Today we’d like to introduce you to TreAna Harrison.
TreAna, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I’m from Conyers but I moved to Augusta for college. I got my bachelor’s degree in Psychology with a minor in Sociology. Although I love studying the mind, I was more interested in the arts. I was inconsistent with my sketching because I was afraid to share my art with everyone. In 2017, I took an oil painting class as one of my final courses before graduating. When I first created my very own piece, my professor looked at me and said, “you’re going to be one of those students that will continue to create after this.” that moment, I felt the connection again.
I started creating the idea of “imfashionablydope.” I volunteered at the Arts and the Hearts and the Westobou Festival in Augusta. They were festivals that celebrated cultural arts and dishes. At that time, I was already selling art on the side. I have a passion for creativity and want to encourage it. I want to create art that was loud, expressive and inspiring to others–like myself. I want to provide a voice for those who may need some motivation to put themselves out there.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Challenges comes with the journey of pursuing your dreams. I struggle with self-doubt and anxiety. There were times where I wanted to give up because I didn’t think I was good enough. I used to look at other artists’ work and pressure myself into thinking my work needed to be a certain way. I would allow fear to stop from believing in my work and sharing it with the public — I kept it hidden. One day, I came across a book called “The War of Art” by Steven Pressfield and it changed my entire perspective. It talks about resistance and how you can use it as a driving force for your work. I am still learning each day on how to use my fears as inspiration to keep going.
Often times, life pressures us to into thinking we should be at a certain point in our lives but that’s wrong. Everyone’s path is different. Timing is key. Patience is key. Once I understood that concept, it helped relieve some of that pressure and allow me to nurture everything that I do.
We’d love to hear more about your art.
Imfashionalydope currently specializes in drawing and painting. My work is most known for it’s vibrant colors and human-like faces. Some times it’s hard for me to really fit my art into one box because different things inspire me. I just care about feeling and creating in that present moment.
I’m most proud of leading a Sip N Paint where I taught 35 individuals. I collaborated with The Baller’s Club to create a space where people network and feel comfortable. The students expressed how they enjoyed my involvement and took my time with each person. The energy that night was perfect–everyone was drinking their wine, creating art and just having a good time. At that moment, I knew that I was on the right track.
Imfashionablydope is a brand for artistry. Fashion plays a major part in my brand. I want to create clothes that have fun textiles and silhouettes. So I’ve invested in resources such as, YouTube and researching through social media. For me, my unique eye for pattern mixing and love for detail will set me apart. I want to inspire women that there are no rules when it comes to personal style. When you have confidence what you are wearing, people will love it too. Trust me. It’s key.
What were you like growing up?
Growing up, I was a child that was filled with passion, emotion and sassiness — just full of personality. People were naturally attracted to my personality because I was so outgoing and loved talking to people. I was always interested in drawing cartoons, comic strips and playing dress-up. Every Sunday, my Mom would save the comic section of the paper for me to read. It helped motivate me to keep learning.
My parents always share the stories on how I used to teach my sister how to read and write. I would have a full classroom set up and would have a lesson plan for her. I know that teaching is something I’m called to do, so I plan to teach arts to the youth–I want to keep that imagination alive. It’s important that there is a space created for our aspiring artist in our community because it helps us cope with life.
Contact Info:
- Email: treanaharrison747@gmail.com
Image Credit:
Personal photo: IG: shot.by.nino
Suggest a story: VoyageATL is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
