Today we’d like to introduce you to Cheyenne Arbeeny.
Cheyenne Arbeeny
Hi Cheyenne, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.
I’ve always loved watching cartoons, as most kids do. I was blessed to travel often as a kid and I’m certain these experiences are why I love art and photography. My family knew as well and they’d let me know it wouldn’t be an easy road. Regardless, I’d get art supplies for the holidays and my lovely aunt bought me a Canon camera when I was in middle school.
I lived in Brooklyn, New York, growing up so I was constantly surrounded by inspiration. When it was time to enter high school, I applied and auditioned at the High School of Art and Design in Manhattan. I was accepted and started high school with so many other talented artists. I started learning many things about different genres of art and got to hone in on what fields I liked best. I decided to major in cartooning and that’s where things got rocky. The cartooning teacher there kept saying I took too long to finish drawing, my work wasn’t good enough, and that I wasn’t cut out for this major. It was very disheartening and I started to believe him. I slowly progressed to not showing up to class and drifted from school. I was in a dark place trying to find myself and my purpose. Even so, I couldn’t help but pick up that pencil and paper to keep creating.
Eventually, in my junior year of high school I moved to Rockville, Maryland, due to my father’s work arrangement. This was a huge change for me, from city lights and busy streets to forest views and empty sidewalks. I decided to try and embrace life here and asked my counselor to put me in one of the advanced art programs at Richard Montgomery High School. It wasn’t what I was looking for, all we did was collages and I asked to resign. I figured that the only way I could progress in my art was to teach myself.
With consistency, my art style started to blossom and I transformed as an artist. I graduated and decided that I didn’t want to pay for college art classes when Ivr already taught myself so much. I started working and felt the pressure to make money with my artistic abilities. I had great opportunities to do photography for a local restaurant, local events, and Nate Lucas aka Trip Star. I landed a few traditional art commissions, which any artist can admit that those requests are never forgotten. Things were all coming together, I started getting more recognition online and was about to start making merch with my designs.
Then, Covid hit. Everything shut down and life seemed to have stopped. I lost a lot of loved ones, including my grandfather, Norman Arbeeny, who had a big impact on my upbringing. While everything was shut down I learned how to do digital art and web design. Some services I provide range from traditional art, photography, photo editing, web design, and graphic design. Thanks for reading
Can you talk to us about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Though I was able to get my foot in the door with some free art classes during my high school days, I had discouraging teachers who didn’t believe in me. I couldn’t ask questions or improve my talent in these environments.
Being a self-taught artist is rewarding to say, but it takes a lot of hard work and dedication to advance. Life doesn’t always go as you plan but being able to bounce back is essential.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Some services I provide are photography, photo editing, graphic & web design, virtual assistant, and traditional art. Some forms of traditional art that I specialize in are pencil, ink, watercolor, acrylic, and markers.
I’m known for my cartoon art style and I enjoy details. I’m always eager to learn and that’s what led me to unlock a lot of levels of my creativity.
Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
I’d like to thank my family for supporting me. They knew it wasn’t going to be an easy road but they still stood beside me and did all they could to help me succeed. I’d like to thank my partner, Nate Lucas, also known as Trip Star, for constantly supporting me. I have seen him achieve so much and he is capable of a lot. Last but not least I thank everyone who has supported me by getting a commission, photography service, or graphic design. Without all these people I wouldn’t be where I am today.
Pricing:
- Photo editing & touch-ups/cartoon insert: $25
- Traditional art commission: starts at $60
- Custom digital logo: starts at $75
- Photography shoot: $30 an hour
- Virtual assistant: Prices vary.
Contact Info:
Suggest a Story: VoyageBaltimore is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition, please let us know
here.
