We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Kaneisha Richards. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Kaneisha below.

Kaneisha, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Are you able to earn a full-time living from your creative work? If so, can you walk us through your journey and how you made it happen?

I have been!

Both came from Consistency and being at the right places at the right time.

For face painting, I began working with an agency to build my own portfolio. It’s not possible for people to book you if they don’t know what your exact work is going to look like. Over the years, as I gained experience not only did my skills increase, the amount of reoccurring clients I have increased as well.

For farming/gardening, it’s been a year so far and I’m shocked at the amount of progress I’ve accomplished. My mentor Mama Celeste, who I met last year, helped me with the opportunities I have now! The first farming job I had before then came from always speaking to people about my passion no matter where I go.

I wish that I entered the agriculture world more seriously when I was younger, though everything happens for a reason so I don’t wish that often.

I am grateful that gardening/farming face painting is literally how I make a living. It’s answered prayer.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

Yes! I’m Kaneisha Richards (aka Kani), I love living a life that allows me to continue to grow and change. The careers we choose should be able to mold with us.

I wanted to face paint because I craved to earn income through my creativity, and painting on canvases wasn’t the best route for a teenager that was tired of working jobs. That craving led me to practice, emailing agencies, and face painting outside of festivals. The continued effort led to where I am now. I do face paintings for family events such as birthday parties, and corporate events such as grand openings and festivals. What I’m most proud of with face painting is that I accomplished what I wanted at 19. Which is for face painting to help me not have to get a job.

As far as farming/gardening, that’s been a part of my life since I was 18. I’d volunteer at friends gardens. Especially my friend Jordan. I saw it more as a hobby and as something I’d have at my future home. As I got older and more into sustainability, farming did begin to spark my interest more. Living on an off grid farm in Jamaica for three months shifted my focus entirely from dreaming of farming as a lifestyle into becoming action oriented to making it happen.

That’s when I created Bush & Myco, which was inspired by me observing the relationship with every organism in the world.. including us. (Ex: noticing the importance of the soap I use because the river I bathed in had fishes)

What I love about Atlanta, it’s whatever passion you have, there’s a community for it that’s gonna help you. Literally every opportunity I have had with farming is because of conversations I’ve had with people.

I do make tinctures with plants/mushrooms that I forage, grow, or receive from local growers. Mothers love my elderberry tinctures and people love my Lions Mane and Reishi tinctures as well.

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

You can simply spread the word on what people you love do! It doesn’t cost anything to do so, and you might be talking to their next client.

Any resources you can share with us that might be helpful to other creatives?

The power of letting what you do be known. When I was younger, I didn’t mention what I do often unless I was at a networking event or an event overall.

But you never know what happens if you mention what you do ANYWHERE.

Community/word of mouth is the best resource.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @bushandmyco @kanifacepaint
• Other: I have two websites

  Tinyurl.com/kanifacepaint
  https://linktr.ee/bushandmyco

Image Credits

(Garden photos)
Rashad Andre White
@_rashad.andre