Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Rashana Miller. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Rashana, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. We’d love to hear about when you first realized that you wanted to pursue a creative path professionally.
Well a few yers ago I was in education and just got a job as a Vice Principal in a high school in West Philly (where I’m from). I was really excited about it, but a couple weeks later my husband got a major opportunity in Richmond, VA. So we ended up moving. I was devastated! I got there and couldn’t find work. People weren’t even getting back to me about volunteering! So i allowed myself a break from the search and in the meantime I thought I’d do something I’d always enjoyed…making stuff. I saw that a local arts studio was offering a jewelry metalsmithing class. After that first night i was hooked! I knew I never wanted to stop doing it. There of course were so many doubts, because it felt like such a departure from what i was doing career wise. But I couldn’t shake it. I started to realize that art was my path.
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.
I feel like I have been so many things in life. But at my core, I’m an artist. I’ve always been a very creative person and my imagination knows no bounds. It did take me a while to get comfortable with calling myself an artist. I never went to school for it and all of my creative endeavors were just relegated to “hobbies.” It wasn’t until i was around other artists and makers in Richmond, VA did I realize that I was a very influential part of the crew. I was a college basketball coach, a personal trainer, and a highs school administrator (amongst other things). But even before or even in the midst of those roles I’ve always been an artist.
It took me a while to find my aesthetic as a jewelry designer. In the beginning I admired so many designers I was scared that my work would be derivative. And sometimes it was! My early work was also “safe.” Then as my confidence grew I found that what I loved was big, bold, and sculptural. I remember early on I was at a show and someone asked me if I did any small pieces. I apologized for not having what they wanted and felt bad about it. So I whittled away in my studio and made small pieces…worst decision ever! They were cute, but those pieces didn’t move and they honestly didn’t move me. I never did that again. The best compliment I get and I think any artist can get is, “I’ve never seen anything like this.” It’s so edifying. I know my work isn’t for everybody, and it shouldn’t be. But it is an honest reflection of the song I want to sing. I’m really proud that I no longer compromise my vision just to appease people and sell more pieces. I believe that if you’re creating from your soul then your tribe will follow.
What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?
I think the biggest mission driving my journey is to increase the space for people to connect with more beauty in the world. That may sound a bit “hippyish” but I’ve come to realize that what i do really matters. If what i make can accent and elevate someone’s very existence then that’s no small thing. I used to get really discouraged when something in the world would happen and I wasn’t on the front lines somewhere making noise. Now there’s definitely a time for that, but as a black woman, the very act of creating something from the depths of myself is an act of resistance. I used to feel like how does me makin some earrings matter in the whole of this . But we need to make a lot space for things that bring us joy and contentment. There’s no way that my ability to materialize these musings in my head into something artful and stunning can be insignificant. That manifestation is Spiritual. I’ve received notes from people telling me how powerful my pieces have made them feel. They’ve worn them in big meetings to make them feel grounded and confident, on their wedding days to make them feel beautiful, and they’ve been worn on television to assist in storytelling. So simply knowing that making pretty things makes people happy is a huge driving force.
We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?
One of the biggest lessons I’ve had to unlearn was thinking that i had to have certain experiences under my belt to be validated. “Oh, I didnt go to school for this, so I don’t deserve that.” “I’ve only been doing it for this long so I won’t get that opportunity.” It’s amazing the opportunities you can talk yourself out of and the insecurities you can talk yourself into. Because I came to this from a different angle, i was constantly doubting myself. I didn’t know the names, places, or terminology that other people knew so i felt like I had to learn so many things before I could take another step. Yes there’s basic knowledge i had to have but what I found was that the best teacher was my own experience. There’s no line that I had to get in. I’d make up these steps that i’d have to go through before I felt worthy enough to meet success. I don’t know if it came from my schooling or what, but this thing is not linear…like at all! The thing I’ve learned that would make me feel most successful was doing the work and asking questions. No I didn’t so to school for this but I know people who did…ask them questions! There are a myriad of ways to fill in the blanks. And just because you have a few doesn’t mean you make yourself smaller.
Contact Info:
- Website: FreeMaiden.com
- Instagram: @FreeMaiden_Studio
- Facebook: Free Maiden
Image Credits
Nan Nin Studio Off White Tashira Halyard