Life & Work with Destiney Powell

Today we’d like to introduce you to Destiney Powell.

Hi Destiney, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I became interested in art as a child. My father taught me to draw at 2 years old and I never stopped. I graduated from Mississippi State University with a BFA concentrations in drawing and painting. After college, I moved to Arizona and kept creating while working many different jobs to support my family. In 2015 I was given the chance to move closer to my family in Mississippi by taking a position in Nashville. Once I moved here I felt the calling to paint again and in 2016 I left my corporate job and began my company Poetically Illustrated.

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?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. When I started working for myself full time I had to learn how to juggle the business side of art as well as continuing to be creative and make the work. Learning how to use social media and attending events in the city to network and show my work was hard at first. As well as creating many streams of income to ensure everything was ok on the financial side. I think learning to wear alot of hats was one of my biggest struggles and is still something I struggle with from time to time.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’m a multidisciplinary artist, I create paintings, digital illustrations, and drawings. My work is vibrant in color and focused on my experiences of black culture across the African diaspora as well as the human connection to community and nature. I would say I’m most known for the way I use colors in my work as well as the story’s I portray through portraiture. I’m most proud of the community of supportive collectors I have. I am very proud to have created work that is relative to not only me but others can understand the story within the art, and enjoy the pieces throughout generations. I love to research random things. I include alot of omens and meaningful colors into my work. Everything has an intention, an emotion, a story that contributes to the piece. I think my art is poetry, I place many secrets within the paintings, that is what sets me apart.

Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs or other resources you think our readers should check out?
I have alot of favorite books but the first would have to be The Alchemist, Root Magic, and The Daughters of Nri. I listen to Studio Noize, SuperSoul, and Artistic Finance everyday while I’m working so those are my favorite podcasts. All of these definitely help me personally and with work.

Contact Info:

• Email: Poeticallyillustrated@gmail.com
• Website: Poeticallyillustrated.net
• Instagram: Instagram.com/poeticallyillustrated