Today we’d like to introduce you to Cheyenne Drake.
Cheyenne, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
My two opposing forces have always been art and science/math. I loved solving problems and approaching things logically, but what really intrigued me was being able to create something from nothing and defying all rules. By age nine, I taught myself how to draw realistic portraits of people and animals and even came up with my own characters and designs. As time went on, I began to teach myself how to produce digital art, how to animate, and I got into photography and making videos. Mind you, I was still a child, so my animations weren’t too hot but my passion drove me to learn all these skills on my own at a very young age.
By the time I was a teenager, I started to find ways to utilize my art to satisfy my two conflicting sides. This marked the official turning point into the artworks more similar to what I make today. You’ll find that a lot of my current work may include cultural or astronomical references or maybe stem from history or music — all things I would think about as a kid. Now, at 21 years, I’m happy to say I’ve been working professionally for five years now and I have mentored kids and adults in art. I’m nowhere near being a self-sustaining artist but I’ve made so many wonderful connections with people and I have accomplished many of my personal goals thus far.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
One of my most difficult challenges has been anxiety and depression. Before I was even a teenager, I struggled with intense emotions. Once I got to middle school, then high school, the problem got exponentially worse and the anxiety came full force. I had many friends, but I never had someone who was actually close to me and that I thought would understand. It got to the point where it would be rare to go a day without crying or go a week without a panic attack. I had the reoccurring thought of harming myself to “fix” the problem but I was so scared of the hurt I would leave behind for my family. I had to get help. Towards the end of my high school years, I started seeing a therapist and I was on anti-depressants and sleep medication for insomnia. This was short-lived, however. I knew that it wasn’t helping me. I actually felt worse.
I took matters into my own hands and started studying Eastern beliefs such as Buddhism/Taoism and that’s when I began to learn how to take care of myself and heal. I’m glad to say for the past two years I’m at a point where I no longer feel ‘depressed’ and my anxiety has subsided GREATLY. It’s definitely not an easy road, you need patience, and you have to believe in yourself even at your lowest.
We’d love to hear more about your art.
My art has a surrealistic feel to it, whether I’m portraying an emotion or trying to making a statement, I want the viewer to be touched in their own personal way. I want my art to tell a story, hence my online alias “Hieroglyphx.” I use a variety of mediums such as pencil drawing, painting, and digital art and you can find my work on my website.
Outside my personal work, I also get commissioned to bring people’s ideas to life. In the past five years, I have made anything from album artwork to flyers, logos, graduation caps, etc. One of my biggest sense of achievement stems from not my business, but in teaching art, especially children. When I reflect on my childhood, I realize the importance of art in my life and how a majority of our public education systems lack the encouragement of creativity. When I see the pride in my student’s faces because of the art they created, I also see my purpose. That is why I hope to expand my education to be able to teach in a school or start my own!
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
My family has always been supportive in my passions. My mom showed me I can always be myself, and my dad showed me my power is unlimited and I can make the impossible, possible. Also, I greatly appreciate all my friends, clients, and even strangers who encouraged me to keep growing as an artist. Without your support, I wouldn’t be where I am today, nor would I have kept striving to improve.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://www.cheyennedrake.com
- Email: littlehieroglyph@gmail.com
- Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/hieroglyphx
- Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/hierogIyphx
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