We recently connected with Myah Freeman and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Myah thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. How did you come up with the idea for your business?

As a child, I was always very artistically inclined. But the older I got, the more I began to realize that this was my gift. I was in art shows and won awards. So, there was no doubt about the talent I possessed. In 2015, as a high school freshman, I coined the business name, MyahnArt, and created an Instagram where I began sharing my work. Drawing was my foundation, so with that, I began to draw locals and well-known people in Jacksonville. The funny thing is, I did them for free but we all know that didn’t last long. People love free stuff but I grew to learn that my talent was worth more. So, my earliest commissions included portrait drawings, custom-painted hats, and paint classes. This later on expanded into murals, public projects, live painting, digital design, custom shoes, and bags. I believe that when God gives you a gift, it is your duty to use it. If you do not use it, you are not fulfilling and living in your purpose. Personally, I don’t want to live a life like that. So, I am continuously using my artistic gifts.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your background and context?

Growing up, my maternal family was very spiritual. One of the main teachings that stuck with me was the meaning of a Cardinal. The Cardinal represents the spirit of a passed loved one visiting from the Heavens; a messenger between Heaven and Earth. They visit you in times of sorrow or joy, or even to provide reassurance. My father passed when I was three years old, he is my Cardinal. So, you will see a direct translation of that in my artwork and branded products. My paintings consist of my loved ones who are always accompanied by at least one Cardinal. My branded products include a more simple and graphic depiction of the bird as well as hand-painted phrases that I use in association with its meaning. These include: “Guided by my Ancestors”, “Spirit of a passed loved one”, “A Cardinal is near”, and “Sent from the Heavens.” These products include hats, bags/purses, earrings, shirts, prints, and canvas paintings.

I categorize my business into three parts: 1)Commissions/Custom Art, 2)Branded Products, and 3)Personal Work. I began doing commissions in 2015. Personal Work and Branded Products came much later, after college where I had the time to discover myself as an Artist. Commissions include Live Painting/Vending, Custom Apparel, Paintings & Murals, Logos, Paint Classes, Drawings & Illustrations. I am currently working on selling originals or at least prints of my originals. This can be difficult for me because my artworks are my babies so, it can be hard to let go. Nevertheless, I am forever aiming for greater brand recognition for MyahnArt, LLC. So, I show up whenever and wherever I can for my supporters!

What else should we know about how you took your side hustle and scaled it up into what it is today?

For the majority of its existence, my business has been my side hustle. Starting in high school, I did it a great amount, but I didn’t have a mature business mindset about it. Outside of being a student and securing what college I would go to, this is what occupied my time. Moving into college, it was about the same, but I had seasons in which I did not take personal commissions at all. One thing about being a Bachelor of Fine Art Major is you MUST make art. That is what you go to school for, that is how you get your degree so, outside of my class requirements, I wasn’t making much art off the strength of personal interest and motivation until my senior year. Meanwhile, I primarily taught paint classes but personal commissions were not an option for me at the time. After graduating from college, I spent my first year as a Highschool Art Teacher. Although I learned a lot, the most important lesson was that teaching, in the grade level school system to be exact, was not my calling. So, once the school year was over, I quit my job as a Highschool Art Teacher and, for the first time in my life, worked as a full-time Artist. I began in July of this year so, it’s been about 2.5 months and I have already seen blessings bloom. I believe in myself and the gift that God has equipped me with. It was about time I stopped doubting myself and God. The best thing about this experience is as soon as I sent my resignation letter, I saw a Cardinal. My father reassured me that I had made the right decision.

Do you sell on your site, or do you use a platform like Amazon, Etsy, Cratejoy, etc?

Originally, I only sold my products and services via social media and email, for serious inquiries. In addition, I sold in person at pop-up shops. I had a website for a long time but it primarily served as a portfolio rather than a storefront. So, recently, I switched platforms and created an eCommerce site where supporters can purchase directly from. The pro is that purchases are more direct and convenient for me and the customer. The con is getting customers to go there and to WANT to go there. This takes good marketing which is still a learning process for me.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.MyahnArt.com
• Instagram: @MyahnArt
• Facebook: @MyahnArt, LLC
• Twitter: @MyahnArt
• Other: TikTok: @MyahnArt