Artist Uses His Gifts to Tell Treal Tales with New Children's Books
Artist Jason "JaFLEU" Fleurant has done his far share of illustrating album covers, as well as book cover art and pages for various writers and performing artists. And now the founder of Exhibit Treal is harnessing his talents to release his own stories.
Through his Treal Tales series published independently thought Exhibit Treal, he writes and illustrates his own original content. With the intent to always Keep It Treal.
First releasing "Teddy's Big Break". A story and character loosely based on his life, the synopsis reads:
Teddy Elephante, the Elephant that paints has three days to impress art critics and dealers with a new masterpiece for a opportunity that will change his life! Will he find the inspiration he needs?
The 30 page book was published Aug 24th, the anniversary of the day he laid his father to rest.
"I've always since my childhood loved to write and draw out stories. It's been very evident with the way my art has been. Rather it be visual or my poetry. So here we're finally seeing those things merge. I wrote this story about Teddy Elephante two years ago during a rough time. I wasn't aware back then about being about to independently publish books. It was till I released the two art books "The Art of Treal" (of which US Senator Cory Booker owns a copy) & "Our BeautiFLEU Lives" that the idea of what I can do this really came to life.
So I decided to go all in and create my own publishing company so I could tell the stories I wanted to tell and that's just what I'm doing... Telling stories."
Today, JaFLEU newest book "Uncle Duty: Rushing into Trouble". A tell again loosely based on him this time creating the character BeBe Treal as an aviator for himself and his nephews.
"While yes the first two books are listed under the category of children's books, they go beyond that. They are great stories. I want to write the tales that all ages can enjoy. But also I do intend to write ones that are more adult oriented, only still using my artistic ability to illustrate the pages. You're always going to get your money's worth."
"Every story that is published through Exhibit Treal publishing is written in bars. Not just rhymes but bars. There are always going to be lines that your most seasoned lyricist is going to appreciate but that everyone can digest. It's a challenge I love but as a poet/rapper this is how I've always written.'
One of JaFLEU's goals is to get his books to the youth. As of currently he's been pushing an initiative to get sponsors to purchase copies that will be donated to local daycare and schools.
"We've been blessed to already sell 10 copies using this and hope to sell more. I'm reaching out to business and law firms just trying to give them a great cause to become apart of. When I was a kid my favorite days were when we did visits to the library or when the book fairs would come. The later was always bittersweet because I'd walk around and watch my friends get all these books and because we didn't have money like that I wouldn't be able too. But my love for books knew no end so to now be able to write and publish my own and have my nieces and nephews love them is mind blowing."
The books are currently being distributed via Blurb Books.
"My dream is to be the Treal version of Disney, Schulz, Suess, Henson, McDuffie & Kirby. So we'll see what God has in-store. Don't get it twisted, I still have dreams of my paintings being in The MoMa and such. I'm still gonna kill the art game but your talent & gifts should afford you opportunities. I look forward to being able to hire other writers and artists to tell their stories as well one day soon."
You can listen to JaFLEU latest interview a 3-Peat sit-down with Curve The Cube Podcast addressing this and more.
Listen Here
To find out how you can be a sponsor and help with getting the books donate to daycares & schools email: exhibittreal@gmail.com with the Title: Sponsor Treal Tales.
