Today we’d like to introduce you to Aisha Graham.
Hi Aisha, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
As a child, I always loved to use my imagination, whether it was with doodling or writing stories. My grandfather was the first to teach me how to draw using a cartoon figure drawing book. Throughout my life, I continued writing poems, scripts, and stories and drawing and painting family portraits. I used my art to decorate my dorms and, later, my apartment. I also became comfortable sharing my writing with others. People encouraged me to continue writing and began requesting my paintings for their homes. I took it seriously in 2015 and started doing vendor festivals and art exhibits. I self-published a kid’s coloring book called “Color Me Beautiful” and, later, a psychological thriller titled “Day 33”. In 2022, I’m taking the plunge to become a full-time artist and writer.
Please talk to us about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned. Looking back, has it been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Initially, I struggled to balance my career as an accountant and being a mom with my desire to transition to art. I experienced some trial-and-error setbacks in learning how to manage the business side of things. But all in all, the biggest struggle was remaining optimistic despite any downfalls I experienced and being my cheerleader throughout it all.
Thanks for sharing that. So, you could tell us a bit more about your work.
As a writer and artist, I do everything and bring all my ideas to life. I provide creative services from sip and paint party hosting to portrait commissions. I also have the self-published psychological thriller “Day 33”, which details the life of a young woman who solves her mother’s murder through her prophetic dreams and nightmares. I also provide tarot readings for those on a spiritual awakening journey. I make handmade jewelry, sell prints of my original artwork, and create digital and oil paintings of all types. I encourage those who feel they have to scale back on one or more talents to focus on one specific route. In other words, I make being “all over the place” look possible for others like me, who have a million tabs open in the browser of their brain. I love helping and encouraging people to explore their creative pursuits where they otherwise wouldn’t.
The crisis has affected us all in different ways. How has it involved you, and any important lessons or epiphanies you can share with us?
I learned that while many creatives would love to focus on doing what they enjoy, we have to be financially prepared for emergencies and have multiple streams of income to depend on. I also learned the value of great connections because even through the pandemic, I could still connect with people who wanted tarot readings and spiritual guidance.
Pricing:
- “Day 33” : $20.00
- Sip and Paint Parties : $450 for up to 16 Guests, $25 for each additional guest for parties of 17-25 (Pricing includes all supplies, 4 bottles of wine, charcuterie hors d’oeuvres, or juice and cookies for kids parties)
- 30 Min. Tarot Reading: $44; 60 Min. Tarot Reading $88
- Jewelry : $20-$30
- Oil Painting Commissions : $200-$800+ (price varies on size and detail)
Contact Info:
- Website: www.by-aisha.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/byaisha__/
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/byaisha___
Image Credits
Aisha Graham
