Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Shay Holloway. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Hi Shay, so excited to talk about all sorts of important topics with you today. The first one we want to jump into is about being the only one in the room – for some that’s being the only person of color or the only non-native English speaker or the only non-MBA, etc Can you talk to us about how you have managed to be successful even when you were the only one in the room that looked like you?
In my area I’m often the only one in the room that looks like me but a lot of times I don’t see that as a disadvantage. I view it as an opportunity to show up and be the highest version of myself. I’ve learned that when I’m in spaces where I’m the only one in the room that looks like me the best way for me to maneuver in those spaces is simply to be me. THAT alone is my superpower. I’m aware that it may sound cliche but staying true to who I am as a person, not molding or shape shifting into someone I’m not enables me to be effective. Furthermore, I play to my strengths and lean heavily into the natural inclinations I have that benefit me without feeling a pressure to perform one way or another. The authenticity you bring to a space is something that lingers long after you leave.
Because I’m human, I am complex. There are lots of layers to my being. Being me, despite the makeup of the room, may look like being quiet and observant-taking in the scene and letting it sit with me verses constantly speaking (There’s a lot of power in silence-you can put together pieces of an overall puzzle in silence when you allow yourself time to observe. Effectiveness and boisterousness do not always equate, not in my opinion at least). Or it could look like speaking up when I see fit in order to correct someone or provide insight from a different perspective. It varies. But what remains constant is me standing firm in my identity as a black woman.
When I’m the only person in the room that looks like me, I hold on to my belief that I DESERVE to be in that room, that I know what I’m talking about enough to navigate being in that space. That deep rooted belief transforms into confidence and when you’re confident you can move through spaces with grace. People are just that…people. Some are a little kinder than others and there will always be people who have certain prejudices or biases toward other people no matter what room you’re in but those things do not concern me (as long as they are not acted or spoken upon) they do not weigh on my existence in the space.
Networking in networks that are not directly related to my industry are spaces that I have sought more over the past few years for various reasons and because of that I have found myself being the only black, female artist in the room. I go into these spaces void of my preconceived notions about the people who don’t look like me and carry with me respect, an openness to listen and learn from them, to allow them to learn from me, and a readiness to stand on what I believe in when necessary. In my mind I level the playing field and view the people opposite of me as human, despite their status, titles, accolades, or other accomplishments which helps me stay grounded and rooted in my own being. Treating people and engaging with them like humans, first and foremost is valuable, people remember that.
Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
Well, as I previously mentioned, I’m an artist…a visual artist. I specialize in original acrylic on canvas paintings. Growing up, I didn’t see a lot of art-not in my home, not around me, but I’ve always had a playful imagination and enjoyed creating. Getting to cultivate my creative juices as an adult is something that I am infinitely grateful for. I’m a person who finds herself going the opposite way that everyone else is going. That being said, in my art career I find myself doing the same thing to a degree.
Much of what I read and hear about developing an art career says that you have to define your style. To me that screams to niche down and find something specific to focus on-in art that would mean sticking to one medium, one subject matter, etc. I wholeheartedly fight against this. The saying goes, “jack of all trades, master of none”. But I refuse to accept this notion that you can’t be a “jack of all trades” AND have a successful professional career. (Successful career to me meaning a career in which you are able to provide the kind of lifestyle that you want to live.)
So much of art is about exploration and experimentation! Creativity exists on a spectrum. Why does one need to find a “style”, or focus on one subject matter in order to be taken seriously? I don’t think you have to, so I reject that notion. Something that I always include in my artist statements is that I “create art that spans across various styles, mediums, and subject matter” because I want readers of the statement to know that some days you may get abstract expressionist-type work out of me, other days you may get colorful galaxies. When you visit my website looking for work there’s a little of a lot because that’s the kind of artist I am; an artist that explores a little bit of a lot. And that’s okay.
In my art career, one of the things I am focusing on right now creating systems of engaging with social media in ways that work for me-ways that allow for me to still be present and active on social media without having to dedicate so much time to it. Right now that looks like scheduling posts in advanced so that I don’t feel pressure to post every single day or think of what to post the day of-staying prepared and ahead a little. I’m also working on fine tuning my website artgirlshay.com; things like working on SEO and doing what I can to ensure that my work can be found in the endless sea that is Google.
Toward the end of last year I had an idea for a newsletter signup that I thought was pretty cool. In the newsletter you get the typical information about upcoming events and shows, and news pertaining to my art but at the end of the newsletter you also get a Dad Joke! I call that portion Dad Joke Discounts! Every month I send out the newsletter that has a Dad Joke at the very end of it and if you’re one of 3 people who email back and answer the Dad Joke correctly you receive special discounts.
I came up with that idea one day at the lake with my friend. I was hearing two guys telling each other corny dad jokes back and forth and at the time I was also thinking about something unique that I could do with my website and hearing those dad jokes clicked for me! I like to laugh and so do other people, so I thought what a cool way to entertain and do something special for my subscribers.
Additionally, I’ve been working on ways to make my original art more accessible to people. Art is for everyone, not just for those who feel like they can afford it. So I’ve developed a payment plan system. Let’s say you go into my gallery and see something that you like, it’s a large scale piece, say 24 inches by 36 inches, and you’re worried that it would be out of your price range. All you’d have to do is contact me about it and inquire about the price and a potential payment plan. Together we’ll come up with a payment amount and payment schedule that works for you and your budgeting requirements. Not only that, my site also offers Afterpay at checkout.
So, my goal is to make art as accessible as possible. People enjoy art, I know they do, but they often feel like they can’t afford it or are working on a budget and that’s something that I understand. But just because you may be on a budget doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t or can’t treat yourself to art that you like and want to see in your space.
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’ve been called tenacious various times throughout my career, so let’s start there. Tenacity, gratitude, and optimism.
Tenacity takes one far. I feel like it something necessary to cultivate especially in something like an art career. There’s so much rejection that you will inevitably face but tenacity is that gear that will make the difference between creating the life that you want and settling for the daydreams of a life that you want. This has probably been one of the most important qualities that has impacted my career. Being able to stick to what you set your mind to regardless of what you see in front of you is underrated because so many people are unable to see past right now. When you’re able to work toward something today, tomorrow, and the next day, even when it seems as though those efforts are going in vain eventually that energy catches up to you and becomes the foundation of the momentum you need to propel yourself to another level. This isn’t to say that there won’t be times where it’s hard, it’s always going to be and uphill journey but what lies between success and failure is quitting.
Speaking specifically about an art career, I don’t think anything is impossible. I believe that I have a healthy amount of optimism about certain things even if I haven’t seen it yet or achieved it yet myself. Optimism is my fuel, not only in my art career but in life in general. Sure, there’s a bunch of trash things always happening, some of it you probably can control, most of it you can’t. That’s life, you cannot have good without bad and vice versa…it’s the yin and yang in life. But what’s always in your control is your outlook.
Gratitude is the secret sauce. This world is abundant, there’s always something out there waiting for you to tune yourself to its frequency in order to manifest itself into your reality. When you can take a pause and truly appreciate everything around you, even if it’s not perfect…ESPECIALLY if it’s not perfect, you open yourself up to receive more things that your soul desires. I know that sounds really “woo-woo” but a lot of times we get so caught up in focusing on the “what’s next” that we forget to take time to appreciate our “right nows”. If you can look back a year, maybe even 2 and you’re even a couple tiny steps ahead of where you were, that’s a blessing because all it would have taken was ONE different decision that would have your reality now looking a lot different.
Advice that I have for other folks would be to find ways to cultivate these qualities. Listen to self improvement podcasts (and take notes if you have to so you can go back and implement what you learned, read more, journal and keep a record of your thoughts, talk to yourself (out loud preferably). That last one might seem weird but it makes a difference. When you speak to yourself in a positive way out loud, you get a chance to hear your own voice and root yourself in the power of your own voice (exercising that throat chakra)! Some of the best moments of clarity that I have had have come when I have been talking to myself out loud. The things you feed yourself-meaning the content you consume becomes part of you to some degree, so be VERY selective in the things you decide to give you attention to.
And most importantly take time to learn about YOURSELF. Figure out who you are, not who people think you are, not who people want you to be, not who people expect you to be, but who you actually are. Within that you’ll come to deeply understand your weaknesses and your strengths and have a starting point for whatever it is that you need to do to develop the qualities that I mentioned.
How would you describe your ideal client?
My ideal client is looking to purchase art to activate rooms in homes and commercial spaces. They are people who view art as a tool to breathe life into a space whether it’s an office space, living room, conference room, etc. They’re a little eccentric, lovers of art who believe that it does more than just hang on a wall but that it contributes to tying together the overall energy of a space.
(Right now I have one of my favorite galaxy pieces in the Washington County Children’s Safety Center in Springdale, Arkansas. The folks at Arts One in Springdale curated a beautiful selection of art that the safety center acquired from artists to help activate the space as a place of safety for children and families. I also have work lining the halls of a division of the Marriott hotel in Rogers, Arkansas.)
Contact Info:
- Website: artgirlshay.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/artgirlshay
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/artgirlshay
- Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/shayjholloway
Image Credits
Picture Credits: DeQuan Whitley, Shelley Mouber, Adriana Pineda
