Meet Wesley Pierre

We recently connected with Wesley Pierre and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Wesley , thank you so much for opening up with us about some important, but sometimes personal topics. One that really matters to us is overcoming Imposter Syndrome because we’ve seen how so many people are held back in life because of this and so we’d really appreciate hearing about how you overcame Imposter Syndrome.

Believing you’re deserving of something good can sometimes feel odd. Imposter syndrome often comes with feelings of inadequacy and a need for validation of belonging in a space, or believing you’re good enough to fill a role.

Quite frankly, I haven’t gotten to the bottom of It. It’s a bit conflicting to both feel you contribute to a space, but also feel as if you’re not good enough to be there.

In my experience, overcoming Imposter Syndrome was mostly me choosing to do the work anyway.
Despite how I feel. Despite what I think.

I try not to rely too much on motivation or having reasons to create. The simple act of doing is good enough for proving my doubts wrong.Just being able to show up makes me feel less of an imposter. It doesn’t seem enough for any one else to tell me that I belong somewhere, but its also hard to ignore the reception of your work. Sometimes it’s better to lean on the beliefs that others have of you if they are more positive than the views you have on yourself. Im not saying to be reliant on their kudos, but to be mindful that kudos wont exist for a true imposter, if you weren’t good enough no one would really feel the need to lie about that. So why not believe in you too?

I feel that I struggle with Imposter syndrome daily; I’ll even say that plenty of other people do. In some odd way it’s part of the full picture of being artist. Over time, the quarrels of self doubt will culminate to some soft nuance, and knowing you have doubted yourself , and to have done a thing anyway, will be the bread and butter of every story you get to tell.

I’m consistently just accepting that every thought isn’t real enough to entertain, that maybe belonging is more about being present, being consistent, and caring for what you do while being able to contribute. I over come imposter syndrome by realizing that its okay to take up space. Everyone else is, and there’s room for me too.

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 an artist, more specifically a painter, but I also dabble in writing and making music. I’ve been painting for the last four years as a result of having intense writers block during the Covid 19 Pandemic. I had my heart set on traveling to Japan to teach English, and at the time I’d say I was more so a spectator of the art world but not a participant. I like to think that painting found me, because I felt a need to bring out images that I could no longer write out; painting became an avenue of release and was a way to tap back into my inner child.

I enjoy painting abstract portraiture, mostly paintings of faces merged together showing varying emotions. It allows me to explore my identity while bringing to light the human ordeal of self exploration and actualization. After a while the pieces often seem to take on a life of their own. The concept of people being strangers to one another is interesting to me, and I enjoy believing that sometimes my pieces act as mirrors to those viewing it.

Im still finding my footing and learning just how versatile a piece of art can be. Right now my focus is to somehow merge all three skills, painting, writing and music into one form of expression.

What I would like people to know is that often times I am just as much a part of the audience as they are. Im still exploring painting for what it is, teaching myself new styles and studying those who came before me. I didn’t think painting could be a career, or that doodles that I use to do in the back of my college lectures would come out to be these works of art that others are really seeming to the a liking to.

In total transparency, Im still figuring things out as I go. I would say my most immediate goal would be to have a solo exhibition. I’d like a room full of people surrounded by faces. I’ve never really gotten the chance to see all my work in one space, sharing the same room and enjoyed all at once. I see myself tapping more into my Haitian roots, and pulling from several motifs that would honor a culture I feel I am still getting to know and embody.

Artistry is a daily experience that is refined with time. I have been able to enjoy something I thought I would never do, and because I never planned on things going as well as they are, I am still navigating the possibilities and just showing myself what I can do- the possibilities are really endless. I see my work evolving to more than just images on canvas, I’d like to delve into interior design and ultimately just be surrounded by things I’ve made with my hands. I think the best part about being made in God’s image, is having the ability to create and bring thoughts into reality, and as of late that has become my purpose in life, to not limit myself or create confining boundaries, but to contribute to a growing art world and maybe one day be just as good as those I’ve come to admire.

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?

Three ideas impactful to my journey thus far are: remaining a student, detaching from outcomes, and being consistent.

J remain a student by remaining curious and open to new ideas. I enjoy learning and being encouraged to see things from a new lens. It’s not always easy learning something new; whether it’s a skill, an art form, or even about yourself. Knowing that I don’t know everything makes every new skill and experience something to fall back on when I’m ready to create.

Detaching from outcomes helps me do my work with all my heart. Sometimes the expectations can be a block. Being too attached to any idea may stop other ideas from coming in. It has been healthier for me to not worry too much about the end goal; to be intentional but not expectant of anything too specific that could disappoint me if it didn’t play out the way I thought it would. Of course I would love to sell paintings and have people enjoy my work, but to have that be the driving force would be counter productive to me feeling as free and willing as I do when I’m creating.

Being Consistent became both important and apparent after realizing that Im not in full control of how my work is received. I decided to just create because I don’t know what can happen or if anything will. I also just enjoy the process of seeing new thing come to light. Being consistent helps me plant seeds along the way that I’m sometimes unaware of. My quality grows with my quantity, I just have to keep showing up.

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?

The Bible; more specifically the book of Proverbs, or some call it “the book of wisdom”. It uses a combination of poetry, parables and short stories that serve as instructions to deal successfully with the practical affairs of everyday life.

I personally dwell in my head a lot, and I could overthink myself to a pulp; a verse that has helped me detach from worry and remain present in the moment is Proverbs 3:5-6 which reads:

“Trust in the Lord with all thine heart, and lean not unto thine own understanding. (6) In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.”

This verse often comes up in situations where I feel I lack control. I am most comfortable when I have lots of information at my disposal, so when there are times where I don’t know what’s next or anxious about the outcome of something, I just think to myself that my own understanding could be flawed or missing some aspects that are effecting how I view the truth of any situation. By letting go of my own ideals and own expectations, I remain open to all possibilities, and more often than not the outcome is better than I intended it to be. I just needed to let go and play my role, which is often less complicated than trying to control everything.

Proverbs 17:22 “A merry heart doeth good like medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.”

This verse helps me remain positive. It also reminds me of various teachings that explain the power of the mind, and how one thinks affects the reality they live. This verse encourages me to filter my thoughts and to be sure that I am conscious that the way I view my self, think of myself and speak to myself will reflect in my daily life. Sometimes it really helps me realize that you become what you think about.

There are plenty of other chapters and verses in the book of proverbs that are helpful and worthy of notation. I feel I use it as a rubric for life; tools for correction and direction. Doesn’t mean I always get it right though. There are plenty of verses I’m hoping to live up to that would overall just make me a better person for myself and others. It’s not always an easy read, but it’s been helpful in checking myself, keeping me grounded and being a student on the day to day.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://instagram.com/wslyprre

Image Credits

Ryan Madison
Emmanuel Ramirez
Jamyr Greene
Ari King
Michael Elliot