[COOL JOBS] Tamika Blockett: The Sister Illustrator
Tamika Blockett Meet a young artist who is using her work to challenge the representations of Black women.EBONY: What is it that you do for a living? Describe in full detail. What are your day-to-day tasks?Tamika Blockett: I am an illustrator and I own the brand Little canada goose Miss Mika. I consider Little canada goose store Miss Mika an “inspirational wonderland” where I’m creating, celebrating and redefining multicultural images of women. I want more women of color to see their images in a delightful way. I am curating poise, Canada Goose Online style and grace. In addition to being shop for my illustrations, Little Miss Mika is also a blog for etiquette, art, style and beauty.What do I do on a canada goose coats day-to-day basis? A LOT! I create various Little Miss Mika stationary sets for partnerships, collaborations and the online boutique I’m building on Etsy.comEBONY: Describe the absolutecoolestpart of your workday.TB: Hmmm. The absolute coolest is Canada Goose online when https://www.gestiontb.ca Canada Goose Outlet I complete an illustration and it comes out as I envisioned. Or canada goose replica when it doesn’t come out how I envisioned and it still comes out good. Sometimes you just have to have patience. The end result is the peak of my day.EBONY: Did you pursue this work while you were in school or is this something that just sort of came alone on your journey?TB: I’ve always loved art. Grew up around art and I sketched for fun. However, I was persuaded to go to Bowie State for Journalism, Advertising and PR, instead of going to fashion school. canada goose clearance sale I then pursued a marketing career and worked at Viacom’s MTV & BET Networks for canada goose coats on sale eleven years. After a company-wide restructuring in 2011, I veered towards my life’s canadian goose jacket passion of seeing women of color in a positive light. I revived my hobby [of sketching] this past Canada Goose Coats On Sale year and the reaction from people really encouraged me to do it full time.EBONY: Oprah once said that at her core, she is a teacher. What do you consider buy canada goose jacket cheap yourself to be atyourcore?TB: Wow! That’s a good question. At canada goose black friday sale my core…I am a lover and a visionary. What canada goose outlet I am starting to see is that I can create a piece of work where women of color can see themselves in a way they haven’t before. Seeing yourself beautifully represented in an image or in an animation is a feeling that comes from outside yourself. It makes you say, “Oh I AM gorgeous!” Canada Goose sale It lifts people up on the inside and I’m glad to be able to do that.EBONY: What are some initial reactions when people find out what you do? What do they say? What are their expressions?TB: Let’s see…My drawing was never anything I shared with anyone. It was my little hobby. So when I first started to show people my art through Facebook they would say things like, “Oh, you draw?!” But as soon as they said that, they wanted to immediately know where they could get it! cheap Canada Goose They were seeing my vision of them: beautiful.When I decided to do this full time, I’ve received major support from my grandmother, my mother and my boyfriend. Having them Canada Goose Parka as well canada goose deals as other friends and family to support really helps and makes you feel like you can conquer the world.EBONY: Any advice to someone considering going into your line of work?TB: My advice is anyone can do anything. I don’t have formal training; I’ve taken classes but I don’t have a degree in illustration. If you have a dream, go out and pursue it. Be unstoppable. Be fearless. Be courageous!Ebonie Canada Goose Jackets Johnson Cooperis a freelance writer, philanthropist and canada goose clearance thought leader on millennial social responsibility and coming of age in your 20s. Her energy can be read weekly the blog ofFriends of Ebonie. Home is Brooklyn, NY; she frolics often in Washington, DC. Follow buy canada goose jacket her on@EbsTheWay.