We were lucky to catch up with Vanna Black recently and have shared our conversation below.
Vanna, so excited to have you with us today. So much we can chat about, but one of the questions we are most interested in is how you have managed to keep your creativity alive.
My muse exists all around me. I am a floral and landscape artist. So it’s not hard to be inspired. There a few ways that I keep my creativity alive: One – I go outside and take pictures of flowers that I think are odd and beautiful; Two – like to look at composition in everything, from shapes to negative/positive space this helps my work become stronger; and Three – I take breaks from painting when needed, it may be two days 3 weeks, and longest I have gone is 3 months, the breaks help me with recharging and practicing other art forms that inspire me outside of painting.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I was born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia and I have a bachelor’s of fine art from Georgia State University. I’m not an exciting person. I’m very simple because the world is complex. I enjoy talking to highly intellectual people about the universe and how we connect as humans what brings us together. Sharing common events and stories that we can relate to is something I truly enjoy.
I challenge myself to be most self-aware and understanding to others, even when I disagree. I believe that war is unnecessary because we all have our own internal battles we gotta fight with ourselves everyday. Why should we be going over to other countries picking fights with real lives of people who love their family and should be with them?
So to counter the unnecessary, I paint what is necessary. I paint to give my viewers something to reflect on internally. That they see themselves in my work connecting the humanness back to the sensitivity and emotions of Nature. I paint to show others that they have that ability to be in solitude comfortably and contently with what is and to appreciate the now.
I currently have limited edition prints of my work called “Floating Horizon” linked on my website.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
I can say qualities that I have gained on my journey that have aided me with great guidance is learning how to pick my battles. Not ever battle can be won if you have goals you are trying to achieve. You have to learn what is a trap of distractions. Which leads me to my next quality is discernment; making the right decision for myself. This took practice and putting on my horse blinders to stay focused on the goal.
My advice would be is if you wanted it you will change to get it. You cannot be who you are today when you have not reached your goals you have to grow, evolve, self-awareness is key. Through self-awareness you will change the things you don’t need anymore that have hindered you. And the more dead weight you drop the more relaxed and less emotionally driven when making decisions.
Awesome, really appreciate you opening up with us today and before we close maybe you can share a book recommendation with us. Has there been a book that’s been impactful in your growth and development?
My top books are: The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz, Sr.
The Mastery of Self by Don Miguel Ruiz, Jr.
The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle
Tao Te Ching
The Daily Stoic by Ryan Holiday
Contact Info:
- Website: www.vannablack.art
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/therealvannablack/?hl=en
