We were lucky to catch up with Ananda Prioleau recently and have shared our conversation below.
Ananda, appreciate you joining us today. What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?
I recently completed a completely original deck of tarot cards. Over the last 3 years I have curated events, interviewed creatives and designed a unique deck of cards that has new suits, new rules and new faces. With the assistance and input of close friends and creators, Nix Tarot reflects not only my artistic but also my spiritual experiences.
Ananda, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
Creating art was the catalyst for the moment I gained consciousness as a child. Coloring at night before bed is my first core memory. From then on, everything that I have done or shown interested in leads back to art. As early as high school, I began receiving professional commissions and that drove me towards design for college. Unfortunately, that was not the educational route that I was meant to be on, but after finding my path and confidence in my craft, I have built a portfolio on my freelance artwork. I have expanded my craft into Mixed Media artwork where I used up-cycled materials to create paintings and sculptures. In my Creative Coordination, I host intimate gatherings for creatives to network and express their various artistic modalities. Another aspect of my artwork is that it reflects my career in Holistic Health and Spirituality. My personal artwork has a theological theme but my events are often centered around self care tools and energy work. With those components I feel that I am bridging the gap between art and science.
What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?
A lesson I had to unlearn was that I could do it all. As much as i am multifaceted in art mediums and interests, I know myself and other creatives have a tendency to go beyond our limits. During the initial wave quarantine I found myself floundering to find steady and safe job. I took on several complex creative projects all at once; being a creative director and designer for a brands with widely ranging intentions and business missions. I quickly overwhelmed my creative and physical health. I developed a nerve compression in my hands that still have to work through and a lot of the projects I began, fell through and met no resolve. I know that when I take the time to work at a pace that suits my needs and create work that is sustainable and that I can be proud of, the result will come out beyond perfect every time. I have found a lot of success in my own business by applying the lessons I learned during that time, but now that I total control of my company and branding, I can manage my output in a much healthier fashion
Are there any books, videos or other content that you feel have meaningfully impacted your thinking?
I have an affinity for video essays on Youtube about philosophy. Channels such Eternalized or Kurzgesagt – In a Nutshell, have been some of my favorites. They don’t have so much of an entrepreneurial outlook but the responses they have to certain topics has lead to reevaluating my relationship with my friends, family and community. Whether it be on the reality of warring ant colonies or exploring the shadow self and its origins, I love how a layered yet simple questions can better help me understand another person’s perspective and in some cases, how I can better assist them in healing or art.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rawr.life.inc?igsh=dzVibjMza3JiOWRk&utm_source=qr
- Other: https://www.instagram.com/nnanggaa?igsh=MWdlc3h5cWgxMGhldA%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
Image Credits
Photography by V’Ari Visuals