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.

SAAVI.

I feel that my work and I are both misunderstood and mischaracterized. Being a female in a male-dominated industry is complicated enough on its own. However, when you add being Italian/Lebanese to the mix, it takes it to another level. Whenever I tell people I make hip-hop/rap music, they instantly begin to judge me. I’m half white, half Arab. Read more>>

Chris Warner

Absolutely! I feel that from the moment I took my first headshot over two decades ago, I have been misunderstood AND mischaracterized. I also feel a VERY important lesson has been learned from both of these things – when it comes to performance entertainment, PERCEPTION IS EVERYTHING! Read more>>

Ashley Lucas

My work is very whimsical and childlike. I struggled for many years to see where I fit in the ‘art world’ so to speak. In my 20’s I felt that it was almost a hindrance to create work that was so innocent. In my 30’s, I started to get more comfortable with the idea that my work represents who I am. Now I am 40 years old, and I feel completely comforable with my style – it feels like an old shoe that fits just right ;) Read more>>

Flower Sanchez

I think as an artist, we are often times misunderstood in general. It’s kind of our superpower. I sort of enjoy it. The downfall is that we live in age of social media and everyone is suddenly a critic lol. As artists we know we’ve a communal responsibility to clarify our messages if ever they should be misconstrued. But art mimics life. Perception is not linear. Read more>>

Kai Kaldro

Every single day of my life. That’s how it goes… but sometimes it goes the other way too! My feature length debut currently in its financing phase SINNER’S LULLABY is an action-packed gothic neo-noir set of the eve of Halloween, following the front woman of the eponymous heavy metal band who moonlights as a private detective and her lounge singer girlfriend. Read more>>

Monika Herbert

So this may come as a unique spin, I haven’t felt misunderstood creatively but personally. When I was 15, I picked up a vintage film camera and fell in love. You see, as early as I can remember I have never felt understood or like I fit into any group. This would follow me longer than I wanted or intended. The camera gave me an outlet, I felt important and I felt liked by this silly little object. Little did I know, 18 years later, that I would be running a 6 figure wedding photography business and get a diagnosis of Autism at the age of 34. Read more>>

Khaleel Ray.

My work and Career had been something that was always misunderstood as i was climbing up the ladder In life. But more Importantly who I was as a person… I’ve never had a friend group, i’ve always walked the path i want and was never peer pressured into doing things i don’t want to do. Even my confidence, it’s been second to none basically my whole life. Read more>>