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.

Meg Pierce

I believe that my work is often misunderstood to be too pretty and feminine for serious consideration. The trend of political and angry art is an important part of our time. Read more>>

Rashaun Robinson

One thing about being an artist is you feel alone about 79% of the time. A lot of creatives have trouble socilally expressing themselves so they use art to kind of vent out those frustrations. Read more>>

Janice Moorgen MacGregor

Being a model and a pageant queen comes with some stereotypes. Some people assume that I am shallow, vapid, or mean. Having epilepsy is a whole other story! People offer well-intentioned, but inaccurate, advice on how to deal with seizures or epilepsy. Read more>>

JMXNEY & CAUUTiON

CAUUTiON: I feel that Art is not a one dimensional thing. Everyone has their own point of view and to me that’s what makes Art beautiful. Being misunderstood could mean being creative and caring what people think could keep you stagnant. Read more>>

Darryl Coley

It’s hard for people to grasp my way thinking/moving. I’m introverted, I don’t follow trends/crowds, I don’t eat meat.. I don’t drink, smoke, pop pills, none of that. When vacations are planned, I would much rather go to Montana than to Miami, etc. Read more>>

Daniel Ford

I often feel misunderstood and or mischaracterized. Even around my closest friends on occasion. I feel the need to over explain my actions, and or thought process, because I don’t trust people to fully understand me or who I am as a person. Read more>>

MXXNSAMURAI

Growing up, I always felt misunderstood and there was so many versions of me in people’s mind. my parents and my big sibling didn’t give a fuck about me. they didn’t take me and my mental health seriously. Read more>>

Ellie Martel

I consider myself to be two sides of the same coin or my own ying/yang depending on how you look at it. During the day I am a highly skilled specialist working on some of the Nation’s most challenging problems. Read more>>

Saisha Monét

People misconstrued being a full time creative sometimes as “not having a real job” and though it used to be offensive, I learned that who cares what people think especially people who hate you because you took a of faith! Read more>>