Often, those who tread off the beaten path are misunderstood or mischaracterized and so we asked folks from the community to reflect and tell us about the times they’ve been misunderstood or mischaracterized.

Darrin Jones

The type of music I make is a lot different from my peers and contemporaries. As well as my style; from my nails to my skinny jeans. When people first see me and hear me speak they usually think one way but when they hear my music and vibe with me for a while they eventually start to understand. I’ve actually gotten used to it and turned it to a form of gratification because I can see them start to understand me as they’re listening and putting all the pieces of me together so to speak. Read more>>

Keelan McMorrow

Quite frequently, actually. The thing about art is that it’s always open to interpretation. I mean, anything offered up to the masses for consumption is, I suppose, but in art there is anything but a general consensus in a post-modern world. So an artist has to develop a fairly thick skin early on in order to take criticism constructively, to know where it’s coming from, to decipher well-meaning criticism from toxicity, and so on. But more to the point, the vast majority of artists spend exorbitant amounts of time alone, working, Read more>>

Dennis (Dizzy) Doan

Walking this earth as an individual with tattoos, let alone being a tattoo artist, comes with it’s fair share of misconceptions and stereotypes. However, I have come to accept that these negative connotations come with the territory that I have chosen for myself. For the better part of human history, tattooed individuals have not only been associated- but portrayed and outcaste both in film and through the news media as a class of people with predominantly criminal ties or military ties . Read more>>

Louie Mack

Yes, I think in my music and my personal life I have been misunderstood and mischaracterized plenty of times. One of the most memorable times I felt misunderstood was a high school party my friends threw. When I arrived all of my friends were already present and one of my friends was DJ’ing the party. He was excited to see me and always supported my music so he made sure to throw on one of my latest releases. I noticed everyone listening closely and nodding their head but there was no more dancing and fun taking place. Read more>>

Kimberly Miller

Being a woman and an artist has created misconceptions about me as a professional artist. I am also a Navy Veteran and that, too, has created misconceptions of who I am. These misunderstanding have been largely due to social standards and expectations that are related to my gender rather than my profession. I have felt that when I fill a nurturing or caregiving role such as wife or mother, then I am fitting a mold and my skills are judged at a different level. If my children are a reflection of what kind of mother I am I think my art should be a reflection of what kind of artist I am. Read more>>

Michelle Zive

I started Representation Rebellion because of the narrative our culture tells about middle-aged women. We are sold stories that because we’re OLD we should spend our money and time to look younger. If we don’t buy this narrative, we are expected to stay in our homes knitting, buying polyester muumuus off QVC, and surrounded by our ten cats and photos of the good ol’ days when we were young and desired. In my mid-40s, I had three different women in a month’s time say to me, “Oh, just wait until you turn 50, you become invisible.” Read more>>

Lordéa

When I was in college, my art professors once talked with me in the hallway about the way my work was interpreted. Knowing that my artistic intentions were not aligned to their descriptions, I took time to focus on what propels me to put my thoughts to a canvas at all. I learned the significance of context; the way I exist in the world is not always aligned with the way I am seen. My work is an extension of the way I am experienced and so I must be responsible. Read more>>

JOVA

I make Christian Rap, somewhat. One thing I learned about making music is that people tend to put you in a box, A LOT. You know, they’ll say “you sound like this or that” or “you’re not making enough of THIS music” and as artists we don’t realize how dangerous that is. Do I believe I’m still misunderstood as an artist? Yes, but that’s alright. I realized I make music based on my experiences and the lessons learned through those experiences. Sometimes that means the song will be heavily inspired by my beliefs and sometimes it will be inspired by my thoughts (two very different concepts). Read more>>

Melissa Lapin

I am 52 years old and I am still misunderstood. It breaks my heart any time someone misinterprets something I say or do as being mean, harsh, controlling, and worst of all arrogant. I have a very strong personality. I am a leader. I am opinionated. I carry wisdom. Each one of these characteristics by itself makes me a threat to some and intimidating to others who don’t know their own value and strengths but put them all together and I’ve had a life of being misunderstood and mischaracterized as a domineering, controlling, know it all. In my unknowing and immaturity, I totally have been. Read more>>

Tenesha Chatman

When I was asked this question, I immediately was like YESSSSS! Lol Because me, personally I feel that asking your friends and family to support your business is something that I consider to be completely up to you; but never a requirement. I say this because I do not feel like you should have to ask someone close to you to support your vision. It should come naturally or that you should not expect it. If someone really wants to see you succeed, they will be there for you no matter what. They will do what they can to help promote your business as much as possible. Read more>>

Carlos Castillo

Castle Comfort began slowly in 2018, but with the help of friends, family, the community and our business ethic, we began to propel forward. Customer service, attention to detail, and our promise and delivery of quality work, have kept us moving forward. We strongly believe there is a customer for everyone if you are honest, stay focused, are determined to better your skill, and deliver a quality-guaranteed service, those around you or who you provide services to will not hesitate to recommend your business. We are beyond grateful to our friends, family and the San Diego Community. Read more>>

Devarria Tillis

When starting a business never expect friends/family to support anything you do, and ideally why would you? As a business owner you have to develop a marketing strategy for your target market and most times friends/family will not be that market and that is totally fine. Besides your friends/family there are thousands of other consumers who are your target audience, speak directly to them. Read more>>