.
Mickey Harmon, @mickeyharmonart - queer Illustrator who absolutely runs the art scene here in Buffalo. Partially owns a shop with three other artists downtown called Pineapple Company.
Love art? Give a follow!
@akasyacrosier on TikTok // @akasyac on IG
@artbyakasyacrosier on FB
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