Poyomi, Yokuts Artist — changing wxman collective

Heyuk! Ho yowis nim Poyomi McDarment. My name is Poyomi (po-yo-me) McDarment, and I am Tule River Yokuts, of so-called “California.” I’m 22 years old, and my pronouns are she/her/hers.

I have been creating and drawing feminine content from a super young age, maybe three years old. Recently, I graduated from Academy of Art University with a BFA in Animation and I launched a swimwear line this last summer. I’m not sure what is next for me, but I know I’m just getting started.

My favourite subjects are most definitely brown women and plants. I think those are the two things I enjoy looking at and learning about the most. I love creating “ideal situations,” or just something that looks nice, something people (or myself) can daydream about. I just want my pieces to be something beautiful and easy to think about. But lately I have been trying to incorporate some plant symbolism into my pieces, so that way there’s more of a story or point to the scenario or drawing.

What keeps me inspired, I think, are the people around me and where I live. I live on a Rez that's in the mountains, so I am constantly seeing plants and greenery. And in all honesty (this is gonna be corny) there is something inside of me that is just dying to make things and create something beautiful for myself and for others who enjoy the same materials that I do. So, I don’t think it’s a specific person or thing, externally, that motivates me— it’s just something inside that I’ve felt my whole life.

In terms of role models, I don’t think I have any. I think there are people I know personally that inspire me. A couple of my girlfriends like Dani Curlin (@wespeakhush) or Peshawn Bread (@realpbread on IG), and other young Native artists I know keep me inspired and get me excited about a new idea.

So far, I’d have to say my favorite project has been the BUMxPOY Swimwear line. One of my high school friends (@bumlife.us) and I hand-sewed a bikini and board-short line and had a launch party in the town close to where I live. We worked nonstop for 7 months sewing and figuring out the details and we did that. [Laughs] Seems so crazy that we were able to just come up with an idea and see it through to completion.

In terms of upcoming works? I do a lot of logo work and graphics as small jobs, but I really want to focus more on my personal art toward the end of this year. I have always wanted to have a show at a gallery and that is my goal for the end of the year. So be on the lookout for that! [Laughs] Really want to make that happen.

in my bag—

I think there's a lot of superficial things that people consider “self-care” but the first thing that comes to mind is when I go to my favorite swimming hole and just lay on a rock and exist and acknowledge my surroundings. I’ve done this in other places, but the swimming hole is my preference. To just sit in a beautiful place and think about yourself in comparison to it, and the plants and rocks that have been there for hundreds of years is really special and helps me think about my place in troubling situations in this life. It’s always nice to just sit somewhere sacred, somewhere with good memories or that is pleasing to the eye and have a silent moment to yourself, to reflect on things in your life.

So yeah… [Laughs] That's my fave self-care secret— go somewhere beautiful and reflect on your life and your place in life.

——@poyomi, as told to Changing Womxn Collective. interviews have been condensed and edited for clarity.