We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Okoyé Stephens a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Okoyé, we’re thrilled to have you sharing your thoughts and lessons with our community. So, for folks who are at a stage in their life or career where they are trying to be more resilient, can you share where you get your resilience from?
Confidence in myself has wavered and waned throughout the years. My harshest critic has always been myself and before my spiritual awakening I was also my fiercest saboteur. I think for most people that struggle with themselves find that self doubt creeps into your mind and festers at your lowest moments. I am extremely blessed to have a host of family and friends that surround me with love and encouragement. Yet its still hard to see passed the rose colored glasses we were to make it day to day.
Resilence is in my DNA, when my mind is weak; my body and spirit persevere. I am bred of resilient women, women who resisted the temptation of giving up. Knowing what my foremothers endured is incomparable to the challenges I face today. Those challenges feel minute in the face of my ancestry’s past. I refuse to let the women’s who sacrifices made me who I am in this moment be in vain.
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 my brand. Okoyé’s Artistry is more than a namesake, it’s a reclamation of acceptance and love forself. This endeavor was born out of necessity. I needed to explore this version of me that began to feel foreign. I rediscovered my love of art in 2018. I was approaching my 30’s and was feeling lost. It began as small doodles, and eventually my skills have continued to grow over time. I create based of whatever I’m feeling in a particular moment. Whether it be nostalgia, or heartache, or a simply a good day I find myself feeling more free with each pen stroke.
I have recently changed selling platforms and released several new collections on my website! I’m most proud of my ‘DIASPORIC LOVE’ collection. This collection was put together with US in mind! Comfortable and affordable for the whole family. Twenty-one different ways to show off your pride every day of the year! The world around me is my inspiration and I try to celebrate it with each work. By years ends I intend to also add more exclusive handmade projects like crochet blankets and spiritual tools. I have also begun the writing process for a lengthy semi-autobiographical anthology series. For the new future I plan to post excerpts in the blog section of my store. I started this writinf project for myself The, but eager to gauge some public feedback on it as well. The goal is to create a space for people like me to indulge in the fun and eclectic pieces.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
The most important quality everyone should equip to travel life’s journey is the unrelentless pursuit of happiness. I believe that my own personal strength comes from that specific trait. Every calculated move I make moves me closer to that goal and the way The way to maintain sight of that is confidence it your own abilities. I’ve learned to be resourceful, lacking is a matter of perception. When you walk in the purpose of your happiness you find all the tools you need to be confident in the decisions you make.
Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?
I’m looking to expand my network of creative spirits! My favorite part of being an artist is being able to connect and communicate with the world around me and I want to surround myself with like minded individuals. There’s so many forms of creation and I want to participate and appreciate every facet! Specifically I’m looking to connect with fashion designers, and more experienced writers. I would love to learn more about different mediums and apply the knowledge to my on going projects. Reach out to me via my e-mail for more information on future collaborative efforts!
E-mail: [email protected]
Contact Info:
- Website: Art-by-okoye.myshopify.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/okoyes.artistry/
- Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/Okoyes.Artistry
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/OkoyesArtistry
