Inspirational Women Series created by Tracey S. Yang Article #8 with Meesha Walker
Meesha Walker is a freelance acrylic and digital artist whose work is eye-catching. Her work beautifully exhibits a togetherness that is a reminder of what life can contain. The layered texture in her paintings was founded on an experimental venture when she attempted to recreate a scene from a photo. This discovered technique in her paintings is continued to be used today in her current work. Her digital work and cartoon-styled portraits are inspired by her interest in anime that she developed when she was a child. She has appeared in gaming podcasts and other forms of press, and she currently resides in North Carolina with her husband, Jayson.
1. What is a skill you think all women should learn and why?
Business tips such as marketing tools, how to promote yourself, learning to accept constructive criticism, learning more about finance, and tips related to success is helpful to all women. Also, benefit yourself by being committed to learning. Take steps to improve yourself and your mindset. This does not even need to pertain to art, so take learning seriously no matter what profession you are in. Then your life will greatly improve.
2. Describe your first “win” that made you confident that you were on the right track.
The first “win” that I achieved would be the painting I did of my friend’s cat, which is named Moo. I saw a photograph that my friend took of Moo staring out of the window, and the colors in the photograph had caught my attention. The colors reflected on the wall from the glass bottles, and the light from the window left Moo and the chair in a silhouette. It was then that something in my mind just clicked. I needed to paint it to see if I could replicate that picture.
During that time of painting that picture, I developed a new technique of layering unexpected colors to make the subject pop. I have been using that method ever since then, and I’m proud to say my work has greatly improved since that moment in time.
3. What is your favorite quote and why?
Have no fear of perfection- you’ll never reach it.
Salvadore Dali
It took me some time to understand this quote. Sometimes a person can become more critical of oneself the more that they learn. For example, with my art, the more that I paint, the more I see minor mistakes to fix, which causes me to want to make it better. In the end, it causes frustration and resentment to grow.
My advice to this is to do what you can at the moment and to let go of the small mistakes. In other words, let go of a perfectionistic mindset and develop a growth mindset instead.
4. Give 3 pieces of advice you feel every artist should know.
- Never compare yourself with other artists. They have their own style, and so do you. Instead, seek to learn from other artists and appreciate their work.
- If you are selling artwork at conventions, be open to chatting with customers. Sell yourself as a great artist or crafter. Never make self-deprecating jokes even if you desire to do so. Be sure to give adequate attention to others who are looking at your artwork and never ignore them. If the person you are chatting with desires to leave your table, give them a card and let them go.
- Exposure is really the way to get yourself known. Draw on your own time, and push it out there for people to see. Get to know people on and off the internet, and allow them to advertise you by word of mouth. Allowing others to advertise your work by word of mouth will help to bring others to you and your artwork. Also, find other ways to gain exposure as well in order to bring in more clients.
5. Tell me more about your success with your commission work Cybernator that involved a music release cover.
Kyle Sevenoaks, a musician who began as a heavy metal artist and has smoothly transitioned to a more progressive metal genre, graciously commissioned me for a cover design on a side project: a Synth-wave, electronic style inspired by the Witcher series.
6. Is art therapeutic? Why or why not?
Yes. Art allows the creator to release their emotions on canvas whether it be anger, sadness, other thoughts, or glee. Artists have the power to create whatever their heart desires. Once completed, it’s as if they’ve solidified a part of themselves on canvas. Creating art is refreshing, and I recommend everyone to try it at least once in their lives.
7. What type of art do you enjoy creating the most?
I enjoy creating silly face portraits. I like stretched and squashed faces because they have the most expression.
8. List where people can follow you on social media.
My online name is Xeshema.
- Artstation: Xeshema
- Twitter: Xeshema
- DeviantArt: Xeshema
- Instagram: Xeshema
- TikTok: Xeshema
- Etsy: Xeshema
- Tumblr: Xeshema
- Twitch: Xeshema
- Discord: Xeshema
Other: Meesha DJ Walker’s Art Facebook Page
9. What kind of art services do you offer at Meesha DJ Walker’s Art?
I am a freelance acrylic and digital artist that specializes in human and pet portraits and cartoon and anime styles. I pride myself on completing pieces quickly. Be sure to also watch me draw in real-time on Twitch, a site that specializes in gaming entertainment. Other times, you can find me on Discord for those that enjoy art or just want to better themselves. I keep saying that I want to be the Bob Ross of the new era, but in reality, I have a goal to also surpass him one day.
This article is a part of a series that is created and written by Tracey S. Yang called the Inspirational Women Series. This series is used to highlight and showcase inspirational women across the globe. Tracey S. Yang’s inspiration for this series came from the book Power Up, Super Women: Stories of Courage and Empowerment where she, in the book, is also one of the women coauthors.
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