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.

Kaleab Samuel

I started my creative career in music, and although music is my main passion and the center core of everything I do, I feel as if people are often confused and not understanding the path and mission that I’m on with my craft. I view myself as an artist in the general term because my ultimate goal is to create without limit to medium or form. Read more>>

Ricquélle Badger

Being an artist, my work can occasionally be misunderstood and mischaracterized. Unfortunately that is what comes with the territory. That’s also why it’s imperative that an artist knows who they are and has a strong sense of self, solid foundation and support system, as well as passion and dedication for remaining positive, gracious, humble, and creative in a world where there is constant distraction, negativity, and people whose main objective is to attempt to break your soul, define you, and assassinate your character. Read more>>

Jen Palmer

Definitely. It surprised me. I had always been interested in technology and started working with artificial intelligence a couple of years ago. The first time I trained a model on my work, I was hooked! The process is so reflective. I have a background in art therapy, and personal experience with C-PTSD, so I really saw value in this and embraced the medium. The interactions I’d had about the work up to this point were mostly curious, positive, and with people who knew me in some way already. Read more>>

Ariel Sherman

As a female DJ, we are often over scrutinized and objectified before ever spinning a record whereas men can just show up often with less skill and receive quicker recognition. Female DJs also have to work harder to develop and retain a fan base in comparison to male DJs. We have to not only have skill but also a polished image to even be noticed. Read more>>

Maria Keck

A lot of people, when they find out I’m a teacher, assume that teaching was my plan B. They offer reassurances about how one day I’ll be able to perform my music full time, and how there’s no shame in having a fallback career. It caught me off guard the first few times I heard it, because teaching has always been my passion, and I’ve never second guessed it. Read more>>

Kennedy Dunning

When adults asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up, I said a racecar driver. Growing up in Indiana, the Indy 500 was a short drive from my house. And what kid doesn’t want to go fast? This wasn’t surprising. I also had a backup plan, which wasn’t surprising for a Midwestern child either. Read more>>

Lindsey Alderman

I’ve often felt misunderstood. Choosing a path that isn’t considered the norm can always present challenges when it comes to managing how you’re perceived. I’ve always tried to embrace exactly how I feel and let my emotions reflect purely in my art. Read more>>

C.a. Shofed

In general I think photography as art has been mischaracterized. I don’t know how many times I have applied to or have been offered exhibits as a photographer and not as an artist or read the statement “artists and phototgraphers” can apply or some words to the affect. Photography is art. It’s a medium like any other. Read more>>

Bianca Griffin

I want to start this question off by saying as a black girl moving through a creative space using multiple mediums digitally and physically in your work being misunderstood or mischaracterized comes with the territory. I often get put in a box or labeled very quickly by most people. People usually don’t know exactly what I do or what my process is and its hard for people to grasp that artist aren’t all using the same methods to present their artwork. Read more>>