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

Hi TT, thanks for joining us today. Can you talk to us about how you learned to do what you do?

How did you learn to do what you do?

My formal training began at age seven, with artist Liv Saether. Some of my earliest memories are of pulling fruit from the trees and collecting a living snail from the garden, as a model for a still life oil painting. My first studies of technique were to emulate the brush strokes and styles of the masters, but also to notice how they applied paint, how they worked with diverse palettes, and how they evoked big feelings in Tiny Tina (TT).

I am deeply grateful for my mentors, like Ann Bridges, and the formal training I received at the Orange County School of the Arts. I committed my higher education to the exploration of a wide variety of mediums; I attended the School of the Museum of Fine Arts and Tufts University, where I studied welding, woodworking, ceramics, casting, etching, paper making, animation, video, sound and performance art. Beyond the formal education that shaped my craft, I found that much ‘learning’ was happening in the quiet moments of introspection, and that ‘learning’ truly lived in the courage to experiment, and in keen observation of the world around me.

Knowing what you know now, what could you have done to speed up your learning process?

In the beginning of my career, I was excited by the speed with which I could jump into projects, enjoy international travel for work, and truly thrive through my art. My “on-paper-self” had earned my B.F.A. from School of the Museum of Fine Arts & Tufts University, Boston. Post-graduation, I remained committed to the arts, and was honored to manage the welding shop at the SMFA as their “Visiting Artist.” I co-founded an artist cooperative with a focus on fabrication and public education/engagement (including the revival of The People’s Sculpture Race in Cambridge), and sought every meaningful opportunity to engage with the art world around me. I worked for the City of Cambridge in public art restoration and preservation, and did other work as a studio assistant, a model for other fine artists, and a preparator at the MIT museum and other prestigious galleries.
At the same time, I earned my 200hr yoga teacher certification from Radiant Yoga Boston, followed by my Master Coach Certification from the Elementum Coaching Institute.

But none of these spaces of education or achievement taught me the most important lesson of inner fulfillment:
Speed is irrelevant when there is no destination. The beauty of embodying creative living is how one relates to life, time, and concepts of self and others. In a culture where many prioritize productivity over process, rest becomes an act of rebellion. I’m interested in the holistic nature of the artist: the unspoken reflections and awkward becoming of an awakened being.

What skills do you think were most essential?

As a creative coach and artist, I believe several key traits are essential for professional ‘creative entrepreneurs’: observation, curiosity, resilience, repetition, and adaptability.

While observation provides insights into the world around us, curiosity drives exploration and innovation. Resilience is crucial for overcoming setbacks and criticism. Repetition, even with little initial success, leads to refinement and mastery. Adaptability allows for pivoting and learning from failure, which ensures long-term success in the dynamic creative industry.

What obstacles stood in the way of learning more?

While my journey has been enriching, it hasn’t been without its share of challenges. Unawareness about neurodiversity posed a significant obstacle in the classroom, and led to feelings of shame, self-doubt, and imposter syndrome. Moreover, the compensatory strategy of perfectionism took hold, which often stifled my creative expression, and instilled a deep fear of making mistakes. Overcoming these obstacles demanded a profound journey of self-discovery; I learned to strive to embrace imperfection and cultivate self-compassion along the way. The way ‘out’ was ‘through.’

These challenges are reflected in my body of work, where I integrate these themes of psychological exploration and inner acceptance in my performance art, video, sculpture work – all of which inform my approaches as a coach for creative minds.

TT, 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 am delighted to introduce myself to the Canvas Rebel readers. I am TT Hernandez, a certified trauma-informed coach, artist, and yoga instructor. I am passionate about the complexities of the human experience and assisting others in unveiling their natural talents and inner wisdom.

As an ADHD & HSP advocate, with over 25 years of experience in the arts, I intimately and personally relate to the hurdles, impulses, and sensitivities of the creative mind.

Through intuitive and somatic coaching, I speak the language of the subconscious. This safety allows sensations of the body to surface, and an opportunity to interpret and/or release those experiences–all in honor of one’s lasting transformation.

As an artist, my most impactful project to date was to animate “Seven Grams,” a stop-motion educational documentary that highlights the human cost of forced child labor in the precious-mineral mines in the Democratic Republic of Congo–the mines that produce the scarce elements that power our smart devices. An emotionally and technically challenging project, the “Seven Grams” team and I were honored to receive awards and recognition for my charcoal animation, the Augmented Reality App, and the codirection of myself and Karim Ben Khelifa from several international film festivals, including Sundance Film Festival, Prague & Nottingham International Film Festivals, One World Media Awards, PRIX Europa, BAFF, Indie Shorts Awards New York, Portland Film Festival, Anibar Animation Festival, and more.

Are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?

Yes! I have been so lucky to have incredible mentors, but it can be easy to feel apart from a community when your inner world is so rich.

Engaging with a supportive community and seeking guidance from peers and fellow somatic coaches has been instrumental in my educational journey. I’ve gained fresh perspectives and invaluable tools for navigating the challenges inherent in creative entrepreneurship. Collaborative endeavors and shared experiences have propelled my growth in ways that solitary endeavors could not have accomplished.

Tapping into the expertise of somatic practitioners can allow us to better understand our nervous system’s reactions to diverse stimuli and stressors, which enables us to manage our emotions and energy levels more effectively in order to foster a more enriching and efficient creative process.

Moreover, acknowledging and respecting my sensitivities has proven pivotal in my evolution as a creative entrepreneur. Rather than resisting discomfort or disregarding signals from my body, I’ve come to understand the importance of attuning to its needs and collaborating with my sensitivities. This has yielded improvements in both my overall well-being and creative output.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

The most rewarding aspect of being an artist or creative lies in the nuanced process of transforming the intangible into tangible forms, and bridging the gap between the unseen and the seen. There’s immense satisfaction derived from articulating what most can feel but cannot yet express in a physical form–offering substance to the invisible essence of the human experience. This involves translating ethereal moods and emotions into expressive works of art through words, music, or visual mediums. Central to this way of being is the practice of deep presence. Through this depth, I foster profound connections both with the subject matter of my art and with the individuals I guide as a creative coach.

TT currently resides in Southern California and is available for speaking engagements, 1:1 coaching sessions, retreat facilitation, and custom art commissions. Please reach out at their email: TT@tthernandez.com for any inquiries. For more information on the animated documentary, SEVEN GRAMS, visit sevengrams.org.

Contact Info:

• Website: tthernandez.com
• Instagram: instagram.com/the.tthernandez
• Other: sevengrams.org

Image Credits
Portrait of artist and creative coach, TT Hernandez. TT Hernandez, “Balancing Act,” 2012. Steel. TT Hernandez, “Panic Play: Stage Six_The Reveal,” 2019. Wearable camera obscura in the performance art piece “The Shedding.” Photograph by Karim Ben Khelifa. TT Hernandez, “Harmony in the Herd,” 2022. 2” x 3”, Watercolor. From the series “On the Move.” TT Hernandez, “Chance in the Mine,” 2021. Charcoal and chalk on black paper. A still from the animated short “Seven Grams.” TT Hernandez, “Humble Warrior (Purple),” 2018. 5’ x 4’6”, Oil on canvas. Exhibited in the experimental painting project “Chromatic Dimensions.” Located at the Retort Gallery – The Distillery, South Boston. TT Hernandez, “The Gatekeeper,” 2019. 20” x 15” x 3”, Acrylic on wood. Alpaca guarding the chicharia in Cusco; a vibrant piece from the Peru Artist Residency Series. TT Hernandez, “My Fren,” 2021. 8” x 10”, Charcoal. Portrait of the artist with designer Carolyn Simon. TT Hernandez, “Character Compilation,” circa 2011. Acrylic and graphite on paper.