We were fortunate to catch up with some brilliant artists, creatives and entrepreneurs from throughout the Houston area and they share the wisdom with us below.

Dot Lung | Mother of Social Dragons

“Be brave enough to live creatively. The creative is the place where no one else has ever been. You have to leave the city of your comfort and go into the wilderness of your intuition. You cannot get there by bus, only by hard work, risking and by not quite knowing what you are doing. What you will discover will be wonderful: Yourself.” — Alan Alda Read more>>

Maggy Cuesta | Artist/Director

I have always taken on risks with the idea firmly in mind that whatever happens with my endeavors – they will be a learning experience or a life changing moment or event. Read more>>

 Maz Joachin | Animation Director | Illustrator

With animation being so underdeveloped in The Bahamas it was an enormous task to consider doing one. My team and I had a lot stacked against us, from the technical aspects to the funding, we were met almost immediately with challenges. Though these challenges and risks oddly gave us a deeper sense a drive and purpose, we’d solve problems that seemed impossible and tried to prove it could be done. Overall, my feelings are that a good risk could often times yield high rewards. Read more>>

Suzane Bacelar | Birth and Family Filmmaker / Photographer

My passion for my love for making films and taking photos of families has come from watching my own family grow and change. I am obsessed with finding ways to slow down time and having the ability to remember every detail of my daughter’s childhood and our family moments together. Read more>>

Alexander Peters | Abstract Painter

Mozart was rumored to have said, “the silence between the notes are as important as the notes themselves.” It’s easy to understand this in relation to music. Similarly, it’s easy to apply this concept to movement based arts, whereas silence would likely equate to stillness within the choreography. However, how does an artist working in visual art mediums apply this idea? As an abstract painter, one could consider the word balance or symmetry, possibly even simplicity, but still these are not as exacting. Nonetheless, this notion, “the silence”, that is what I am attempting to find in my process amongst the chaos and cacophony of layering and building a painting. Read more>>

Michaela Antoinette | Mystic Artist and Visionary LL.B, LL.M, BVC

As a mystic artist and visionary, my work will exist as a reminder to humanity that we are infinite beings. That infinite nature/energy is within all of us and everything that lives and passes through matter. To be conscious of the divine within leads to a deeper sense of gratitude and responsibility for our existence…an understanding that life is a soulful experience to be cherished. All of our circumstances, negative or positive are for us to gain wisdom, compassion, empathy and to practice unconditional love for ourselves and others. Read more>>

Racquel Henry | Writer, Editor, and Writing Coach

Hallmark movies. I’m serious! Hallmark movies inspired me to believe in love again and to write romance. I’m also inspired by life. If you pay attention enough, you’ll notice that inspiration is everywhere. Sometimes I’m inspired by a person, a sentence, or a small moment while getting a coffee. I find a lot of inspiration in my family and friends. There is so much beauty around us if we just take a second to slow down and notice it. Read more>>

Kelly Edwards | Family Photographer

My love for photography started when I was a kid. My Mom had a decent camera and she loved taking photos of our family. Although it was just a hobby for her, she was very particular about lighting/angles and she seemed to know more than the typical mom snapping pics. I loved that she cared so much about capturing moments in our life. As I grew older, photos continued to hold a special spot in my heart. When I was 19, I lost my Dad to Pancreatic Cancer (he was only 54) and that might have been the most pivotal moment for me and my passion for photography. At that point in my life, I realized I would never have another “new” photo of my handsome Dad. All I had of him, was all I would ever have forever. I cherish my family photos from my childhood probably more than any other tangible possession. I’m now married and have three children of my own and as you can imagine I take photos of everything, whether the daily mundane moments or the big birthday and graduations. My goal as a family photographer, is to capture the moments for a lifetime while at the same time creating a family memory within the session. I pride myself on getting everyone to laugh and giggle and truly look at each other, not just for the image, but for the beauty of the moment we are actually living in. Read more>>

Anna-Maria Vassilevska | Freelance graphic designer

Sustainability! Now, before you roll your eyes and move on because you’ve heard this word a million times, hear me out. I’m talking about it in a much broader sense, beyond the typical political speeches and environmental discussions. I mean sustainability as a mindset and a guiding principle to everything we do in life. Sustainability for me is making choices that last. It’s about thinking long-term rather than going for quick fixes. Instead of reaching for a painkiller right away, try to figure out what’s causing the pain. And instead of jumping into extreme diets, focus on regular exercise and healthy eating habits. Dig deep, examine, put in the work, endure, and stay committed for the long haul. Slow and steady wins the race! Read more>>

 Paulo Gago | Artis

The amout of work needed and the freedom and capacity of the mid to create, its not just paint in the canvas, theres a more intimate, deep and personal part in creation. The mind must be free and also free of worries, stress, schedules…etc, free of all that can exaust your brain. Read more>>

Casey Graves | Comedian

The end goal for me professionally is to have made significant contributions in my field, to have grown both personally and intellectually, and to have positively impacted the lives of others through my work. By the end of my career, I envision myself as an expert in my domain, respected for my expertise, and potentially in a position where I can mentor and inspire others in their professional journeys. Ultimately, I aim to leave a lasting legacy of innovation and positive change. Read more>>

Christian Barrels-Brens | Chef / Entrepreneur with Caribbean Flavor

I chose to pursue an artistic and creative career because it’s intricately woven into the fabric of my life’s journey and aspirations. My decision stems from a pivotal moment at the age of 16, when my family confronted significant challenges as my mother courageously battled two types of cancer. Witnessing her struggle and the financial strain it placed on our household, I felt compelled to take action. It was then that I embarked on a path of entrepreneurship, starting with selling sweets to contribute to our family’s income. Read more>>

Cheraine Marshall | Music Executive and Founder of Tastemaker

My journey into the music industry is deeply rooted in my familial heritage and profound love for the culture of Jamaica. My late grandmother, Leanora ‘Mama Lee’ Powell, was renowned for hosting legendary street dances in downtown Kingston, earning accolades, and forming lifelong relationships with musicians and entertainment luminaries, including Dancehall Queen Carlene and Reggae Royalty Big Youth. Read more>>

Gabe Alonso | Owner of TRYBE Events & Promotions

“Trybe is my event coordination & hospitality operations company. We specialize in event curation, on-site venue operations, talent acquisition, and VIP coordination. We partner with some of the most notable venues across the country. Some of our partners include SLS Hyde Beach, Groot Hospitality, and Homecookin’ Hospitality to name a few. What sets us apart from the rest of the hospitality groups operating in Miami is our attention-to-detail and customer relations, making us thrive in the aspect of elite customer service at all of our events & venues. We grew from a small events company hosting one-off nights at nightclubs in Wynwood to partnering with some of the biggest names in Miami’s hospitality game. Overcoming challenges, trials, and tribulations is part of the game on the road to success with any business – Trybe has done a great job of running through walls for our clients and accomodating to all client requests ensuring an astounding hospitality experience for every guest who comes to our events. Our company has evolved throughout the years, growing with Miami’s next generation of hospitality operators in collaboration with us to create the new & improved hospitality scene in Miami for years to come. I’m very excited for the future of my company & how it continues to thrive in the hospitality industry for years to come.” Read more>>