We recently connected with Adia Tabron and have shared our conversation below.
Adia, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Risking taking is a huge part of most people’s story but too often society overlooks those risks and only focuses on where you are today. Can you talk to us about a risk you’ve taken – it could be a big risk or a small one – but walk us through the backstory.
I’ve always had a knack for drawing, but around my senior year in high school I had my first art class. Though I had raw talent, I greatly lacked experience and knowledge of art medias. I stuck with pencils and wouldn’t dream of trying anything else, pencil work was the only thing that got me validation. My teacher at the time, Mrs. J, often encouraged me to step out of my comfort zone and try more mediums. I didn’t listen to her until about 3 years later, when I finally began testing out acrylic paints. By this time I wasn’t in school and had no guidance, so let’s just say it was one of the toughest eras of learning for me. Almost every painting I did ended in tears and being ripped apart. After about a year, I really started creating work I was proud of and not with safety or how much people would like it in mind, but for experience and my own personal growth. Here we are now a few more years later and painting is actually my main way of creating now, I love the freedom and room for mistakes it allows. I used to feel that color pencils were it for me, that was the only way my work would look good. But once I got through the thick of learning, acrylic paints changed not only my physical abilities but my confidence and trust in my abilities regardless of other opinions. I found my art style with them and discovered so many techniques pencils would never allow. I stayed stagnant for years out of fear and approval of others, but when I’ finally let that go I found another part of myself I’m so grateful for today. The best thing about risks is they end in growth regardless of the outcome.
Adia, 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?
I am a North Carolina artist, who primarily creates vibrant portrait paintings. I recreate pieces of loved ones who may have passed or just may like to receive a gift. It is my goal to never turn away work due to lack of reference so I try to work with those old torn up photos, that memory may be the only one someone has left. I also combine things from multiple photos, favorite clothing, colors, jewelry, different backgrounds, you name it I can add it in. This provides my clients with something recognizable to who it’s meant to be but also giving that individuals essence in only seeing one picture of them. My paintings bring back the feeling of being around that person, and that’s the most beautiful part about the experience. I love the joy, and sometimes tears, I see in my clients eyes when I’m handing them my creations.
Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?
A lot of times in life I’ve been told to just keep painting and everything else will come. I’ve learned though that being great at painting will not start a business or maintain one. Focusing so much on just creating what I would market, left a lot lack in social skills and business skills required for one to maintain their own business. When I started working on who I was as an individual is when I truly started to see growth in my brand. Customer service, personal productivity and scheduling abilities, and financial literacy were just some of the things I had to and still have to learn and practice. Had I just focused on technical ability, I would’ve messed out on a lot of opportunity’s that provide me with purpose even outside my business. Making money and supporting yourself is good, but when you add relationships with clientele and seeing your impact in other humans, it’s amazing!
Can you tell us about what’s worked well for you in terms of growing your clientele?
Letting go of shame and fear, and honing my ability to put myself out there. To go paint in public places, walk up to people first, and tirelessly keep my posting my work. Also trusting that my work is good enough for me to do all those things, without any one opinion changing that. I always try to put my best foot forward and to leave an impact on someone, most of the time they will tell someone else. You can be great at whatever you do, but it’s how you show up for yourself that brings clientele in.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: Adiatabron.artwork
- Facebook: Adia Tabron Artwork
- Other: TikTok: Adiatabron.art