We’re looking forward to introducing you to Brianna McKay. Check out our conversation below.
Hi Brianna, thank you so much for taking time out of your busy day to share your story, experiences and insights with our readers. Let’s jump right in with an interesting one: What do the first 90 minutes of your day look like?
I’m a firm believer in the gentle awakening. You won’t hear several alarms going off on my phone. Instead, I let natural light slowly bring me back to consciousness. I’m naturally an early riser, so once that soft morning glow filters through my curtains, I’m ready to greet the day.
Those first moments are absolutely sacred to me. I move slowly and intentionally, starting with breakfast that feels like a warm hug. It’s usually paired with my beloved matcha, though I’ll reach for coffee if the previous night didn’t treat me so kindly. What I treasure most is the complete silence. No news updates, no notifications, just the gentle symphony of birds outside my window and the steady rhythm of my own breathing. No one disturbing my peace.
I’ll be honest. Sometimes I get what I call a case of the “scrollies” if I find myself reaching for my phone. But more often than not, I resist that urge and simply exist in the stillness. It’s become my daily gift to myself: those precious minutes where I can just be, without any expectations or demands. Whether it’s sunshine streaming in or rain tapping against the glass, there’s something magical about not having to rush into the world all at once.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m a freelance graphic designer who works under the name Artless, taking on custom commissions that span illustration, graphics, and visual storytelling. Really, whatever my clients need from me. Creating has been part of my DNA for as long as I can remember. As a kid, drawing was as natural as breathing, and I spent years dreaming of designing video games.
But life has a way of shifting our paths, doesn’t it? The daily grind of school, work, and responsibilities pulled me in different directions, and that original dream got tucked away. I’m not saying it’ll never resurface, but I’ve learned to give myself grace when life forces those pivots. My circumstances are constantly evolving, and fighting against things outside my control just isn’t worth the energy anymore.
The name Artless carries deep meaning for me. It represents being raw and unfiltered in my work. I’m entirely self-taught, and I refuse to box creativity into neat little categories. I’ve experimented with virtually everything: different styles, mediums, moods. Nothing feels off limits when you approach art this way.
Here’s what might surprise people: I’m a deep introvert who happens to live a little louder online than in real life. I post, share, and connect through my work, but honestly? I’m happiest at home in an oversized hoodie with my sketchbook or game controller, maybe sipping tea or getting lost in a good book. Social media is fantastic for exposure, but it can be genuinely hard on an artist’s soul. Learning to compartmentalize has been crucial for avoiding burnout and not taking other people’s opinions too seriously.
That quiet space is where my real creativity lives. Right now, I’m focused on building steadily, creating work that truly resonates and feels authentic. Work that lets people see a little piece of themselves reflected back.
Okay, so here’s a deep one: What part of you has served its purpose and must now be released?
My people-pleasing tendencies and the habit of constraining my creativity to fit other people’s expectations. I’ve realized I was spending so much energy trying to keep everyone comfortable and make my work “palatable” for likes and views. That’s actually part of why I chose the name Artless. It represents this commitment to being genuine and unfiltered.
I’ve been on a real journey with boundaries lately, and through that process, the people pleaser in me has gradually faded away. It’s been liberating, honestly. I’m learning that authentic connection happens when you show up as yourself, not as some watered-down version designed to avoid ruffling feathers.
There’s something powerful about releasing the need to be everything to everyone. It creates space for the right people to find you and connect with your actual work, not just what you think they want to see.
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
Give yourself grace, sweet girl. If a dream has found its way into your heart, it’s because you already possess the ability and determination to pursue it. Trust your intuition.
I’d want her to understand that it won’t always be beautiful the first time around. Much like my early creations, there will be messy attempts and imperfect starts. But those moments of practice become the foundation for incredible stories and invaluable lessons down the road.
The most beautiful thing about artistic talent is how deeply personal and subjective it is. What speaks to one person might not resonate with another, and that’s exactly as it should be. There’s space for your unique voice in this world.
So again, I’d whisper to her: give yourself grace. You’re already carrying more power and potential than you realize. The path ahead will unfold exactly as it’s meant to, one brave step at a time.
I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. Is the public version of you the real you?
That’s such a thoughtful question, and honestly, it depends on your perspective. What you see online is absolutely authentic, but it’s just one facet of who I am. I’ll engage and share my art and some laughs on social media because staying connected matters for my work, but I’ll never compromise my core values for visibility or engagement.
The deeply introverted, peaceful, nature-loving side of me thrives away from the spotlight, and I’m genuinely grateful for that privacy. Not everyone needs access to every layer of who you are, and that’s healthy. I prefer to let my art do the heavy lifting when it comes to communication and connection.
There’s something I find delightful about that contrast. When people encounter my work, they often try to piece together how it emerged from someone who appears so different from what they might expect. That element of surprise, that gap between assumption and reality, feels like part of the magic. It keeps people curious and engaged with the work itself rather than getting caught up in trying to figure out the person behind it.
My public presence serves my art, not the other way around. And I think that distinction makes all the difference in maintaining authenticity while building a sustainable creative career.
Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. What will you regret not doing?
Not sharing my gift with the world sooner, especially for all the quiet yet incredibly talented little Black girls who might have needed to see someone like me earlier in their journey.
Growing up, I had this experience of never quite fitting neatly into any one group. I could adapt and flow anywhere, but nowhere ever felt like true “home.” I know I wasn’t alone in feeling that way, but I didn’t have anyone to guide me toward my own community or show me what was possible. I desperately wish I had encountered more adults who carried themselves the way I do today.
That’s why I sometimes regret not stepping into this version of myself sooner. If I had shared this part of who I am with the world earlier, maybe other young Black girls could have seen it and felt less alone. Maybe together we could have started building that stronger, more connected community even sooner.
But here’s the thing about regrets: I try not to carry too many of them. Life unfolds in its own timing, and I’m choosing to focus on the impact I can make now rather than dwelling on what could have been. There’s still so much time to create that representation and connection I wished I’d had. And honestly, the fact that I don’t have a long list of regrets? I’m taking that as a pretty good sign.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://artistree.io/request/artless.space
- Instagram: https://Instagram.com/artless.space
- Twitter: https://x.com/artless_space
Image Credits
All art and images presented are my original work and the property of Brianna McKay.
