We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Ms.Yellow a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Ms.Yellow, so great to have you with us and we want to jump right into a really important question. In recent years, it’s become so clear that we’re living through a time where so many folks are lacking self-confidence and self-esteem. So, we’d love to hear about your journey and how you developed your self-confidence and self-esteem.
Finding confidence and self-esteem has been a journey for me. But it often involved recognizing and embracing my artistic abilities and finding fulfillment in my work. It’s a humble journey of self-discovery and constant learning. Surrounding myself with supportive peers, finding inspiration from amazing friends and artists and continually challenging myself contributes to my growth and belief in what I am capable of. When you come from a tough upbringing its easy to succumb to the darkness that had surrounded you for a long time. You have to actively surrender the anger you have accumulated over time and all of the challenges that prevented you from achieving any type of peace and work your way up and out to a more clearer thought process.
It took me a long time to learn to pat myself on the back or recognize my journey, it always felt like it wasn’t enough. Setbacks in life proved to be the most important lessons, however bittersweet they may be. You just got to keep moving forward at all times while staying true to yourself. Never compare yourself and never judge. As long as your focus steadily remains on your livelihood and goals, your confidence and self esteem will grow with it.
I am a self taught artist, muralist and teacher. The most exciting part is the projects that have help me grow in my craft and as a person, all of the amazing people I have met over the years and all of the places I have traveled to to paint murals and teach art classes. Art has given me the best, most humbling and most authentic experiences for which I am very grateful.
I always knew that I wanted to create art and use it as a positive tool for myself and others. It has been incredibly important for me to align myself with communities and like-minded folks to help enrich others through the power of art as it has done for me. This can be through community murals, mentorship, art workshops and more.
I became a member of a non profit called Avalon Arts & Cultural Alliance whom has helped to nurture and support local creatives and businesses as well as create and organize the Wilmington ArtWalk which has been active and ongoing for 9 years. Last year we opened the AACA Creative Center in Wilmington, Ca to give space for our community and youth to flourish in art and music. We have classes of which we have been able to offer most for free. I also curate the art gallery we have inside the center so that locals always have space to share and sell their works. We are able to stay afloat through grants and donations and with our non profit being 100% grassroots and volunteer-base, our end goal has always been community enrichment, 100%.
I have some mural projects coming up as well. They are all mostly centered around community and youth and am always excited to be able to spray some color on walls.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
There are many qualities and skills you will need in order to be where you want to be.. amongst so many, I feel that self discipline, patience and having a good head on your shoulders can go a long way.
Not everything happens overnight and thinking that will make you very disappointed. Trust in you and take risks. Everyone can say no and have an opinion but it’s up to you to keep the negativity out and focus on your goals. Our journeys are our own and even if we are the only ones who understand that’s sufficient enough. Following trends and following crowds isn’t always what is for you. Be comfortable being alone, be comfortable carving your own way. Hard Work goes a long way.
Any advice for folks feeling overwhelmed?
When I am overwhelmed I take a step back and assess. What is before me, how can I complete this project or issue and in-between it all, how can I find balance and give myself space for a mental break in order to regroup?
Sometimes when I feel overwhelmed with work I see it as a “good problem” because of how much I love my job. Reframing my perspective on the overall issue and tackling it in smaller portions till I can achieve the end goal.
When I have an artist block, I temporarily abandon the project at hand and simply doodle. Give my mind a break, and allow my art to flow from my heart to my fingertips. Just going back to the basics.. how do I feel? Doodles like my heartbeat, mirroring unsaid emotions through imagery. Sometimes I need to unload even if having an artist block doesn’t feel like it. It’s a block of course.. but being so consumed by a project can be a lot. So unloading any side stuff can help in that process. Atleast, for me it does. Doodles don’t have to be anything predominant, but they are fresh lines coming from an unfiltered mind, no planning, no organizing. Just let it flow.
After some sessions, I can go back to the initial project and continue.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @MsYellowArt
- Facebook: @MsYellowArt
- Twitter: @MsYellowArt
