Spotlight of the Month- Olivia

    Hello there! Can you believe it's already August? It feels like the Fourth of July was just yesterday. I hope you're all enjoying your summer so far. This month, I want to introduce you to Olivia, a talented artist, and model whom I met in high school and have kept in touch with over the years through social media. Olivia is a life enthusiast who always strives to make the most of it, whether it's through traveling, designing, or being an amazing mom to her daughters. She's a wise woman with a lot of knowledge to share, and I can't wait for you to hear her story!

• What is your creative talent? Or a hobby that makes your heart smile? "Art has always been my passion and it is something I am currently trying to pursue on the side."
• What are some of your favorite accomplishments? "My favorite accomplishment is that I have been able to model for amazing Native American artists from not only my tribe but tribes across the country. I love that I am able to connect to my culture through fashion and art shows. It is an empowering feeling." 

• If you have a business please explain what you do and how we can support you.  "I do not have a business, but I am in the works of creating one. I would like to create more art that connects more to my people and be able to make that a full-time business. I also would like to dip my hand into the fashion industry. It is so inspiring seeing what the new generation is creating."
• What advice would you give the younger generation about life and or about going after the career/hobby or business you currently have?  "The advice I would like to give is advice I wish I would have known when I was younger. If you have a dream that you want to pursue just f****ing go for it. I saw a quote that said God did not put that dream in your heart for no reason. I love that. I think growing up I always struggled figuring out who I was and what I wanted to do because of my roots vs. how I grew up. My family on one side is all business and isn't traditional and the other is the complete opposite. I went to a catholic school my entire life but remember my cultural native roots. I always had a hard time figuring out who I was and how I live my life with two different views. I think now it is such a beautiful thing to pour that into my art and realize that it is beautiful to believe in God, my ancestors and the universe. I can love every part of how I was raised and I can merge everything together and be proud of who I am. I guess what I am trying to say is to never be ashamed of who you are, where you came from, or how you were raised. You can use every bit of that to create something beautiful. You can use that to create a path that can even inspire others. This is why I love being able to model for Native American artists today because a lot have mixed traditional style with modern fashion. It is incredible to see new younger artists changing the fashion game and merging two different styles together and being successful at it!"

      Olivia is a remarkable woman who exudes beauty, intellect, and determination. Her words of wisdom to her younger self resonated with me, particularly her emphasis on self-love and pursuing one's dreams. Olivia is a multi-talented woman with a new business venture in the works, a stunning model, and a wonderful mother. It is truly admirable how she manages to juggle all these commitments while navigating life's challenges. I feel privileged to have heard her story, and I have no doubt that her insights will inspire many. I look forward to witnessing her future successes and am honored to welcome her into the Creatively Linked family.  Olivia, you are Creatively Linked!