Monifa Kincaid the self taught artist creating artwork from meditation experiences
“Art allows me to continue dancing. Each stroke on my canvas is a curve, a line, a form of self-expression!”
Monifa Kincaid is a self-taught artist who has had her work shown at Akwaaba Gallery in Newark, NJ and at Art-In-The-Atrium in Morristown, NJ. Monifa’s work is centered around inspiration gathered from meditation experiences in the form of, intuitive messages, exercises in self-love, healing past trauma, experiences with nature, colorful visions and sage advice and conversations with spiritual people. Her works, done primarily in oil pastel and colored pencils are vibrant and expressive.
Prior to beginning her career as a visual artist, Monifa was a dance educator and performed professionally as a contemporary dancer, tap dancer and choreographer for 18 years. Her life was dance until the summer of 2016; at the age of 40 her physical body had enough. Although performing was no longer an option for Monifa, she still longed to be creative and self-expressive. Monifa explored a variety of art-forms such as vegan baking, sewing, fashion, jewelry making and curating artisan vendor markets in Brooklyn. Soon after, Monifa found herself leaving her full-time arts education job with the NYC Department of Education due to a health ailment. Monifa would then leave Brooklyn and eventually move to Newark, NJ where she currently resides.
No matter the twists and turns thrown in her Monifa’s path, she continued to find new ways to create. One day she decided to do a 30-day meditative and creative challenge. Each day there was an assignment; it began with a free writing exercise about what creativity meant to her. The next day’s assignment was to sketch an image. It was at this moment that Monifa remembered her past love of drawing some twenty plus years ago. She began sketching, learning and exploring art, ultimately starting her own art company, Monifa Kincaid Fine Art & Prints.
We caught up with Monifa to discuss her business, her journey as an entrepreneur and so much more!
What was the hardest thing for you getting started?
The hardest thing for me getting started was getting the word out and keeping those marketing costs low to non-existent. I do the majority of my marketing on social media. I’m on Instagram, Facebook and I just started a YouTube account. In the past with other businesses, I spent too much money on social media ads that honestly did not convert followers into customers. This time I’m really trying to create more engaging content and I’m focusing on using these platforms to build my email list. I’m learning that marketing and finding my target market takes time. Not every thing works for every business and not everyone is your customer.
Describe your day as a business owner.
I have recently dedicated myself full time to my arts business. I’m also blessed to have a supportive husband who encourages me to pursue my dream as an artist. My day as a business owner starts when I wake up. I meditate each day. Most days I am creating for hours at a time. When I’m not creating new pieces of work, I’m taking photos of my art for my social accounts as well as my website. I’ve also started to incorporate videos of me sketching, coloring and painting. After my lunch break, I focus on email responses to inquiries. The rest of the day I’m studying how to make my business grow and become more sustainable.
How is your business impacting people/the community for the better?
My business mission is to create work that has a message. My work allows people to resonate with their inner self and draw on deeper feelings. Anything that draws emotion and meditation promotes a healthier mental health.
What do you think about Makerhoods?
Makerhoods is awesome. The resources and business help provided is perfect for any entrepreneur who is getting started or trying to get started. I’m beyond thankful to be a vendor on the marketplace and a participant in the First 100k Bootcamp. I know Makerhoods is still a very new concept but I think it should be a model for other cities.
What are your plans for 2020?
I want to create more art pieces. I also want to grow my email list. I would like to submit more applications to online art shows as Covid-19 has cancelled most in-person events. Lastly, I would like to organize my business’ financial flow.
What advice would you tell any self-starting entrepreneur?
Find out why you have started your business? Is it to create generational wealth? Has it been a passion? Figuring out your “Why?” will encourage you to keep going through the ups and downs of entrepreneurship. Also, failure is a part of being an entrepreneur. Every idea may not be a successful one but the lessons you learn from your “failed” ideas just might lead you to the next great successful one!
Anthony Smith, Community Outreach Coordinator
After graduating college and returning back to my hometown of Newark, NJ I became a member of the Newark Makerhoods team. This transformative experience put me in touch with many local entrepreneurs who are all in different business stages, ranging from established to upstart. Newark is a thriving city for talented creators. I'm here to share their stories and launch their business to the everyday public’s eye.