We had the good fortune of connecting with Bari-Lynn Friedlander and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Bari-Lynn, what role has risk played in your life or career?
I once heard someone say that it’s better to try and fail than to live in regret for never trying at all. I became so comfortable with my job in fashion and living in Manhattan that I found my life was no longer an adventure. I was no longer inspired to create, and rather comfortable and content in my day job working for someone else. It may have made me feel safe but I started to feel that I was no longer growing and didn’t quite have that spark or passion any longer. Once I left my day job and put my focus into my art and myself, then everyday became an adventure. I now have so much energy to do more, create more, learn more, and share more with others. I am constantly looking to see how I can educate myself further not only in my artwork but in business, entrepreneurship, and now even in learning a new language. I no longer wait for the day to end and instead wake up every morning excited for the day to start!

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.

I am most proud of my dedication, my never-give up mindset, and my business woman mentality. I had never owned a business before, nor did I study business in school but I know what I want and I won’t take no for an answer. I want the world to know, see, feel, and be surrounded by my work and by the energy and passion in each one of my works. I want my message of love, light, and inclusivity to be spread far and wide! Mental Health Awareness is extremely important to me and I hope that my work can help to lead an open discussion on this subject. We are all affected by mental health in some way – whether battling it ourselves or having loved ones struggling, and I aim to promote awareness through each of my pieces.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?

I am still new to Miami so I don’t yet know my favorite spots but I would absolutely take them for a beautiful walk along the water and to my favorite yoga studio, Mimi’s Yoga!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?

I have to give a special shoutout to all of my friends and family who have encouraged, supported, and rooted me on these past 3 years as I pursued my dream of being an artist. Without them, I would absolutely not be where I am today. I also have to thank the community around me who have included me in shows, nonprofits, events, networking events, and so so much more. Palm Beach was a big stepping stone for me in my career and I owe a special thanks to the community there that really helped to build me up and encourage me and my work, after having moved there not knowing a single person!

Website: www.barilynn.art

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/barilynn.art/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/barilynnf/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BariLynn.Art/

Image Credits
Stuart Tracte

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutMiami is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.