We recently connected with Michael Andrews Jr. and have shared our conversation below.
Michael, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.
That’s a difficult question because I cherish every project I’ve worked on. Even when it doesn’t always come out the way I envisioned it, I still value the experience and the wisdom that comes from each project. I feel like I’m always learning, and a specific project comes to mind where I truly acknowledged that fact–a project where I learned the most about myself. It was an original project titled “Hair Care,” and it was a foundational step in my success as a model and as a creative director. Toward the beginning of my modeling career, I remember sitting in my living room and thinking about different tactics I could employ to push myself further in my career. The easiest solution would be to practice and increase my skill set. I needed to do more shoots in front of the camera. I needed to practice poses to convey emotion. I needed a studio. I needed a photographer. As I pondered my next steps, I received my first obstacle- a global pandemic. This reality quickly discouraged me as I first considered having a photographer and studio space to be the most integral parts of my plan. With the onset of the quarantine, I quickly realized that if I wanted to see improvements in myself and in my craft, I would have to commit to doing it for myself. I couldn’t wait for a photographer; I had to be my own photographer. I borrowed my brother’s Nikkon camera and his tripod. I set it up in the backyard, moving the tripod back and forth for each angle, and adjusting the focus on the camera to get the perfect shot. I couldn’t wait for a studio. I had to make my own. I took an old, wrinkled bed sheet from the linen closet. I grabbed my ladder and fastened the bed sheet to the side of my house with two bricks. I waited until about 4:00 P.M. so the sun would hit that side of the house just right. I was my own creative director. I gathered all the combs we had in the house and picked out my wardrobe. I wanted my pictures to look good, but I also wanted them to tell a story. I wanted to convey a message with each image- one that said “I am an artist” and also “I’m a great model.” The project “Hair Care” was an ode to black people and to the love, tenderness, and diligence we give to our hair. It was a project that required me to use all my innate problem-solving skills while engaging my creativity in a way that was productive and fruitful. It is a shoot I cherish because it reminds me that I have everything I need already inside of me, but it’s up to me to bring it out. I gathered my props, I made my set, I took my pictures, and I told my story.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I am a self-managed fashion & commercial model. I started modeling toward the end of 2018. I was first introduced to modeling through my mother, She used to be a model when she was my age and first recommended that I do some research and try it out for myself. I was first skeptical of my own ability to be a model. Nevertheless, I decided to try. I took some modeling classes and found a mentor who also believed in me. The more I practiced, the more I enjoyed myself and the more I practiced the better I became. As I began to learn about the craft first-hand, my confidence grew even more. With dedication and hard work, I have been able to evolve into the model that I am today and have had the privilege of working with international brands like Waterdrop and Le Grande Verre Wines.
I bring a unique look and eccentric presence to the modeling world with my most distinguishable feature being my naturally dark yet luminous skin tone. I am proud of the work that I have produced thus far with my experience in the runway, commercial, and editorial sectors, and for stepping out of my comfort zone and challenging myself to do something that I never thought I could. I don’t see modeling as a one-sided venture – it’s about modeling in all aspects of your life. It gives me a platform to reach a larger audience and have a lasting, positive impact.
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?
When I first started my journey as a creative, I was under the illusion that everything I produced needed to be perfect. I believed the worth of my work was dependent on the reaction of my audience and if it was well-received. This mindset quickly turned what would be a fun and wholesome process into a mundane to-do list of tasks that may not work. In our capitalist society, we are told to focus on outcomes, results, and profits. However, creativity thrives when a person takes time to understand the process. This includes making mistakes, deviating from the original design, trying different combinations, skipping steps, adding, steps, reordering steps, etc. Through mastery of the process breaths the freedom of creativity.
There is also an enhanced sense of attachment that creatives have with their work. By focusing on the process of creating, rather than the outcome, artists gain a hyperawareness of each step. Every step of the process has been intimately woven together by the hands of the creator. With each creation, we leave a part of ourselves and improve our skills for the next project. For a creative, there is no limit to what we can imagine, so we are always growing and pushing the boundary to make something new.
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
As a creative, one of the most rewarding aspects for me has been seeing my work inspire people. Whenever I decide to release a project that I’ve worked on, there is usually a small amount of nervous excitement that comes along as well. I never know what people will think or how they will react. I always appreciate it when my audience shows support and enthusiasm for my work, but it means, even more, when another creative tells me that my work inspired them to make their art. Being a source of inspiration for other artists to pursue their passions and perfect their crafts brings me so much fulfillment and joy. It motivates me to push myself further to reach more people and forge meaningful connections.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @michaelandrewsjr_
- Email: [email protected]