We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Quanaisha Stafford. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Quanaisha below.
Quanaisha , so happy to have you with us today. You are such a creative person, but have you ever head any sort of creativity block along the way? If so, can you talk to us about how you overcame or beat it?
I personally struggled with creative blocks for years where I wasn’t confident in what I was doing for a portion of my life. There were some days when I would begin to paint and in the middle I would feel blocked and stop. From the blocks, I spent so many years unfinished or with work I felt was not good enough. I sat with myself and my work, thinking about what I wanted to paint, but more so what I wanted to say. It was important to me to translate and show the content in a way that made people feel something when they viewed it. I take breaks from painting now, maybe once a month or once a week depending on my creativity. It is more difficult for the creative juice to come out most of the time, so just sitting and existing helps. I reflect and be still. I find that doing this helps me stay focused on the creative process and stay connected to the heart of my work. It also gives me an opportunity to rest and recharge, so I can return to my art refreshed and with an entirely different perspective. During this time, I am able to tap into my subconscious and let my imagination run wild. By giving my mind the space to wander, I am able to come up with new ideas and gain a deeper understanding of the creative process. This time of reflection and stillness also helps me to stay grounded and focused, so I can create my best work.
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?
As an only child, I spent a lot of time alone due to that, drawing was my way of creating imaginary stories and characters. From there, it evolved into an expression of self. It helped me understand how I fit into the world, the world around me, and my identity. Something I’m grateful for. Like others, art gave me a way to express my thoughts and feelings, both consciously and unconsciously; it gave me the space to explore my creativity. It was a way to connect with my inner self and others. As a result, it gave me a creative outlet to express myself in original and meaningful ways. Drawing for years led me to learn how to paint. It is now a staple for me in my creative outlet, and it was a more transformative experience.Through painting, I have discovered a new part of myself that I treasure, my imagination. Currently, my art has grown into this series “See Yourself” where I touch on the different sides of women and also the sides that we as women hide from ourselves. My art is now a mirror, reflecting the beauty and love expressed by every woman I’ve ever known. We may sometimes feel isolated while finding our place in today’s society. I hope these pieces and future pieces bring a feeling of acceptance and comfort to all of us. I want people to know that they are not alone and that we can support each other in our struggles. Art is a powerful tool that can help us express ourselves and find a sense of acceptance and belonging. It reminds us that we are all connected, and we don’t have to be alone. We are strong and capable of amazing things. We are the masters of our destinies, and our journey is our own. Showing women that they are not alone and that when they see themselves, they realize how much they have grown.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
In the years since I developed my abilities, I have been motivated to produce and create my art. This is because no one else could do it for me. I had to learn how to take risks, find creative solutions, and develop the skills necessary to create my paintings with my own vision. Through this process, I learned how to be independent and self-sufficient, and trust my own capabilities. Openness is embracing and accepting that as you make and grow as an artist, you change with it. This openness allows us to take risks and be creative, even when the outcome is uncertain. It is also a reminder that we are always evolving and growing as creators, and that we must trust in ourselves and our capabilities. Ultimately, a willingness to embrace change and take risks is what makes us better artists.Consistency in working on your craft, even when you are dead tired, but now you have that piece of artwork, means more that you can’t just end your day with “I just went to work.” I want most of my days to be that I completed work on this painting or finish, or start a new piece, and doing that most days are complicated, and it’s long, and not easy. Being consistent means I will never put the brakes on my craft because I’m tired because, at the end of it all, no one can do what you can; only you can, so the days will be long, but it’ll also be worth it when you stop and look back.
What’s been one of your main areas of growth this year?
Taking a look back over the last 12 months, trust is what I have gained in myself as an artist to put my work more out there. Identifying the specific area in which I wanted to grow was crucial. Introspection and self-reflection helped me recognize that trusting myself is an area that needs improvement. This realization catalyzed my growth journey through these past months. Trusting myself and my abilities is something I developed gradually over time. Learning to trust my work was the most significant transformation I had. I was able to grow and create more of the current series I have, “See Yourself,” which I was able to build on more than the single pieces of it and now create a more conceptual pieces. Believing in myself and my work helps my growth as an artist, where my ideas and creativity flow more freely. Personal and creative growth is not always smooth. It involves facing challenges and overcoming obstacles along the way. Over the past 12 months, the growth I feel for myself has been limitless, and I’m at a stage now where my art is beginning to shape itself and speak to me through its creation and translation through my brush. This journey has enhanced my skills and abilities and strengthened my resilience and determination.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.quatroarts.com/
- Instagram: Quatro_banz
Image Credits
Alex Revina
