Daisha Maria Breona - New Dai Art Studio

Daisha Maria Breona

New Dai Art Studio

By Terry L. Watson

Photos Provided by Daisha Kimbrough

Originally from Jersey City, New Jersey, Daisha Kimbrough has always had an interest in art. Initially, as a young girl, she desired to be a fashion designer. However, it wasn’t until she took her first art course in high school that her art teacher encouraged Daisha to try something new, which would be painting. She says her first piece was ballet slippers and admits she didn’t take it seriously and thought it was a cool project. It wasn’t until she went through a mental health breakdown that she began to embrace her gift.

A few years ago, Daisha experienced a mental health breakdown and learned that she was bipolar. During that time, she couldn’t work, and as a result, she almost got evicted from her residence. She states the depression was overwhelming. Much of the breakdown was triggered by childhood trauma that hadn’t been addressed. Daisha says that once she found the healing, she was able to find peace.

During her mental health crisis, Daisha shared that God gave her clarity to what is important. “My family helped me with their support and patience. My therapist helped me understand my trauma and triggers so I can control and manage my bipolar. Even more, painting was something I was able to zone in on and get out creative thoughts and emotions,” she says.

Seeing how my family has developed from where they were in Jersey City has shown me that anything is possible. Their belief in me has helped me to believe in myself.

Today, Daisha owns New Dai Art Studio, and her official artist’s name is Daisha MB, which stands for Daisha Maria Breona. She says, “I really, really love it when people understand the message that I try to portray. I appreciate color, creativity, and mental stimulation and love to watch people make something out of nothing. I also love that something visual can evoke a specific emotion and make you think introspectively.”

Daisha has two siblings, one brother, and one sister, and she moved around a lot as a kid, mainly because her family was in the Air Force. She found her way to Kansas City after her parents retired there. Academically, Daisha has an Associate Degree in Business Administration, a Bachelor’s Degree in Communication, and a Master’s Degree in Executive Leadership.

Family means everything to Daisha. She states their support has helped her understand her confidence, as well as helped to steer her in the right direction. “Seeing how my family has developed from where they were in Jersey City has shown me that anything is possible. Their belief in me has helped me to believe in myself,” she says.

Through every up and down that Daisha has experienced in life, there has been a lesson involved. She also admits that besides having more confidence in herself, there isn’t much she would change about the way things have happened. “I feel like if I had more confidence in my abilities, I would be able to unlock and unleash more vulnerable emotions and messages. I believe I could help and heal somebody else. Yet, I rest knowing that it is a work in progress.”

Young, talented, and ambitious, Daisha is excited about what her future holds. Just turning 30, she is focused on building self-confidence and making strides towards owning her abilities. “I am currently working as a Donor Relationships Manager with the Metropolitan Organization to counter sexual assault (MOCSA). I am also looking forward to expanding my career in this nonprofit space. I’m excited to do more art shows and hopefully get more exposure. More than anything, I am focused on pushing myself to my emotional limits to get a message out about healing,” she says.