Meet Tiara N. Freeman

We were lucky to catch up with Tiara N. Freeman recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Tiara N., so excited to talk about all sorts of important topics with you today. The first one we want to jump into is about being the only one in the room – for some that’s being the only person of color or the only non-native English speaker or the only non-MBA, etc Can you talk to us about how you have managed to be successful even when you were the only one in the room that looked like you?

Being undeniable. While I was in undergraduate school, earning my Bachelors of Fine Arts at Texas State University, I was often the only black student in the room, if there was more than one, it was probably two black students. Although I had talent in drawing and the arts, I didn’t have any formal training, so I quickly developed a strong work ethic towards my projects. I would stay up all night in the study room of my dorm, burning the midnight oil. Painting and drawing was fun, but developing the conceptual nature of the art was more of a challenge, How do all these concepts connect and do they even mean anything? Each artwork needed to be articulated verbally and visually on one accord. Each project in these studio art classes lasted about 3 weeks and ended with a class critique where students could vocalize the successes and challenges that your work faced, basically, was this good or bad art and why? This would be my typical routine in at least 2 classes per semester for the 5 years it took me to earn the degree, meaning I’ve gone through about 100 critiques of my work as the only black student most times . As an artist I’m sensitive about my work, but in a critique your opinion of your work didn’t matter, you had to listen to everything that worked well and everything that didn’t. Sometimes those critiques were closely connected to my race because I created work that reflected who I was. Navigating those subjects was challenging at times, and other times it was rewarding. The difference was preparation. Did I put my best work on the wall for critique? Was this piece undeniable? If it was not, I couldn’t be upset at the negative comments, but with myself. Those experiences taught me that preparation was key and confidence was essential. If you’re undeniably prepared and confident, it doesn’t matter who’s in the room.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

I’m originally from Dallas, Texas, and have always been a quirky, creative, I’m and only child. My aunt didn’t have children, so I became her baby that she poured into creatively. I learned how to thread a needle, hand embroider, craft, and paint before I was 9 years old. She jump-started my artistic journey as a young girl, and it hasn’t stopped since then. My father always told me that it’s more than one way to skin a cat; he also taught me how to figure out all those ways, which is a creative skill. How do you use one thing to create many things? How do you solve one issue in multiple ways? My optimism, coupled with my creative mind, always found a way to fix any issue. Since my early creative days, I’ve earned two degrees and taught art formally, pushing forward my creative mind and agenda in more ways than one. My B.F.A. in Painting from the beautiful Texas State University skyrocketed my ability to create visually compelling work in a primarily Hispanic and White institution. I learned how to paint, draw, build sculptures, make jewelry, weld, create ceramic ware, and much more! I sold my original artwork for multiple four figures and prints of the work on my website. My M.A. in Mass Communication from the illustrious Grambling State University tailored my ability to create community and communicate within that community in a myriad of fashions. I travelled to ten cities and two countries, organizing and attending workshops as a student leader and member of the Grambling community. I rekindled my relationship with Jesus, who led me to become the Graduate Student Association President, which is the governing body of graduate students at GSU, and build an alterations company called TNF Fine Fabrics where I tailor, embroider, crochet, and customize clothing. My work was featured in 2 group exhibitions and in the 61st Annual Juried Art Exhibition at the Masur Museum of Art in Monroe, Louisiana, with over 1400 applicants. God also helped me to stop many bad habits and counting, so I started a YouTube channel called Rose Storm Ministries where we’re traversing a 22-week series titled “I Can’t Stop, Yeshua Can,” which asks calculating questions and surrenders the habit to Jesus to heal us. Following the completion of the series in June, a comprehensive devotional book will be released to lead others in their walks, away from sinful habits and into Yeshua’s freedom. Texas State University built the creative, Grambling built the boss, and God was the glue, which is why I’m now launching the Creative Bosses in Christ mentorship program, which will develop into a course. This program will teach creative disciplines and cultivate business acumen rooted in biblical principles to equip students to be Creative Bosses in Christ, to stop thinking and start doing. I want everyone to know that they are a Creative Boss because they have a Creative Boss, Jesus Christ!

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

Creativity, communication, and confidence have been the three key skills in my journey to who I have become and will continue to push me forward. Creativity isn’t only about making art and adapting to mishaps that occur; it’s also about making things happen, rolling with the punches of life, and navigating changes at the drop of a dime. Communication will happen whether you want it to or not, verbally, non-verbally, we are always communicating. Learning how others communicate has helped me to develop my style of communication based on the perception I’d like others to have of who I am and what needs to be done in any situation. Confidence in God keeps me going even if I feel ill-prepared for the rooms he puts me in. I know that He will never leave me or forsake me, and if He’s for me, then who can be against me? If you would like to improve in any of these areas, starting with creativity, always continue to learn new skills, as you build your toolbelt of knowledge, you will have more options to solve any problems or create anything! If you want to increase your communication skills, start going to conferences and workshops in your field, and put yourself out there! If you need to increase your confidence, then meditate on the promises of God and prepare for situations before entering them. These skills will all be covered in the Creative Bosses in Christ course launching this year.

Tell us what your ideal client would be like?

TNF Fine Fabrics, located at 206 Trenton Street, services all ages and clothing types. Individuals who need the clothing altered, customized, or crocheted accessories can trust the quality we provide. Business owners who’d like their logos embroidered on clothing for their employees, and graduates who want to celebrate their accomplishments with stoles and graduation shirts, can also depend on TNF Fine Fabrics to deliver on time with a beautiful result. Creative Boss also services Individuals who are ready to launch their books and need a designer to bring their book cover or illustrations to life. Individuals with writing needs, including resumes, cover letters, and academic entrance letters of all kinds, can depend on our expertise in communication to excel professionally. Additionally, people with creative capacity who want to learn how to unleash their God-given abilities into the world by using the talents they’ve been given can submit their emails online until the course opens.

Contact Info:

Image Credits

Adam Fresh Williams

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