We were lucky to catch up with Soynika Edwards-Bush recently and have shared our conversation below.
Soynika, we’re thrilled to have you on our platform and we think there is so much folks can learn from you and your story. Something that matters deeply to us is living a life and leading a career filled with purpose and so let’s start by chatting about how you found your purpose.
How did I find my purpose? I think my purpose found me!!! My love for art and children of all ages, has always been two factors of the making of me. My purpose is to continue to have a passion for art, and to share that with children. I want to create a place where children can truly be children, and create without outside factors and world views. Children should hold on to their imagination for as long as they can. Creating art, and going through that process with kids is such an amazing feeling. They are inspired by all the senses. What they feel, see, hear, and taste. Seeing them tune out the world, and get into that creative state of being is a beautiful thing.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
Soynika, a woman from Prichard, mama, wife, sister, and daughter. I’m all of those things at any given time of the day. I’m an artist, teacher and one day I’ll be sitting in a studio on some Historical Black College, teaching the kids of my former students. My life has been such a journey that has taken me through the whole FAITH experience. I call the pandemic my blessing period. That time when the world literally tilted on its axis in the opposite direction, was the time of my life. I slowed down, and allowed GOD to fix it. Fix my pages in my binder of things I wanted to do, who I wanted to be, where he wanted me to go, and I just sat and painted. I sat at my dining room table and painted for my life, my sanity, and for the mental health of my family. GOD centered me in a way that he got the glory from what I was creating everyday at that table. I introduced myself to myself and we both began a new journey as an emerging artist. Out of that pandemic, I was able to create pieces of work that would help place me in the right direction. I feel like every stroke was directed by GOD. I felt so much peace while painting, and I never knew what was coming up for me in the future, but GOD knew.
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 qualities were, being authentic with myself, acknowledging GOD, and being confident in who I was called to be. My advice to folks in their journey is to be grateful for EVERYTHING!!! The small things, the big things,,,, everything!! Be grateful. Be kind to everyone, people remember how genuine and kind a person is, rather than what that person can do. Your gift will make room for you,,,,,,, just be quiet enough for GOD to speak on your behalf, and open those doors for you to walk through.
Any advice for folks feeling overwhelmed?
When I feel overwhelmed, I stop and let the world pass me by. I get quiet, listen for GOD to tell me what to do next. Sometimes we move too quickly and we dont stop to just breathe. I retreat and find my space to create, and to tune out the world.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Soynika.com
- Instagram: Soynika_Edwardsbush
- Facebook: Soynika edwards-bush
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