Meet Steffany Brady: Graphic Designer & Artist

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

Hi Steffany, how has your perspective on work-life balance evolved over time?
When I started my career as a graphic designer I had no work life balance. I would work late nights, early mornings and spend most of my time at the office.. Later I learned that this was not the way I wanted to live my life. I started to leave my computer at home and actually enjoying my free time. I also started to value my time away from work and that is when I allowed myself to start thinking about the ideas for my art business. As a creative individual my mind is rarely quiet, there is always an inner dialogue happening; but when there is no work life balance the ideas get convoluted and I get very overwhelmed to the point where i stop making, I stop sketching, I stop creating…. Balance is extremely important, it allows for the mind to rest and -at least in my case- it allows me to compartmentalize my ideas and create priorities.

Please tell us more about your work. We’d love to hear what sets you apart from others, what you are most proud of or excited about. How did you get to where you are today professionally. Was it easy? If not, how did you overcome the challenges? What are the lessons you’ve learned along the way. What do you want the world to know about you or your brand and story?
I think my proudest moment as and artist and as a graphic design professional was when both my passions merged with the opportunity to paint my first large mural. This has been the most challenging project both physically and mentally. This opportunity came about at a time in my life where I had recently gotten let go from work and I was also 7 months pregnant… At this time I truly believed my artistic/professional career was over, I lost self confidence in myself, my work, and I was also emotionally devastated considering my pregnancy and the way it affected became the reasons why I got let go. Suddenly i found myself at home with nothing to do other than waddle around the house with my big belly this was the first time in 9 years I didn’t have work so I started reaching out to previous clients and colleges for freelance opportunities and ended up reconnecting with some old friend/work colleges from Houston. They presented an unique opportunity to design and paint a 130’x20′ mural for one of their mixed use locations. Even Though I had never painted anything this large the client and his team believed in me and hired me for this job. I recruited my husband, sister, brother-in-law, and dad as my painting crew. It was a once in a lifetime experience to bring my family to join the ride. This mural opened so many doors for me, both professionally and also personally reminding me of what I am capable of. It was also a proud moment completing this project and taking my daughter to see the mural once she was born. Might need to take her back when she gets older. A lesson that we all hear about but often forget when we are in the thick of it is that there will always be highs and lows in life, we want to live the highs as long as possible but inevitable there will be a low, and when there is a low is easy to freeze and allow fear to take over, the key is to always keep moving!

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
My number one destination is White Rock Lake. When my husband and I moved to Dallas from Houston we found out about White Rock Lake and where mesmerized. this is why we found a house 2 mins away from the park. Everytime we have visitors we take them there. Around the lake there are a number of great restaurants and bars but Smokey Rose has a specially place in my heart. Absolutely delicious bbq, they chicken and waffle is fantastic! I also love the Giant Eyeball in Main Street District and the underground bar at the Joule hotel, those are my go to destinations. Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
There are a few people along the way that have constantly inspired me, pushed me, and promoted me. I’ll start with my sister, Jennyfer Ebert. She is the reason why I open an instagram and facebook account to share my art & design project. I always viewed social media platforms as a place to shamelessly brag about oneself… but my sister made me realize that social media platforms are also the best way of reaching my audience and sharing a small piece of who I am. I will forever be grateful to her for making me put myself outside my comfort zone and share with the world. Thank you Nena!!!

Website: www.steffanybrady.com
Instagram: @steffanybradyart
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/steffany-brady-50718914/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/BradySteffany
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/steffanybradyart
Other: https://segd.org/steffany-brady https://www.behance.net/steffanybre57b https://houstonmuralmap.com/artist/steffany-brady-blauhaus-dallas-tx/ https://issuu.com/creativpaper/docs/creativpaper-issue-12-vol-3-digital/s/69571

Image Credits
Brilliant Tapestry located at 1111 Main St photographed by Morris Malakoff