I have been a working Artist officially since 2015 at the launch of my small business and it has been a tough journey. I have shown my work throughout the Puget Sound and met amazing people touched by my work. My heart is full when I remember the results of my labor.
Unfortunately, the joy of creating and the impact my work has made within my community has rarely been monetarily compensated. This fact has made it difficult to fund my work through the years.
It is a struggle to express the importance of my work as an Artist to those closest to me. The years I’ve invested in my craft are life changing and I have grown as a person through the varied obstacles and challenges faced. Although I have yet to be financial successful in my craft, to create art is like breathing so to stop is absurd.
To those fellow Artist establishing your niche in the world and in hope of your big break…I say Bravo to being what we call in Statistics the Outlier.
I may be one in thousands but my light shines so bright anyone can see.
Upward and onward….and like my former advisor told me once as a budding Psych student at Tacoma Community College, “ upward mobility”.
SABREEHNA S. ESSIEN 