We recently connected with Peige Spencer and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Peige thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Are you happy as a creative professional? Do you sometimes wonder what it would be like to work for someone else?

Currently I am a full time creative and I can honestly say while I’m creating I usually feel great and I am happier. Being able to get lost within my art and silence the chaos within and around me brings me peace. Although many people open up to me, I am not a person of many words instead I have social anxiety that I overcome everyday and one way I can express myself and release my emotions is through my art whether it’s painting or modeling. As I mentioned I feel great while creating but because of this I usually feel even better afterwards. Being creative creates a lot of positive emotions but it being a full-time creative entrepreneur the income is usually not steady. During the times the money flow is low it can have a negative impact and during those times I think about returning to traditional work. Currently I’m experiencing one of those times, I went from averaging $400 every vendor market which I did a few each month to not rarely doing markets and I do I’ll be lucky to get $200. Due to the extreme heat over the past summer here in Texas and my health issues it was difficult for me to vend at markets but my health issues are making me to find and keep a job, but I continue to try. Since it’s hard for me to be outside or sometimes in an ac office I look for work from home contract jobs that I can create my own schedule. My flare ups come without warning so being able to create my own schedule like an entrepreneur helps a lot because I can work when I can and take care my body when needed without repercussions.

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?

I’m Peige Spencer youngest of six children born and raised in Milwaukee Wisconsin. My family is full of creatives such as fashion designers, musical artists, visual artists, and more so it was only right that I joined them. As a child my grandmother taught me how to sew by hand and unlocked my curiosity for creating with my hands. First I started creating my own purses with a wallet using notebook paper and a stapler but the soon changed when I watched my sister draw a lion using the number five (5). I was so amazed and wanted to be talented like my big sister so I began using the notebook paper for sketches instead of purses.
Over the years my skills improved but I was still using scrap materials I could get ahold of. Once I reached high school I stopped drawing and found often I found myself alone and emotionally imbalanced. Puberty, exams, and not creating all took a toll on my young mind and body. During that time I lost hair and gained so much weight by the time I graduated high school I went from a size 8 to a size 18. After high school I briefly went to school for business management and worked two part-time jobs to save up to move into my own apartment. Growing up I was very sheltered so once I living on my own I was introduced to the nightlife and was around more fashionable people that opened my mind to try different styles which eventually lead to me thinking about modeling. To pursue the dream I began cutting back fried and fatty foods as well as my weakness sweets. Since I don’t drive it also helped me in my weight loss because I was able to walk off my weight.
When I gained enough confidence I began applying to mother agencies and I received responses from a few but I was not able to cover the fee for training, but I didn’t let that stop me. 2014 I decided to join my sister and take my creative talents and curiosity to Texas. After a few months I decided to invest in myself and attend the Art Institute, although they taught me a lot I did not feel like the school was a good fit for me. Feeling out of place I continued school until my cousin and father passed in the same year. After their deaths I stepped away from school and joined the Americorps as a Public Ally for two years. Once my contract ended I had trouble finding work in the same field I trained in the past two years so I began to focus on my art once again. Remembering some of the skills I picked up while at the Art Institute I began painting canvases and setting up as a vendor. First few years I sold nothing and felt discouraged, but instead of giving up I decided to study successful vendors and made adjustments to my booth. When funds were low and I could not afford art supplies my creative outlet was photography. I set up my phone on a timer and made props out of items I had around the house to take my own photos and then edit them on my phone. One of photos caught an eye of a photographer and I was invited for a professional photoshoot. Few shoots later I was signed with my mother agency Luxe Loft Models. Since being signed I’ve been featured in Vogue, Iconic artist magazine and many more! 2020 a few photographers stopped shooting due to covid but noticed after the shutdown vendor markets came back full force and it was a great thing because I’d been creating new things the entire shutdown. Finally with the new adjustments and new items I was able to make a profit and averaged $400.00 per show. Shortly later my health began attacking me and affected my income drastically. The battle with my health continues today but I refuse to give up although most days it feel like it’s easier to do so. As the pattern shows I am resilient and I will continue to a bright creative light no matter what. Today I work towards my second vogue feature and new art pieces and styles.

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

Highlight more black creatives in every community not only a selected handful. Living in Wisconsin and Texas I see a lot of black creative being over shined by the individuals with fairer skin. The main time I see the spotlight on black artists is during February or when something tragic happens within the black community. That being said I do see a rise of programs and opportunities for black creatives and creatives of color and its really amazing and exciting which leads me to my next point. Creating more opportunities for adult creatives like stable paying jobs, workshops, and programs. It is great to see a lot of programs and opportunities for young creatives but what about when they reach adulthood? Yes some find jobs and careers in their creative field but it is very competitive so what about the other young minds? We need more opportunities for the adults and as well as change the mindset about creatives. Some people hear artist and think uneducated, unskilled, and financial unstable when in reality without artists and creatives the world would be a very dull place.

: Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

Besides discovering and developing my own style within creating art and modeling and being to easily survive financially from my talents, I also strive to help other creatives. During my two year service with Americorps I was introduced to a non profit call Haven for Hope and I loved the concept. There were so many programs and opportunities for the individuals who lived on site as well as for open public. As a Public Ally I served with Catholic Charities as a case manager and coordinator and my time there I met an artist who was hungry and without a home but had a uplifting and positive attitude and energy. Usually he would only be allowed to to come to the center for a free bag lunch and clothes every morning but as I listened to his story I knew as an artist he needed more. He traded some of his food for supplies and his clothes would be stolen often so I allowed him to visit me at the center after my lunch break to have a quiet place to draw and eat. Eventually he began selling his sketches and even landed a job painting a mural. With the help from other case managers I was able to find him a place to live which allowed me to give him so much more. After awhile he stopped coming around which I was sad at first but I figured he’s doing so well that he no longer need assistance. Now I want to create a non profit that dedicate to support and help artist like how I did for my client. The non profit will employ creatives to support creatives and animals. The plan is not to only create a support system for artists but create job and careers for artists nationwide.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @nyeusi_almasi @x.iv_art @_anasa.shop
• Facebook: @thenyeusialmasi @xiv.arts @anasa.shop
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/peige-spencer-546377185
• Twitter: @nyeusi_almasi
• Other: Tiktok.com/nyeusi_almasi

Image Credits
Jason X Photography Miguel Rodriguez Aj Rami XIV Anasa The Nyeusi Almasi Luxe Loft