Sophomore Tyra Frazier expresses

from December 2019

New ACT changes will be better for students

INFJ: CREATIVE

Sophomore Tyra Frazier said that her creative endeavors are charged by her Myers-Briggs INFJ personality type—introverted, intuitive, feeling and judging. (Photo/photo illustration by Maleah Downton)

TYRA’S ART INSTAGRAM

@strawberry_flair

J A C K of All Trades, Master of MANY

Sophomore Tyra Frazier expresses her creative passions through her acting, songwriting, poetry, music, art and creative writing.

BY WEB EDITOR-IN-CHIEF MALEAH DOWNTON

With Lorde’s “Melodrama” album on blast, sophomore Tyra Frazier takes a seat at her walnut-colored desk and enters her space of tranquility. Tuning out the world’s noise, she focuses on her craft. Frazier alternates between her pen, guitar and sketchpad as creative juice flows through her veins and bleeds itself beautifully into majestic works of art. As a writer, poet, actress, guitarist, ukulelist, songwriter and artist, Frazier is indeed a jack of all trades.

“I feel like as a person I need creative things,” Frazier said. “I’m an INFJ [Introverted, intuitive, feeling and judging], it’s a part of me. Me without art is just not Tyra at all.”

Frazier’s passion for creativity has been apart of her since early adolescence. Frazier already began her creative endeavors as she wrote and illustrated a children’s book at only 5 years old.

“In kindergarten, I used to write children’s books,” Frazier said. “One was called ‘Tim the Bluebird.’ I would draw the little pictures and write the story.”

Upon entering into her sophomore year of high school, Frazier has graduated from children’s books to songs, plays, short stories and poetry. Frazier’s song “Beautiful Destruction” was sung by senior Peyton Wade at last year’s Fine Arts Showcase and her play “Lemondrops and Teardrops” served as the only student written-play at this year’s Night of One Acts.

“She’s involved in a completely unique way,” Wade said. “She’s doing stuff that people haven’t done before.”

In addition to Frazier’s growth in writing, her skills in art have flourished as well. Sparking a special interest in portraiture only a year ago, Frazier started an Instagram dedicated to her art. She combined strawberry, which is the French translation of “fraisier,” and flair, used from a name generator program, and adopted her art Instagram’s name—@strawberry_flair.

“In the beginning of freshman year, a friend of mine said that I should start an Instagram account, so I made one,” Frazier said. “I just create art and put it out there. If it says something or inspires someone to do something, then it reached its goal.”

Along with art, Frazier began playing the guitar two years ago. After taking lessons and mastering the guitar, she then proceeded to teach herself how to play the ukulele. Her ukulele accompanied Wade last year during the performance of “Beautiful Destruction.” Music, according to Frazier, coincides and links all of Frazier’s creative ambitions.

“I do these things randomly,” Frazier said. “Sometimes I’m writing, sometimes I’m making music, sometimes I’m drawing. It just flips flops.”

With role models like Frida Kahlo, Vincent van Gogh, Sylvia Plath and James Baldwin, Frazier said she feels supported by their legacies and work. As Frazier works to leave her own legacy, these creative inspirations hover over her on the various posters hanging above her desk.

“Sometimes you feel like you’re a weirdo, but then I look at these people like Frida Kahlo,” Frazier said. “I think, maybe I’m not so weird. I just really look up to them.”

Though her many talents speak for themselves, Frazier said she struggled with maintaining confidence in her endeavors. Frazier turned to family and friends in these times for support. When Frazier considered stopping art, junior Mattie Mills encouraged and pushed her to continue, even recommending she advance to using sketchbooks.

“I don’t think she had that confidence in herself or really saw that,” Mills said. “Tyra has a lot of talent—not only in performing arts, but visual as well. She’s good at it.”

Continuing along with her creative passions, Frazier intends to uphold her artistic works. As her skills grow day by day, Frazier continues to master her various trades. Her creative passions have left her friends and family, including her sister Alexis Frazier, with no other feeling than pride.

“It makes me feel so proud as her sister. It’s just so satisfying,” Alexis said. “She’s going to continue to improve as she soars for higher limits and pushes her own personal boundaries.”

“I need creative things. Me without art is just not Tyra at all.”