We recently connected with Christina DeNeé and have shared our conversation below.
Christina, 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?
Creating a full time living wasn’t an overnight process however, I do believe what set the pace was not my ability or opportunity but my mindset, faith and vision. I am the child of two artists and musicians, and come from a long line of entertainers. However, born in the early 80’s the blue collar former plant town of Buffalo, NY- doing those creative things as a FULL time living was never something that was encouraged in that culture. But, working hard absolutely was. My Mother was an unbelievable artist, and was always able to make ends meet however we had little money and we struggled. Living in a low income, high crime neighborhood until her sudden passing when I had just turned 10. I then was moved to live with my father, his wife and her children in a suburb of Buffalo where I saw my father hold down a full time job in an unrelated field and then perform his music and art every night. Putting in an average of 60hrs a week for years. But earning a full time living from just the creative work was never in the picture from what I saw.
I started working, as many do; with a part-time job as a young teenager. Age 13, I started bussing tables in a restaurant in my hometown of Buffalo, NY. I found the hospitality industry to be a good fit for me. I was left to my own devices in a way, had flexible hours, and I enjoyed the high paced environment. I found that if you put in more effort, you made more money. Which was right up my alley. I quickly became a server,
Art opportunities came young to me, few and far between but I did start to build work experience in the arts. Performing musically also came to be around the same time with my first original band. And by age 16, I was living on my own to pursue my own path of Art & Music.
Like I said, my mentality and belief in myself what was set the pace of my success. Performing in an original band, recording original material and grinding out the pursuit of rock stardom in a town that was completely unconnected to the music industry was sprinkled with a lot of partying, heavy struggle, periods of homelessness, poor health and extreme poverty. Despite always having a restaurant job, sometimes two- I barely made ends meet and was truly blessed to make it through that time. The combination of freedom and utter loneliness was not a combination that I was mature enough to handle. My vision however, never wavered. I just slowly realized that I was what was holding me back.
I came from a culture of heavy drinking, and not alot of confronting your feelings. It was all that I knew. I did hit my rock bottom, and once I released myself of that “cultural code”; and did the work to change my lifestyle- which included a short term out patient rehab, and therapy. My life quickly turned to take an upward trajectory. My music got better, I got better and I started to treat it like the business that it was. I lost weight, felt better and started to understand negative and positive energy and the influence that it has on your daily life. But, I had been waiting tables, traveling with my band, working in the studio and supporting myself off of $200-$300 per week for over 10 years. I was exhausted. I wanted to invest in our studio, our small tours, I wanted more. And I finally felt that I deserved it, and that it was possible.
So, I convinced one local restaurant to pay me to come in and draw Free Caricatures of their guests table side. I would create advertisements for them to encourage guests to come in. In 2 hours of that scenario, I made what I would have made all week at my serving job. So, I gave my 2 weeks notice at the restaurant. I then had 2 nights a week drawing, then 3, then Saturdays at a Bounce Center for kids. Placing my contact info on every page, handing out cards to every person I met. Over the next 5 years I created Big Head Cartoon all while my now band “BREAKERBOX” rose above the noise level in the industry. Recording at Tommy Lee of Motley Crue’s private studio, enjoyed viral video success, and shared the stage with some of rock musics top acts. We began producing our own concert series.
I began a morning routine of prayer, visualization and meditation. Regular exercise and even better eating practices. I removed toxic relationships and found strong and healthy friendships. The best part of all of this was that I grew a healthy and loving romantic relationship with my partner in our music all of these years.
By 2018, we had hit a ceiling and relocated to Nashville to continue our growth. However, I kept artists working under the Big Head Cartoon name in Western New York and moved into an administrative role as we added entertainers to the roster in Middle Tennessee. The pandemic caused us to pivot into Virtual Entertainment as my partner and I created unique Virtual Art and Music Experiences adding some of the top artists in N America to our team! This allowed me to act as Emcee at these Virtual Events and continue to entertain- which is my first love. New Music, New Live Event endevours and additional Virtual Experiences are all in the works now. As well as my Online Course “#LifeInTheDIY” which guides people to create a business with their gift or talent.
I could have had this success earlier, but it was up to me. I had to get to the place in my mind, body and soul to receive it. I believe that God always wants the best for you, but the journey of getting yourself to see that is the challenge. Not being afraid and jumping forward, removing cultural codes and negative self talk seems to be the steps that were most important for me. Believing it’s all possible and being open to how God/The Universe wants to bring it to you.
Christina, 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?
how you got into your industry / business / discipline / craft etc
I started performing at age 5, singing along side my father who was a local acoustic singer/songwriter and accompanying him as he provided Caricature Art services at local nightclubs and events. My mother, also a musician was an incredible cartoonist, painter and designer who took commissions out of our home. I worked side by side with her as she created window murals, signage and portrait work. So, my own career as an artist & musician seemed like a natural progression. Starting as many do, with talent shows and school theater- I always wanted to be in a band. I wanted to sing in front of thousands of people since I can remember! My first love has always been entertaining, so once I identified that, the rest took care of itself. Focusing on entertaining people, but not necessarily how- brought my career in a million different places that I never could have imagined. It brought it all together.
Without funding or any set path before me, I always developed ways to rise above the noise level with unique marketing concepts and focused on building relationships and partnerships. How to fill a need with the talents that myself and my team possess. For example, when starting as a Caricature Artist I partnered with local restaurants to provide Free Caricatures to their guests on a weekly basis as well as marketing materials to help build a consistent turn out on a specific night. Benefiting both their brand, and my own! With my music act “BREAKERBOX’, we teamed with Wounded Warrior Project to produce a Music Video tribute to US Military Families using our song “Miss You”. A music video which thanks to their national push helped our band rise above the noise level on the national scene. Sponsors and partnerships have helped me accomplish more than I ever could on my own. Keeping both parties in mind as you create whatever it is that your working on, I feel is the key to anything that you do. Don’t think solely of yourself or of only how it can benefit you. Lose the ego!
With Big Head Cartoon Caricature Art & Entertainment, we provide unique Art and Music Experiences that leave guests with personalized keepsakes! We focus on the guest experience and how to make the final products benefit not only our company and brand, but also the brand and intention of our clients as well. My favorite scenario is a corporate client that has a group of people that they “just want to give something fun”- it leaves us open to create something totally unique, inspiring and captivating for them.
I will say, I am most proud however of our “Pandemic Pivot”. My partner, drummer/producer Scott Calandra and I had just relocated to Nashville from our hometown and were establishing our businesses in this new market. He, a full time drum lesson studio and myself Big Head Cartoon. Together, we had been producing a Concert Series called “#LifeInTheDIY” with Heineken & Red Bull which featured not only our band, but other entrepreneurial and independent artists. That all changed in March of 2020 when the world shut down. I lost my entire revenue stream and all Live Events ceased. Within 72 hours, we developed the “Big Heads & Beats Virtual Caricature Art Party Experience” which brought a Live Digital Caricature Artist alongside a Live Drumming DJ playing all the hits to your Virtual platform! Guests are drawn live while listening to amazing music and receive a downloadable Color Caricature with theme & company branding.
This experience exploded into the global corporate, and college event markets. Allowing us to bring on additional artists and develop additional virtual experiences- and honestly- saving our lives. Everything that I had ever done to earn a living had disappeared in one fail swoop. We were blessed to have grabbed this concept from the ether and bring it into fruition.
We are now pivoting back into Live by bringing these experiences to in person events! Incorporating our original music and our concert series into the mix. I will also be launching the #LifeInTheDIY Online Course in the New Year which will empower people to start their own business using their gift or talent!
Have you ever had to pivot?
As I stated before, I pivoted into Virtual Entertainment as the world was shut down due to the Coronavirus Pandemic in 2020. However, the even more challenging part was the pivot back. By summer of 2021 In Person Events were coming back into play and I did not want to lose the global reach that we had obtained with Virtual Entertainment, but more than that- I wanted to keep the Art and Music combination and continue to lean into the technology element which had been so good to us. We really had learned as a team to create a convenient and exciting atmosphere. Taking an almost “dated” activity- Caricatures- and brought into this new age of technology.
Over the last 8 months we have developed the “Big Heads & Beats Hybrid Caricature Art Photo Booth” to solve this issue! Our custom made kiosk is set up at your event and brings one of the top Digital Caricature Artists in North America to your In Person Event to draw your guests LIVE without the need for travel or lodging. Guests simply approach the screen, place on the headphones and are drawn in real time with our DJ plays a song just for you! The experience can be streamed throughout the event or even on social media! We can even create a Group Caricature of all guests drawn at the event. Creating a one of a kind Art and Music Experience that leaves guests with a personalized keepsake. Our Live Drumming DJ and Emcee can also be in attendance to create the “Big Heads & Beats Party Experience” and entertain the entire event!
Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?
I absolutely feel that reading books such as those I am listing below changed my life completely. The power of right thinking and understanding energy and focus are crucial in life, let alone business. It started with one book and rolled into many. I am always reading a book, it may take me a while, but I do it. Audio Books are my friend- pre pandemic I spent the majority of my time in my car, so every single one of these were always in rotation. They helped me re program my brain for success. 100%. I highly recommend meditation and visualization as well. Youtube has wonderful guided gratitude meditations and visualizations to get your started.
BOOKS:
“Think and Grow Rich”
“The Magic of Thinking Big”
“The Secret”
“Rich Dad, Poor Dad”
“Millionaire Success Habits”
YouTube:
“The Mindful Movement” Channel
“Tony Robins Morning Routine”
Contact Info:
- Website: www.bigheadcartoon.com
- Instagram: @lifeinthediy
@bigheadcartoonusa@BREAKERBOX
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christina-dene%C3%A9-a98411169?original_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com%2F
- Youtube: @bigheadcartoon / @breakerbox | https://www.youtube.com/@bigheadcartoon
- Other: www.breakerbox.tv www.lifeinthediy.com