Today we’d like to introduce you to Brooklynd Turner.
Brooklynd, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I graduated from Booker T. Washington in 2012, then moved to Minneapolis to earn a BFA in Illustration from Minneapolis College of Art and Design in 2015. I juggled growing my client list, full-time classes, and teaching yoga to earn money.
Drawing and Designing are meditative processes for me, so there was a natural synergy between the careers. I overcame my fear of public speaking in the process of teaching yoga and learned how to articulate my intentions as an Artist. I gained flexibility in my body, heart, and mind which helped tremendously during long nights in the painting studio. Basically, I steadily grew my Art + Design client list and taught fewer yoga classes until I was able to do Art freelance full-time. I still maintain a personal practice, though!
After a couple of years in Minnesota, I decided I was tired of almost dying from frostbite when I walked home with groceries. Standing in the center of frozen lakes had become lackluster, and punk shows in sweaty basements were no longer pumping enough adrenaline to thrash out my post-break-up feels. I missed Texas, so I painted one last huge mural as a good-bye and moved home. Finding new clients in Texas was challenging at first, but worth it for the friends, family, and sunshine.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
The first struggle was to establish my Freelance Art + Design business in Dallas. I’m grateful for my first clients, the business-owners at the Dallas Farmer’s Market. I re-branded Chelles Macarons, 8Cloves, and Laili (now Juice Babe) through logo/menu designs, packaging, and murals. I painted signage for Charming and Lone Chimney Mercantile.
Fortunately, customers flock to The Market so they interact with my art all the time. It often feels as if the establishment is unofficially operating as my design portfolio! Customers eat delicious food while surrounded by my murals. Then they bring dessert home in boxes I designed. I’ve always wanted to be known for my art, not my face. I’m not huge into advertising and don’t have a massive social media presence- so having the Designs sell themselves is great!
The second struggle was entering the Dallas ‘Art Scene’. I primarily made income on Illustration in Minneapolis- which is my passion. I alternated between group and solo gallery exhibitions and painted murals to earn a living. In Dallas, I was taking lots of bland design jobs to pay bills and fighting for opportunities to paint.
This journey led me to W.A.A.S. Gallery, which is wellness and female-focused. W.A.A.S. pushes against Dallas art politics and has a yogic do-no-harm mentality. Originally, I was hired by the owner to make a new logo and mural design for space. However, our collaborative process unveiled the vastness of our commonalities. We found our internal compasses aligned, and we embarked on a co-creative artistic path. I was able to re-introduce my Illustrative practice through W.A.A.S. and co-start a public art project called Mindful Murals. The owner and I still work together!
We’d love to hear more about your art.
I am a Freelance Artist and Designer. I specialize in Business Branding through Design, Illustration, and Murals. I work with clients to develop original designs that encompass their business’ ideology to use for logos, packaging, murals, menus, merchandise, or anything else. My work is set apart by my background in drawing, and multi-disciplinary range of offerings to help a company grow.
Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
I would make art no matter what, so I’m lucky people pay me to do it.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.brooklynd.com
- Email: turner.brooklynd@gmail.com
- Instagram: @lilfinehoney
Image Credit:
Personal photo taken by: Chris Wegener @chriswegener
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