We recently connected with Nadajia Hall and have shared our conversation below.

Nadajia, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Are you happier as a creative? Do you sometimes think about what it would be like to just have a regular job? Can you talk to us about how you think through these emotions?

Last year around the month of November, I started working for a medical transportation company as a facility coordinator. I honestly loved my job. But it got to a point where I found myself waking up, going to work, cooking dinner, then sleeping; No time for creating art. I felt like I was stuck between giving up my passion and working full-time. I was happy that I was finally able to pay bills on time and keep groceries in the house, but I was also upset because my art area, which is my dining room, was looking lonely.

I had a few coworkers that constantly reminded me of how creative I am and that I should not give up on my passion as well as the promise I made to my wonderful mother. One of them booked me to host a paint party for her daughter and friends. Lets just say that we all had a ball! Seeing the kids light up when they saw the different colors and canvases definitely reminded me why I love art so much.

Few months after that, I was let go from a job that made me feel like an adult. When I tell you that I fell into a deep depression, I fell hard like being hit with a dodge ball by your bully in middle school. But after a few days of living in a dark cloud, I received an amazing email…..Let’s just say that the promise I made to my mother, was finally going to be accomplished!

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

To all of the wonderful people who may not know me, I am Ns2 Art, the owner of NS2Art CREATIVEPLANET! I call all of my supporters and art lovers my creative aliens. Here at the CREATIVEPLANET, we focus on our growth, our mindset, and our ability to create anything that our hearts desire. I am a multimedia artist that started to get into art in the year of 2012. I specialize in abstract, 3d, and graffiti art. But my favorite type of art that I create are the ones with a story, and they all do.

2012 was extremely difficult for me because I lost my best friend, my mentor, and my mom. During the time that my mom was in ICU, I needed something to do to cope with the situation. So, I turned to my father who is an artist himself, and ask him to teach me his ways of airbrushing.

When my dad was teaching me, he told me that “Art is a way to not only express yourself but to also show the world how you see art.” To this day, that sticks with me. I was excited because I always watched my dad create the most detailed designs with a small airbrush and now that I am finally going to start, nothing can’t stop me! (evil laugh) Ha, yeah no, that was not the case, just yet. I had to learn how to take apart and put back together the airbrush before I even thought about putting paint inside of it. At that time I was annoyed and irritated, but I’m glad that he taught me that way first. As an artist, you have to know your tools inside and out, what mixes well with different fabrics, what happens when you mix charcoal with paint, and things like that.

When I graduated high school in North Carolina, I moved back up north to attend the Philadelphia Art Institute for media arts and animation. Finally, I am about to be a well-known artist… nope not yet. Sadly the school shut down in December 2018. When that happened, I felt like I just needed to give up. So, I started working at a new job, Lane Bryant. I’m not going to lie, I LOVED that job, but I knew that I was capable of doing something more, painting.

I tell you all this because I want you all to know that life will throw you dodgeballs like it’s a tournament, but you have to keep reminding yourself what makes you happy. Trust me It was not easy, there were times when no one didn’t want to buy my art or even shared my photos on social media. But remember this, no one will support you if YOU do not support yourself.

The thing that I am most proud of is that I fulfilled the promise that I made to my mom, I had the wonderful opportunity in creating 32 custom pieces for my very first art gallery show! Even thought I have accomplished it, there is still room for growth and more goals!

Are there any books, videos, essays or other resources that have significantly impacted your management and entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy?

There is this one book that I take with me EVERYWHERE I go, its called “The War of Art” by Steven Pressfield. A wonderful creator and old coworker gave it to me a few years ago. I feel as though every business owner, no matter what type of career you do, NEED THIS BOOK! One of the passages that really inspired me is “Resistance and procreation, parts 1 and 2” It not only tells it like it is, but it opens up a new mindset on how you SHOULD WORK. A lot of times we think that we know it all and that our sh– does not stink, but we have to take a step back and realize that it is more to what our passion is than what we already know.

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

I feel as though all schools from pre-k to college should have more art classes and activities for their students. Even if it is not their major, it has been scientifically proven that art helps with anxiety as well as depression. We can all agree that these past few years have been very difficult for a lot of us.

I have another goal that will be accomplished, and that is to build an art studio/gallery so all artists and entrepreneurs can have a safe place to not only create but to also make connections! We all have to come together to help one another, we just need that little push, you know?

Contact Info:

• Website: www.linktr.ee/ns2art
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Ns2_art/
• Facebook: https://facebook.com/nadajia.hall
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvqs3MyJ1N5KFVTZKeDtKaA

Image Credits
All images are created by me: Nadajia R. Hall