We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Faren Collins a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Faren thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Let’s start with important influences in our lives. Is there a historical figure you look up to?
A historical figure I’ve admired since childhood is Paul Leroy Robeson. Some might wonder how a young girl could comprehend the depth of his achievements and significance. My early exposure to old movies and musical theatre, fostered by my father, a former NFL player with a love for musical theatre, played a pivotal role. It was through the classic musical “Show Boat,” starring Paul Robeson, that I was introduced not only to black musical theatre culture but also to an extraordinary individual—a multi-talented actor, activist, lawyer, and former professional football player, much like my dad.
In my eyes, Paul Robeson seemed like an older version of my father, an unstoppable force capable of anything (my dad, too, was a former actor, model, and football player). As I matured, I delved deeper into Paul Robeson’s life and discovered that he was often described as a “Renaissance man.” The idea of being a well-rounded individual who could utilize both their creative and analytical abilities to pursue a diverse range of interests and careers intrigued me.
As a young adult, I decided to follow in his footsteps. I embarked on a journey to explore various artistic pursuits while immersing myself in academia. My career has been a tapestry of diverse experiences, including being a SAG-AFTRA and AEA actor, a former NBA dancer for the Boston Celtics, a certified yoga instructor, a self-published children’s book author, a voice-over artist for Disney, and earning an MBA degree with a concentration in marketing. Furthermore, I hold a certification in Corporate Innovation and Entrepreneurship and have ventured into modeling and small business ownership.
In the spirit of Paul Robeson, I continue to strive to be a multifaceted individual who uses both my creative and analytical capabilities to contribute to various fields and make a positive impact on the world.
Faren, 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 a watercolorist and athleisure wear designer with a unique and unconventional journey. My sensitivity to the energy and emotions of people, places, and objects has often led people to label me as an empath. However, for the longest time, I had no idea that my experiences were anything out of the ordinary. I believed that everyone could feel and experience the world as deeply as I did.
As I grew older, my empathic experiences intensified, making it increasingly challenging to ignore or escape from them. In search of guidance and wisdom, I turned to prayer, and it was during this time that I received a rather unexpected message from a higher source—God told me to paint. At first, I found this directive absurd, especially considering that I hadn’t taken any art classes since middle school. Despite my reservations, I decided to follow this divine guidance.
I began sharing my artwork on social media, and to my surprise, I started receiving requests for sales and commissioned pieces. It was at this moment that Farever Art was born.
My approach to painting is far from conventional. I paint based on the profound emotions and energy I sense from a particular subject. Each of my paintings is a reflection of the energy surrounding a person, place, or object. I close my eyes, enter a meditative state, and immerse myself in the subject. I may paint with my eyes closed or maintain a gaze that lacks focus on the paper as I apply my brush strokes. There’s no judgment or preconceived notion; I simply allow the energy to guide my creative process. This results in a unique, evocative, and deeply personal interpretation of each subject—a true manifestation of my perception and vision.
In addition to my work as a watercolorist, I am also a certified 200-hour Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT) and Barre Instructor. Building on my artistic journey, I’ve extended my creativity into the world of athleisure wear. I’ve developed a clothing line that transforms my positively charged paintings and designs into wearable art. Each piece is not just a garment but a conduit for the energy and emotions I pour into my artwork, allowing individuals to carry that unique vibrational experience with them wherever they go.
How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?
A pivotal moment in my business journey occurred during the initial stages of launching Farever Art. At the outset, I primarily focused on painting and selling prints, occasionally offering custom original artworks. However, as an emerging artist with limited recognition, my reach and exposure remained quite restricted. In an attempt to broaden my appeal, I made a significant pivot toward the home decor market. Without conducting thorough surveys or gathering sufficient data to support this decision, I assumed that this expansion would attract a larger audience.
Regrettably, my foray into home decor did not yield the desired results; in fact, it led to a decline in sales. It became evident that this shift was not as productive as I had initially anticipated.
Around the same time, I was actively teaching yoga, with a notably high retention rate among my students. Given that my artwork revolves around the positive energy and movement of individuals, places, and objects, I saw an opportunity to synergize my yoga instruction and artistic expression. This led me to explore the athletic wear market, aiming to integrate my passion for yoga teaching with my art.
This decision turned out to be a game-changer for my business. The fusion of yoga and art in the form of athletic wear resonated with a broader audience. The positive response was palpable, as I garnered attention from various magazines, prominent figures, and my local yoga community in Los Angeles. This newfound publicity allowed me to expand my product offerings, reaching customers not only nationally but also internationally.
In hindsight, this strategic shift toward athletic wear not only aligned with my artistic vision but also propelled my business to new heights, illustrating the power of synergy between my two passions: yoga and art.
How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?
Over the years, I’ve explored various marketing avenues to build my brand. Yet, the most impactful and successful strategy by far has been leveraging exposure through influencers, ultimately leading to coverage in major magazines and publications. Some of the noteworthy publications that featured my work include British Vogue, Elite Daily, House & Garden, among others.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.fareverart.com
- Instagram: farever_art
Image Credits
Farever Art