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.

Emmanuelle Glazier

My work has always centered around the female form as its primary subject matter. I explore themes of femininity, beauty, and emotional tension, often utilizing nudity and expressive body language to convey a narrative. In one of my earlier pieces, I created a series of photography portraits focusing on two closely intertwined female bodies. Read more>>

Emma LaRue

I feel like many artists/creatives are often misunderstood. I think a lot of times when you tell someone you’re a singer or an actress people just assume that if you’re not famous your work doesn’t matter or it’s not good. For me I take pride in what I do and if I didn’t fully love it I wouldn’t share it. The amount of lyrics/songs that are still in my drafts is unreal. I’ve been an actress, a comedian, and now I’m pursuing a music career. It’s hard work. But it’s fun and it’s fulfilling. Read more>>

222 Bree

Hey there, I’m 222bree. I was born and raised in Columbus, Ohio, music has been my thing since I was a kid. Back in pre-K and early elementary, my mom was strict about me only listening to gospel music, but while I was at daycare, I’d sneak to listen to 106& Park every day, soaking up everything mainstream. Read more>>

Robert Grant

In my earlier years in the music industry a lot of my peers though I was just a rapper which was totally incorrect. Some of them may or may have not known that I am a true musician. I grew up playing the saxophone. I have played all types of genres including but not limited to rock, pop, alternative and R&B. I have a very diverse catalogue so I have been constantly miscatergorized by people. So I feel my abilities are infinite when it comes to music. Read more>>

Sam Danis

Wearing nothing but black, never leaving the house without a full face of makeup or looking unpolished, giving “you can’t sit with us” and/or “that girl” energy, and only talking about or doing anything makeup-related. If it sounds over-the-top, that’s because it is. Don’t get me wrong, there are definitely artists out there who embody the entirety of these stereotypes within their own right, but seldom is it the actual reality. Read more>>

Robert Cooperman

In a world concerned with marginalization, it is ironic to me that the conservative voice is not given the opportunities and respect that so many other groups feel is their rightful due. This makes my company, Stage Right Theatrics, all the more vital to the goal of true inclusivity and acceptance in the arts. We have been in existence for seven years and for all those seven years we have been misunderstood and mischaracterized by the very people who claim to be opposed to such treatment. Read more>>

Rabbit

More often than not, when people approach my work, they ask me what it means or what it represents. I usually briefly tell people the names of the objects being shown and give additional context as needed, but it is very rare when I disclose to someone what any of my work is supposed to mean. By nature, my work is not meant to be immediately understood. I’m not drawing for a general audience, I’m specifically trying to talk to people like me, people who can see what I’m trying to say, and loud enough that they notice. Read more>>

My Linh Mac

I often face three common misunderstandings or mischaracterizations, which include being portrayed as an opportunist, succumbing to the stereotype of a “broke artist,” and my success causing me to seem unapproachable to others. The term “opportunist” is frequently mistaken as someone who uses then abandons others for personal gains when it’s actually about seeking opportunities to learn and grow and finding solutions. Read more>>

Allesondra Helwig

As an actor, we often are told that we are a specific “type”. And for a long time, trying to figure that is difficult because there have been times where my casting “type” was not at all who I was inside. Especially as a young person who is still figuring yourself out, it’s almost impossible to really understand this. Read more>>

Elisheva Pierce

Hi, my name is Elisheva Pierce and I am an Atlanta-based Visionary Artist. Being misunderstood and mischaracterized is one of the biggest inspirations that has pushed me into becoming an artist today. I have always been this tall, artistic girl who stands out like a sore thumb, which has caused others to mischaracterize me. Read more>>