Meet Tyler Clark

We were lucky to catch up with Tyler Clark recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Tyler , thank you for being such a positive, uplifting person. We’ve noticed that so many of the successful folks we’ve had the good fortune of connecting with have high levels of optimism and so we’d love to hear about your optimism and where you think it comes from.
I believe my optimism is inherently a part of me. Since a young age, I’ve naturally leaned towards seeing the brighter side of things, finding joy in positivity. My perspective stems from having strong faith in God. That faith provides me with reassurance and strength, knowing that there’s a bigger plan in challenging times. It helps me worry less and to do my part. What’s interesting is that I tend to be more optimistic about others’ situations than my own. I find fulfillment in supporting and encouraging others. Having a supportive network of friends is crucial. Their positivity and encouragement help me maintain my optimistic mindset when life is difficult and my perspective is skewed. They remind me of who I am and how good God is through anything. I genuinely believe that life is more enjoyable with a positive attitude. It helps me adapt to changes, face challenges, and find opportunities for growth and learning. This optimism translates into resilience at work, fostering collaboration, and enabling creative problem-solving in challenging situations. Being optimistic is an integral part of who I am, rooted in faith, supported by a positive community, and a driving force that shapes how I approach life and work. It is worth it and has helped me become the woman I am today.

Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
My Dual Degrees in Mathematics and Mechanical Engineering from Spelman College and Georgia Institute of Technology initiated my career at a legacy airline. Soon after, I splashed art into the mix. One day I had the thought of adding synthetic hair to my artwork and it went viral on social media. I realized there was a market for my product and decided to focus on hair art. In 2020, while continuing to work in corporate by day and as an artist by night, I decided to take a leap of faith! My 3-dimensional hair paintings led me to trade in the friendly skies for a paint brush, full time. Since becoming an artist, my paintings continue to go viral on social media and I have enjoyed creating art for celebrities, such as Taraji P Henson, Saweetie, Common and Burna Boy. I have been humbly honored to have several paintings auctioned at the annual Wearable Arts Gala; hosted by Mrs. Tina Knowles. Along with a partnership with Mastercard, as a featured artist at the Apollo Theater, highlighting a 23-piece collection. I also became a contestant on Instant Influencer Season II. My art has been featured on a Walmart Black Creativity commercial campaign and also featured at the BET Her Awards. My goal is to redefine what beauty looks like, which is the power of being a mixed-media artist. My paintings are personal to me as a Black woman with natural hair, which is such a culturally relevant topic in the Black community. Many of us have experienced a difficult time managing our hair. We have been really focused on learning how to properly care for our hair and there has been a major shift in the natural hair movement. We want to embrace our natural curls and coils. Visual representation is essential. We need to see beautiful artwork that we can identify with. My goal is to create powerful art that highlights Black beauty and hair versatility. Inspire by Tyler promotes self-love, faith and women’s empowerment. I understand the challenges associated with having natural hair, I want to beautify this experience.

In order to transform the culture and shift the atmosphere, you must start from within the community. I appreciate opportunities to be present at events in my hometown, Chicago. Whether it is an opportunity to display my art or be a speaker at an event and share my story. What is so interesting though, is the power of social media. Although I live in Chicago, I have the ability to build a community that is global. I would like to explain the impact of my art and how it connects to our hair experience and self-love journey. My goal is to share my art and story with my network and help change their perspective. This is bigger than the art for me, it is about how I can use my life and translate my experiences in a way that is well received by others. I use my life lessons to educate black girls and women on alternative perspectives. I have truly dedicated my life to my mental health journey and overall well being. I am invested in becoming the healthiest version of myself. I want to share this with someone who maybe hasn’t had that influence or perspective. The way I look at it is, I went through it, so let me explain my story so you don’t have the same difficult experiences.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
Reflecting on my journey, faithfulness, innovation, and vulnerability stand out as pivotal qualities that have shaped my path. Having faith in what God is going to do in my life has been my anchor through change. Being innovative and a willing to adapt have opened doors to creative solutions and unexpected growth, encouraging me to see challenges as opportunities. Vulnerability has been empowering and has helped me foster genuine connections and helped me grow. To those starting their journey, be authentic to who you are, embrace challenges as steppingstones, seek support from mentors and people you look up to in similar spaces. Pursue your passions, despite the fears that may arise—believing that passion can lead to some amazing achievements.

How can folks who want to work with you connect?
Event Production Companies: Businesses specializing in event management and production often seek unique and engaging experiences for their clients. Collaborating with these companies could lead to partnerships for art activations at music festivals and other live events.

Entertainment Agencies: Agencies representing celebrities and artists might be interested in incorporating creative art activations into their clients’ appearances or events. They often look for novel and engaging ways to enhance their clients’ experiences.

Universities and Colleges: Black student organizations and event committees within colleges often organize various events throughout the academic year. Collaborating with these institutions could lead to art activations during campus events, art festivals, or celebrations of Black art.

Music and Arts Festivals: Directly partnering with music festivals or arts events that emphasize creativity and innovation could be a great opportunity. They are often on the lookout for unique attractions and experiences to offer their audience.

Corporate Event Planners: Companies hosting events, whether for marketing purposes or employee engagement, could be interested in incorporating art activations into their gatherings to make them more engaging and memorable.

Contact Info:

Image Credits
James Mendez Torri Clark Brian Jay

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