Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Shaunte Daniels. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Shaunte, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Do you feel you or your work has ever been misunderstood or mischaracterized? If so, tell us the story and how/why it happened and if there are any interesting learnings or insights you took from the experience?

Well first, growing up in the ghetto/hood, I wasn’t around many resources that contributed to kids who were artists, musicians, basically creatives. So I started to share my artwork with the neighborhood and God kids together to form our own groups to show that even kids from rough places can do something good and creative. Another is costumes, lol I started to cosplay in 2011 and was one of the first black girls to really do it in my city and it was hard for people to take me seriously, I was always accused of not making my costumes that’s what white girls do they said, it was hard, but I continued anyway and created even more no matter what, what it taught me is that you can never be afraid to be your creative self even if the world around you doesn’t u understand it or understand you. They can’t characterize me and out me in a box because I’m black and from the hood i deserve a chance to shine. I hope to get more one day.

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 started to create and draw long before I could walk lol, my grandma who raised me just thought I was a genius. I would draw and make arts and crafts if a young kid as a baby. So, with that, she put me in areas to succeed in art and even music. To be honest my grandma was my inspiration as she was always sewing costumes for me and painting, all I wanted to do was be like her. She also made sure to remind me to start a business or excel in my craft. As I got older I trained myself in different aspects of art and design, Ive played a few instruments by ear. So I made sure to brand myself as an artist and designer, I started to sale my work and create for clients and started online stores to try and reach more people. Ive designed my logos and all my art solo, I don’t have a team or much help but I’m hoping to fully open a whole business and storefronts. Not only to bring more communities together and provide more outlets for kids and adults to share and develop their crafts. The thing I’m most proud of is my ability to gain great followers and loyal customers. That’s not I thought would happen but it did. Of course I hope to reach more people but I’m grateful for the support that I have from fans. My goal is to reach and share with more people and I definitely think I have the potential to do so. My brand is Shaunte Neely’s Art’s my maiden name.

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

Recently I was diagnosed with liver cihrrosis, and it almost took my life. For a good time all I could do is be depressed, tired and sick all the time, I felt I had no spirit anymore until my friend brought my artwork to the hospital. The nurses and doctors were so amazed by my work that they told me to keep drawing and not to let such a talent go to waste.. and just like that I remembered who I was, drawing in the hospital was difficult but I pushed through because my art comes from my heart and no matter the outcome that’s the one thing I knew I held dear to my heart so I fought for it and never stopped. Even when I’m in pain and my spirit is low if I can’t do anything else, I’ll push myself to create.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative?

I feel that being a creative means you look at the world around you differently, everything we see or touch is like art, or form, texture is super sensitive to us. Our drive to share those things with the world look lazy and unmotivated to the rest of the world but creatives understand that the world needs people who think outside the normal color of the world and the normal structure of the box. We think universal. With being a creative we understand anything is possible because with creativity everything is possible. That alone is separate ways of thinking.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/missqueen710/profilecard/?igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shaunte.brewer.90?mibextid=ZbWKwL
• Other: https://www.instagram.com/artshow_bytae?igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

Image Credits

All artwork is mine