Lessons from Creatives Who Dared: Faith Ringgold
A mini-series inspired by Creatives who were brave enough to express their true voices
Dear Creatives,
Welcome to this mini-series celebrating the artists who’ve dared to find their creative voice, share it boldly, and ripple change through their work!!
These are the voices of artists who remind me what’s possible when we speak from the soul and do it with courage. I hope their stories inspire you to keep being the bold, weird, wacky, wild, sensitive, colorful, brilliantly unique creative that you are AND that this world so deeply needs.
✨ And if you’re in Cincinnati, read to the end for a chance to work with me in a creative experience designed to help you find and share your voice in a powerful new way.
Let’s dig in…
Sometimes when my self-talk gets rough and doubt is loud, I imagine what my artist heroes must have battled with in their own lives and minds.
Take Faith Ringgold, for example.
She dared to make quilt paintings—at a time when the art world didn’t exactly roll out the red carpet for “women’s work.” I imagine her wondering:
“Will anyone take this seriously?”
“Can I really make an impact with my art?”
And then…she did it anyway.
The university told her she couldn’t major in art because she was a woman, so she made her major Art Education… and never stopped making art.
Eventually, she stitched truth into every corner of her work, telling stories of injustice, identity, and liberation.
I’m sure she had moments of doubt. But she didn’t let the world’s limited view define her voice.
She refused to internalize the noise and created a legacy of 75 awards, 23 honorary doctorates, and a body of work that continues to teach, challenge, and inspire.
Faith Ringgold isn’t a badass because she had no fear.
She’s a badass because she made her art anyway.
That’s the power of your creative voice.
Not the absence of fear, but the decision to speak through it. Not waiting until it’s perfect, but showing up anyway, raw, real, and ready to ripple.
★ Creative Challenge ★ This week, take 5-10 minutes to create a mini “story square” of your own voice. Use whatever medium you love: words, doodles, collage, a photo, a list, even just color. Ask yourself: What part of your story deserves to be seen, even if it still scares you a little?
Vision to Voice Speaking Intensive
If you’re local to Cincinnati and your creative voice is whispering, “it’s time,” I’d love to invite you into something special.
Vision to Voice is a 2-week creative speaking journey I and speaking expert, Carrie Bradley, are offering this summer for artists, visionaries, entreprenuers, etc. who want to explore and express the story only they can tell.
It all leads up to a live speaking event where you’ll share your voice through images, stories, art, or whatever lights you up!
✨ Curious? Want to learn more or feel it out? Click here to explore Vision to Voice →
Because your voice matters.
And the world needs what only you can say!
I am honored to have received a “Best Use of Theme” award at the Juried Water Show at the Reading Community Arts Center this month! This piece is called Righteous Rage Rising and goes perfectly with the theme of finding one’s voice. I made it thinking about how women are conditioned out of their anger which is a source of power when channeled into necessary action.
The exhibit is up a little longer, but now I look forward to a solo show in the display window as my prize! If you are local, look for that in August :)
To our creative revolution and evolution!
