Rising Stars: Meet Ebone Johnson

Today we’d like to introduce you to Ebone Johnson. Them and their team share their story with us below:

This Mississippi girl moved to the Valley 10 years ago and has had her hand in a little bit of everything– but “all the things” made sense! She has a great passion for youth, the liberation of Black women, racial justice, HBCU(Historically Black Colleges and Universities) advocacy, educating and volunteering with teen girls of color, and all things Arts related.

Ebone’s love of the arts began at a very early age where she was inspired by her mom’s entrepreneurial skills and her father’s love for carpentry which sparked the artist within. It took 20 years but she was able to dive headfirst into the arts scene in Phoenix.

First, as a thrift store owner (Rejected Thrifts) then renamed Modern Day Muse (the Muse part kinda stuck lol) to pre-Covid being the owner of Your Art Party a Paint and Sip business hosting in-studio, private, and pop up paint experiences around the Greater Phoenix area. Since covid, Muse has decided to pivot and thus MuseTease Prints was born.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It’s definitely been a transition! The struggle with pivoting from doing paint parties for four years pre-pandemic to taking a chance on myself and investing in a tablet to tackle and teach myself digital illustration.

Recognizing and figuring out a new audience has been pretty tricky but as with all things, it takes time.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
From Translating and Interpreting for Spanish-speaking Clientele to Account Exec at one of the leading local radio stations, but my heART is in ART… and thrifting!

As an avid lover of thrifting and painting, I decided my first business would be just that. Why not put the two together creating Modern Day Muse (formerly known as Rejected Thrifts)! I had a small shop off of 3rd Ave and McDowell where folks could second-hand shop or join an upcycling shoe class where you bring your old shoes and add some flair!

Since then, I’ve co-hosted a podcast called Venus Clapback where we centered the voices and experiences of Black women here in the Valley. We launched two powerful seasons as well as storytelling events called When I Fell in Love with Black Women. I’m always focused on the community and have worked with various organizations that fight to bring equity and access to underserved communities.

Alright, so to wrap up, is there anything else you’d like to share with us?
There’s always something going on with me lol! As we’re approaching a new normal I have a few plans up my sleeve for the Phoenix area. Stay tuned!

Pricing:

• Greeting cards $5
• Art Prints $22
• T-shirts $27
• Journals $14
• HBCU Hoodies $41

Contact Info:

• Email: Info@museteaseprints.com
• Website: Museteaseprints.com
• Instagram: Instagram.com/museteaseprints
• Facebook: Facebook.com/museteaseprints
• Other: https://vm.tiktok.com/TTPdBwWHKH/