Today we’d like to introduce you to Vanessa Harrison.
Hi Vanessa, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I started at 18 years old. I was living in my mom’s house and I was creating art that I wasn’t ready for the world much less anyone that I knew to see. I felt like I made my art for me and I didn’t want anyone to see it yet. I always admired art but I knew how judgmental the business can be. As an artist, I didn’t want to create art that wouldn’t be appreciated in the long run. So a year later, an idea sparked that maybe I should put my art on household items like t-shirts, tapestries, etc. So a couple of months later, I move out of my mom’s house and I live walking distance from a T-shirt printing shop and I think, “this is destiny”. I walked into neighborhood t-shirt shop and there began Nessboteaz est. 2018. Now two almost three years later, Nessboteaz has a website and many supporters. My nickname in high school was “Nessbo,” and the “Teaz” is a double entra for “T-shirts” and “Teaz” like Kermit the frog spitting the tea. My designs are my life “Teaz,” which is little secrets or desires of mine. I would like to start designing other people’s “Teaz” soon.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It has not been a smooth road, of course, there were some struggles. At the beginning of my business start, one of my struggles was not getting the support from loved ones that an I craved. It wasn’t easy for me to release my art to the public. I thought of my art as my secrets and I was telling my secrets to the world, that process was not easy for me. Now the struggle has not only made me stronger but my confidence in my art and my abilities. One of my latest struggles is finding more inspiration to created new designs. During this COVID-19 climate, it’s hard not be focused on everything that’s happening around you. I get inspired by my outside life and COVID-19 has slow us down from being outside.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I specialize in painting. I love painting on canvas. I’ve been doing it for about five years now. Recently I’ve started painting digitally for a couple of months and I love it! I am most proud of my creativity. What sets me apart from others is my vulnerability, I am very in tune with my feelings (I’m a Pisces duh) and I’m not afraid to put the way I’m feeling into my art. I have a lot of pieces that honor black women and I am proud of that. I also paint a lot of things that have to do with space those are my two favorite muses.
What was your favorite childhood memory?
My favorite childhood memory would have to be when I and my grandma would bake cakes together and she would let me lick the spoon.
Pricing:
- Tees $35
- Phone cases $25
- Tapestries $35
- Masks $10
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: Nessboteaz.com
- Instagram: www.Instagram.com/nessboteaz
