She is Brianni, a student of Virginia Commonwealth University. Recently she clocked 22, radiating with so much energy and filled with hopes, dreams and aspiration for a more engaging future of career and total living. She finds pleasure doing what she loves doing, that is ART! Her paintings are exquisite and her merchandise rewarding.
Brianni's art work
We caught up with her on social media and her warm friendship is one we appreciated and never took for granted.
Though young, Brianni has had her moments with depression.
We invited her to share her story for publication, how she has dealt with some of the challenges young people face today, more so as a girl, and she gladly accepted.
She answered our questions and shared an inspiring piece!
Welcome!
Andrew Adedayo A
Host
1. How do you deal with peer pressure?
Brianni: I am thankful that at
a very young age my parents emphasized self-expression, and the ability to not
be easily influenced. They would never allow to me buy certain clothes if
everyone (or too many people) had them. I believe this helped me develop individuality,
especially in my grade school years. The more comfortable you are with
yourself, the less you desire to be accepted by others.
2. What is your perspective on dating?
Wh Brianni: When dating, you
learn a lot about people and yourself. It’s a great way to get to know how
society works, and it will always be full of excitement, disappointment,
laughs, and experiences. Don’t be afraid, just be honest with yourself and
others and eventually you will find what you are looking for.
3.
How do you handle pressure to have sex?
Brianni: Sex, or with
anything, I always make sure I surround myself with people who don’t disturb my
peace and don’t leave my intuition shaking.
4. Have you ever been hurt? How do you handle it?
Bri Brianni: All the time, and it
feels the same almost every time. I think what’s changed as I grew older is how
I perceived that hurt and learned how to use it to become a better me. I’m
always looking for the “healthier” option to do things, so like, I try to cope
by going to the gym, making new art, listening to music, venting to trustworthy
friends, and relying on my faith and future.
5. Do your parents support your chosen career? Was
it difficult getting them to support what you do?
Bri Brianni: I’ve always wanted to
be an artist and just have something I call mine. My parents didn’t understand
the influence of art on people and society, so when I told them I wanted to
make a living off paintings; they were frightened for my future. My first
reaction was to automatically decide that I would be depressed and be doomed by
their footsteps. It’s all a mentality though. I believe it worked out in my
favor that attending a university known for its art program would benefit me,
even though that’s not my academic path. I used it to my advantage and by my
junior year I had been featured in several art shows and 2 galleries/museums on
both coasts of the U.S.
6. What’s your dream like about marriage?
Bri Brianni: I don’t think of
marriage much, but I just want my husband and family to be happy and stable.
7. Who is your mentor?
Bri Brianni: Literally everyone I
know! I adopted the habit of learning from everyone I cross paths with from my
dad. Many of my friends inspire me.
8.
What’s
your favorite book?
Bri Brianni: The greatest thing I
own and have built is my library. It describes me best when I am unable to
clearly express myself. I’m so in love with each and every one of my books
because together, they have shaped who I am. I would have to say my favorite
out of the bunch is The Fifth Agreement by Don Miguel Ruiz. I read it my
sophomore year of high school and his words still stick with me to this day.
9.
What’s your favorite TV show, and why?
Bri Brianni: I honestly do not
have one... I prefer movies.
10 When
you feel sad, what do you do?
Bri Brianni: I accept these
feelings, process them, give myself time to grieve and I move on. Some feelings
of sadness come from uncertainty and lack of closure. Some are due to
depression, but either way I try to find the source of my sadness and make sure
I remove myself from it so that I can heal.
11. Do
you have a political view? Yes? What is it?
Br
Br Brianni: I do not. I respect
the Green Party’s ideas. I truthfully believe that the environment has significance
on humanity; politicians don’t really care to see that though.
My Reflection
As I
approached 22 years of life I reflected on how I have even gotten this far.
I’ve battled with depression and I’ve been blessed with pure happiness.
This
entire life is a rollercoaster. As cliché as it sounds, it makes sense.
Sometimes you have to step out of the rollercoaster seat and be the observer.
Life isn’t linear, it has its twists and turns, and when you’re placed on the
rollercoaster you won’t always be able to predict those turns. But when you’re
looking at the ride itself from below, you kind of notice what’s going to be
expected.
I think everyone should just take themselves out their own shoes
sometimes and look at the bigger picture. Being an artist, I have learned to
look at life like the abstract pieces I adore and create. I chose art because I
fell in love with it and it’s been on my mind every single day since I was a
kid. I love how the opportunities are limitless and have no preference (just live life).
I am in my senior year of college as a science major and I have
learned love as well. I hope to incorporate both in my future to create
something dope.
My advice to young people is to be real, step out of your own
perspective and learn new ones. Find what you like and do not like, but respect
both. Always be kind, the energy that is most compatible with your being will
always work in your favor. So exercise and use it your advantage.
Life goes by
quick, so please spend time every day doing something you enjoy, and work hard
because the future is approaching. Choose love, it does not hurt. Hurt hurts
you, but love never hurts!
Brianni Duncan
Virginia Commonwealth University
USA
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