Today we’d like to introduce you to Madison George.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Madison. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
For me, my identity as a creative was always apparent at a young age. In school, I failed miserably in math and science, instead finding myself deep in my sketchbook drawing outfits I wish I could wear. Looking back, its crazy how the school system of my time was so against anything that was outside of the norm. If you weren’t excelling in all subjects your future was basically doomed. Luckily, in order to make up math credits, I took every single art class my school offered leading me to get inspired to start my school’s very first “Fashion Club”. This allowed me to channel and share my inner creativity and build workshops for the group such as customizing your own clothes, basic sewing/embroidery, button making, collaging, sketching and more.
Finally, having my own artistic crew gave me confidence to continue on in the world of creating. While my peers were off applying to UC schools and dreaming of joining sororities, I knew my only goal was to attend art school. Despite the high prices I spent the summer doing anything I could to chip away at the tuition because it was the only path I wanted to go down. I started out the summer quarter at The Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising (FIDM) in San Diego, majoring in product development and quickly changed my degree to Visual Communications, switching to the Los Angeles campus to dive in fully. This new major was more up my alley teaching everything from graphic design, 3D rendering, prop building/set dressing, merchandising, fashion styling, and so much more. This major was perfect for me because the possibilities were endless. My most memorable project was creating a 12 x 20-foot window display, working with everything from making silicone molds, realistic finish painting, and even 3D printing!
Getting a creative degree helped me not only learn the technical skills for the industry but also gave me the confidence I needed to follow my dreams of having an unconventional profession. I think my life came full circle when I was hired on set to do wardrobe and props for a math tutoring company’. I thought, “Hey! I may not have been a math wiz but they need MY skills for something.”
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I kind of thrive off of things not being smooth. I feel a bit of anxiousness in anything that stays too smooth for too long. I love having a challenge that pushes me to my edge, allowing discoveries within myself and my own personal limits as a creator. I think a big focus of mine this year has been learning and sticking to self worth.
As an artist, it’s really hard to put a dollar sign on your work when you truly love what you do and would continue on for the rest of eternity for free, but the term “starving artist” is real if you don’t set boundaries for yourself and clients.
Starting out and trying to build a career based off of something inside of you is a tough ride, but sooo satisfying so hang in there.
The biggest advice I could give that I use as a constant reminder and basis for myself is finding a couple of people or person who inspires you and to ask for help, learn from them. Having a mentor/somebody you assist is as valuable as taking classes. We live in this age were the perils of social media make us afraid to show our entire process of getting there and asking for assistance along the way. We aren’t supposed to be self-made millionaires right now, followers don’t tell us our worth as an artist, and asking for help is not weak.
Finding a healthy routine is really important as well. Transitioning into full time freelancing it is your entire own responsibility to budget, organize taxes/finances/receipts, balance your schedule, and more. Having an unbreakable routine helps you gear up for this, even if it’s just three simple things such as a morning meditation, 15 minutes to make a healthy lunch at home, time aside at the end of your day to write a reflection. These three simple things a day that you do every day makes the craziest difference, it ties you back into your self worth and gives you a few moments to breathe, reflect and just feel throughout your day allowing a gateway to tomorrow’s creativity. Most importantly don’t overthink, just do what feels good!
What do you do, what do you specialize in, what are you known for, etc. What are you most proud of? What sets you apart from others?
I currently work here in SD/ LA in commercial + creative wardrobe and set styling/building. I also freelance out for graphic design, brand development, rendering design, and photo assisting.
My jobs consist of television, musicians, advertising + marketing for brands/big companies, and magazines.
Freelancing is fun because you always have a new project to experience and brand new group of people to work with and learn from. There’s never a dull moment for sure and the hours are always long.
I am proud of inspiring others through my visual representations. I feel love in my heart anytime I put a person in an outfit that makes them feel confident, or finish a set that has a deep message conveyed inside of all of the paint, plaster and materials. Working in advertising has also given me power in changing social stigmas that are often portrayed in advertising, allowing a creative outlet for change.
So much of the media coverage is focused on the challenges facing women today, but what about the opportunities? Do you feel there are any opportunities that women are particularly well-positioned for?
I think our biggest task we face is reworking our thoughts of challenges as women.
Our possibilities are as endless as we want them to be.
Our feminine energy alone is our superpower and we must learn how to channel it.
In these important times of existence, we are particularly well-positioned for spreading themes to the masses.
The themes of my focus are spreading positivity, strength, and loving awareness to every being I come across in hopes that it rubs off on them too. Energetically as women, when we tap into this truth we can change everything. If we can give life, we can also change lives and stigmas that already exist.
Women are healing, neutering, logically in tune with feelings that can drive us into success in our careers, relationships, and daily life as long as we allow it flow naturally.
It’s also really important to speak up in situations where you feel gender challenge. Respectful and thought-provoking conversations are the only way for others to really learn and understand.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.madisonageorge.com
- Phone: 17608898011
- Email: Contact@madisonageorge.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stackmaddy/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/madison.alyssa.31
Image Credit:
Dana Trippe, Delaney Teichler, Julia Reeser
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