Rising Stars: Meet Keisha Finnie of Lancaster, Pennsylvania

Today we’d like to introduce you to Keisha Finnie.

Hi Keisha, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
My journey as an artist has always been rooted in resilience and self-expression. I didn’t come from a background where creativity was always nurtured or celebrated, but I turned to art as a way to process, reflect and reclaim my voice.

A lot of what shaped me wasn’t just art in grade school or mentorship it was real life, navigating loneliness, caregiving, and showing up for others while quietly carrying my own weight. These experiences became the emotional core of my work and the reason I show up for the community the way I do.

Over time, I found my way into public art, story telling, and collaborations that not only reflect my growth but also serve as mirrors for others to see themselves. I’ve always wanted to create work that not only looks beautiful but feels like something true, something I’ve lived. And that’s what keeps me going.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Definitely not a smooth road, but that’s what shaped the depth of both of who I am and the work I create. I’ve had to navigate a lot on my own, emotionally, financially and spiritually. From caregiving for a parent to building a career without a traditional safety net, to dealing with the loneliness that comes with being someone who always shows up for others it’s been alot.

On top of that, being an artist and entrepreneur means constantly balancing creative energy with survival mode, pushing through self-doubt while still delivering, even on the days when life is heavy. I’ve dealt with feeling overlooked, unsupported, and at times, invisible but those very feelings have fueled my desire to create spaces where people feel seen.

It hasn’t been smooth but its been honest. And every hard part has made me more intentional, more empathetic and more relentless in my purpose.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’m a multidisciplinary artist, muralist and henna artist who uses color, symbolism, and storytelling to center the emotional and cultural narratives of Black women and the communities we belong to. My work is known for it’s vibrancy, but also its vulnerability whether I’m creating large-scale public art, intimate portraits or community based projects, everything I make is rooted in healing, visibility and truth.

I specialize in mixed media and portraiture often blending elements of realism, texture and symbolism to tell layered stories. I also work heavily in public art and community engagement, creating pieces that live outside of traditional galleries and connect directly with the people they’re made for.

I’m probably most proud of the way I’ve stayed authentic. That I’ve built my practice from the ground up without losing the emotional honesty that made me start creating in the first place. From leading workshops to collaborating with non profits and cultural organizations, I’ve made sure my work not only represents me but reflects the stories of others who often go unseen.

What sets me apart is my ability to take deeply personal experiences and turn them into something universal. I’m not jus making things to be seen, I’m creating work to make others feel seen.

What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
I’d say resilience without question. There have been so many times where it would’ve been easier to stop, to shrink, or wait for permission. But I’ve learned to keep showing up for myself, for my art, and for the people my work speaks to even when things felt heavy.

That resilience is layered with discipline, a strong inner drive, and an emotional intelligence that helps me connect with people in an honest way whether it’s through my work or the spaces I create. I don’t just push through to survive, I keep going because I truly believe in the impact of what I do, even when the recognition isn’t alway immediate.

The ability to keep going, with heart and intention has been the foundation of everything I’ve built.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.keishafinnie.com
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/keishafinnie
• Facebook: https://facebook.com/keishafinnie
• LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/keishafinnie
• Twitter: twiitter.com/keishafinnie

Image Credits
Henna Photo (Michelle Johnson Photography)
Piano Mural (Karlo Gesner Photography)