We were lucky to catch up with Shanese Ray recently and have shared our conversation below.
Shanese, appreciate you joining us today. Let’s jump back to the first dollar you earned as a creative? What can you share with us about how it happened?
It isn’t the first dollar I made but the one moment that stood out in my art career was the first dollar I made at a large event. It was a Raw Artist Showcase. There’s art of all kinds, a fashion show, live music and much more. They had us come to participate in a walk-through of the event space. I brought my mom along. This was new territory for me. They were kind to us and answered all of our questions with care. It became real in that moment. The day of the show finally came and I was in turbo mode. I was running around like a crazy person with all the last minute prep and pick up. I am forever grateful for Sami. She has been my friend since 4th grade. She paid for and picked my prints.
I had butterflies during set up. Sami had made homemade fudge and cookies (that we DESTROYED btw). I had made a tutu the night before that I had to race back home to retrieve. (I may or may not have broken the sound barrier on the highway). I was so mad at myself for not bringing it with me and just getting dressed downtown. I have never gotten dressed and put on makeup so quickly in my entire life, lol.
Fast forward to the start of the show and the nerves were in full effect! I have carried this same nervousness with me through every event after this. I was afraid that “maybe no one would like my pieces”. “Maybe I’m wasting my time”. “Maybe it’s not good enough”. Within the first 30 minutes of the show opening to the public, a young man and his friend stopped by my booth and asked how much one of my prints were. I was stuck in shock for a brief moment before naming my price.
He asked, “Are you sure?”
Still in mild shock, I responded, “Yes.”
And just like that, I had sold my art at an event downtown in my city. The young man I met that night became someone I absolutely adore. His name is Eric Head and he is a photographer. When Eric left my booth, I ugly-cried. Hard. I was so overwhelmed with emotion in that moment that it all just came out. All the preparation, the anxiety, and worry came out in tears of happiness and relief. I hold that moment near and dear to my heart. Not only did I sell my art that night, I sold my art to someone who has a beautiful soul with my family and good friends there backing me.
Shanese, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
I am Shanese Michelle. I go by my nickname, Nese. I am a lifelong lover of art and photography. I have been creating since I was very small. I am a painter and a photographer. I specialize in abstract painting and silhouettes. In photography, I love the outdoors and street fashion. I think what sets me apart from others is who I am. I am a very introverted person that wears a lot of dark colors. However, my art is an extreme opposite of that. My work is very colorful. I’m most proud of my current body of work and my youtube channel. My goal with my channel is the just keep it real with people. It isn’t polished and scripted. I just want to inspire to people to be themselves and do what they love.
Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?
It’s okay to be different. I think that social media plays into what’s popular. I think that it can cause incoming artists to feel like they have to step outside of their style just for people to like their work.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
Freedom. I can create what I want because it’s from within. It’s birthed in my mind and created with my hands. And that’s awesome.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @nese_the_arteest
- Facebook: Www.facebook.com/nesethearteest
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/channel/UCS6-6dFo241KmjOcUNMxQkw