Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Tiffany McKnight. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Hi Tiffany , thanks for joining us today. Are you happier as a creative? Do you sometimes think about what it would be like to just have a regular job? Can you talk to us about how you think through these emotions?
I’ve learned over the years that I’m the happiest when I’m creating. The design process fulfills me mentally and spiritually and I can’t imagine doing anything else with my life. When I was younger I remember that getting an arts degree was typically frowned upon or not viewed as a “real job” by society. I must admit I was a bit nervous when I made the decision to pursue a degree in the arts, but I felt it was a great fit for my personality and potential. Studying art allowed me to explore my identity and develop a unique set of skills that has kept me curious and open to experimentation.
Once I graduated, like many I wasn’t sure how I’d make a living as an artist, so I continued to create while waiting tables and eventually working as a production assistant and graphic designer to gain professional experience and an understanding of having a traditional 9-5. During that time I had the opportunity to collaborate with creative directors, photographers, and develop an understanding of the back end of advertising and working efficiently to meet deadlines.
Ultimately having access to this type of work gave me the confidence to know that I could utilize these learned skills in developing my career as a creative and that I have the talent and skill set to create my own definition of success. I’ve been much happier since I started freelancing as a full-time artist because I get to choose to do projects that fully align with my interests and long term goals.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
I’m a full-time artist, muralist, pattern designer and author that is known for my vibrant color palettes and intricate patterns. My designs can be found on a variety of products like fabrics, wallpaper, and my coloring book, NUVEAU: The Future of Patterns. My work combines hand-drawn and digitally manipulated designs to create visually complex and harmonious pieces that draw inspiration from the richness of African textiles, the wonders of macro biology, and the captivating patterns found in nature.
Over the years I’ve had opportunities to create large-scale murals, work as a creative director for several photoshoots, music videos, and recently for my own small business, People by People (@pxpokc), that produced a photo book thanks to a Thrive grant provided by the Oklahoma Visual Arts Coalition and the Andy Warhol Foundation.
I take immense pride in being a beacon for Black and female designers working in this industry and I want to continue to break barriers and forge new paths in my community. I wouldn’t be where I’m at today without the support from my family, friends, and my supporters that continue to show up throughout all stages of my growth as an artist. My vision is not just about creating stunning art, but about cultivating a stronger sense of ethics and empowering fellow artists to recognize their true worth while embarking on a journey of boundless exploration in their creative business endeavors.
Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?
At the beginning of the pandemic, I was dealing with a lot of personal challenges in my life. I was facing discrimination in the workplace and worried about how I would continue to find work during the ongoing public health crisis. Like most creatives, I used that time to really focus on where I was and where I wanted to go.
The pandemic made me feel incredibly isolated and at times I was dealing with imposter syndrome. Luckily, since I was no longer working a 9-5, I had time to listen to my heart and spirit to envision a pathway for my survival where I would be able to thrive and create art full time.
A huge part of that was divesting from people, places, and things that no longer served me. I let go of energy that was no longer my burden to carry and I listened to my inner voice to gain clarity surrounding my future. I ended up collaborating with my mom and fellow creatives to create masks, and the sales helped me survive a great period of uncertainty.
It’s been three years since this shift and I’m still on the journey of discovery but I’m more sure of my direction. I’ve been focusing more on prioritizing rest, my mental health, and defining my worth. And ever since I started focusing on the things that actually mattered, it’s like a switch flipped and opportunities I had always dreamed of began to manifest in my reality.
How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?
There needs to be a clear and direct path to financial resources (grants), mentorship opportunities for artists in any stage of their career, professional experience, free or open-sourced access to research and software tools for creatives of all ages.
Shopping local instead of big corporations is better for the entire community and ensures that the arts can survive. Artists are creatives and business owners. So any chance to support us directly ( i.e. purchase artwork, share their work on social media, subscribe to their newsletters, etc.) is so helpful for our longevity and continued success.
We’re living in a unique time where the door is wide open to imagine, negotiate and create a system that can better support practicing artists. But those in power have to be willing to listen and implement these changes and artists and creatives cannot be afraid to speak up and advocate for their worth.
It’s my hope that the more we engage in these conversations, the more we can outline and define the futures we imagine so there’s enough space for all of us to contribute, learn from one another and thrive!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.tiffanymcknight.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tlynnmcknight/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tlmcknightart
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tiffany-mcknight-105a9499/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/T_LynnMcKnight
- Other: Artist IG: https://www.instagram.com/tlmcknightart/
Image Credits
Kyle Van Osdol, Nathan Poppe, Stephanie Montelongo