Today we’d like to introduce you to Vanessa Chen.
Vanessa, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
My journey with art started during my freshman year of high school. Before I never knew I had any artsy abilities until my art teacher brought the talent out of me. For the rest of my four year of high school, I continued to grow with my art by continuing to take art classes all the way to honors art. During those years I was able to learn new techniques and polish ones I knew before. I took a break during my start of college and got back to my art once my friend, Javier asked me to be apart of this event at FAU called Blazers and the Arts which allows different artists to exhibit their talents to the public. It was nerve wrecking since I never showed anyone other than my family and close friends my art before especially to a group of strangers, Once I did that event it allowed me to get back to my love for art. Next thing I know I started doing graduation caps which started out as me helping my friend Jazmine and the next thing I know I was getting customers.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It definitely has been a rocky road when it comes to my art. From experiencing anxiety and depression at times in my life I was not always in a “creative mood” and had months where I did not want to have anything to do with art. My fear that my art was not good enough or there were artists who were better than me instilled anxiety and made me look at myself not always in the best light. Also being a full time college student made me have to push my love for creativity to the side to focus on my books. Though it has been a long journey, I am thankful for all my friends and family who kept pushing me to continue with my craft which I love still to this day.
Please tell us more about your work, what you are currently focused on and most proud of.
Lately, it seems like I am known for my graduation caps that allow me to take a vision the client wants and make it into a reality. I dabble in painting, graphite, pastels, charcoals, and even some photography. I really enjoy doing portraits of different celebrities especially singers to rappers. I am most proud of how my mind can hear a simple idea and come up with other ideas to make it something more elaborate and unique. I feel like my spirit sets me apart from others. The way I interact with my customers from how I put my all into a piece until I feel like its perfection for them. I do that because I feel like everyone deserves the best type of creativity when it comes from a vision they want to create into reality.
Is there something we can do as a city to improve the outlook for businesses like yours?
Yes, because I just had to find my niche with my business. I feel like anyone can start a business similar to mine anywhere. Having social media allows you to connect and meet new people in your area that are looking for the type of creative talent you have to offer. Our city has such a diverse crowd of people that your art can catch anyone’s eye.
Pricing:
- Graduation caps – $50 includes supplies, $15 more if it is short notice
Contact Info:
- Email: Chennychalksituo@yahoo.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/chennychalksitup
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