We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Selena Clarke a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Selena, you’ve got such an interesting story, but before we jump into that, let’s first talk about a topic near and dear to us – generosity. We think success, happiness and wellbeing depends on authentic generosity and empathy and so we’d love to hear about how you become such a generous person – where do you think your generosity comes from?
My generosity is deeply rooted in the teachings of my mother and the guidance of God. Having grown up in the church, I’ve always been inspired by the principle, ‘Treat others as you want to be treated.’ My mother instilled in me the importance of giving and helping whenever possible, reminding me that it’s through God’s provision that I’m able to support those around me.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
Majesty Illustration is a creative haven where imagination meets elegance, blending traditional artistry with modern techniques to create captivating illustrations that are both visually stunning and emotionally resonant. My work is deeply personal, drawing inspiration from my faith, experiences, and the world around me, with a special focus on celebrating the beauty and strength of Black women. I believe it’s crucial to showcase Black women in the art world, highlighting their representation and making sure their stories are told with the grace and honor they deserve. What excites me most about this journey is the opportunity to craft unique, high-quality pieces that connect with people on a deeper level.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Looking back, three qualities that were most impactful in my journey are persistence, the desire for continuous learning, and the value of mentorship. Attending school for my profession was one of the most important markers in my career. While I could have learned much on my own, I chose to go to school specifically to learn from masters in the field. The structured environment allowed me to gain knowledge and refine my skills more quickly within a four-year span than I might have outside of it.
For those early in their journey, my advice is to seek out opportunities to learn from those who have already mastered their craft. Whether it’s through formal education or finding mentors, this approach can accelerate your growth and deepen your understanding. Combine this with persistence and a commitment to continuous learning, and you’ll be well-equipped to navigate and succeed in your chosen path.
If you knew you only had a decade of life left, how would you spend that decade?
Currently, one of the biggest challenges I’m facing is balancing a full-time artist career while also trying to establish myself and let the world know that I’m here and available. At this stage in my career, I’m not yet able to fully depend on my art for financial stability, so I’m juggling multiple day jobs. This creates a constant balancing act between earning a living and ensuring that my artistry doesn’t get sidelined. It’s crucial for me to dedicate enough time to my art because my ultimate goal is to transition into full-time artistry without needing these day jobs. However, the reality is that this is a difficult period for many artists. We’re striving to enjoy and develop our craft, but at the same time, we face the financial pressure of not being able to support ourselves solely through our art. This means we often have to continue with day jobs while we wait for our turn on the success wheel.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.majestyillustration.com/index#home
- Instagram: Majestyillustration
- Facebook: Majestyillustration
- Linkedin: Majestyillustration
- Twitter: Majestyill
- Other: Tik Tok – Majestyillustration
Image Credits
Willie Brown Visuals
George Domanski
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
