Conversations with the Inspiring Miranda Fortenberry

Today we’d like to introduce you to Miranda Fortenberry.

So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
The first time I remember painting, I was in the jumbled high school setting of the trailer behind the school in Smiths Station, Alabama. While I found my footing within the various mediums available then, I hadn’t yet figured out what purpose it would attach itself to. Seeing the psychological effects of the Iraq war on my dad awoken a deep sense of inquiry into psychology and the chemical reasons behind much of our outlooks and identities, but after a two and a half year of study and an Associates Degree , I realized that art, and as a result, a more subtle form of communication was calling me.

While attaining my BFA at Columbus State, I slowly built on my strengths and took on my weaknesses eventually creating a large body of work that at times weirded out my classmates, but hopefully made them think more about who we each are and how that impacts us on a personal, relational, and socio-political level. And now as alumni, I’m participating in my first ever academia-independent show with a group of fellow local artists in what is being called the Columbus Collective. I soon plan to make my way into the ATL art scene, and I hope to bring my artistic conversation around deep-rooted societal issues and mindfulness into the minds of a broader audience.

Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It has definitely not been easy to get to where I’m at. Most of my struggles have been with myself. As an artist, I find that it is important to stay connected to that voice of ambition that first drove me to create in the first place. It is difficult to overcome my own anxieties about my future. I’m always running towards what I want, failing to truly take in the beauty of the present moment.

I am still working on this aspect of my personality. What is helping me stay rooted is keeping the people that have supported me all along close to me. They help me to see reason when I get so bogged down from the voices in my head that tell me I won’t succeed. I will get to where I need to be. Hard work and trust in myself will get me there.

Please tell us more about your work, what you are currently focused on and most proud of.
Painting is one of my earliest artistic passions, but as the artistic conversations of my work broadened, so did the conversations between a variety of eye-opening new mediums. Things that I initially were hesitant to delve into became integral to my work, such as photo and magazine collage, which now regularly converse with my brushstrokes. I have also worked with video installations with motifs of poetry and disarranged sound, and monoprints, transfers, pressure prints, and poly plates.

Looking back on your childhood, what experiences do you feel played an important role in shaping the person you grew up to be?
When I was younger creating was a place I could escape to. It was a place that allowed me to understand the world around me as well as myself.

Now that I have begun to learn to practice my craft more I have learned to respect the moment of stillness in creating where I am forced to reflect. It has become my sanctuary and has thought me so much about myself as an artist and who I am as a person.

Perhaps the most important thing I have learned that would benefit fellow artists would be to let go in creating. Let go of your expectations. Let go of the disbelief. Let go and just be present in your work. If you can do that then you would have made something worthy of your time.

Contact Info:

• Email: FortenberryMirandaG@gmail.com
• Instagram: @miranda_fortenberry

Image Credit:
Miranda Fortenberry

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