There comes a time in many of our lives where we experience difficult moments mentally or even physically. Some of us deal with childhood trauma that never gets resolved or even talked about. We carry these burdens on our shoulders for years without realizing it.

Acknowledging our trauma is one way of healing. Personally, I have carried childhood trauma on to my adult life. Not only has it affected me but also the people around me. I found myself feeling unloved and constantly seeking validation from others. At the same time, I rejected any love that came my way. Some days felt lonelier than others. It felt as if I was drowning, yet no one could save me. When you grow up feeling as if you have to keep everything to yourself, it eventually catches up to you. Making it difficult to maintain any friendships and/or relationships.

Why is it important to heal? It is important to acknowledge that we experience difficult moments in life. However, giving ourselves time and space to release those traumas and burdens allows us to heal. We can experience healing through meditation, conversation, body movement, and storytelling. These are a few powerful exercises that allow us to go within. It's never easy acknowledging or even healing from these events and/or moments that have become part of our lives over time. Yet, in those moments of vulnerability, we allow ourselves to step into our power by forgiving past experiences.

Q&A with Carmela Mancera

Do you mind sharing a little bit about yourself?

Hi my name is Brenda Angel I am a graduate from Cal State University, San Bernardino. I received my Bachelors in Graphic Design and Marketing in Spring 2018. As a creative Individual my skills in marketing and design allow me to create an experience through my work. Giving insight into my creative process by sharing my skills with others. I was born and raised in San Bernardino, CA. I come from a family of creative individuals. My brother creates with a makeup brush and is a total natural in front of the camera. My sister has an eye for fashion and my youngest sister expresses her self through drawing and music. You can say we got it from our mom. Its in our blood to be creative.

As an Artist have you ever felt overwhelmed or doubted if you were in the right career, what came after, what did you do and how was it handled? How did you know this was the career you wanted to pursue?

Definitely it is something I questioned a couple times while working towards my degree and even now almost two years later I get overwhelmed at times. However I believe that this was the right career for me because it allows me to express my creativity in endless ways. When those moments of doubt do arise I tend to take a step back and look at everything that I have accomplished along the way. When It comes to knowing if Graphic Design was the career I wanted to pursue well it sort of just happened naturally. I knew I wanted to pursue a career in the arts so I explored different things which eventually brought me to graphic design.

As an Artist and launching BA Soul, how has your story led you to where you are now? Professionally and Personally? And  What makes Brenda, Brenda Angel the Graphic Designer?

I always knew that I wanted to make a difference in the world so for years I asked myself how I could bring this to life and it was not until early 2019 when I started my journey with Basoul. It all came from this idea to create patches with designs and some words of affirmation. To inspire and encourage us to be our authentic selves but most importantly to grow, inspire, and create. Those three words allow endless possibilities not only for me as the creator but for those who It may reach. That is why the phrase “Made for you. Make it your own.” is an essential part of basoul as a whole. Starting Basoul has allowed me to grow both personally and professionally. I have been given the opportunity to be featured in Curious magazine for two different issues alongside very talented artists. I have made friends along the way who support me and encourage me to keep pushing and taking my work to bigger heights. In my personal life I can say I have grown very much ever since I created basoul. I stepped into this journey not knowing how or what I would have to do to make it happen and it was hard at times but I see my strength, my passion, and my determination to keep going and learning more about myself along the way. I believe a part of me does identify as a Graphic Designer yet as time goes by I know I am an artist and therefore I will continue to express myself through different avenues.