Today we’d like to introduce you to Choke.
Choke, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
My name is “CHOKE.” It’s an acronym that stands for Creating Her Own Kinetic Energy. I’m a self-taught artist originally from the Washington D.C. Metro Area. I left high school as an early teen to pursue my artistry and have only grown since then. Early on, my art career led to me traveling across the country several times over, creating everything from clothing lines to murals. My artwork references the gigs I’d sneak into as a youth and the 70’s jazz, funk, salsa, hip hop, disco, and house music she heard in those early years. My art also pays homage to my Taíno (Puerto Rican) and Aztec (Mexican) heritage, integrating indigenous patterns, imagery, and shapes. I’m also influenced by my strong connection to the Creator, which guides her art and healthy lifestyle. I just go into the ‘zone,’ and the creativity flows out; the answers are all there. I am the sum of my ancestors and it’s quite magical to capture. Now, after years of traveling the globe, I’ve found myself nestled in Fort Worth, Texas, with my husband and two dogs.
I am an artist and the owner of BrooHa Market, a retail shop that specializes in handmade items made by either myself or tribes from around the world. BrooHa Market was created after forming intimate relationships with tribe members in Asia and then expanding out to countries like Turkey, Greece, Morocco, Brazil and Columbia. I believe in preserving folk art and folklore from around the world being created by the keepers of the culture. Our art tells stories of history, family, love life and lore, so I felt it necessary to be able to share these stories with an audience of people who otherwise may not travel to these remote places to learn about them. Owning this micro shop has opened my eyes to so many things I didn’t expect to learn like indigenous land rights and issues, vulnerability, improper health care, abuse and exploitation among a host of other things. As I learn more and more, my store’s mission consistently evolves to take responsibility and care with every step I take as a merchant.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
If the journey were smooth, the taste of my wins wouldn’t be as sweet. I have always welcomed hurdles with graces as I look at them as moments to learn from. I surely don’t get looking for strife, but I also don’t let it stop my forging my own path in this life. Most recently and currently still, we are dealing with the Corona Virus shutdowns and the major economic impact it has had on a global scale. The shop is still currently closed for the safety of our guests and were not entirely sure when we will be back up and running as there’s a potential 2nd shut-down looming. We did, however, launch our online shop and are still taking shipping orders and local pick-up via our website!
We’d love to hear more about your art.
I’ve been traveling around the country for over 15 years selling my own artwork, painting at live shows and exhibiting in galleries. I spent roughly ten years in California’s Bay Area living in an artist warehouse space. When I moved from CA, I spent significant amounts of time in the countryside with indigenous peoples in Asia. I learned how to cook their traditional meals, songs and daily life and practices. It was inspirational how intentional everyone was while they were performing their daily day-to-day tasks. Without thinking about it, they were innately connected to the nature that surrounded them as they carried out very ancient traditional rituals each day.
I was living in their art world, listening to their lore and experiencing cultures that many can only dream of. I want nothing more than to be a custodian that helps to directly help them maintain their creations and villages. Their stories must be told and their traditions must be kept alive. BrooHa Market only buys directly from tribe members and artisans, thus ensuring we know directly where our money and time goes. Another thing I am very proud of is that each year, I am able to hire a woman artist from the USA to travel to another country as we explore new places, peoples and traditions. We fully immerse ourselves and all expenses are paid. Its something that I have always wanted to provide as an entrepreneur and am proud to say that I can. Will you come with me next year?
Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
Consistency, passion, audacity and will power. To make it in these current times, you will need to remain consistent in your craft in order to grow and build. Without passion for what you’re doing, you’re merely taking on a soulless job that feeds nothing to your soul. Find your purpose in life and the passion for it will be there. I say audacity because one must dare to boldly go where others dare not, to have the audacity to do something new takes courage and tenacity. In the face of doubt, which I’ve encountered, endlessly, I’ve always relied on my sheer will power to keep moving through any and all obstacles. There’s a fire that always burns inside of me and those traits are a constant reminder to just keep going.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.broohamarket.com
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/broohamarket/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BrooHaMarket/
Image Credit:
Choke, Missy Burton
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