We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Destiney Powell. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Destiney below.
Destiney, appreciate you joining us today. Have you been able to earn a full-time living from your creative work? If so, can you walk us through your journey and how you made it happen? Was it like that from day one? If not, what were some of the major steps and milestones and do you think you could have sped up the process somehow knowing what you know now?
Yes I have been able to earn a full-time living from my creative work. I created a plan to match my salary with creative work prior to leaving my corporate job. I started by first creating work at night, after work and after I had put my kids to bed. I would share my work online and search social media for events happening near me that I could participating in. I reached out to the event organizers and curators and this began my season of participating in group shows, vending at festivals and art crawls. I also started accepting commissions and hosting paint parties as well as selling prints and merchandise on my website. I created multiple streams of income from my artwork and that strategy was how I began making a fulltime income from my work. From day one it was a lot of work, a lot of scheduling and networking. Many long nights creating art and early mornings heading to the office. I remember being very sure that I could make my dream of being a fulltime artist my reality so I didn’t give up even when everything seemed to be going wrong.
I believe that every person has to go through a journey of experiences to prepare them for what is to come. I know now that everything I learned was for a reason and I needed to learn it so that I could continue to make a way for myself as I continue to create. I don’t believe the process could have been sped up but I do believe that knowing what I do now I would have given myself a break. I experienced so much burn out from applying to much pressure on myself. I know now that everything will be ok and the most important thing is to make what I want to make for the fun of it.
Destiney, 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?
Well, my name is Destiney, i’m an painter and illustrator from Mississippi, now living and working in Nashville, TN. I have always been creative and lost in art since the age of 2. I create with lots of color and fantasy within portraiture and figurative paintings. My work centers black women and culture with implements of sisterhood, community, and partnership intertwined with nature. From my artwork I create products such as art prints and posters, candles, home decor items, apparel, and more. I think my art solves the problem of representation within a fantasy genre, as well as providing more vibrant options in a pretty muted market. Neutral tones are trendy but I am forever a lover of colorful vibrant, mythical themes and I know there are others like me who want to live in a world that oozes pattern, color, and fun. I am most proud of my latest work which is portraiture full of color and pattern. As well as the Oracle Deck I illustrated for Abiola Abrams titled, “African Goddess Rising Oracle”. I put a lot of creativity and love into those 44 illustrations. I really challenged myself with that project and I am very inspired by the vision I brought forth for the artist. I also love receiving the emails about the artwork for that deck. There are very many who find the work inspiring and beautiful as well. Knowing that the work is relatable to others is the best feeling.
We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?
I built my audience on social media by sharing real moments in my journey. I focused on interacting with my audience through my stories mostly. Using my posts to talk about real moments in my life as well as documenting my journey to art shows and events. I bring my friends with me into the studio, the art store, my living room. We go on the journey of concept to creation together, and It’s fun to get feedback and suggestions on what i’m creating as well as other interpretations and views on the artwork. I think the best advice I can give is to not curate everything. My following has been built slowly but my supporters are loyal and helpful. I may inspire them but my supporters also inspire me with their stories and the way they relate to the work I create.
What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?
The best way to support artists and creatives is to talk about the work or the person that inspired you. Mention their names in rooms full of opportunity for creatives. I believe society should give creatives a chance, at every opportunity give that artists work you love a chance to show at your gallery, share the work with your friends and family. And of course, buy the work for what the artist is asking for. And creatives ask for what you want, not what you think you can get.
Contact Info:
- Website: poeticallyillustrated.net
- Instagram: @poeticallyillustrated
- Linkedin: Poetically Illustrated
Image Credits
I took all photos provided on my own