Today we’d like to introduce you to Sidnitra Christine Bates.
Hi Sidnitra Christine, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
The beautiful and complex mosaic, which is my life, continues to amaze me! I was born in McRae, GA, a small town just 2.5 hrs south of Atlanta. I was sheltered and greatly loved by my mother and grandparents. My mom worked in Atlanta while my brother and I lived with our grandparents. I spent most of my childhood drawing and listening to music.
I remember asking one of my elementary school teachers for a roll of white bulletin board paper to take home with me. I used it to practice drawing “Tippy” the Turtle in hopes that I would win one of the monthly $5,000 prizes. And yet despite my best efforts, I never won the money. And just like that, the seeds of competitiveness and a passion for creativity were planted.
It never occurred to me that I was not the only kid in America hoping and praying that their drawing was the best. After a few attempts, I’m not sure which hurt the most…feeling that my art was not good enough or not winning the money. I learned at an early age the sting of rejection and the constant need to prove my worth. I continued to draw “Tippy” until one day, I ran out of that roll of paper. I am just realizing now the impact of this experience.
All of my childhood successes and challenges have shaped and molded me into the 51-year-blessed mother, grandmother, artist, author, artisan, singer, licensed minister, businesswoman and non-profit founder you see today. The colorful tapestry of my journey has been the muse for my creative offerings and business pursuits.
Alright, 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?
No, it has not been a smooth road. But that is a good thing. Texture, as an ingredient for life as well as art and fashion, makes for an interesting design. It would be very easy to take smooth for granted if bumpy or jagged or rough were never introduced.
There were many personal and professional challenges along the way. My parent’s divorce when I was young created a life that was exciting, lonely at times and filled with lots of southern comfort food. I enjoyed eating and as a result, I was teased at school for being pretty but fat. My weight and body image coupled with my need for approval fueled my desire to win despite the odds.
I can recall experiencing what I would later find out to be bulimia while excelling academically in high school. It lasted about a week. By the grace of God, the Karen Carpenter story aired on the Friday night of the same week I discovered bingeing and purging as a way to eat what I wanted and not gain weight. Her story saved me. After watching that movie, I never binged and purged again.
One of the other benefits of growing up in my grandparent’s home was a love for God and going to church. Religion and Spirituality would become very intricate threads weaved on the loom of my life path. Navigating the bittersweet nuances of my relationship with God has been the hallmark of most of my artistic and literary creations.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am an artist, author and an artisan. I curate personalized gifts and unique event experiences using my love of art, calligraphy, and poetry. My company, Sacred Writings, LLC, is a niche multi-sensory emporium that specializes in you.
I am most proud of remaining steadfast in pursuing my dreams. While I have yet to make a full-time living with my art and books, I continue to create and provide advocacy for other creatives through my non-profit, A2theThird, Inc. which raises awareness for the economic empowerment of youth and older adults in the arts. We believe there can be more emphasis placed on creating career pipelines for creative students as well as access to more resources for individuals who rediscover their creative voice after pursuing other careers.
We set ourselves apart by providing platforms focused on the individuals and what they need to succeed. Our events are designed to provide exposure for artists, authors and artisans located in communities where arts and literary resources are scarce. We partner with businesses and other organizations to assist us in expanding our reach.
We’d love to hear about how you think about risk taking?
Risk-taking is another way of saying taking a leap of faith. Deciding to pursue my dreams full-time after losing my job in 2021 was definitely a leap of faith. Trusting the unknown is both thrilling and scary. I believe a part of being a visionary involves taking risks. The decision I made has been the most rewarding and purpose-filled risk I have ever taken. I’ve come too far to turn back now. I believe this experience has caused my faith in God and trust in myself to have soared to new heights. I am grateful for every lesson and every blessing.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://www.sacred-writings-llc.us and https://www.a2thethirdinc.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/a2thethird/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/a2thethirdinc/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/A2thethirdinc
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnBdEQeYmNb8bOLqKK1ZZyg
- Other: https://www.eventbrite.com/cc/a2thethird-inc-presents-destination-creativity-1119789
