We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Dunnie Onasanya a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Dunnie, first a big thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts and insights with us today. I’m sure many of our readers will benefit from your wisdom, and one of the areas where we think your insight might be most helpful is related to imposter syndrome. Imposter syndrome is holding so many people back from reaching their true and highest potential and so we’d love to hear about your journey and how you overcame imposter syndrome.
At times I have experienced and overcome “imposter syndrome” in my artistry journey.
For example in 2018 when it came time for me to apply for the studio artist residency program at VisArts Center Art Gallery. Due to the fact that I was experiencing feelings of uncertainty I literally turned my application in the day before the deadline.
About a month later, I received an email from the gallery director stating that ” They would love to have you as an artist-in-resident at the gallery.”
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
Dunnie Onasanya is a full-time studio artist at the VisArts Center located in Rockville, MD. Additionally, she is an instructor at the Smithsonian National Museum of African Art. Dunnie devotes her time to developing her artistry as a canvas painter and muralist. Her West African heritage and faith heavily influence her work in God. As an expressionist intuitive painter, she creates breathtaking abstract works, cultural masks, hamsas, and other historic symbols with bright, bold colors, metallic paints, gold leaf, crushed glass, and jewels.
Dunnie is dedicated to sharing her journey and artistry practice to aid in healing others through art, which has been her primary form of therapy. She currently specializes in creating custom artwork for both residential and commercial interiors.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
1. Consistency — this essentially means to KEEP GOING no matter what. Rest and takings breaks are necessary but quitting should never be an option.
2. Believing in Myself — Affirming yourself daily is essential. Really think about what your self talk sounds like and make any necessary adjustments to ensure you are always speaking LIFE. Always bet on YOU!
3. Cultivating My Creative Community — Team work makes the dream work & your vibe attracts your tribe. Delegate, outsource, & seek out the support you need to achieve your goals, it’s okay to ask for help.
What do you do when you feel overwhelmed? Any advice or strategies?
Committing to Yoga is one of the primary ways that I manage all of my feelings — practicing consistently especially whenever I feel overwhelmed makes such a positive difference for me in my life.
I’ve learned that our Prana is the essence that we need for living activities like talking, moving, thinking, digesting & breathing.
When we are mindful of this it aids in grounding, centering and cultivating peaceful energy within ourselves.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.dunnietheartist.com
- Instagram: @dunnieo
- Linkedin: Dunnie Onasanya
Image Credits
Pablo Raya Fif Wilson Gilda the Mogul Frank Sormenah
