Today, I had the pleasure of interviewing Shantell Martin, an artist who has made a name for herself through collaborations with major brands such as Puma, Tiffany & Co., and Kendrick Lamar. We met at her studio in Mana Contemporary and talked about a range of topics, including her journey from living in Japan to making her way to New York, starting over, finding the signature in her work, style, perseverance, and being nice.
Shantell shared her experiences working with various brands, explaining that every brand under the sun wants to collaborate with an artist, but they don't want to bring the responsibility with that to the artist. She emphasized the importance of sharing knowledge and information and not being afraid to do so.
As we delved deeper into her work, Shantell talked about her dyslexia and how it has shaped her approach to art. She said that dyslexia has taught her that there are no mistakes, only enjoying the process.
One of the biggest lessons Shantell shared was to "be nice." She explained that this simple act can have a profound impact on one's life and career.
Throughout the interview, Shantell's passion for art, design, business, and technology shone through, and it was truly inspiring to hear her story. I left the interview feeling motivated and excited to see what she will create next.
Press play to listen to the actual conversation I'm referring to in this writing.
