We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Akki Brathwaite a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Akki, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Are you happier as a creative? Do you sometimes think about what it would be like to just have a regular job? Can you talk to us about how you think through these emotions?
Working as an artist is definitely stressful, but I’ve enjoyed working on my own terms and creating projects for myself far more than working for others in any capacity. I’ve struggled financially for years, and I have picked up gigs, odd-jobs, contract and part-time work etc. to fill the gaps, but I do it to be able to continue my small business. Since moving to Austin about seven years ago, I’ve never worked a full-time job. It wasn’t by choice at first, but I learned that freelancing came with a lot of perks and flexibility, which I didn’t have before.
Since I didn’t have a consistent job to take up most of my waking hours, I took advantage of the energy I had to create as much as possible. With a lot of encouragement from friends and family, I started selling my work at small markets and events. It was a great way to meet people, find my community and expand network with other creatives – something that would’ve been very hard to sustain with a regular job.
I’ve worked several jobs and know that nobody can pay me enough money to want to work for any one person or company more than I would like to work for myself. Running a business and putting your work out into the world isn’t for everyone and I feel very fortunate to have support from people around me to continue pursuing my passion.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
For folks who may not have read about you before, can you please tell our readers about yourself,
I’m a Black and Japanese, multi-faceted artist, maker and designer. I have a BFA in graphic design, which I chose with the logic that it was a more sustainable career choice as a creative. After working at a small print shop in Mississippi and attempting to work for a more creative agency after moving to Austin, I realized it wasn’t really what I wanted.
I’ve always loved design and looking at pretty things. It’s been helpful to have the skills I’ve learned over the years, but of all the creative endeavors I work through, graphic design is my least favorite (it pays the bills though!). I started openly selling my work in 2017 at small local markets. I met a lot of very friendly artists and makers and made a lot of friends in the creative community.
Currently, I’ve been focused on making jewelry and laser cut goods. Before this venture, I was making a lot non-objective watercolors, silly doodles, and sewn goods. Outside of my small business, I’ve illustrated and designed various print materials, as well as sewn and made props for local theatre and musical groups, and collaborated with photographers to art direct and make props for photo shoots and pop-ups.
I wouldn’t necessarily say I’m set apart from others, but I would like to think I help elevate others by collaborating and realizing ideas. I’ve been very fortunate to be able to work with a lot of creative individuals on a variety of projects. Because of collaborative projects, I’ve learned a lot of skills that go beyond what I could have had if I’d only focused on my individual work.
My most proud moment has been the ability to see how much I’ve grown. I started my small business journey as a 20-something-year-old, making just to make, and have grown it into a career. I still have a lot of work to do, but it’s nice to know I’m moving in the right direction.
The main thing I’d like folks to know is, if you do a thing – there will be people to support you and want to see you succeed. Even if you get unsupportive comments from people at the start; if you put your work out, stay curious, work to better yourself and stay consistent, you’ll find your community.
Are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?
I wish I’d known about grants, classes through the City of Austin, and makerspaces. I have only applied to one grant thus far, but there are so many grants for small businesses, projects, creatives, etc. It’s a bit overwhelming, but definitely helps to have some seed money for big ideas.
I’ve taken several webinars through the City of Austin Small Business Division that helped solidify some of my business strategies and get a better understanding of how to move my business forward. It was a great resource and I was able to ask specific questions during the classes regarding my own business.
Makerspaces are the reason I’m able to do most of what I do now! Without the CoLab Community Makers space, I wouldn’t have affordable access to a laser cutter. A makerspace is a great way to learn, get involved with the creative community, experiment, and make new things. I can’t express the gratitude I have for CoLab for providing the tools they do!
What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?
Support individual creatives and small businesses! Promote them, by telling friends and family. If they’ve inspired you in any way, let them know! If you want to see their work in a store, or know of someone they could collaborate with, ask if you can connect them. Support doesn’t always have to be monetary, though money definitely helps! Encouragement and hyping them up is a great way to keep creatives motivated :)
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.madebyakki.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/by_akki/
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/madebyakki
Image Credits
Isra