Meet Antwanette Robinson

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Antwanette Robinson a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Antwanette, first a big thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts and insights with us today. I’m sure many of our readers will benefit from your wisdom, and one of the areas where we think your insight might be most helpful is related to imposter syndrome. Imposter syndrome is holding so many people back from reaching their true and highest potential and so we’d love to hear about your journey and how you overcame imposter syndrome.

I won’t say that I’ve found the secret sauce or have arrived at a place where I don’t struggle with imposter syndrome, but I will say it’s gotten so much better over time. We have SO much access to art these days. So much access to the opinions of others. Comparison robs us of being able to truly embrace who we are and the uniqueness of our make up, and identity. I had to just come to the realization that I LOVE ART. I truly love to create. I love to stretch myself and bring an idea from my mind to my canvas. I wake up in the morning and walk straight into my art space to see my art in the natural morning light. I’m an artist, bottom line. Creating heals me, it brings peace to my life. I’m an artist. Do I claim to be the best? Absolutely not, but I can confidently call myself an artist these days without all of the hesitation in my voice that once was there.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

I am a Black and Mexican self-taught artist born and raised here in San Diego. I am a wife and mom of five children. I have been painting since October 2020. My personal artist journey started from spending time learning about artists and different art forms with my children that I homeschooled for eleven years.
My art celebrates women, primarily women of color, often featuring colorful indigenous and cultural textiles, clothing, and jewelry that honor identity, heritage, and beauty. My work highlights a theme of peace, perseverance, and embracing change as women.
Lately, I have returned to a creative “hobby” of mine that I hope to launch on my website soon. I have always loved jewelry, mainly earrings for as long as I can remember. Both of my grandmothers always wore really beautiful earrings. I’ve collected and treasured earrings for years. Before having children I was really into making my own. That love was quickly shelved once the kids were around. But now, I’m excited to be rekindling that love, and adding it to my art practice and business. Handmade earrings inspired by the same themes and cultural influences found in my oil portraits. This collection blends fine art with wearable form. Wearable art!

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?

I still feel so new to this and like I’m just scratching the surface because I’ve only been able to create around my busy family schedule. Soon I’ll be taking off my homeschool mom hat and will have much more time to pour into my art practice/ business.
However, I will say that the three things that have had huge impact have been the desire to learn, the willingness to work with what I have, and the connections I have made with other creatives. I am a researching, review reading, YouTube watching, googling fool by nature. If I want to learn how to do something I keep searching to try and figure out how to do it. As far as working with what I have, that refers to either limited resources or time. I can’t afford every art supply that I’d love to try, but I try to do what I can with what I do have. Juggling five kids, I don’t always have time to paint the way I’d like, but even if I can only sneak in a few moments to prime a canvas, I do that so that when I do have time it’s ready. Lastly, just being in communication and community with other creatives is so inspiring. I’ve had people take time to answer my questions as I was trying to build a website or price artwork or learn about an art technique. I’m thankful for those connections.

How can folks who want to work with you connect?

As my time is opening up a bit more I’m really hopeful and excited. I look forward to being able to create more freely and regularly. I’m ready to show my art and participate in art shows. I’m so excited to launch the jewelry side of my art and would love to work with small businesses open to having my work in their spaces. Honestly, I’m excited to work with anyone that is connects with my art and sees themselves in the work I’ve created.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://Www.byantwanette.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/byantwanette?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr

Image Credits

Viridiana Alatorre Photography