We recently connected with Brittany Symone and have shared our conversation below.

Brittany, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. We’d love to hear the backstory behind a risk you’ve taken – whether big or small, walk us through what it was like and how it ultimately turned out.

During the pandemic, like many others, I went through a difficult time being indoors. I was stuck in Virginia, far from my beloved Harlem, NY apartment. My personal illustration business was on hold, and I was grappling with the end of a relationship I thought was everything.

I decided to start painting—something I had never done before—but I felt an instinctive urge to keep going until my thoughts and emotions were emptied out. Sitting in front of a blank canvas, I was overwhelmed and nervous. So, I turned to meditation, focusing on my breath, the rise and fall in my chest, and the thoughts swirling in my heart. This helped me release the weight I was carrying. Abstract painting, or free-flow painting, became my voice for the next year.

This new artistic outlet helped me process my thoughts, feelings, and past experiences. I discovered how painting could release toxic energy, bring clarity, and reconnect me to my true self. I knew I wanted to share this experience with others.

Through research, I found that catharsis could be achieved through creative outlets. Inspired, I began hosting online workshops to test the idea, pushing myself through the discomfort of trying something new. Luckily, many friends and supporters joined, and they loved the space.

In the summer of 2022, while house- and cat-sitting in Los Angeles, California, I flew to Sacramento to meet a woman I had only spoken to over the phone. Together, we hosted an improv event at Lifestyle Art Space, with the help of its owner, Tobi. This was my first time testing my idea in person. I led a guided meditation, encouraging the group to release perfection and connect to art as a form of communication. Watching everyone create intuitively, there was magic in the room. The real-time feedback and the event running past its scheduled time confirmed that I was onto something bigger than myself.

This is how Detox Art came to be—creating spaces where people can engage in self-care through art, regardless of their skill level. Today, Detox Art has evolved into a creative wellness platform, offering calming and creative experiences for adults. With mental health challenges, stress, and anxiety on the rise, Detox Art helps answer that need. While we can’t be everywhere, we host a monthly online meetup called Chill. Art. Vibe., every first Wednesday at 7:30 PM EST. It’s a space for art journaling, conversation, and a soothing playlist, open to everyone. You don’t even have to follow the prompt; it’s a space dedicated to self-care, allowing people to cultivate a creative practice without disrupting their lifestyle. To learn about our in-person events, visit our page to see when and where we’ll be next.

Brittany, 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?

Hey! My name is Brittany Symone, or Bee for short. I’m an artist with a focus in Fashion Illustration, Design, and, more recently, Event Curation. I’ve always loved drawing and finding ways to be creative, ever since I was a toddler. What ultimately led me to start a business in a creative field was the passing of my father in 2014. His death left an incredibly heavy hole in my heart. I had never experienced grief before, but those emotions brought me back to drawing. It became my daily self-soothing practice, allowing me to channel my thoughts, feelings, and emotions onto paper. Through this, I rediscovered the creative path I had forgotten, one that my career had overshadowed. Sketching every day allowed me to reclaim my creative freedom and reimagine the life I once dreamed of.

I took my collection of sketches and turned them into a coloring book. I figured someone out there might enjoy coloring them since I didn’t want to color them myself. My goal was to create a book that pushed boundaries, offering a unique “coloring” experience. Growing up, I never wanted to do anything basic, so I set out to make a coloring book that felt more like a collector’s item. I didn’t have any business mentors and was moving purely on instinct. I found a small business, Savemor Printing in Brooklyn, NY, that worked side by side with me. I learned a lot about paper quality, weight, and trial and error. I also realized I was a bit of a mess and not as organized in my personal life as I thought! But through everything, I was incredibly proud of myself. Dedicating that book to my dad, who did everything in his power to ensure our path was properly lit, completely changed the scope of my life. That book brought me back to my childhood dream—to be an artist!

Now, in 2024, I have developed three mixed-media collector’s coloring books that beautifully highlight African Americans and support soothing practices for relaxation, emotional release, and creative expression for mental health. You can find my personal art, including fashion illustrations and graphic design work, on Instagram at @thebrittanymuseum, and they’re available for purchase at www.detox.art. It’s amazing to know that something tragic and painful can lead to a path that helps others.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

My business pivoted from Fashion Illustration to Creative Wellness because life took an unexpected turn. Relocating to Virginia made me realize I would have to start over again to find my customers and tribe. In New York, I was a social butterfly, with the chance to meet new people daily, but in the suburbs, that wasn’t the case. The quarantine didn’t help either—it actually diminished my social skills to the point where I felt uncomfortable in social settings.

Though I was new to the area, I knew one person who took me under his wing, and things gradually improved. Over time, I gained confidence, explored new outings, and connected with like-minded people and business owners. I’ll admit, marketing in a smaller city has been challenging, but you have to believe in what you do and tell everyone about it so you don’t miss opportunities to grow your idea.

It’s been an interesting journey, but prevailing through these circumstances has proven that anything is possible.

Where do you think you get most of your clients from?

Finding my audience in a new area with a new idea had its challenges, but partnering with like-minded businesses was key. For my first East Coast event, I hired a local tea herbalist. Although I didn’t sell a single ticket, I filled every seat with people I had met in the area, and the feedback was incredible!

For the following events, I partnered with ARTfactory, whose gallery was the perfect setting. Their co-marketing efforts helped me reach new individuals. ARTfactory even placed ads in newspapers and local magazines to spread the word. I’ve also discovered a growing, supportive community on TikTok, where directly messaging my tribe has been a fruitful experience as well.

In the end, I’ve learned, it takes new efforts and getting out of your comfort zone to find your audience.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.detox.art/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/detoxartofficial/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCG58-HgZRDdKyb1DuOVcZtw
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@detoxartofficial?_t=8dC142J0n3y&_r=1

Image Credits

Brittany Symone Headshot By: Crystale of Eye Imagery

Indoor Event Photos by Cristian Espinoza | ARTfactory