We recently connected with April Tate and have shared our conversation below.

Hi April, thanks for joining us today. If you could go back in time do you wish you had started your creative career sooner or later?

I started my creative journey when I was around 20 yrs old. At that time, I was still figuring out if I wanted to go to college and my identity. I had attempted to go right out of high school, but unfortunately had to leave. This gap in my academic journey allowed me to explore different art styles, learn about new subjects, and grow as a person. I released my first music project in 2021. I am super proud of that first project, but I definitely learned things during that process. Along with dating at the time I also had family relationships that weren’t beneficial to me. As I turned 23, I began taking myself more seriously. I went through an experience that completely altered my perspective. It was a relationship I was in that ended negatively, however I learned my most valuable lessons after this situation. I agreed that I would go back to school and learn new creative skills like crochet. This past spring I opened my art business, Locc’d N, where I sell crochet items and handmade items. My journey has taught me to always have patience and hard work pays off. I wish I had started my creative career sooner, but I had a lot of doubts and life lessons that needed to be learned. Fortunately, I am taking more and more creative risks as I’ve gotten older.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I am currently a Freelance Artist. I am a universal and multilateral creative. I am talented in drawing, crocheting, dancing, and creative writing & poetry. I currently sell handmade items and crochet items in my self-care business, Locc’d N. Locc’d N is a brand that encourages discovering yourself throughout any stage of your life and prioritizing your own energy and mental health. The problem I solve for my clients is providing them with a little piece of beauty to brighten their lives. I am currently working on new projects and items to add to my store inventory. Even while attending school, I am learning new things and exploring my hobbies. I am currently open for commissions so any custom project can be discussed upon request.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

Art has to be a specific way. I don’t know where I specifically learned this, but it was built up over the years. I had become my own biggest critic in my adolescence. Additionally, I internalized the media’s expectations of what I deemed “art” and valuable. As I traveled around the US in my young adulthood and met new people, I learned to open my perspective. Deconstructing the limits I put on art was essential to growing as myself. This narrow opinion caused me to doubt any idea I created or wanted to create. I would make things and soon regret making what I had. As I got older, I started to realize there is no single way to be artistic and to explore creativity. It is a personal experience between you and the art.

We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?

The story is as a kid I had always liked entertaining people and as I got older I liked sharing my opinions with others. Around the pandemic, I created my first Tik Tok account. I started with my friends only following me which led to a semi-viral video towards the beginning of my social media career. I built my audience by interacting with people who liked and commented on my content, talked about stuff that interested me, and just kept an attention to detail while editing. The advice I would say is simply: JUST START. Whatever task it is, whether it’s a sport, creative art, or even school, just begin by looking for information. Be proactive about your goals and hobbies. You never know what will lead to where. Also, don’t be afraid to talk to random people (within reason of course), but meaning if someone is interested in your outfit. Start up a conversation. So I guess I would say take advantage of natural opportunities, especially if you are currently in school or are a part of a community group. The people you know and interact with daily already are a great way to start with your business and interests. Remember you can always work on a skill, but you can only learn my doing things and getting through problems.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://loccdn444.wixsite.com/my-site-1
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sunflowerscribe/?__d=11
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@sunflowerscribe?si=1E972RYhJFEcubyZ
• Soundcloud: https://on.soundcloud.com/temafetzaM9QBoJo7

Image Credits

N/A