We were lucky to catch up with Gie Santana recently and have shared our conversation below.

Gie, appreciate you joining us today. What’s the best or worst investment you’ve made (either in terms of time or money)? (Note, these responses are only intended as entertainment and shouldn’t be construed as investment advice)

The BEST investment I’ve made thus far is betting on MYSELF. I am an avid supporter of all things art, creative, whimsical and space. I soar well within the success of others and I decided in December of 2022 I wanted to “go the distance” with my literary goals. I would implement the same genuine support into myself as I’ve done for everyone around Me. Most importantly I knew my talent and passion for writing is deep, and in those depths I feel writing is my ministry. Mentally it has saved Me,creatively grew Me, made a more hopeful outlook on life. It could do the same for my readers. I had a testimony that I needed to get out into the world.
March 2023 I birthed my debut publication “Mirrored Images”. A project I’ve been working on behind the scenes of life since June of 2018.
I had no expierence in publication, designing book covers or spine to word alignment. After completing my manuscript I researched a few publishing companies. None of the publication companies could assist with my project at the time, which I am profoundly thankful for because the first draft manuscript I presented to them was not the final draft I published. The initial discouragement of not finding a publishing company dissolved. Several Google hours and two Tylenols later I was published and adding editor to my artist resume as well.
The time, dedication and mental strength invested from single-handedly producing my first project felt amazing. I remember staying up well past 2am formatting, editing,
smiling and panicking while I waited for my book to go “live”.
Mirrored Images gracefully opened the doors to many many beautiful projects to date.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

Gie Santana, Kansas City Missouri native and avid lover of all things art.

I am a thrilled space weirdo who believes that you can definitely create your own planet through your passion.

I possess a wide range of writing/poetic style pieces.

Signifying, narrative, and highly ekphrastic as most of my lyrical pieces discuss my love for the art of writing and how the craft has saved and elevated my life. Love, parenting and mental health are hugely discussed topics in my pieces as I like to take my readers/listeners on journeys.

I began writing at age 10. I loved the language arts assignments where you had to “tell a story about the best day of your life” or “if you were an animal which animal would you be?” My journal pages were full of Sunflowers, drive in movies with Mom and Panda bears. I knew early on writing/creating would be an essential part of my life.

My most favorite notion about my craft is how it has boosted my confidence in other aspects of life.
Writing is the hub of what’s next to come.
Writing has elevated my public speaking, modeling,networking and mentorship.

I am most proud of the fact that I am still here. PRESENT.
I’m still here pushing my purpose and that I did not succumb to my mental health disparities.
I write a new chapter each time and I’ll forever be thankful for the ability to be vulnerable yet capable in the present.

My craft is deep. Far out.
There isn’t one being, Extraterrestrial, Human, or Sea Urchin roaming the solar system that possess the craft that I do.
It’s different.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

Yes, to be better than I was 5 minutes ago.
To be open to learning something new EVERYDAY.
Expanding my artist resume by doing things “far out of the norm”.
Pushing myself well past my creative limits. One day I may be an astronaut, the other day I could be a ballerina flipping burgers on a farm.
I strive to show my rough mental health days how beautiful the other days will simply outweighs them in the long haul.

I strongly believe there is no genre for a creative. I am ever-changing yet steadfast.

In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?

PAY THE ARTIST!

Paying the artist is a pivotal step in supporting creatives/artist.
For many of us this is our career. Time,dedication, grit, and professionalism goes into crafting.

The price is the price and the passion isn’t sold separately.

Creating a solid adaptable artist budget in addition to developing a space where we are welcomed, constantly celebrated, acknowledged and have expressive creative freedom is key.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://linktr.ee/giexsantanaa
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/giexsantana?igsh=MWR6MzNpaTQ1Ym5uag==
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Giesantanaa?mibextid=ZbWKwL

Image Credits

Gie Santana
Pasavia Janeise
Jerome Hutchinson Photography