We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Zondra Mckennie a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Zondra , looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Are you happy as a creative professional? Do you sometimes wonder what it would be like to work for someone else?
In this season of my life, Yes, my artistry brings me happiness. I feel extremely blessed to be gifted the opportunity to not only adorn the body with jewelry pieces but to Liberate one’s mind with an inspirational “peace”.
Zondra , before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
Greetings-
My name is Zondra, however, I am known as “Liberation”
I am an Indigenous Adornment Artist
I specialize in creating one-of-a-kind Handcrafted Jewelry and Crowns
by utilizing Feathers, Gemstones, Beads, Wood & Leather.
Creating has always been a gratifying visceral experience and it has been healing on so many levels.
Liberation Collection is my Sankofa.
It is an indigenous journey through my lens of sacred experiences.
Everything I produce is inspired and handcrafted with the purest essence of Love and Appreciation.
How one adorns themselves is an unspoken language of Self expression and Pride.
I feel my gifts provides a unique connection to community by adding exquisite value to not only how one feels about themselves, but any space they enter.
Liberation Collection is about being Bold and Confident.
Celebrating Life and the Greatness
YOU Are.
It’s all about being Liberated .
MY artistry is dedicated to creating those unique experiences by reflecting a royal expression.
.
I am MOST Proud that I am moving out of my own way and I am a being intentional with the works of my hands and
I am creating and leaving a Legacy ..
Liberation Collection
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
There’s nothing more rewarding than the symbiotic exchange that comes from creating something I love and being respectfully acknowledged for it.
To have the ability to creatively utilize my gifts and positively influence & empower others is a blessing.
The value of being appreciated is priceless.
What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?
” Mom, do it for your future self. “, is what my youngest daughter told me. This statement’s profundity has awakened something in me and has become my driving force. At this time in my creative journey, I want to pay homage to the dream that has been deferred. I often hold up the light for others to see their shine, yet, I don’t revel in mine. This creative path is about shining my light boldly and unapologetically, praying my children are proud of me.
This experience of tapping into my creative gifts has always been a little personal and over the years I have been hiding my talents. I started out creating for fun, yet, along the way, the trials of life happened. I found myself in survival mode and when times got hard, I was able to sell my art to make ends meet. My gift sustained my family.
I realize, a talent/gift is like a precious flower; if it doesn’t receive the proper light it cannot grow to yield an abundant harvest.
Self care is how you water and nourish the creativity and the ideas will grow in abundance. Now that my gifts have grown vastly, they have become an Act of Faith.
It is molding & transforming me, moving me, out of my own way.
This season of my life is about activating the spiritual currency that comes from walking by faith not by sight. It’s about trusting that my gifts will make room for me while learning to put GOD first at ALL times, not only during difficulty. I encourage my children to follow their dreams yet, I need to lead by example and no longer make excuses for why I’ve not been pursuing mine.
I’ve been moving as a caterpillar, yet I’ve got to expand to new heights-
I’ve discovered I have wings and now it’s time to take flight.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://store82137603liberationcollection.company.site/?fbclid=PAAab577_GvEwrEWe8VZ2z9cD-lrPQWqGhlR3fQ2vVRA4wO3OB-h1Unuu4XHI
- Instagram: Liberation _Collection
- Facebook: Zondra Mckennie
- Other: Fb: Liberation Collection
Image Credits
James C. Lewis N3K ( Golden pic ft. King with Feather neckpiece)
Robin Callender ( Feather Crown/ Earring pic, Amethyst Crown/ Jewelry pic, Cosmic Eyepiece pic, Silver Butterfly Earlace/ Crown pic)
Tim Bradley ( colorful pic ft. Queen holding a spear, wearing an array of Gemstone body adornments)
Zondra “Liberation” Mckennie
( Queen w/ painted lips, wearing crown & colorful necklaces pic)