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.

Adam Holley

I think this could actually describe my band’s genre. It hasn’t necessarily been a bad thing though. We’ve been booked on some very diverse shows over the years and had some air play on multiple radio stations. From country to rock and everything in between. Read more>>

Mozatronic

This is a very interesting question. How can I explain this from my point of view. As a creative you need to understand that what you create is not for everyone. It is for the ones that get it…that accept it….that speaks to them. It is entirely ok for someone not to like what you are doing…and vice versa. The ability for a creative to make a livable wage is rare…but if you are doing it solely for that reason you are in the wrong business. Be true to yourself….and eventually the rest will follow. Listeners are not dumb…they can hear when things are called in and lack emotion or passion. YOU need to understand this as well. Read more>>

Michael Bland

I feel like most people think being a successful musician is all sex drugs and rock n roll. While it’s true that people get into this business for different reasons, i was just imbued naturally with the gifts it takes to become sought after. I’m a drummer who has perfect pitch. Music is what i understand, live on and live by. Not just a great way to meet chicks. lol.. Read more>>

Sadie Wolf

I often feel that my work and myself are misunderstood, and I think that’s a feeling many of us carry as humans—constantly seeking understanding. My love for art began at a young age, and abstract art has always been my true passion. It’s the form that allows me to express myself freely, and it’s the one I’ve returned to throughout my life. Over time, I ventured into acrylic pouring, which has often been dismissed by some as “fake art” or “Sunday morning preschool crafts.” While I understand the criticism, I approach my work with seriousness and respect—what some may see as simple is, to me, a powerful medium of expression. Read more>>

Brandon Kellum

I’ve always had this weird duality of feeling like I didn’t quite fit in anywhere, but somehow I could belong everywhere. Back in school, I was that kid with foot-long liberty spikes, skateboarding around, listening to probably more metal than punk, and somehow finding a way to float between every clique without fully landing in one. It sometimes felt like being a chameleon but it was coming from a genuine place. Read more>>

Mould

My work and I have often been misunderstood. My art is straightforward and unapologetic, addressing themes that social media policies label as “negative events.” This is particularly evident in my music videos, which are intense and feature shocking imagery. The purpose isn’t just to shock but to make people think deeply about uncomfortable truths. Read more>>

Paula Blaschke

I am a Digital Artist using Adobe Illustrator 9 and Photoshop 6. I consider myself as an artist first and foremost. I think most people dismiss digital art as n0t being as valid or as substantial as traditional fine art forms such as painting or even photography, I must create and draw my images first and then explore compositions and color. The design process is the same, but I use a mouse instead of a brush. Read more>>

Britt Bayley

My greatest fear is being misunderstood. Which I find darkly funny, because I am a chronically misunderstood person. I have spent so much of my life attempting to avoid it. The amount of energy that has gone into trying to get other people to understand my intentions and experience is immense. I over-explain in an attempt to avoid misunderstanding, which often just leads to more misunderstanding. I attempt to seek clarity from others by asking too many questions, the same ones more than once, often checking to make sure all was understood. It’s hard to watch the ways in which people are put off by it. I could sense it, but I couldn’t stop it. Read more>>

Daniel Murtaugh

I think everyone at some point feels that their work or themselves are misunderstood or mischaracterized and I think that it’s a more natural thing than we give it credit for. For instance, we don’t understand the trees, unless we sit with them for extended periods of time. Even in this article you are reading, what you are reading or rather, what I am writing, has the opportunity to be misunderstood or mischaracterized. I also feel that in order to be our truest and most raw and real expression of ourselves, being misunderstood and mischaracterized is part of the gig. No one will ever understand your art the way you do and that’s actually really a beautiful thing if you can accept it for what it is. Read more>>