Brooklyn teen artist Cheyenne Sookoo hasn’t even entered her twenties yet, but she’s already sold more work than artists do over the course of their entire careers, Face2Face Africa reported.
Sookoo has found a way to turn her passion into profit by launching her own live painting company, the news outlet writes. The inspiration behind her work is the beauty of women of color. Many of her pieces intertwine her love for nature and the captivating features of different Black women. Sookoo has spent over 10,000 hours bringing her thoughts to life on canvas and she recently found a way to monetize her love for painting.
She launched a business called Events on Canvas which provides live painting at an array of different events. She took her business concept to the Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship competition—which helps students from underserved communities launch their business ideas—and ended up winning $6,000 to back Events on Canvas. Sookoo was also named Top Ten Young Entrepreneurs in the World.
“This means so much to me that I am recognized for an art business,” she said, according to the news outlet. “I had many people throughout my journey tell me that I can’t do this, I can’t be an artist, I’m going to be a starving artist, I’m going to fail and NFTE has helped me with the entrepreneurial mindset in terms of not giving up.” Events on Canvas provides live painting services for $1,500. Outside of selling artwork, Sookoo sells clothing. She says the idea of being her own boss is what continues to drive her.
Many Black youngsters are turning their love for art into businesses. Using her artistry as an avenue for philanthropy Camryn Green, 13, has sold hundreds of her original paintings and donated most of the proceeds to support children in Liberia.
SEE ALSO:
Black 13-Year-Old Artist Uses Her Work For Social Good
Philadelphia Museum Of Art Adds Work By Self-Taught Black Artists To Collection
Brooklyn Teen Turns Passion For Art Into Profit was originally published on newsone.com
