We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Sophia majestica Peck. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Mellissa and Terry below.

Sophia, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Can you share a story with us from back when you were an intern or apprentice? Maybe it’s a story that illustrates an important lesson you learned or maybe it’s a just a story that makes you laugh (or cry)? Looking back at internships and apprenticeships can be interesting, because there is so much variety in people’s experiences – and often those experiences inform our own leadership style.

It can be hard being young, trying to find work in a creative field. I didn’t go to college, still unsure if I will, but I managed to find my way. It’s all about showing your face in the right places. Out of genuine curiosity and friendliness, I interact with people at art shows and events. That usually leads me to talking to the person who owns / manages the space.

Interning at galleries that are struggling can be hard, but you’ve got to start somewhere when learning life off the traditional path. I remember wanting to uplift a space but wasn’t taken seriously and was promised money that I didn’t end up making. It’s very stressful when people make promises to you that excite you and align with your dreams and then not having it happen. I’ve learned to always get what people tell you in writing. If they freak out at that, they’re not serious. So don’t waste your time. Time is such a valuable thing, and when you put energy into something, it’s a whole other level of pain when things fall through. Trust your gut.

I now work at Blockfort and I am treated like a queen. I get paid, get exposed to artistic opportunities, and have a community full of people that want me to succeed. It’s important to gain experience. Right now, I’m in the process of trying to slow down and enjoy each moment. All my hard work is leading me to something, I don’t know what for yet, but it’s something big. I can feel it. Anytime a window of opportunity closes, I turn around, and there’s a new door wide open for me to walk through in a cool, funky outfit.

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

Throughout my life, I’ve always been drawn to creative acts —dancing, drawing, and dressing wild like David Bowie. After graduating high school, I didn’t go to art school, instead I curated an interactive group show titled Hues of a Highschooler at All People Arts Gallery, showcasing 20 talented photographers, painters, sculptors still in high school, mixed across Central Ohio. The opening night ceremony displayed four punk rock bands to display my personal angst and rage after four years. Inside the building were interactive stations for people to write and reflect on their experience in school. This experience ignited my passion for bringing people together and I’ve been interning in different spaces since.

I thought I’d want to own my own space, but what I want is constantly changing. Painting is my most familiar form of art and I can create a custom painting for you or a loved one. Email me and we can dream up concepts together! [email protected], and I can orchestrate colors in a way that transcends off the canvas!

I’m most proud of is the embodiment of MAjESTiCA! Originally the name had belonged to my car- a majestic blue colored Corolla with secret purple hues when the sun hits it just right. I had a funny thought, I drive so much it felt like I was the car. I began to refer to myself as MAjESTiCA when I was bored, networking at an event. It kind of blew peoples mind that a human could possess such an enchanting name. I’ve always loved preforming. While I’m still figuring out what MAjESTiCA will reveal herself as visually, I let her become the painting. It’s sort of like an alter ego. I’m fine being Sophia Peck and never thought I’d go under a different name, but when I do it just feels more powerful. Something I’m building for myself.

Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?

I originally started posting my art on my personal instagram account, on my stories just to share with friends. Then someone recommended I make a separate page dedicated to just my art. Not gonna lie, It was scary at first. It felt kinda cringy but after posting more, I realized how much it benefited me as a visual artist. Seeing my work stack up beside each other curated a common theme of extreme color and I began to expand on that exploration in my portraits. It always allowed to be to quickly show off my talents because everyone seems to be on instagram.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

My dad taught me how to paint at a very young age. He explained the importance of abstract art before I knew how to write my name. I have such an understanding of color because I was exposed to art so young. It formed a bond between my Dad and I, the shared love to smear colored paste to paper and make something of what was once nothing. But when my parents split, he stopped painting. It felt like I had to stop too and I honestly didn’t for a weird period of life. I was a cheerleader and made stupid decisions. It wasn’t till high school when I didn’t make the cheer team and a required art credit was due, when my love for the craft ignited again. Then, I was guided to the Mosaic Program, an experience based learning for high school juniors and seniors, which changed my life. It was the beginning of my immersion to the vibrant Columbus art scene. You’ve probably never heard of Mosaic because it’s so secretive and selective, though I highly suggest every creative soul feeling stuck in the public school simulation, try and be apart of it. They choose 2-3 students from each school surrounded the downtown Columbus area, bringing together students to learn about government and art unfiltered. You wouldn’t believe the difference a students perspective from Bexley vs a Pickerington perspective has on a classroom. It’s not just about being taught like you are in your home school, it’s structure is conversation. We learned all facing each other in a circle and our projects were based on going out in the community. The program taught me how to network—one of my most useful tools after deciding to not go to college after graduating. We were thrown in situations to talk to people in our field of interest such as Columbus Creative Mornings. I’m so grateful to have been apart of that. It showed me my sense of individual identity and independence.

I’m learning there’s more to artistry than just painting. I’m becoming art, creating under the name, MAjESTiCA! Always learning and exploring all possibilities.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: Madly.majestic
• Linkedin: Sophia Peck
• Youtube: Majestic Media

Image Credits

MAjESTiCA