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

Alright, Shaquille thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. We’d love to hear about when you first realized that you wanted to pursue a creative path professionally.

I was born to create, I came out the womb drawing lol. I’ve been drawing since the age of 2 years old, so over 28 years. I always knew that I wanted to pursue my dreams & earn a living from it. My mother always told me to keep believing in myself & my dreams will come true. My father always said, if you do what you love you will never feel like you’re working a day in your life.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I’m Shaquille Barneau, 30 year old Afro-Melungeon Fashion Illustrator/Design/Artist. I have my Associates Degree in Applied Sciences of Business Administration & Certifications in Project Management & Accounting. I went to college for Business & I’ll admit I was kind of lost back then, but luckily the tools I needed & skills I learned payed off in the long run. I create fashion illustrations & post them on social media & my website. I do commissions for clients as well. The name of my brand is called HouseOfBaneau’Chavis. The Barneau surname comes from my father’s lineage because he is African American/Haitan. The Chavis surname comes from my mother’s maternal grandmother, she was Melungeon. My mother is Melungeon/Malagasy, Melungeon is a term that describes mixed raced free people who descend from the Southeast Appalachian Mountains. Malagasy are people who descend from Madagascar who are of Bantu African/Southeast Asian desent. My ancestor was on one of the 17 slave ships from Madagascar to the Carolinas. I also love doing genealogy & finding my ancestral roots.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

I had to unlearn the mindset of “Perfectionist”. I am not perfect, nor do I intend to come off that way. We spend so much time focusing on what others have to say or think about us or our work that life passes you by & you realize you’re not present. Being present is everything, I had to realize that I’m living for me, no one else but Shaq. If I want an opportunity, I have the power within me to create it & opportunities will flow in abundance. I also had to unlearn the theory that I have to gain everyone’s likes, follows, permissions, etc. Life is easier once you relax & start creating what makes you feel alive & you will thrive!

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

I’ve been uploading my work on social media for over 12 years & honestly there were times I felt like giving up. What kept me going is the joy of of creating what made my soul feel good & speaking to different communities & spreading love & light. I’ve gone viral a lot over those years for my work, but previously I never got an opportunity from it, I realize now that those weren’t losses, but preparation for the doors ahead that will open for me. The timing has to be right.

Contact Info:

• Website: Payhip.com/houseofbarneauchavis
• Instagram: shaquillebarneau
• Youtube: Shaquille Barneau
• Other: TikTok: shaquillebarneau