Tell us how you started your creative venture?
It feels cliche to say, but I honestly have had art (and the desire to run an art business) from my childhood. I remember I was about 6/7 when I created my first mockups for a T-shirt line. They were probably terrible drawings, but I was so proud and so excited! I stuck with art all the way throughout high school, but I unfortunately did not have a lot of support from family – which was a big deal to me.
I understood their concern – no one in our family ever explored creative outlets like I did, and the most common perception of artists were that they were broke and starving. So I gave it up, and during a gap year, I worked in jobs that my family was more satisfied with. I was making good money, especially for a 18 year old, but I was miserable.
When I went back to college, I declared the art history major at my school and found my love for painting again.
How long have you been doing this? Are there any struggles you want to share?
Even though I have been creating since I was a kid, there have definitely been some low times! Being a Black woman in America is exhausting and artist’s block is real. I also consider myself to be an empath, so I feel a lot and I feel deeply.
I wish I had better advice but I want to let others know, if you’re feeling exhausted in your art but also can’t live without it, you’re not alone! Not everyone is as happy about their art like Instagram leads you to believe.
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What made you choose this route?
Sometimes I don’t think I really choose this route, in the way that I put things in place for myself to enjoy this work – that part feels destined. I did however make an active choice to plug back in, against the odds, because I realized I could not live without it.
What made you choose this route?
This is tough! So, I study Art History and History in college, and I plan to study art of the African Diaspora in graduate school. This quote comes from a book I read that discusses the convergence of all these subjects: “No one forgets that they were once captive, even if they are now free.“
It’s short but powerful, as it address our inter- and intra-connections with the world and our past. Since I am always recalling experiences in my childhood that have led to my current art state, I feel like the discussion on the cycle in our lives is really important.
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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.
