What is your creative work?
Mixed Media Artivist/ Experimental Creator
Tell us how you started your business / creative venture?
I started my creative business venture in Phx, Az. I have always been artistic, My mom is very creative so we were always going through different art phases together. We would sew, draw, paint, color, scrapbook, etc. My Dad is also artistic he writes poetry and is an amazing carpenter. Naturally, I love to build & customize things as well. I started working with acrylic when a friend reached out for a commission. I liked how it turned out, but was instantly flooded with so many ways I could make it better. I then started experimenting by mixing other mediums with my paintings. I’m a self-taught artist & I work full time so I squeeze art in as much as possible. I was also playing rugby & putting myself through college when I first started painting. Art was an outlet more than anything at the time. As I continued creating I started sharing my work on Instagram, which led to new art friends & my first art showing. From there I continued creating & pushing out new work. Which has led to growth in support and more artistic opportunities.
How long have you been doing your creative work?
I got into Acrylic painting towards the end of 2017, I showcased those pieces for the first & only time at K.Shorts event “The Set: Phx” in January 2019. I then showcased in Phoenix again later that year, at the Grand Art House, where I got to fill the gallery with 20+ pieces I created specifically for Lee Waters event “Light Shine 3” in a 6 month time period. I took a 6-month break & landed my next 2 showcases shortly after moving to Atlanta. In November 2020 I had my first Installation at Ebriks Coffee House in Downtown Atl, where my art was displayed for about 2 Months. I ended the year by, being accepted into my 1st art organization and participating in my first Pop Up Art show with Raw Artists. I continued showcasing every month/ several times a month until Covid hit & canceled or postponed most shows. As things started back up I have Started showcasing monthly again & started some new ventures as well. I now sell healing crystal accessories that I make myself (bracelets, necklaces, waist beads, etc).
What made you choose this journey?
What made me choose to pursue an artistic journey the way I did was due to how receptive & supportive everyone has been. It showed me the impact my art has on people & created a feeling of purpose within me.
What kind of struggles did you face in your journey?
The struggles I faced in my artist journey I believe are quite common. Trying to figure out my style, learning the right brushes & techniques, procrastination, pricing, properly marketing/sharing my art. My biggest challenge can be procrastination with certain pieces. When I get to a challenging part of the piece I may take a break and work on something else. Depending on how long it has been until I decide to work on it again, I may not have the same momentum to complete the piece. Especially if I took longer & feel like the piece may not be up to par with my current work. As an experimental artist, I am always trying new things and learning as I go, it’s part of what makes my art different. Pricing can be tricky, but you learn as you go & never sell yourself short.
What is one advice you can give to creatives struggling right now?
One piece of advice I would give to creatives struggling is that there is no limit to what you can create artistically as well as for yourself. As people, we’re typically attracted to things that are different & catch our eye. Be yourself & let your work reflect that. The support will follow.
Share a quote you live by. It can be yours or something else that inspires you!
“As I work at my drawings, day after day, what seemed unattainable before is now gradually becoming possible. Slowly I’m learning to observe and measure. I don’t stand quite so helpless before nature any longer.” – Vincent Van Gogh in “Lust for Life”
Are there any products you recommend that helped you better your craft?
I started out using 50 cent acrylic paint & posterboards. My first showcases, that’s how all my pieces were. It wasn’t until 2020 that I started using canvas’s and I slowly started getting better quality products. I have started using mixing sticks, medium additives & heavy body paint more often. I personally like Heavy Body’s by Golden and Liquitex as well as using Liquitex Basics, but I know there are some generic brands you can get at the craft store that I have heard work just as well. I still use my cheap paints from time to time (mainly metallic I like DecoArt metallics the best).
How can people learn more about you and your business?
What are some resources that have helped you succeed?
CMATL is an interview series where our team collects submissions and find Atlanta’s hidden gems of creators and creative entrepreneurs. This project powered by The Creative Folks.
