Meet Mackenzie Shivers

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Mackenzie Shivers. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Mackenzie below.

Hi Mackenzie, appreciate you sitting with us today to share your wisdom with our readers. So, let’s start with resilience – where do you get your resilience from?

My resilience stems primarily from my faith in God, my family who taught me how to navigate life’s challenges, and my own determination. I have been met with a wide variety of challenges from a young age, but it is these experiences that have helped me persevere. Each setback taught me valuable lessons and reinforced my belief that as long as we continue to pick ourselves up and grow there’s always something better waiting for us.

Reflecting on my earliest memories, I’ve always been drawn to the arts. Initially my focus was the performing arts such as operas, musicals, plays, choir, and band. During this time studio arts was a hobby of mine. I spent countless hours sketching from movies, shows, books, and the world around me, fascinated by the creative process. My spare time was devoted to art classes and crafts, but I never had considered this to be my career. “The stage is my home” a common phrase I would tell my friends and family. I loved the thrill of becoming different characters on stage telling a story that connected to an audience. While performing was my passion, health challenges required me to focus in a different area. Struggling with mobility I was no longer on stage but still had a passion for storytelling. I now threw myself into my sketchbook, immersing myself in the studio arts taking on animation, art history, and photography classes, attending art studios to hone in my skills.

Six years later, I graduated Summa Cum Laude from SCAD with a BFA in Illustration and a Minor in Drawing. This journey not only introduced me to incredible mentors, but also reaffirmed that storytelling was meant to be a part of my life, just in a different creative field. Though resilience is challenging, it’s achievable for everyone. Sometimes it means letting go of one dream but in the process, you will discover a new one that is even more fulfilling.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

I am a digital illustrator in visual development with a specialization in environment art. My work focuses on enchanting fantasy worlds while incorporating lush details that brim with magic and wonder. My foundation in the arts is built upon traditional mediums that I have translated into my digital work that brings that physical human touch to each piece.

Professionally, my illustrations have been permanently installed in a museum exhibit, used promotionally, and published in museum magazines and web pages. I have also worked with industry professionals, problem solving, developing, and presenting new concepts as a World Building Expert on a Visual Development team, providing creative direction for narrative, environments, character design, and physical assets.

One of the most rewarding parts to being an artist is the stories we get to share with our audiences. Whether we are telling a story from personal experiences, or exploring worlds from our imagination, there are no limits to creativity and each narrative visualizes something that speaks to a diverse audience. I am excited to continue to engage with creative leaders, and communities, working on the next generation of impactful and inspiring stories.

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?

The three most essential skills of my creative journey are resilience, networking, and maintaining an open mind. These skills not only foster growth and opportunity but also continuously evolve as we face new experiences.

I keep coming back to resilience; however, it is such an essential skill. Learning to face challenges head on no matter what will only be a benefit. It develops strong problem-solving, flexibility, and communication skills that can be applied to any career.

Networking is an opportunity to gain valuable advice and potential opportunities. This is where you find professional friendships and mentorships that will provide you with new perspectives, and insight into their careers. Networking is both a giving and a taking you both get to learn from one another and help each other along the way.

Lastly, maintaining an open mind, embrace uncertainty and new adventures, don’t dismiss unexpected opportunities. It is these opportunities that can lead to valuable connections and develop important skills within your industry. You never know what job will support you in reaching your dreams. As an example, over the last three years, I had the chance to support a museum’s mission in a variety of ways. Initially my role wasn’t art focused. I worked on a variety of projects providing creative suggestions, program expertise, and continued to problem solve and adapt to each opportunity. I made wonderful connections within the foundation and when needs arose for several illustration projects, I was able to step into that role. Seize every opportunity that comes your way you never know where it may take you.

What do you do when you feel overwhelmed? Any advice or strategies?

When we are overwhelmed, it feels as if there is no solution or end to the current challenge at hand. Where is that light at the end of the tunnel? The best way to face this is to step away from your situation. Whether it is for a few minutes, an hour, a day, remove yourself in the best way you can. What if you can’t get away, take a few moments in your head to breathe not thinking about the circumstance. In these moments we are trapped running along the same circular track. To find the solution, the path that leads away from the track, we must stop and observe our surroundings. Take a deep breath. When you come back you will have a clearer perspective of what the next steps should be. Only focus on those smaller steps. Just like when we are learning to walk, one foot at a time. It may sound silly, but it allows us to overcome the challenge calmly and rationally.

Contact Info:

Image Credits

Mackenzie Shivers

Suggest a Story: BoldJourney is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems,
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
Resilience
Portraits of Resilience

Sometimes just seeing resilience can change out mindset and unlock our own resilience. That’s our

Productivity
Perspectives on Staying Creative

We’re beyond fortunate to have built a community of some of the most creative artists,

Confidence
Kicking Imposter Syndrome to the Curb

This is the year to kick the pesky imposter syndrome to the curb and move