We recently connected with Tatiana Chams and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Tatiana 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.

From a very early age, I have always loved art and crafting. At the age of eight, I created a small business making jewelry and selling it at the pool during the summer. My Nanny (maternal grandmother) even made me some business cards. It would make me feel totally awesome when someone loved something I created so much that they wanted it. When people are willing to spend their money on something you made, that feels like such a compliment. I enjoy working for what I want. Being able to release my inner artist, in various ways, to positively affect others, and be able to make a living from it, is my dream.

I share my story, of being a domestic violence survivor, on TikTok, under the name “Free To Be Tatiana”. I am able to be creative by making videos, while hopefully helping others. I have an alternative clothing line named “Tatiana’s Reverie” because my daydream of owning a clothing store has become my reality. Finally, I am a cosmetology student, getting my degree, sharing my work as “Vivid Beauty By Tatiana”. I will be a vivid hair artist who makes women feel beautiful. Doing what I am has been confirmation; this is my path.

Tatiana, 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?

Since I was a kid, I have loved colorful hair. When I was eleven, I got in trouble at school for putting a couple of chunky purple highlights in my hair. To me, it was beautiful, and I was expressing myself. For Christmas when I was thirteen, my mom bought me a painting easel and all of the other supplies I would need. I began painting, and I loved it. Painting was relaxing to me and also brought me a feeling of happiness that I can’t describe.

When I was eighteen, I made a Myspace shop (Designs of Temptation) selling clip-in hair extensions. Painting hair made me so happy. At twenty-one or twenty-two, I discovered Guy Tang’s videos on YouTube. His use of vivid color was exciting and so beautiful. It was then that I realized I could professionally paint people’s hair.

At that time, I was taking care of my disabled father, so going to school was out of the question. I would watch YouTube videos and teach myself how to make wigs so I could cut and color hair. I ended up in an abusive relationship where I was held hostage for three and a half years and endured various forms of abuse. During that time, I would think about how I might never get to go to cosmetology school.

After I escaped, I started working in a beauty supply store to save up money to get a car and go to school. I also started making videos on TikTok, sharing my story of escaping domestic violence in hopes of helping others. While working, I needed another creative outlet, so I started an alternative clothing line (Tatiana’s Reverie). It is such an amazing feeling seeing my clothes in person.

Now, I am in cosmetology school to get my degree and become a vivid hair artist under the name “Vivid Beauty by Tatiana.” Once I am licensed, I will make women feel beautiful through hair transformation. I am able to express myself through every form of art within me while helping others.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

Being able to express myself. I see beauty in what others do not and see things differently. Sometimes I can’t verbally explain how I feel, but by doing my art (making videos, painting canvas/hair, makeup, making designs for my clothing line, writing, etc.), I can show how I feel or bring the pictures in my head to life. There are so many different styles of art and ways to express yourself that there are no rules. Art is subjective. It’s where someone can truly be free. As a DV survivor, that means a lot to me. I can create what I want. Being able to share it with others just makes it even better. Everyone is their own unique person, and being able to see one’s individuality is beautiful to me.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

Expressing myself and being able to help others. With my content creation, I am able to use my words to share my story of surviving abuse to hopefully inspire other survivors to share their stories and encourage current victims to leave their abusers. To show that there is life after abuse and that they aren’t alone in their experiences and feelings.

With my clothing line, I am able to create clothes and designs I would want to wear and share my style with others. I grew up shopping at a particular alternative store, and it inspired me to have something like that one day, but with items I either make or that reflect my personal style. I want to share it with others.

Finally, with doing hair, that is where my true creative side comes out. I have always loved to paint, and although I love black, there is something so beautiful about color. Putting them together is even better. I have always expressed myself through my hair color. It is said that hair holds memories. Getting your hair done can be life-changing. I want to use my love and passion for art and helping others to transform women’s lives and make them feel beautiful while expressing themselves with vivid hair color.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.freetobetatiana.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/freetobetatiana
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FreeToBeTatiana
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@freetobetatiana
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@freetobetatiana
  https://www.vividbeautybytatiana.com/
  https://www.tatianasreverie.com/