Today we’d like to introduce you to Tiimy Reid.
Hi Tiimy, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Not to sound too cliché, but I’m convinced I was creating in the stars before I even arrived. My creativity is a tapestry woven mostly from the vibrant threads of my mother’s lineage though I did inherit a distinct “musical ear” from my father’s side to keep the rhythm. From the delicate precision of my great-grandmother’s needlework to the unwavering magic my Aunt Danielle—who has championed every one of my wild endeavors—art is me and I am art!
Even when the universe tried to hide the brushes creativity always found its way back to me. I remember high school where my schedule was devoid of a single art class. Yet like fate I was pulled into Ms. Becker’s realm. In a simple computer lab the spark of graphic design ignited. I was advanced that they suggested I transfer to AP graphic design. Then there was Mrs. Ross—the very first person besides my mother to give one of my paintings a home on her walls.
When graduation bells finally rang, I felt more trepidation than triumph. I stood at a crossroads trying to find the words to tell my “traditionally-minded” family that my soul needed a sabbatical. High school had been a storm of self-discovery, domestic shadows, and the occasional coldness of teachers who saw a student instead of a human.
I pleaded for a year to breathe, to mend, and to find my footing. Instead I found myself staring down the sterile halls of community college due to my mother declining my request. Each morning felt heavier than the last which landed me back in the cycle of endless bookwork and—believe it or not—presentations in gym class! By the second day I knew I couldn’t stay. My inner light was flickering, and I realized that to save my spark. I had to stop following a map that wasn’t written for me. . .
Then it hit me . . .
I could create . . .
sounds like a great idea right?
On the morning of the third day the air felt heavy with the ghosts of my families expectations. I lay there anchored to my bed realizing I couldn’t spend one more second performing a life that wasn’t mine just to keep the peace. Then my eyes caught them: my sketchbooks from high school. They were scattered like fallen leaves around the room. Flipping through those pages, I found the only version of myself that ever felt “sane”
That day I ended up staying home. Choosing my sanity over the class room while never looking back. It was a terrifying leap, but looking at where I stand nowwww it was the most enchanting decision I’ve ever made. Nine years later of consistently making my inner child smile surpassing the goals she set out for herself!
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
No matter which path you wander, you’ll eventually find a thorn in your thumb. For me the journey into the creative wild led me straight into a dark thicket—the “Holy Trinity” of nightmares that kept me from my own magic.
The Artistic Identity Crisis
Let’s peer into the deep end of the well, shall we? I used to be a master of self-sabotage, an architect of my own glass ceilings. I’d whisper to myself, “Stop running from your potential!” yet I’d spend my days talking myself out of the most wonderfully whimsical ideas. I was terrified the “audience” wouldn’t understand, forgetting that the right souls will always find your signal if you just stop scrambling the frequency! For a long time, I wore a mask, censoring the heart of my style to avoid family lectures and the suggestion that I “might need Jesus” lmaoo.
The Lesson: Wear your colors boldly. If no one has told you today: you are doing a magnificent job with the stardust you were given!
The Shadow-Keepers & Leeches
As you begin to weave your craft be careful who you invite into your workshop. Be fiercely selective about the company you keep—ensure the people and places you tie your spirit to share your internal compass. I’ve learned to stand on my own twenty toes (it’s a bit of a balancing act, I’ll admit!). While my art may look like a pretty dream, the real truth is hidden between the lines. If you can read the “Why” behind what you see welcome to the inner circle. Just know that entry requires one more thing: raw, unbridled passion.
The Great Balancing Act
When I first stepped into the life of a full-time creator, I completely forgot how to exhale. I treated my soul like a factory sprinting towards burnout thinking I could conquer the world in forty-eight hours. I forgot that magic takes time to brew. Back then I was “Everything Everywhere All At Once” (a cinematic masterpiece, truly), but in my studio which meant chaos. I was a hoarder until 2024 where I finally organized my “Inner Hoarder” learning that a rested creator is a powerful one.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
Mythical Meets Creativity making the invisible visible – That’s my motto.
My specialties
Photography
Modeling (Print/Runway)
Graphic/ Apparel / Set Design
Creative Direction
Styling
Painting
Prop Making
As a multi-disciplinary creative my work is defined by an empyrean aesthetic with a “shape-shifting” ability to adapt to any medium. Since serving as the 2024 LED Veteran for LED Baltimore, I have curated a portfolio that ranges from commercial production with Wide Angle Youth Media to my concert collaborations with 070 Shake.
I am a firm believer in the power of the local creative economy. My work with Stray Terrors, Focused on Creatives and The Gallery About Nothing reflects my commitment to authentic expression and community-building. This community-first mindset extends to my on-set philosophy! I create safe educational environments where emerging talent can gain the experience they need to thrive in an often-challenging industry.
The Next Chapter:
After making my mark in the digital arts, I am currently pivoting to Fashion Design and painting! Following a successful debut in the Elton John Style Icon competition. 2026 focus is dedicated to using up cycling to create high-concept garment design and intricate designs on canvas !
What was your favorite childhood memory?
My favorite memory had to be traveling with the family! Looking back those trips weren’t just vacations; they were a masterclass in generosity. Even though as kids we were feeling the weight of financial struggles, my grandmother acted as a bridge between my reality and the rest of the world. She didn’t just give us a plane ticket; she gave us a perspective that wasn’t limited to just Baltimore.
Universal Studios: The Spark of Creativity
I remember being at Universal, the world felt limitless. Walking through the park that defied the laws of physics seeing my favorite characters in real time that displaying the mechanics of storytelling! It taught me that everything around us is built by imagination.Embrace it! For a few days the stress of my finances vanished replaced by the sheer awe of what humans can create when they dare to dream big. It wasn’t just about the rides; it was about the realization that creativity is a currency all its own.
Honduras: The Heart of Community
If Universal was about the mind, Honduras was about the soul. The “community aspect” there hit differently because it felt authentic and unhurried. We weren’t just passing through; we were witnessing a way of life where people leaned on one another. I was able to make my own chocolate, shop locally, and experience something much better than the stop before! Seeing the vibrancy of the Honduran community put my own financial “hard times” into a different light. It reminded me that poverty of the pocket isn’t poverty of the spirit. The warmth of the people we met felt like a homecoming I didn’t know I needed.
Pricing:
- Event Photography: $500+
- Painting Commissions: $200+
- Graphics: $75+
- Creative Direction: $200+
- Styling: $100+
Contact Info:
- Website: https://whimsical111nk.mypixieset.com/?utm_source=ig&utm_medium=social&utm_content=link_in_bio&fbclid=PAdGRleAPxyBxleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZA8xMjQwMjQ1NzQyODc0MTQAAadvJHKI_4EFP4gne3M-DZzHVgIAPDIm_-ydwTY-weGOtAo1IaDfLhtcPmyxag_aem_h2jODN9L2VY_fi7dWsnTNg
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/t.iimyreid?igsh=MTVvem9vZW5xdWRneQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@chiki.kirinstudios?si=apohTwQsN-KXhlAA
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@t.iimyreid?_r=1&_t=ZP-93fuwgXDAru
