The Art of Friendship: How Connection Fuels Carle THE Artiste’s and AngelFux’s Creativity

The Art of Friendship: How Connection Fuels Carle THE Artiste’s and AngelFux’s Creativity

Written by Faith Harl / Photographed by Jenna Lael / Makeup by Karma Eclectic

Friendship is a force multiplier for visual artist Carle THE Artiste and DJ Rayus Wallace—also known as “AngelFux.” Hailing from Tulsa, the dynamic pair have strutted the catwalk for the Oklahoma Fashion Alliance, participated in Art Basel in Miami Beach, and collaborated as co-creative directors to organize an LGBTQIA-inclusive Moonlight Celebration last year.

In their most recent venture, Rayus and Carle traveled to Kansas City, Missouri, for Wavelength, a monthly event where artists come together to create a night of unbridled artistic expression, electrifying music, and deep connection.

The evening served as inspiration for Rayus. “I want to bring that here [to Tulsa],” he shares with ASLUT. “I run into people who have never left this state and tasted anything sweeter.” Having grown up in raves, he aims to revitalize club culture and provide a safe environment for people to experience new music.

Carle also aspires to create an intentional space for showcasing their paintings. Although their art has a dreamlike, colorful aesthetic, it acts as an outlet for their personal experiences with sexual trauma, gender dysphoria, and depression. By leaning into surrealism, Carle can reclaim painful experiences and process them in a different light.

Seeing people’s reactions to their work imbues Carle’s creations with another layer of meaning. “I’ve had people come up to me and instantly feel what my art is about… Those are my favorite experiences,” Carle tells ASLUT.

Connection isn’t just a byproduct of Rayus and Carle’s artistic expression—it’s the fuel that keeps it going. Their friendship, which took root at a Tulsa art show four years ago, has helped them hone their crafts.

“We hold each other accountable with love,” Rayus explains to ASLUT. “It makes me expect a higher quality out of people because I’ve seen it. I know it’s possible.”

Both artists credit their relationships as instrumental to their development. In fact, Rayus’s first foray into DJing came from a friend who gifted him a DDJ for Christmas.

With his friends’ encouragement, he began playing live shows at house parties, where he steadily cultivated a community of people who appreciate his style—described as a contrast between metallic, gritty techno samples and delicate, “cutesy” sounds.

Rayus has DJ’d for Tulsa Creative Engine’s Giving Tuesday Benefit Concert, the opening night of the Living Arts exhibition Waking the Witch, and other local shows. Despite reaching bigger audiences, he remains mindful of preserving his artistic integrity.

“My version of success can look different from other people’s,” he says confidently. “I have to stay true to myself.”

Similarly, Carle’s sense of community has helped them navigate the challenges of becoming a working artist. As a student at Rogers State University, they learned the importance of networking. “You’ve got to go out there and talk to people and put yourself in the right rooms,” they say.

Growing up in Tulsa played a significant role in helping Carle explore their identity as a Black, transgender, and nonbinary person. While going to clubs and events, Carle felt safe dressing in drag. “You can do that in downtown Tulsa,” they say. “I’ve never felt like I’ve needed to not be myself.”

Over time, Carle has created an expansive collection of oil and acrylic paintings, which have been displayed at the Greenwood Cultural Center, the Allie Jensen Memorial Gallery at the Equality Center, and the Center for Public Secrets.

Their creativity, however, transcends a single medium. In 2024, they modeled fashion designs for the PARLÄ BIPOC Creative Festival, and for Valentine’s Day this year, they tried their hand at live body painting.

Looking ahead to 2025, Carle and Rayus are excited for the opportunities to come. “You really can build anything in Tulsa,” says Rayus. “We really have the opportunity to shape the culture.”