We were lucky to catch up with Canessa Thomas recently and have shared our conversation below.

Canessa, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?

My most meaningful project was my Survivor’s Journey collection (c. 2021). The collection is my artistic trek in healing from domestic violence. I share the story/inspiration behind each piece in the description of the artwork on my website. I’ve also shared them on my social media platform. I’m grateful for the kinship, validation, and strength that other survivors have found in the collection. Creating it was my beauty for ashes.

Canessa, 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 an autodidact artist and storyteller who specializes in digital, mixed media, and collage artwork. I am inspired by life, love, colors, music, and my spiritual journey. What sets me apart from others is that a lot of my work is abstract, but I, also, do figurative and portrait artwork. I don’t pin myself to any particular style of art, and I’m most proud of that.

My art business, PhloArt Art Gallery, began manifesting while I was on leave from work and was creating art as a way of dealing with burnout, health issues, and the need to leave corporate America. I began selling pieces of my work and it felt freeing. I decided to invest in myself and opened the door to my artwork becoming my business. This is the business that I was created to create for.

My motivation to create is my desire to heal and connect. Art is healing, and I try to bear witness to that with my work. Whatever story I share with my art is expanded by those who view it and find something that touches, connects, or even disturbs some part of them. They add their own perspective. They see parts of their own story and/or dream. It’s at that moment that we become co-creators. We are kindred. One united collective weaving visions and experiences.

Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?

I attribute my social media growth to my consistency and being genuinely supportive of others on the platform. I am intentional about posting and maintaining a social media presence. And I don’t just post and go or sit and wait for likes and comments on my posts. I visit the profiles of my followers – I call them kindred, and I like, comment, and share their posts. I do shout-outs in my stories to those who are edifying in some way. Not only that, but I share the work of other artists. It’s about connecting genuinely. My advice for those who are just starting to build their social media presence is to be what you wish to see. If you want to see people support you on social media, be supportive of others on social media. Pour into to be poured into. Also, be consistent with your social media posts. Don’t give people the opportunity to forget you or what you do.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

I had to unlearn “practice makes perfect”. Perfect doesn’t exist. Practice makes you better. It makes “it” better. Searching for and holding out for perfection has killed many dreams and broken a great deal of spirits. There are people waiting to reach “perfect” before they start a business, or before they feel they are good enough to go after a dream. For years, I didn’t share my artwork because I didn’t feel it was good enough. It wasn’t “perfect”. But, perfect is an illusion.   

Contact Info:

• Website: www.phloart.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/phlo.bella/