We recently connected with Brelle Arianna and have shared our conversation below.
Brelle , looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?
I realized at a very early age that I wanted to thrive in the arts. I saw everything around me as something I could design or create. I have always had a love for anything I could create with my hands. I could see something and easily recreate it. I’ve done almost every form of art I could find to express myself. I have designed clothes, wrote music, sang, danced, I’m also a freelance Makeup Artist of 8yrs, I’ve modeled and more. If it invokes creative expression, I wanted to do it.
Brelle , 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 got into nail artistry as a child. My grandmother is Vietnamese and has worked in the nail industry my entire life. My mother didn’t necessarily follow the trend of being in the industry; but she would always prioritize getting our nails and feet done as self care. I’ve been getting manicures and pedicures since I was about 4. So, I’ve been familiar w/ the craft of nail artistry for about 24yrs. I can remember being excited about picking out my nail colors and wanting pretty designs. I felt like a new person w/ my nails and feet freshly done. As I got older, I wanted to practice the craft. I received my first acrylic nail kit as a Junior in high school. It was an OPI acrylic kit. I would sit for hours teaching myself how to do my nails from memory, watching the technicians in the salon. This was before YouTube was an educational platform. I would take nail polish to school and do other student’s nails during lunch. I remember everyone wanting the leopard and cheetah print designs as that is what was popular at that time. Fast forward, life kind of led me down a path of self discovery to find which form of art I truly loved. I went to school for cosmetology and studied hair as I thought I wanted to be a hair stylist. I thought I would be a triple threat; being a hair stylist, makeup artist and model. That dream was short lived, I got pregnant w/ my daughter while in school and after having her my desire to model changed w/ my confidence. I took some time off, and came back ready to take on the industry as a makeup artist. Fast forward, about 3 years into makeup, I decided to pick nails up again. One day I went to my dad, and explained to him the vision that I had for myself to go to school and obtain a license as a nail technician. He was very supportive and asked what did I need. I put an amazon cart together with everything I needed to start doing nails again. From that moment I started practicing endlessly. I took a little time before actually going to school, and about 2 years later, September of 2021 I enrolled in Turning Point Beauty School. I graduated in January of 2022. And here I am today as a licensed nail artist. I provide my clients w/ an intimate personal self care experience. I not only provide a quality service but I educate each client as I service them. As an instructor it is my number one priority to teach my clients about exactly what they’re getting while offering them a service they are pleased with. I would do nails every single day for free. The money doesn’t drive me, the love for the craft does. I want my clients to feel the same way I did as a child when I would get my nails and feet done; like a new woman. When you look good, you feel good! It is my job to help each client to look good by providing services that help them feel good! I care about the integrity of my client’s nails as well as health. Sanitation is held at a very high standard. I pride myself on offering a safe and healthy environment. I offer a plethora of services ranging from basic luxury manicure and pedicure to acrylic nail and toenail enhancements. I love delivering a range of nail designs including abstract line art, color blocking, stone placement, marbling, hand drawn nail art, and more. I like to say that I provide an experience that you can only get with me. The nails may be recreated but the vibe can never be duplicated! I am most proud of my growth and the genuine support for the love of my craft. My children went to school with me and watched me put my all into it. They are always excited to show off their nails and tell people that their mommy is a nail tech. I am looking forward to watching it grow even more. This is my caterpillar going into her cocoon and I’m excited to see the butterfly emerge. W/ Brelle the Nail Connoisseur, you will receive a quality luxury self care and (sometimes) healing experience. I welcome all caterpillars so that we may become butterflies together.
Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can provide some insight – you never know who might benefit from the enlightenment.
Be patient w/ your creative friend. We don’t mean to be distant. We struggle to bring every idea in our minds out and into fruition. Sometimes we see the world so differently we withdraw to process how we can make an impact in a society that tells us being an artist is “not a real job”. Empathy. We need spaces to express how heavy it can feel to be different without being told to be realistic. I always say, “Keep in mind I’m and artist and I’m sensitive about my shirt Shoutout to Erykah Badu! However, it’s true artistry is how we choose to physically express what we feel. We may not always be good with words so we allow our art forms to speak for us. Do not be so critical because it doesn’t necessarily appeal to you. Do your best to consider that we are an individual operating as a business entity. Please stop questioning independent artists prices. We spend a lot of time, and money to be able quality service. We took time to learn the craft and spend our own hard earned money to buy the things that are requested for the extravagant sets clients want. It is unfair and honestly disrespectful to complain about our prices when the sets are top tier quality. It’s disheartening to feel that we aren’t supported to the people we want to do this for because they would rather pay less. You wouldn’t go to Gucci, LV, or any other quality designer asking for a discount; because you know the quality of the product. Treat us w/ the same respect!
Are there any books, videos or other content that you feel have meaningfully impacted your thinking?
I am a huge bookworm. I’ve recently been expanding my collection as I expand my kind regarding my personal outlook on myself and my business as well as the world around me. I have been reading, Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill, The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz, As a Man Thinketh by James Allen, The Power of Your Subconscious Mind by Joseph Murphy, You Are a Badass by Jen Sincero, and a few other. I frequently watch The Secret, a movie regarding the Secret Law of Attraction based on the book written by Rhonda Byrne. I also have read the wishes fulfilled by Dr. Wayne Dyer. I do my best to fill my mind w/ things that constantly remind me that I have the power to create anything that I desire. “If you can see it in your mind, you can hold it in your hand.” If I can imagine it, I can have it. I am very big on spirituality as it has been a huge factor in my desire for success, knowing that the Divine source put me here for a specific purpose and I will not stop until I complete what I was set out to do. Change your thoughts, change your life.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://nailsbybrelle.as.me
- Instagram: @nailsbybrelle
- Facebook: Nails by Brelle
Image Credits
S/o to Aaron Johnson, a great photographer and friend of mine.