We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Victoria Burnside. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Victoria below.
Victoria, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. What do you think matters most in terms of achieving success?
Success can be measured in a variety of ways! Success in my eyes is the ability create art that resonates with at least one person, and opportunities to share with many! Talents are of no value if they aren’t shared. I struggled putting myself out there to be judged, I would draw and never share my work outside of my parents and closest friends. I now paint custom pieces for clients, host paint parties, have private lessons with youth and adults interested in painting for both therapeutic and leisure purposes. If I would have never stepped out of my comfort zone and shared my art these opportunities to earn an income and connect with the world wouldn’t have come to fruition!
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
I, Victoria (Tori) Burnside was born and raised in Morristown TN. I am the daughter of Jacqueline Burnside and Victor Goodson. I graduated from the University of TN in Chattanooga in 2013 with my BS in Child and Family Life Studies. I serve as an advocate for youth and families in the Social Work industry and have also been pursuing a career as an artist for the last 2 years.
Art has always provided a safe space for me to be my most authentic self. Through art I have worked through many personal traumas, found my own sense of identity, and in my art is where I find my worth! Art is what makes me feel closest to God-in his likeness I can create something from nothing!
As an artist in a rural, predominantly white community I wanted to go beyond my canvas and create a platform for others who are entrepreneurs like me! I cofounded a non profit organization called Black Entrepreneurs Meet (BEM) alongside George Cunningham Jr. I have a heart for people and am driven behind the idea that everyone who wants to can and will be successful! With the hope to provide a voice to a community that has been wrongfully silenced BEM was born!!
Art started as a hobby that chased away my fears and gave life to my dreams! Now it is also the birthplace of a platform for others to explore their passions!
What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?
I am still unlearning comparing myself to others in the art industry in a way that limits my creativity. Comparison can be harmful if you allow it to consume your perspective.
When I first started painting I watched and studied other artists to learn different styles and techniques. I am completely self taught so following other artists helped me learn. I began noticing that I had difficulty coming up with my own ideas and became dependent on references or inspiration from other artists. I started comparing myself, thinking I wasn’t good enough on my own, I even contemplated giving up art entirely! Learning that art isn’t a skill that can be taught if there is not first a passion or desire to explore your self-and be open to allowing your imagination to be in control. No matter how attractive my art is or how ugly I am an artist because irregardless of skill I have a passion to create!
Where do you think you get most of your clients from?
Client referrals, and my work itself are the biggest sources of new customers.
Contact Info:
- Website: Adokcreations.art
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/toriburnside?igsh=MWxpbzhzdTZncWRsbA%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/XHvnpnViQGfwcvQj/?mibextid=WC7FNe
- Other: Www.blackentrepreneursmeets.com
Image Credits
Emilie McKinney Photography and Demario Howard