We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Catherine Clark a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Catherine, appreciate you joining us today. Earning a full time living from one’s creative career can be incredibly difficult. Have you been able to do so and if so, can you share some of the key parts of your journey and any important advice or lessons that might help creatives who haven’t been able to yet?

No, I have yet to make a full time living from my creative work, but it’s never been solely about financial gain for me when it comes to my disciplines. There have been many major milestones relating to transformations in growth more than anything. As i’ve grown within my creative career, analyzing who I was versus who I am now when creating any form of art has been, and still is a beautifully tumultuous experience. I wouldn’t have changed the ways my process has gone even with what I know now, because in order to make intentional work you have to meet yourself where you are at every stage.

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

I am a multi disciplinary creative from Atlanta, Ga. Turning a blank canvas into a masterpiece, and being a prolific visionary for all things involving curation has been my passion over the last 17 years! No matter the discipline I choose to take on; I make sure to strive at mastering it to the best possible degree.I’ve spent many years within performing arts, costume designing, fashion sketching/designing, creative direction, and etc to name a few. I’ve been a songwriter/songstress for the majority of my life ,so my passion for lyricism and music runs deep. When I make a song, I hope that it evokes emotion and helps my listeners tap into a depth of vulnerability they didn’t know they had. I don’t like being put in a box, so all genres of music I hold close to my heart when making a new masterpiece.

As for fashion, I cultivated my brand,”IconicallyPsychotic Ltd. Co”, about 4 years ago while I was in undergrad.
Being that the earth is in a tremendous need of help, through the curation of my designs I aim to use sustainable fabrics, eco-friendly dyes, and add up-cycling into my pieces as much as possible before buying new items. My customer is the person who gets told that they’re “overdressed”, when in reality their outfits curate the biggest amounts of artistic joy. Within my brand, clothes are always our freest form of expression, and as a designer I pride myself in catering to my consumer as if they were me. I don’t feel one can believe in their brand, if they wouldn’t wear their own creations, and through every piece I hope my customers feel like they’re the main character the same way I do when I get dressed. We live by one motto at IconicallyPsychotic Ltd. Co,” Life is like an ongoing show, so what are you wearing to your next performance?”!

Do you think there is something that non-creatives might struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can shed some light?

I don’t think it’s a matter of what non-creatives struggle to understand, because I feel all people are creative in their own right, but those who don’t specialize in creating might not grasp the intensity of putting your vulnerability out into the world. The whole “I’m an artist and i’m sensitive about my sh*t.”, statement really does ring true; especially when it probably took you 20 million times to comfortably upload it to your platforms. It’s scary as hell going through transformations, and then having to relive it through art form. Yes, this is a form of outlet, but imagine one’s therapy sessions being put out into the world for everyone to analyze. Even the aspect of being completely naked in a place full of people that are wearing clothes, I think those who curate that kind of intimacy through their art will always be misunderstood by those that might not be meant to understand it.

What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?

I think society can best support creatives by acknowledging the mental and emotional tact it takes to get what’s in your brain to masses and make it make sense. Don’t discredit the amount of time creatives put into molding their discipline just because they aren’t doing life by the standards western society made normal. Furthermore, support your local underground artist/creatives now; instead of waiting till they’re getting traction on their platforms. There are so many people in our communities that specialize in the arts, or have a solution based product people around them are in need of. Numbers and social media stats don’t determine the quality of creation, and because of social beliefs businesses/brands that don’t have the same audience exposure as the ones’ already in the public eye. Look for those that go unnoticed and assist them in thriving as you’d want someone to do for you. Life is all about the law of attraction, so I encourage society to rejoice for others until it’s time for them to genuinely rejoice for you.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sheiscatherine.clark/
• Other: Fashion Curations:
  https://www.instagram.com/iconicallypsychoticltd.co/Creative Development/Entertainment Company:
  https://www.instagram.com/enrae.enterprises/

Image Credits

Syeara Dunlap aka Dunlap “Da Connect” – Photographer/Videographer/Creative