It’s that time again – another doodle interview! I’m so excited my friend Trenita agreed to do this interview! If you don’t know her work and her blog, you should go check it out! (Links are at the bottom of this post). She’s so inspiring, every time I read her blog I get the motivation I needed! I could go on and on but instead, I’ll turn this over to her!

Hi I’m Trenita!
I help artists + influencers who want to create visual projects by creating illustrations that connects with their audience.

I’m from the US, Pittsburgh, PA to be exact and work out of my at home studio. I also work full-time as a digital designer (I create emails!). My favorite mediums to use are watercolors, graphite pencils, colored pencils and recently my Pentel Ink brush pen.

What do you listen to while creating your art?

I like to listen to music when I’m creating art preferably through speakers instead of earbuds or headphones. I like my whole space to be filled with music. I have a wide range of music choices so it really just depends on how I feel that day. I can be listening to alternative music or metal like Korn and in the same beat listen to neo soul music from Janelle Monae or Solange.

What does “being creative” mean to you?

To me it means to be authentic. I think people today are too afraid of what other people will think of them so they hide certain parts of themselves. I used to do that too but now I embrace all of my weirdness and it’s showing in my art now. I love it.

What do you do to relieve stress?

Whenever I start getting stressed out I know that something isn’t aligning just right. So it’s my queue to unwind myself. I recently started using essential oils and have a diffuser now so that definitely helps. Lavender & Frankincense oil blends does wonders! I also like to listen to my favorite podcast The Friend Zone that focuses on wellness. Taking deep breaths and journaling helps too if it’s something that has been stressing me out for long periods of time.

What passions do you have in your life besides art?

What’s your favorite quote?

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, and fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? ” Marianne Deborah Williamson

What’s your favorite thing to draw?

I love drawing people, specifically eyes and hair. I think it goes along with the storytelling thing. I like to connect with people in general and it’s easier for me to capture the likeness of someone if I know more about them personally.

What artist (dead or alive) would you want to chat and have a drink with? and why?

I have three. It would either be Aaliyah, Prince or Tupac. I’m a big fan of all three of them and they’re also all very deep people. I think they carried a lot of wisdom during their time that would be so amazing to hear as a young artist. I’d want to talk to Aaliyah about the kind of music that inspired her. I’d ask Tupac about what he thinks of today’s youth and how to inspire them. I’d ask Prince how he was able remain so humble and spiritual after all of the fame.

Do you have a day job? If so, what is it?

I do! I’m a digital designer at Dick’s Sporting Goods Inc. in Pittsburgh. I design emails and art direct photography for emails. I like it, and I feel content here.

Would you rather go back in time to meet your ancestors or go forward in time to meet your great great great grandchildren? Why would you do the one you picked?

I think I would go forward in time, mainly because it’s easier. Going back in time has some issues science wise but I think we’ll figure out how to go forward. Plus I want to see what my children’s children children look like. The past is already set in place so it’s not like I can change anything. I can always learn from what my ancestors have left behind and to pass traditions and knowledge to the next generation.

If you had 30 free minutes for yourself, what would you do?

Is blanket making considered an art? I like to crochet as a hobby but I haven’t done it in a while. But just in case it IS considered an art then I would probably finish reading DJ Khaled’s Book The Keys to Success. (Major Key!).

To see Trenita’s artwork, you can use the links below!

Website: http://www.trenitafinney.net
Instagram: www.instagram.com/trenita.finney
Esty Shop: https://www.etsy.com/shop/Trenitafinney
Twitter: https://twitter.com/trenitafinney