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

Myja , looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.

The most meaningful project I’ve worked on is my ‘SoftHer’ painting series. The idea for ‘SoftHer’ was born from my desire to challenge the rigid stereotypes about Black women often seen in media and society. Black women are frequently depicted as strong and resilient, but rarely as soft, vulnerable, or graceful. I wanted to create a visual narrative that redefines and embraces the full complexity of our experiences, showcasing softness without diminishing strength.

The inspiration for ‘SoftHer’ came during a period when I was navigating personal and professional challenges. I realized that the expectations placed on me—both as a woman and as a Black woman—were often to be invincible, even when I longed to express tenderness and vulnerability. The series began as a way for me to reclaim these aspects of my identity and to share them with others.

Each painting in the series represents a moment of quiet strength, contemplation, and grace. The figures are often set in serene, natural environments, and I use soft colors and flowing shapes to evoke a sense of peace and introspection. This project has not only allowed me to push my creative boundaries but also to tell a story that I feel deeply connected to—a story about redefining Black womanhood on our own terms. Seeing how ‘SoftHer’ resonates with others, and how it opens up conversations about identity and representation, makes this project incredibly meaningful to me.

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.

For those who may not know me, my entry into the world of painting came in 2017 as a way to heal from past trauma. Before that, I had been creative in other ways—writing poetry, playing the flute and saxophone, and experimenting with various crafts—but painting became the medium that allowed me to tap into deeper emotions and express myself in ways I hadn’t before. The process was transformative, especially during a challenging time when I was living in Houston, helping to put the city back together after Hurricane Harvey. Though I wasn’t directly impacted, I felt the weight of that time emotionally and personally, as I was also navigating the decision to move to Phoenix to help care for my late stepfather. Art became my therapy, my way of processing both external and internal struggles.

In terms of what I provide, my primary creative works focus on shifting the narrative around Black identity, especially Black womanhood. My ‘SoftHer’ series, for example, redefines the way Black women are traditionally portrayed, embracing vulnerability, softness, and grace while still acknowledging strength. I’ve recently begun expanding this series to include Black men, aiming to break the stereotype of Black men being seen only through lenses of toughness or aggression. My art invites viewers to see the quiet intellectualism and emotional depth often overlooked in depictions of Black life.

What sets me apart is my ability to bring my personal journey of healing and self-recognition into my art. I create pieces that not only tell a story but also invite the viewer to reflect on their own experiences with identity, resilience, and self-expression. I work mainly with acrylic paint but have recently begun to fall in love with oils, creating vivid, emotion-filled canvases that aim to challenge perceptions and start conversations. I’m proud that my work has resonated with so many people, opening up dialogues about identity, vulnerability, and how we see ourselves versus how the world sees us.

On the professional side, I work as a Senior Performance Advisor for the City of Mesa, where I specialize in data analysis, process improvement, and strategic planning. What’s unique about my professional work is that it’s deeply informed by my creative mindset. In both arenas, I’m driven by the same goal: to make things better, whether through art that challenges and transforms or through process improvements that make organizations more efficient and people-focused. I’m proud of my ability to merge these two worlds, using creativity to inspire positive change in both my art and my career.

The problems I solve for my clients, both in art and professionally, revolve around transformation. In my artwork, I seek to challenge and expand the narratives around Black identity, helping my audience see the complexity and beauty in vulnerability. In my role as a Senior Performance Advisor, I help organizations become more efficient and equitable, using Lean principles to streamline processes while making them more human-centered.

What I want people to know about me and my brand is that my work is about truth, connection, and authenticity. Whether you’re engaging with my paintings or my professional work, you’re getting someone who is deeply committed to growth, both personal and collective. I’m most proud of the fact that my work—whether on canvas or in a boardroom—helps people see things in new ways, break down old assumptions, and create something better for themselves and their communities.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

One of the biggest lessons I had to unlearn when I first started painting was the idea that I needed to emulate other artists to be successful. Like many new artists, I would look at the work of painters I admired and try to capture their style in my own pieces. I thought that mimicking their techniques and approach would help me create powerful art. While it’s common and important to draw inspiration from other artists, I quickly realized that copying their style was actually holding me back from true self-expression.

My early works lacked depth. No matter how hard I tried, the emotional message I wanted to convey just wasn’t coming through. The art felt flat because it wasn’t mine—it was an imitation of someone else’s voice, not my own. It was only when I stopped looking outward and started looking inward that I found my true artistic voice. I had to dig deeper into my own experiences, emotions, and perspectives to create art that was authentic and spoke from the heart.

Once I stopped emulating and began embracing my own unique style, my art transformed. The pieces became more meaningful and personal, with a depth that had been missing before. This was a crucial turning point in my creative journey, teaching me that true artistic expression comes from within. Your voice is your own, and while inspiration is valuable, finding your unique way of telling a story is what makes your work stand out.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

One of the most significant pivots in my life came during my time working at another government agency, where I oversaw correctional healthcare. When I took the position, I had high hopes for making an impact, but I quickly realized how damaging the culture was. The environment was toxic, not just for me, but for many of the staff, and I found myself perceived in a way that was completely disconnected from who I really am. There was an expectation for me to lead with a stern, stoic, and almost aggressive style—qualities that people assumed I would adopt given the role. This couldn’t have been further from the truth.

I chose to engage with staff who weren’t well-liked, being diplomatic and empathetic in my approach. But the assumption remained that I was supposed to be harsh in my leadership, and it became clear that this wasn’t a place where I could thrive, physically or mentally. The constant strain of being in an environment that was unhealthy and misaligned with my values forced me to make the decision to leave. Interestingly enough, this pivotal moment in my professional life sparked a profound change in my artistic journey as well.

Around the time I left that position, my artwork began to transform. The emotions I was feeling—the frustration, the desire to be seen for who I truly am—began to show up in my paintings. There was a visible shift in my work toward vulnerability and beauty, and this was the moment where my ‘SoftHer’ series was born. For me, it became the intersection of race, gender, and identity. I was no longer interested in conforming to others’ expectations, whether in my career or in my art. I desperately needed people to see me as I was, not how they wanted me to be.

In retrospect, it’s fascinating how my professional pivot informed my artistic journey. Leaving that role allowed me to embrace vulnerability not just in life, but in my art. It’s a reminder that sometimes when we’re forced to pivot, we find parts of ourselves that we hadn’t yet explored, and that can lead to some of the most meaningful work we’ve ever done.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.myjalark.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/myjalark1?igsh=MXAxaTBiMW5wcGdtdQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MyjaLarkArt
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/myjalark/
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@paintbelievejuice?si=gSilBtGrQZoFkl8O