We recently connected with TaKeshia Chapple and have shared our conversation below.

TaKeshia, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?

I have always known that I wanted to make a living as a Creative, even as a teen, I just didn’t know how. I have many gifts, and I juggled with what to pursue first so I ended up working a job like everyone else.

When the pandemic hit in February 2020, I had lost my corporate job and was 6 months pregnant- lots of uncertainty.
This was the moment it resurfaced for me; that I could live my life as a Creative!

Post-pandemic, everything has changed, every structure of society has shifted. So, over the past years, I’ve worked hard to get clear about my vision and what I really want so that I could “remember my why”.

There’s more to it than a wish and a prayer though, for me it was about conquering limiting beliefs and shining a light on my shadows, those parts of me that have been repressed or deemed as unacceptable; I had to become aware of all the parts of me, especially things I didn’t want to see – and it is still an ongoing process.

For me, being a Creative is about surviving and thriving, financial independence, reimagining the future and personal freedom. I want all of those things for myself, for my daughter, and for all of those who want that for themselves.

TaKeshia, 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 came to artwork by way of my creative imagination. First, as a writer & poet Ive shared my thoughts and feelings in notebooks and on stages. As a speaker and singer sharing my story through verses and songs. Now, by way of canvases and mixed media.

M’bellished Artwork, is for art lovers and creatives alike. My work is based on the need to ‘get out’ and be seen in our most authentic light, to identify with the excitement and pleasure of life more often than not. M’bellished Artwork is a reminder to be fun, colorful, creative and to think outside the box.

So many of us, including myself, have gotten uncomfortably comfortable being in hiding, feeling stuck behind wishes and dreams, fantasy and illusion. My artwork, Mbellished Artwork, is 3D mixed media art on canvas, in frames, custom photos and more! It started during the pandemic stay-home order as an outlet just for myself. After a little while, my home became a personal art gallery and because it brought me so much joy, I knew then that I wanted to pass joy along and help others see life through fresh eyes, in 3D. It’s the aesthtics for me!
On this new, exciting path of being a Creative Entrepreneur, I am most proud of all of the new, seasoned and aspiring artists that inspire me every day! We are building the world we want to live in with every stroke of paint, every song, every book and poem, with every dance and more! It feels great, exhilarating, to be part of such a sea of gifts, anointing and talented folks. I’m proud of us for doing what we do best – create!

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

The mission is health and wellness through art and creativity! Using art and creativity as a means to gather solutions to real and perceived obstacles. My passion for people, specifically working in crisis centers, homeless shelters and nursing homes to bring creativity to their facilities in order to stimulate the brain and spark a resurgence of creativity within. Science tells us that the brain has over 500 billion connections per day, and whenever we are in crisis, trauma or declining in health we tend to lose brain activity resulting in symptoms such a depression, lack of luster for life, pessimism and low energy. Creative outlets such as drawing, painting, visionboarding, scrapbook/collaging, etc can restimulate the brain to action! When we are being creative we are not in our trauma for that moment. In fact, because trauma hijacks the brain, creativity is a by-product of healing.

Alright – so here’s a fun one. What do you think about NFTs?

I love the idea of NFTs, blockchain and crypto currency and would love to sell M’bellished Artwork on the NFT market. That’s such an artisitic, futuristic audience that would be fun to serve!

Contact Info:

• Website: MbellishedArtwork.com
• Instagram: MbellishedArtwork