Today we’d like to introduce you to Talesha Johnson.
Hi Talesha, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
My name is Talesha, and I am an artist. I have been an artist pretty much my whole life. Growing up I was homeschooled until the 4th grade. When I started school, I became more exposed to art and I became obsessed with art class. When I was younger mixing hues would fascinate me the most. I graduated from Western High School, and I remember every year while I was there, I would take an art class even though I didn’t need it. I’ve also always been into photography. I used to always love taking pictures of different sceneries and catching off-guard pictures of my family with the ‘wined-up’ cameras. I attended Morgan State University and while I was there, I was taught how to develop my own film. My favorite thing about photography was capturing different moments, I also love how photos can be easily manipulated based off angles, edits, and direction. Later on, I transferred to Towson University and continued to flip flop majors between Art & Design and Criminal Justice (deep down inside I wanted to be a C.S.I. agent). Ultimately, I stayed within the Art Major; but I ended up fracturing my right thumb so I came out of school and did not go back. Around 2015 I ended up getting back into photography because it was so hard for me to write/draw. In 2016 I entered in a photography contest at Patterson Park and won the People’s Choice Award. This contest gave me an opportunity to have some of my photography published in the 2016 Patterson Park Calendar. In 2017 I did my first ever show! It was a Raw Artist Showcase in Downtown Baltimore; there I showcased a lot of my photo work. It was nice! I felt VERY inspired. So inspired that in 2018 I teamed up with my two friends Nandi and Jamil and we coordinated a whole Art Show with our own money called “Eat Your Art Out Expo”. We held our first show at Pipe Dreamz. The goal was to showcase and help other artists network with each other and all types of people around Baltimore and the surrounding areas. Since this show was such a huge success, we all decided to become business partners and continue to have more shows. We had another show at Pipe Dreamz in 2019, This show was an even BIGGER success! Fast forward to 2020 COVID hit! We had a show scheduled for March and weren’t able to do it. The pandemic messed up our ability to have a Part 3. During the Pandemic I wanted to find MY niche with art so I started doing research. I knew I loved art but I wanted to more than just paint with a brush, I wanted to do more than just photography. I wanted to do something different. I needed to go back to what I loved most about art. Which was mixing colors. So decided to try to try something different. I took $500 and taught myself how to work with Epoxy Resin, Alcohol Inks, Fluid Paints, Molds, and more. Using Alcohol Inks, and Fluid Paints allowed me to go back to what I loved the most about art which was mixing colors! I started to create many things! Clocks, Ashtrays, Coasters, SwitchPlate Covers, Canvas Art, and more. I fell in love with it! I wanted to show the world! In late Spring of 2020, I started selling my artwork at Farmers Markets and different Pop-Up Shops around Baltimore City. It was an awesome experience and I met so many different types of people! In 2021 I painted a Cicada for the 2021 Cicida Parade-a that was such a cool experience! I also participated in more Farmers Markers, and I branched into selling my things at Towson and Columbia Mall! When I started selling my things in the mall the reactions, I would get from people were priceless! I loved seeing the faces of people when they see my art, especially kids. Many people are mostly used to seeing the type of art I create on TikTok. I’ve met so many different types of artists that told me I inspire them to get out there more. If you are an artist, I highly encourage you to network and GET OUT THERE! If you love what you do just believe in yourself, do everything you can so the world can see it. If someone tells you no, keep trying because someone will say YES! I can say I was challenged to really step outside my comfort zone and do more so I can expand more. I love to create because it is a form of therapy for myself and others. I put my heart into every piece. I love that people find/found healing in my art. My pieces will speak to you. I’ve had people walk up to me in the mall and say “I want this! I don’t care how much it cost; it speaks to me so I want it”. I think it’s the colors I usually use… I like to mostly stay vibrant and use colors that can make change your whole mood. I’ve impacted so many people through my art whether it’s photography or resin art and I will continue to do so in many ways. This is just the beginning!
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
My main challenge was learning to keep believing in my craft when things were slow. With time and practice, I was able to overcome that challenge. I also believe a challenge of mines was learning how to price my artwork. I would think that if it was to high nobody would buy it or if it was too low, I wouldn’t really make any money, but I learned to make my art affordable for everyone.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I create Clocks, Ashtrays, Coasters, Switch Plate Covers, Canvases all sizes, Mirrors, Picture Frames, Incense Holders, Necklaces, Jewelry Boxes, and Random things I think of in the moment.
How do you think about happiness?
Art makes me happy. It’s my form of therapy. Seeing the excitement of people who purchased my artwork or was satisfied with a commission I did for them makes me happy. Knowing I inspire people around me excites me.
Pricing:
- Coasters $25-$30
- Canvases start at $25
- Clocks start at $60
- Mirrors start at $50
- Photography prints start at $30
Contact Info:
- Email: CreativiTee13@gmail.com
- Website: Www.creativiteecreations.art
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/_creativitee__?utm_medium=copy_link
Image Credits
Daniel Beasley
