Today we’d like to introduce you to Raven Boyd.
Raven, please kick things off for us by telling us about yourself and your journey so far.
My story. I guess it all began as a little girl around 5 or 6. I really loved to draw and color and was always told that I was a creative child. When I entered the third grade a family member asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up. I of course said an artist. She told me artist do not make any money and I needed to pick a different career. A little hurt, I went with my next passion… animals. But that never stopped me from keeping a sketchbook on hand with a few coloring books.
Throughout high school and college, I still kept a sketchbook in hand but never shared any of my art. I picked up painted in 2014, but kept all of my creations locked in my “guest room” (I never allowed guest in there lol) I continued pursuing my “dream” to become a small animal vet. It wasn’t until December 2016 (my 5th undergrad year) when I really reflected on my life and noticed how unhappy I was. I was no longer eager about my journey to become a vet and wanted a change. I was terrified to change my career path because for years everyone knew me as “Raven the future vet” and that’s all that I told people! Until then I only shared my art work with my boyfriend and my sisters. I really wanted to go to art school, but I was of course scared. “What will people think? I’ve told them one thing and I’m doing another. Am I failure for not finishing vet school?” I went back and forth with myself about all the negative reactions I might get from this decision. My boyfriend brought things into perspective for me and reminded me that this is my life to live and I should do whatever makes me happy! That was the little boost that I needed to apply for art school! I have been attending The Academy of Art University since Fall of 2017!
In the midst of getting ready for this major change, I built up the courage to share my art work on social media. I received so much great feedback from family and friends that I decided to go into business for myself. I now own my own art business, Creatively Raven, and attend art shows around Texas! I’ve started venturing out of state for art shows as well. I still work full-time as a Property Manager, but I am hoping to grow enough to where I can focus solely on my business and open my own art gallery in Bryan, TX.
Can you give our readers some background on your art?
I hand paint all of my art work. I’m well known for my hats at the moment and some of my 90’s nostalgic artwork. I also paint wine bags, canvases, purses, backpacks, murals and anything else that my brushes can touch. Painting is my get-a-way from the world. I can be myself no matter how weird, contradicting, or offensive it may be. I am unapologetically me and I am happy to be fully aware of it and be at peace with it.
Anything can inspire me! It can me a song, a quote, a smile, an attitude, a cloud, the wrinkle in an elderly person’s face or purely my imagination. I hope that people can take the genuinely from my art. I want them to get encouragement, happiness or even find peace in a piece. I like to make statements. Sometimes the statement isn’t for me personally, but I know my creations are meant for someone!
My message for everyone is to be yourself and to STAY true to yourself. You will come across so many people that may make you think you have to change to be accepted. DON’T! You were made the way you were for a reason and if you go off trying to be the next whoever, you are not fulfilling your purpose.
There’s a dance quote that stuck with me since my dancing days in high school by Martha Graham “The only sin is mediocrity”. I have this tattooed on me as a daily reminder. If you aren’t being the best that you can be, that is definitely a sin. I don’t think we were created just for ourselves and to live in our own bubbles but for others as well. You never know who you were placed on this earth to help or befriend.
How do you think about success, as an artist, and what do quality do you feel is most helpful?
For me, as an artist, success is based on completing a task no matter how small or big it is! The completion of a project or a goal means more than many would think it would mean. Trying to balance your everyday life, art life, work life, relationships and many of life’s everyday activities can take a toll on a person’s mental, social and physical health.
Being able to find a healthy balance in life in order to complete daily tasks is imperative, for me at least. It’s so easy to put something off until “the next day” or to find a comfortable spot on a couch with a good Netflix show and want to start on whatever task “after this episode”. But I feel that it takes more work and effort to reach a goal. The feeling after its done is one that I savor and dwell on for a while. It’s also what helps me create a momentum into my next idea or project.
Having determination is an essential characteristic for success, for me at least. If I have no goal or task to reach/complete then it will be a struggle to move forward and take the next step that I need to take towards success. My determination and will is strong and is my drive for success. My determination gets me out of my ruts and even my laziness. Keeping in mind that I don’t want to be mediocre and want to be the best that I can be motivates me to keep pushing towards my success. I want me determination to show people that you can literally do what every you want as long as you WANT to do it and willing to put the work in for your success.
What’s the best way for someone to check out your work and provide support?
You can find my work on www.creativelyraven.com Or you can check out my Facebook and Instagram – @creativelyraven. People can support me online or by showing up to one of my shows in person! I love meeting and speaking with people in person!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.creativelyraven.com
- Phone: 979-985-0007
- Email: creativeartbyraven@gmail.com
- Instagram: creativelyraven
- Facebook: creativelyraven
Image Credit:
Creatively Raven
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