Meet Makyah Dixon | Model and Content Creator

We had the good fortune of connecting with Makyah Dixon and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Makyah, how do you think about risk?
I think risk is a chance – a chance for change, growth, experience, and broadening horizons, among other things. I don’t believe risk is easy; in fact, I believe it’s one of the hardest things to do. What can be even harder is growing up while taking risks and soon realizing it’s always a 50/50 shot in the dark, and being okay with whatever comes out on the other side, whether it’s good or bad. (It’s okay to also not be okay.) However, risk teaches, and I believe it’s necessary as well. Risks thrust you into uncomfortable situations that can lead to your metamorphosis from a caterpillar to a butterfly, transforming you into a new version of yourself. With every uncomfortable experience tackled, a new level of your individuality is unlocked, which can be of use and help you learn from it in whichever way you see fit. Regarding growing up in the era of social media, insecurities have had a tendency to dominate my mental world. With this being said, I was never someone who was adept at taking risks for myself; it terrified me (as the unknown does to anyone). Things changed when I learned to appreciate my talents and passions, such as art in all its forms: physical, drawn/painted, and musical. Soon after realizing and deciding that I wanted to live my life for the arts, every decision I made after that became a sort of risk. I came to understand that risks are just stepping stones towards achieving the life you want to live. When I got serious, I aimed for the stars. My decision to get serious about modeling and self-progression in my career was and is a significant risk. In my careers, taking risks has led me to meet extraordinary people in their fields, inspiring me to push further for myself. I’ve also learned to embrace new skills, such as singing and dancing, and received praise for my progress made. Even following the risks I took for modeling have since made being in public much easier, working with new people, being open to more opportunities, etc. Taking risks has taught me to appreciate the little things, because sometimes setbacks can happen – some more challenging than others – and they can also sometimes be difficult to recover from. One mistake I made in my life with regards to risk was focusing on the negative outcomes before even considering the positive ones. It can be frightening in that way… but with time and change, I can confidently say that I believe in risks. I believe they’re meant for us because we’re never meant to stop growing and learning. Experience is what makes life, and oftentimes, you have to take a risk to savor the good life, to even get a taste of it. It’s more than possible, and both you and I are undoubtedly capable of handling whatever comes our way and all the risks we’ll soon undertake.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
My art stands as a testament to the distinctive lens through which I perceive the world and the depths of creativity I bring to every creation. In a realm where my individuality finds its voice, Through my photography, I aim to spotlight the allure of our natural surroundings, capturing moments of unfiltered beauty that often go unnoticed. This focus on the raw magnificence of our world underscores my commitment to magnify the extraordinary within the ordinary, and this remains the theme for all my content. I enjoy focusing on the beautiful things in life as this is my portrayal to my audience that things are not always as bad as they seem.

My physical art is a focus of diverse levels of creativity. Each stroke, each detail is an embodiment of the interplay between inspiration and imagination. I infuse my creations with a narrative that resonates with the depths of human emotion and experience. This multif-style approach is my signature (in art and life), a testament to my unwavering belief that art is a reflection of the intricacies that shape our existence. I stand committed to creating art that is not merely a visual representation, but a soul representation as well and this follows through all my art musically and physically. A journey into the profound realms of perception and interpretation that sets my work apart is what I take pride in.

Growing up I realized I was a lot more social than a lot of kids my age, I grew up learning about personalities seeing they can place you on certain paths that you can follow. I knew this would be a strong suit for me, my personality is colorful and unique, and it’s something I also take pride in. My attitude of critical optimism is hard to grasp for some, but has proved complex in my art. It represents my mental levels and the details that make each stair in my staircase of creativity. Outside of letting my imagination fill a blank canvas literally, the art I’ve created in modeling has opened my horizons making myself a bit more of a threat? Wrong term, jack of trade, putting my imagination in a new state of creation.

I’m proud of the creations I’ve made and will continue to make. I’m proud that I can say I’ve pursued what I want for myself instead of following a path that wasn’t meant for me. Nothing comes easy, and challenges are the hardest parts of growing solely because of the reward/lesson on the other side. I owe a lot of my ability to adapt in serious environments, to my mom being a single parent in our four child household that luckily helped me adapt incredibly in societal challenges. I’ve been able to look at situations for both sides and see them differently and/or for what the situation truly is. It’s taught me to trust my gut, cheesy but true. I picked up “it is possible” as the saying that gets me through everything and anything. A saying that means there are no limits and to dream the biggest is best. I’ve learned that sometimes having high expectations can also hurt you or benefit you but I wouldn’t take from the experience nonetheless.

I’m not perfect. No one is. And a lot of my teachings have come from painful or hurtful places, which isn’t exciting to talk about but I want to ease your mind. My childhood, characterized by its heavy love, challenges and moments of struggle and success, has played an unexpected role in shaping my creative journey in the realms of art and modeling. The hurdles I faced, though often daunting at the time, have proven to be invaluable sources of inspiration and growth as I’ve matured. These early trials have endowed me with a unique perspective and a reservoir of emotions that infuse depth into my artistic expressions. Rather than hindering me, the difficulties I encountered have become the very bedrock from which my creativity springs forth. I’ve been able to represent myself as someone who looks for the good in a sticky situation..the hope that’s still kicking even when it feels like hope is lost. Part of that comes from losing the person that introduced me to art in the long run, and that’s something I would have begged to have. However in a “there’s a light at the end of the tunnel scenario”, that did nothing but help inspire me, shortly after feeling I lost a part of me, I made it a mission to gain more than I could imagine for myself. I felt rocky and oftentimes a little uncomfortable, but embracing that rock, that change, is what helped me in the “adapting to life” process, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. I want everyone to carry with them that creativity has no height, the sky’s the limit and anyone and everyone is capable of art. You are your own art and we must continue to believe in that.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I’m obsessed with charming and visually pleasing places that ignite our creative instincts. When it comes to breakfast spots, places like “Maple Street Biscuit” and “Another Broken Egg Cafe” stand out, offering comforting morning meals. I’m drawn to spaces that infuse a sense of harmony into our breakfast and brunch routines. Locations such as “Breakfast at Barney’s” and “The Garden Room” provide an incredibly picturesque setting for Instagram-worthy shots (which I’m always aiming for).For diverse dining experiences, “Iron Age” offers a delightful and interactive Korean BBQ cooking adventure. If you’re seeking soul food, “Paschal’s Restaurant” is a must-visit, highly recommended by me. Being a true food enthusiast, I fully embrace indulging in delectable delights.

Beyond food, I also enjoy spending quality time in engaging environments. Exploring the “Atlanta Beltline” is a fantastic day activity, suitable from sunrise to sunset. It’s a social hub with a variety of restaurants and stores to look into. Connected to the Beltline is “Ponce City Market,” a place I appreciate for its unique shops and culinary stops.Moreover, there’s a wealth of experiences to delve into, from the Georgia Aquarium and Botanical Gardens to Atlantic Station, the High Museum of Art, and even the Van Gogh exhibition. Adventure surrounds us at every turn.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My friends and family who have encouraged me to embrace my creativity, I want to dedicate my growth and success to you. Every person and situation that has ever ignited passion in me to come up with new ideas every day, I want to thank you for helping me reach new heights. I’m grateful for the comfort and support I’ve received, even in times when my motivation was lacking. I extend my gratitude to every stepping stone that has placed me on the path I’m excited to journey along.

Beyond family and friends, I must mention my love and passion for photography, film and animation styles. (anime for one specific) Every level of creativity inspires me for more, and specifically, well-crafted films filled with energy and emotion, and animations bursting with color and detail, as well as aesthetic, well put together photographs have immensely fueled my inspiration to continue creation in my own style.

I’d like to give a shout-out to all artists as well. Artists often grapple with doubt and intimidation; the real world tends to be unforgiving. But the work is something that’s most cherished; the payoff of a well-done piece. Satisfaction is gratifying, but the fulfillment of pursuing one’s passion is truly rewarding.

I hope everyone continues to create because the world can always become more beautiful.

Website: https://beingmak.substack.com/ , kavyar.me/makyah-dixon

Instagram: MakyahDixon

Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/makyah-dixon-4783a9210

Other: Threads: Makyahdixon Email: makyahdixon@yahoo.com

Image Credits
“Corbin Outfit” Photo done by Hadley. Ig; Hads404 “Blue Coach” shoot done by Deijon Marquis. Ig; Deijonmarquis