Meet Nsenga Knight, an interdisciplinary artist based in Egypt whose work includes geometric drawings, text paintings, and photographs.

Nsenga’s upbringing as a first-generation Black American Muslim informs her work as she makes critical contributions to conversations on Black America, politics, culture, and Islam in the 21st century. Nsenga has received numerous grants including Pollock-Krasner Foundation Grant and exhibited work at the Drawing Center New York, Project Rowhouses, Museum of Contemporary African Diasporan Art, and PS1 MoMA among others. 

Join us as we discuss how she’s navigating the art industry as a black woman creative, her strategy to find art collectors, and how she’s building a sustainable creative business based on her own rules. 

3:56 - How Nsenga started her creative path.

12:39 - How Nsenga balances building a business and maintaining her art.

26:37 - What drives Nsenga.

33:22 - Challenges Nsenga faces as a creative entrepreneur, and how she overcomes them?

Nsenga’s links:

nsengaknight.com

www.artfare.com/nsenga-knight

IG: @nsengaknight

Find out about the retreat here:

Kindred Creatives Collective

This week, I decided to go rogue to share my 4 tips for traveling to Ghana. This episode is raw and vulnerable, and just me. As I prepare to host my first Ghana Art Retreat in July, I’ve been reflecting about my past experiences in Ghana. I believe there’s nothing better than being immersed in the culture, food, and people of Ghana. It’s magical. But, when I first started taking solo trips to Ghana it definitely was overwhelming. Over time I learned how to make the experience less stressful and more fun. In this episode I share with you what I did to have a better experience. 

Listen to this episode to learn all the juicy details about my first few months in Ghana. What’s your favorite traveling tip? 

5:37 - The lesson I learned at the Baobab School Anniversary.

9:42 - My experience riding on a tro tro for the first time.

15:25 - What is completely disrespectful in Ghana.

17:42 - This one thing changed my whole experience in Ghana.

Connect on Instagram:

@victoria_yawa

@kindred_creativesco

Learn more about the retreat or sign up by sending me a message here:

Kindred Creatives Collective

Meet painter, entrepreneur and scholar, Tiffany LaTrice. In 2016 she opened TILA Studios, an art studio and community space for black women artists based in Atlanta. 

TILA mission is to create space where black women can gather and support each other in order to disrupt the art industry. Tiffany and her team have exhibited over 93 artists, held 11 exhibitions and sold 30% of the artwork. Today her studio also trains women on their professional development, from everything to how to write a strong artist statement to taking professional photos of their work. Join us as we discuss her life as a black woman creative, triumphs and setbacks, and journey growing her brand TILA Studios.

Listen here to learn why Tiffany thinks there is such a low number of black women recognized in the arts, and her vision to change this statistic through TILA.

Highlights from this episode:

25:20 - What is TILA Studios, and what resources do you offer?

28:11 - Can you talk about the vision for the Garden Fellows program?

34:10 - What’s the best advice that Tiffany has been giving?

Links for Tiffany:

www.tiffanylatrice.com

www.tilastudios.com

On Instagram:

@tiffany_latrice1

@tila_studios

Learn more about the retreat here:

Kindred Creatives Collective

Meet Amber Snearl, is a visionary who lives a holistic life. She's dedicated to living a life that is rooted in letting your best side shine.

Amber started her journey painting on traditional canvas & doing pop up shows designing custom made hand bags for fun. Demand for her designs quickly turned her hobby into a full fledged art business. Today, she's the founder and artist behind Sub|Urban, where she makes custom hand-painted and original designs on vegan and cruelty-free handbags, clothing, and accessories. 

Listen here to learn how Amber leveled up her business by hiring.

Checkout highlights from the episode

4: 48 - The first time that Amber realized the power of art.

7:47 - Amber's creative practice.

12:40 - What has helped Amber the most in balancing business and her art.

17:21 - What drives Amber's business?

19:43 - The best advice that she's been giving.

23:27 - How Amber defines success

Links to keep in touch and follow along on Amber’s artistic journey:

www.ambersnearl.com

IG: @sub.urbandesigns

FB: SubUrban by Amber

Find out about the retreat to Ghana here!:

Kindred Creatives Collective

Meet Mahogany Rich, an abstract painter with a strong love for murals based in Baltimore. Her bold and unique style represents her individuality that comes alive through her canvas. Mahogany began painting again 2 years ago when she decided to dedicate her life to doing what gave her purpose. Since then, she has pushed herself out of her comfort zone to build a business centered around her art. Her practice has helped her through her darkest moments, and continues to motivate her to be true to self. 

Join us as Mahogany shares how she’s building a creative entrepreneurial life, and her imperfect journey for personal growth.

4:10 - When was the first time you realized that you are a creative person?

10:57 - How do you deal with creative blocks?

11:36 - What do you do to keep yourself motivated?

13:27 - What is your favorite accomplishment?

17:13 - What’s the best advice that you have been giving?

Follow Mahogany and her journey on Instagram!

@procreationhoggzart

Learn more about the retreat here!

Kindred Creatives Collective

“The journey toward healing begins with our own willingness to be vulnerable with ourselves, embrace our mistakes, and remind ourselves that life is a process. “ - Naimah

Meet Naimah Thomas, a Black Femme born and raised in Chicago. She is a licensed professional counselor, art therapist, and artist. Utilizing art to shift narratives around healing, mental health, and creating spaces where exploration and re-imagination are valued. She has worked with a range of people in community, correctional, and nonprofit settings. Naimah received a master’s in art therapy from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and a bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design from Columbia College Chicago. 

In this episode Naimah shares about her clinical work and art practice, and she explores the intersections of art and mental health, primarily in BIPOC communities.

8:45 - How does she see mental health and making art connected?

10:26 - What inspires Naimah these days?

23:28 - How does Naimah define success?

Links for Naimah Thomas:

www.naimahthomasart.com

IG: @naimah_creates

Learn about the retreat here:

Kindred Creatives Collective

Meet Destiney Powell, a self proclaimed visual storyteller who is thriving as a full-time artist and the founder of Poetically Illustrated. Her paintings are a visual representation of the beauty and multifacetedness of black women. Through her work, she hopes to inspire artists to follow their dreams, regardless of what the world says. 

Destiney has mastered systems in her business to help balance her job as a mom homeschooling three kids and her work as a creative entrepreneur. She recently changed her business model and noticed immediate shifts in how money flowed in, giving her more freedom to create. She’s now more committed than ever to share with artists strategies she’s learned to make money.

In this episode, learn how Destiney is strategic in her practice to make money while continuing doing what brings her joy.

6:04 - The moment Destiney knew she wanted to become a full-time artist.

12:41 - What inspires her?

14:50 - How Destiney balances being a mom and making art.

19:35 - The challenges she faces as a creative entrepreneur.

20:53 - When Destiney feels the most creative.

24:00 - Words of wisdom for how artists can make money.

Links in this episode:

Website: www.poeticallyillustrated.net

IG: @poeticallyillustrated

FB: @poeticallyillustrated

Tiktok: @poeticallyillustrated 

Learn more about the retreat!:

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Meet Simone Agoussoye, a driven DC based artist. She’s best known for her striking paintings of icons in music, pop culture, and history. She blends mixed media materials like broken crushed glass to create contemporary portraits. Simone’s art has been featured in public exhibitions across the DMV area including Artist Evolutions at the National Harbor’s Art Avenue Gallery, Broken Beauty at the ArtReach GW, and Beautiful People at ARC3409 Art Studios and Space. As a savvy online marketer, Simone has grown her brand and is building a profitable art business. 

In this episode, learn Simone’s creative journey and how she is growing an artist business doing exactly what she loves.

4:40 - The first time Simone realized the power of her art.

7:23  - How Simone started on her creative path.

13:16 - What drives Simone’s work. 

20:39 - How Simone balances building a business and her art.

26:10 - Challenges that Simone faces as a creative entrepreneur.

31:42 - Simone’s words of wisdom for someone starting off. 

www.simoneagoussoye.com

IG: @simone_agoussoye

Twitter: @simoneagoussoye

FB: Simone Agoussoye

Learn more about the retreat here:

Kindred Creatives Collective

Meet Tonya Cross, a talented accessory designer and digital marketing coach. She's a creative entrepreneur who runs her group Digital Marketing on a Budget where she coaches Gen-X women in business. Tonya's journey developed organically when she couldn’t find hair accessories that were natural hair friendly and catered to black women. She did what any visionary would do, she started a business making hair accessories. Tonya is testament that your gifts will make room for you. 

In this episode, learn Tonya’s forgiveness journey and how it led her to a life of abundance. She also shares tips and tricks for how artists can build authentic brands and market their work for more visibility online. 

What You'll Learn from this Episode:

3:09 - How Tonya started her creative business. 

4:37 - What inspires Tonya to keep going.

10:16 - How Tonya balances business and her art practice.

26:47 - The best advice that Tonya has been given. 

Socials! Follow Tonya on FB & IG:

@accentedglory

@thevineevents

@strategypreneur

Visit her shop and event planning sites:

Accented Glory

The Vine Events

Learn more about the retreat here:

Kindred Creatives Collective

Meet Chelsea Stevenson, a full-time celebrated henna artist and business strategist! She started her business Cardamom & Clove Henna in her living room, and ten years later owns a popular Henna boutique in Baltimore. Chelsea mentors creative business owners in her sister business Hennapreneur, an online course and community. She believes that with the right resources, every artist is capable of designing the reality she desires. 

Chelsea has been a featured speaker at top Henna conferences, and published in the Baltimore Sun, Baltimore Magazine, and Buzzfeed. 

In this episode, learn how Chelsea’s purpose and passion collided for her to become a powerhouse that teaches henna artists to build five figure businesses doing the art they love.

5:10 - The jobs Chelsea had before her henna business took off.

9:32 - How Chelsea started her business as a henna artist.

13:52 - Chelsea's biggest inspiration and what keeps her going. 

24:14 - How Chelsea defines success. 

28:13 - Chelsea's words of wisdom for someone starting off in the arts and wanting to build a business. 

Cardamom & Clove Henna

Hennapreneur

Facebook: Hennapreneur

IG: @hennapreneur.official

Kindred Creatives