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.

Amber Staedtler

My design work has always been clear and easily understood, even when it’s hand-drawn. It’s accessible and recognizable to nearly everyone, which I take pride in. However, my paintings—those I create from a deeply emotional place—often don’t carry the same immediate clarity. These pieces are abstract and are sometimes misunderstood.

I’ve found that some struggle to grasp the intention behind my paintings, especially when they don’t fit into recognizable or popular styles. I often feel a tension between creating for clarity and function versus creating for personal expression and emotional depth. Read more>>

Robert Hoops

Typically, when an artist says they’ve been mischaracterized or misunderstood, they’re referring to the outer world or an audience. I’ve come to a place in life where I can look back on my creative journey and realize that I, myself, misunderstood my own art.

I viewed my creative skillset and artistic endeavors as a path to a career, or as a goal to become a full-time freelancer supporting myself off being a photographer or artist or drone pilot or apparel brand owner or… you get the picture. I can’t quite put my finger on when it happened- gradually, over the years, I’m sure- but at some point, creating art became a mean to some financial end. To a title. “What do I do for a living? I’m a photographer,” for example. Read more>>

Guy Quintero

As a black author interested in writing horror, my work has always been scrutinized in an unfair manner by the gatekeepers of the mainstream. While I’ve been complimented by many sources on my imagination and storytelling, I’ve always found my possibilities truncated due to preconceived notions. I’ve had agents tell me that my work is too experimental, not being something that major publishers would look at with interest because of its creative nature. There is an overarching rigid dogma about the industry and change is very difficult, only achieved if you are lucky enough to find someone willing to take a huge gamble on your creative vision. A rare feat in a slow business filled with second movers and trend conformists. Read more>>

 Dominique (niek 2iceyy) Hunter

Yes I have been mischaracterized and misunderstood because of where I am from and my past. Growing up my life was tough, I was a subject to poverty and project living. So many times in life I have been judged by the color of my skin and even sometimes my beliefs as a christian. I never let those phase my growth or get in the way of my dreams. I use the negativity as a fuel to do better and prove people wrong. The worst experience i’ve had with this is being jumped and beat down and slammed on my head by 6 police officers when I was 19 years old. where I was left with a level 3 concussion and still at the age of 33 I have mental health issues and migraines because of that head trauma damage. Yes it hurt me but I grew stronger and continue to fight my mental health issues. However, things have gotten better over the last year. Read more>>

Tanksley

Honestly at the beginning of my career I think I spent too much of time mischaracterizing myself as a human being and that made it more difficult for others to connect with me and vice versa. I wasn’t sure how to blend all of my influences and experiences down into something uniquely me. It took a lot of testing and expression to get comfortable exploring the different sides of myself internally. That time really helped me to develop as an artist and I wouldn’t trade a second of it for anything. The process of uncovering myself one song and word at a time became a safe space when I couldn’t quite find it elsewhere. I try my best to reflect that and hold the concept closely when creating now. Read more>>