Today we’d like to introduce you to Colbanna LaRue.
Colbanna, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
With my childlike wonder being stripped away from me at a young age, my soul began split to grow old. I was born as Colby Claiborne Felton, but at age 8 I created a alter ego “Colbanna” to protect me from the environment I was in. Colby is the master creator while Colbanna executes and protects. Only the people dearest to me know both and can differentiate who I am at that specific moment. It was very hard as a child learning to control who was who and balancing each detail of my moods. Now Colby and Colbanna work gracefully together most of the time. I’ve learned to discern who I am at a particular moment by evaluating my emotions in my head. My moods determine my theme, therefore, all my emotions go into my aesthetic. I created a fantasy of what I wanted my world to look like one day. I’ve always had extravagant thoughts, and I knew that if I was granted this particular vision, then I can sure as hell go for it! My mom and Queenie (my grandmother) played a huge part on entertaining my imagination. They would give me their wigs to dress up and play in. (I’d receive hand me downs and I would always find a way to spice up the outfit.) I was always in heels, and Beyoncè/Nicki Minaj were my go to artists at that time to help me release!
I’d throw fashion shows with outfits I made of kitchenware for whoever was eating at the time in the kitchen. I didn’t care if I had their attention or not. The fact was that I created a Divine Empire in my mind, and every day I get to uncover more pieces to my legacy. I just have to keep on dreaming. I let it be the fuel for my desires. I follow this wave of mystery and unknowingness, as my intuition will always be abundant wherever I reside. Which is one of the reasons why I love being a plant mom. Knowing that I have the ability to nurture and transform a living entity to prosper gives me the upmost joy! I also apply the advice my plant’s feedback to me towards my daily life, plus they keep my great company! Every day I become more in tune with who I really am and less of a reflection of the environment I once was in. My spirit of Originality sets the intention of the space where I allow my unique gifts to prosper. My purpose lives there, and it’s where I will always find the consistent Peace of Mind that comes with no longer carrying the responsibility of being who others want me to be. No matter how dark life gets, I will always have the power as a Human Being to create my desired reality.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
No, if most definitely has not been a smooth road along the way. While growing up as a creative in a small underprivileged town, it was extremely difficult to express my true self. I was blessed to be raised in a two parent household, however there was extreme emotional unavailability and contradictions in my home at that time. I realized that at a young age my greatest superpower would be my vulnerability and the belief within myself. I’ve always been one of those “different” kids, which resulted in me being horrifically bullied by not only the students but the school administration as well, all the way up until I graduated high school. The schools never did anything and the trauma from the bullying triggered me to develop a personality disorder/ Bipolar by my 7th-grade year.
By my freshman year in high school, I was taking all of my classes online. I noticed that for my life path, the theme of always keeping my inner voice strong, and keeping the belief in myself illuminated will always come full circle not just for me but for anyone. Even after grade school, while being a 21 year older Black Queer Artist, there are still circumstances that happen in my life where I will always have to keep my inner light shining no matter what! All in all, I did not let my outer environment determine how much peace I would have in my inner world. And that is the attitude that got me to where I am today. Things will always go as planned in Divine Time.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am an alchemist in everything that I do and touch. I am a creative genius that will always make something out of nothing. I am a powerful manifestor that can do all things by being in alignment with my mind, body, and soul. I combine my illuminating aura and passions to execute my God-given creative abilities through multiple art medias like: Fashion Design, Writing, Modeling, Painting, Sketching, Editing, Sculpting, Creative Direction, and Body Movement. I specialize in being a Fashion Spiritualist. I have created my artistic world to run hand in hand with my spirituality. As the Divine Being that I am, I love for my creations to reflect the freeness and wildness that comes with being awake to yourself. Most people know me from being a dedicated plant mom and green witch. I am also known for being very open with my alter egos and sexuality.
I am most proud of my growth and the belief I have in myself. I have honestly came a long way, and my eight years old self would think that I’m so cool! Growing up in a small underprivileged city gave me the drive to continue showing up in the world as my true authentic self; for it would pay off in Divine Time. What sets me apart from others is that I exude and embrace my inner God by not being able to walk into a room with my originality. I have and will always continue to move with forward momentum.
The crisis has affected us all in different ways. How has it affected you and any important lessons or epiphanies you can share with us?
Yes, firstly I would like to say that the COVID-19 Crisis most definitely brought me more in tune with my self-awareness and discipline within my physical body. It brought my attention to making conscious dieting habits that can protect my immune system. COVID-19 also highlighted some personal pivotal points in my life such as family. I lost two close family members (my grandfather and favorite aunt) during the crisis. That was a suffocating time not only for me but for everyone else in my family as well, but throughout that darkness, I also learned that family equals abundance, life equals abundance, and everything happens for a greater reason.
Pricing:
- Modeling $100 per hour
- Creative Direction $250 for two hours flat rate.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/colbannalarue
Image Credits
Quamay George DiVisionATL
