Meet Sunaé Long | Expressionist Artist and Designer

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

Hi Sunaé, how do you think about risk?
I think about risk as a business partner. It’s an investment; a factor in every decision you make from the start and throughout your career. Risk isn’t a challenge I’d shy away from just because of its title or meaning. I started my business on taking a risk. Not knowing if my art would be supported or admired. Not knowing if sales would be made or if events would be successful, it’s all apart of faith. Taking risks has allowed me to enter spaces and hold conversations i never knew i would. It’s allowed me to gain confidence in being myself & asking the important questions.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
What sets me apart from others is my ability to be expressive through various mediums of art. I work on various surfaces with acrylic paint, oil paint and 3D art form techniques. Presently, i work more on larger scale artworks, digital illustrations & clothing design. I am most excited when i learn a new skill, brainstorm new ideas or meet a person(s) that share mutual passion in the arts.

I’m most proud of my past & present highlights in my art career. Earlier, I was able to host a variety of events on campus at Kean University, where i graduated with a Bachelors in Fine Arts & Minor in Marketing. One of those events, were an art exhibit that lead into a fashion show, I was able to co-host. The show included my designs and artwork as well as, highlight other local artists and designers. Over the years, I have been proud to continuously be given creative freedom to take part in numerous creative networking events and showcase my designs in fashion shows. I am proud to have my artwork accepted in more exhibits taking place in my hometown state of New Jersey.

I don’t believe i am exactly where I’d like to be professionally as an artist. I know that i am on the right path and God has allowed me to only carry what i am ready for. I’ve overcome challenges by remembering my “why” and not quitting on my dream or future self. Along the way I’ve learned “My pace is my peace” , a phrase I created around the start of my brand to remind myself to be kind and patient with my journey. To speak to myself in ways that uplift me, not in dialogue that focuses on the negatives of what i may be presently feeling.

My brand and story is never about the praise of being an artist. It’s about personal and professional development. It’s about embodying the qualities and characteristics that will continuously give me the grace to keep being expressive. I hope somewhere along my journey to have reached or helped someone else to do the same.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I’m born and raised in New Brunswick, NJ. So, we’d definitely be hitting downtown Easton Ave or George St for food or drinks.
I love Mexican food so we’d probably go to Fat Cactus. I would definitely have them attend art/networking events or day parties with me. We would visit friends they may not have seen in a while. My next stop would be Jersey City or Newark for a night out in a hookah lounge or bar hopping.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
#UCYPHE, is an organization and family that has been there for me since the start of my art career in 2016. I first started as an intern, volunteering & showcasing my art at community events. I’ve received support and resources to help build my creative ideas into fruition. Along with For Struggling Creatives, founded by Danté Laughlin. A creative consulting company that provides one to one services to help change creatives struggles through community.

Website: https://www.artbysungod.com

Instagram: Business: @Artbysungod / Personal: @sungod_

Image Credits
Dre Valentino, Danté Laughlin, Myro