Investing in Your Creativity | Lena Danya | TEDxWhitneyHigh

"When I grow up, I want to be an artist." In today's society, childhood wishes to enter a career in the arts are all too often met with a resounding negative. In her TEDx Talk, Lena Danya describes how she built a career as a successful artist and why it is so important to invest in creativity.
From a very early age, Lena Danya was influenced by passionate, creative individuals including her mother, a fashion designer, her aunt, a musician, and her grandmother, a singer and dancer. She can’t recall a specific point in her life when she turned to art; her family tells her she's been doodling since she learned how hold a pencil. To her, it's an almost meditative process that fills her with life and happiness. Sharing her work keeps her motivated, so in 2010, Lena started her own KZbin channel. Over time, her channel grew exponentially in subscribers and views and continues to expand daily. She's collaborated with talented individuals and attended several gatherings where she's had the pleasure of meeting some of her 100,000 subscribers. She is constantly learning and doing her best to grow.
This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at ted.com/tedx

[@VocaloidRules101]

jeeez what a tough crowd

[@emiv5342]

Wow, you don't know how impressed I am by this. I liked her channel before, and now I am so proud to see her up there doing a TEDx.

[@MicahBuzanANIMATION]

Wow, I didn't know you did a TED talk. Congrats! I"m always inspired by your videos.

[@subhrabagchi9451]

Exactly

[@artistgq76]

I found her channel about a week or two ago. She is young, talented and determined. In my early 20s I'm the one who told myself art would not buy food, a house and a car... I made a decent career elsewhere... However, I kept doodling a little all these years. I'm now investing the time in preparing for an art career... I'm now more willing (planning for as smooth of a transition) to let go of a sure check and pursue my passion for art. Artist like her are giving me the energy and confidence to move forward. Bravo Lena and thank you!

[@Suziie_25]

hope things are going well with you

[@brucesr8744]

i remember when i subscribed to Lena as about subscriber 1000, i liked her personality and wasn't sure she could get on but she discovered determination. Social media was her key to success and theres a book in there somewhere. She's a doll, a sincere lady with a beautiful persona.

[@1990jol]

She is one of the most inspiring/motivating speaker. She encourages me everytime and she learnt me to think out outside the box.

[@Foxysoccermom]

She learnt you?

[@thedarwinist672]

brilliant, beautiful, and talented. Lena is 10/10.

[@lovelyraincoat475]

oh my goodness gracious i'm so proud of her ! the world needs more people like this; she is absolutely incredible.

[@sadbanananaboi7800]

Why aren't there more people like her on this planet? Because society teaches us to be careful and not take a risk? Hmpf..

[@EmmLee1111]

There are, at least I know a few!

[@bayenne5b]

Cyan Dreams because it's not easy to start out

[@sugassuwag7513]

Because society needs people like doctors and engineers. There are sick people in this world. We rely on engineering-technology, infrastructure,, etc. Being an artist is not “needed” which is why an artist’s career is risky, but i agree that it is an important field that should be appreciated.

[@egos4756]

Lena Danya is One of the Detailed Painter I love the most. Watching from the Philippines.

[@TartantazCreates]

I have been subscribed to your channel and following you for a little while now. I am an older artist returning to art and you have been one of my inspirations. I have just found this talk and want to say well done on a very well constructed and informative talk. I really enjoyed watching this.

[@shadowlight4711]

Been a fan of Lena’s work for more than 10 years, since the beginning years of her youtube videos. I watched her art improves and her business grow 🙏🏽 She’s amazing

[@katemoonkate]

of middle age , I began my lifelong arts journey long before the internet.Possibilities offered are amazing, but place art in a high volume, fast moving context . I am so grateful to hear this young artist's very down to earth and pure message that we can do our work and make it work. Thank you. This is the best Ted talk I have seen.( I just saw Alex Grey's also, he made a great success another way. Common theme-total commitment and taking inspiration )

[@Izzaros]

Terrible audience, good thing Lena is determined and even now She proved it. No matter what She shines like a diamond 😊

[@PaulaJoW]

That's my favorite motto: "To be truly creative, you must lose your fear of being wrong."

[@divyanshchouhan4567]

She is my idol ❤️. I love art , I love to draw I love to paint and I wanna be a artist in future . Lena inspires me a lot tysm 💖

[@katrinakat8798]

She is super talented

[@mahimakejriwal4167]

Lena danya ! You are an amazing person & so inspiring !! I am your huge fan from INDIA ! I wish I could meet you someday !!

[@divyanshchouhan4567]

Same

[@TheCdh987]

I've followed Lena Danya for years. I think that what she does (and the way she does it) is both inspiring and genuinely worthy of praise. I consider her exemplary.

[@omgcheesepuffs627]

My new favorite artist because she was completely self taught!!!!

[@yulopthegreat]

I amazed u not only know how to paint or draw,u know how to give impressive public speaking.U re great.

[@xKrimmySan]

I'm so proud.

[@KremenaPetkova]

I've been planning to start recording videos for my KZbin channel and let more people know about my art. I found and subscribed to Lena's channel today and felt super inspired by her. But seeing this video now, has motivated me even further! THANK YOU!

[@maryriley6163]

Thank you for your inspiring talk. I can relate to not being taken seriously about my art. Yeah, my folks praised me, but it was assumed that it was just a childish hobby and that I would get married at some point so they thought there was no use pursuing it or investing in it. Of course, that was about 50 years ago. I'm a retired nurse, single and enjoy drawing anytime I want, even in the middle of the night if I feel like it. Your work is beautiful and congratulations on your success, I knew that women would make the world sit up and take notice.

[@shikhashukla7302]

I finally found someone like u ❣️that was inspiring

[@ShoshanahShear]

Thanks for this. I wanted to be an artist too. I was told I'd be a starving artist better to become an occupational therapist. Each time I have difficulty with my OT career, I keep going back to my art.

[@catllionare]

contrast Lena!!! I imagine it must have taken some courage to speak in front of a crowd. you should be proud of yourself! you are embracing life like we all should! Keep on inspiring. You are leaving seeds of inspiration for many people. 👏👏👏👏👏👏

[@tamarm801]

I love her so much ❤️ So inspiring

[@LovesJuicy21]

She is very brave and strong ❤👍👏👌

[@shielalynnthomas7171]

THAT! was great. I am a beginner in oils and art. I enjoy your teaching and how you make things plain, understandable and easy. Keep doing what you do!

[@user-ns8qs1ky5w]

I love Lena's work but she was basically just promoting her channel in this talk. I'm a working artist so I understand the desire to get your name out there, but she could have made this a lot more inspirational if she hadn't been so focused on selling.

[@layinlow9937]

sweet jelly you didnt get it..youre way off

[@JulieHiltbrunner]

Other channels helped me promote mine and I’m so grateful! Love Lena’s tutorials!

[@sammariofan]

Literally mom

[@MealyTeddy]

omg she just showed up on ted!! so proud of you! xoxo your fan from turkey!

[@patdowart]

Whoa, go Lena!

[@OmSiddheshwar]

Loved your speech!

[@LovableSabrina]

Way to go Lena!

[@supercrit99]

she's awesome and so talented!

[@daisyqliu6140]

Like the speech, so inspiring! Congratulations Lena, all the hard work paid off!

[@runningrealtor]

Much much much needed at this point. Thank you so much Lena :)

[@wearethemisfitss]

OMGGG IM SO PROUD

[@rosedowneyart9907]

shes so confident! :o

[@raesunshine3575]

so proud of you, Lena Danya!

[@suga9470]

So glad to come across this vid

[@AvidAbstractions]

Inspiring to all if us new creators! Thank you for sharing your story!

[@OmSiddheshwar]

It was very inspiring

[@eveeichner3627]

This was great Lena. First time I saw this....nice job. Your a fantastic artist!

[@LilyTreeArt]

Ohhh awesome! I love her!

[@aster07flar31]

Congrates👏👍👏👍👏👍Lina. U Deserve it.I'm so proud of u. Realy u r d one of an INSPIRING person on this earth. Love n light from the bottom of my heart.💜

[@kavitabhandariarts205]

Impressed

[@ilovefriends5490]

Even India has a KZbin space ... Love from India.....

[@sokoalmajidia2520]

ur amazing I'm from Iraq I always watch your videos . Thank u for sharing ur art 😙😙

[@angelicuriel4747]

I love this so much!!! Thank you so much

[@mahadebroy1283]

I lovvvveee uu......i also want to be an artist...."paintings " it keeps me apart from all worries....o just it and u....❤

[@laurenhebert5356]

Woah when did you do a ted talk??!!! 😱

[@AviajaAnna]

Wauw, you did a TED talk

[@artworkbydenisebusko8813]

Awesome talk Lena!

[@catalinojrdazo809]

Wow She's Amazing!

[@jubayer856]

❤️❤️❤️

[@feliciteritchie9677]

omg how do you do it, i love art with all my heart and i've made so many misktakes and i compare my self to other artist, please tell me how do you stay so positive, and how your so amazing

[@heatherchandler4444]

i love her youtube channel!

[@liannabeauchamps7853]

so simply put!

[@ninjamaikeru]

Lena u are very awesome!

[@matiaspalma964]

i love u lena, u r an example for me

[@getsu7]

What an inspiration, great video

[@Terso6977]

I love you danya . 😘

[@chesca109]

truly an inspiration

[@keleniengaluafe2600]

❤❤❤❤👏

[@romulusbuta9318]

Monalisa del Giocondo...on stage!!!

[@artandstories3310]

Just "Thank you" 👏

[@mechiel_7]

i just love that girl 😂

[@YouTubeCatEngineer]

"Cats doing interesting things"

[@goodplacetostart9099]

This must be one of the most damned crowd

[@LuciaCS]

Me encanto :)

[@nazimamohammed1689]

Inspirational

[@pilappppa4976]

the crowd is like 🤮 So many good jokes!! and no one clapped when she said she had her own bussiness. Jezzz

[@user-ok3xr4yv7k]

د نجب

[@thilokameegahakumbura3970]

GREAT LANA

[@acaciarogersart]

You are my hero

[@kawaiimystyle]

Omg Lena XD

[@jyotsnasah5369]

Role model 😍😋

[@atvb6406]

ted talk about you tube! i think she wasted a golden opportunity to speak about her own art work

[@jellyfishpancakes5]

this is her channel @lenadanya

[@icy1691]

go lena :)

[@cyffrowy2882]

You had one job sound editor....

[@yoginivivekar2329]

What about your self portrait

[@mr.pizzamarlon]

Wait, if I become successful with my drawing app, do I have to appear on TEDx Talks? I am very shy, I swear I will hire someone to be me that night like um, The Rock. Okay, so that idea just made me laugh for 5 minutes straight haha! Dwayne Johnson pretending to be me and talking about doodling on a drawing app haha! Sorry, I have a very active imagination haha!

[@DaxDirty]

most boring ted talk :( was hoping to hear more about creativity and art. Not youtube... I'M ON KZbin, I ALREADY KNOW EVERYTHING ABOUT IT

[@claudettejohnson6328]

Amand oleander

[@jazlynroy3778]

She paints for 2 and a half days each week.

[@WiWillemijn]

why do.people always say theyre self taught. Do you want a sticker now

[@flamevix]

Wimsem - Tekenen & Knutselen What do you want them to say? That they went to art school for five years? It's common that when presenting yourself, you include your history.

[@emilijaelena4285]

she looks like Mona Lisa a little bit

[@Ronn76_]

Do can u help me get my artwork out?

[@rwirwi6124]

who's in here thinking if her face is almost like ariana grande😂

[@hissendaud653]

You a Beautiful

[@ingridsorensenofficial]

6 dollars per thousand views is a scarce pay...

[@KevinContreras2013]

It's not the only thing she gets her income from and she gets the majority through selling her prints. She's just saying that KZbin provided artists another means of earning an income.

[@y3ee3e]

The Choreologist if you're getting 100k to 1million views. it adds up

[@ingridsorensenofficial]

proves my point.

[@AR-mu4zq]

@@y3ee3e so 6 x100= 600.00 for a 100k viewed video. That's not alot of money

[@y3ee3e]

@@AR-mu4zq it's quite a bit if you post several times a week. 3 posts a week that get a minimum 100k...that's $1800 a week, 7200 a month...nearly 95k a year.

[@luked8695]

Nobody laughs at her jokes... yeesh

[@MatthiasFaller]

She likes to earn money from her art, but is not willing to pay other artists (music).

[@CamrynCully]

Matthias Faller Well if you were to pay someone to use their music, I'm guessing the fee would be pretty high. But what she's doing is sharing the other artists to her audience in return they get more of a following which equals more funds. All the other artist has to do is let them use their content.

[@BeautyAbExtra]

Matthias Faller Artists shouldn't have to pay for art. Only those who are devoid of talent must pay because of their lack.

[@flamevix]

She asks their permission. Most of the music is from SoundCloud, as well.

[@darkangel13915]

I thought google bought youtube just a few years ago

[@gangstaswan6354]

yup. it's so hard watching a narcissist

[@gangstaswan6354]

Thats because there ARE no jobs in art lol that's why you're standing on a stage talking about how there are no jobs in art instead of working at an art job

[@marliquoriasmr2345]

But she is an full time artist.

[@gautambarua3404]

She said she works 60hours a week,painting and shipping out her works. Call that a non job?