Within two decades of pouring his heart and soul onto a canvass, Charleston, SC-born mixed-media visual artist Leroy Campbell has captured the trials, tribulations, struggles and accomplishments of African Americans through his art. His work has been incorporated into programs for Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., The 100 Black Men, The Tom Joyner Foundation and The Children’s AIDS Society. Campbell’s laundry list of clients include Medgar Evers College in New York City, actress Cicely Tyson, author Terry McMillan and even TV Judge Mabeline Ephriam. Now, Campbell divulges the secrets to his success with tips for starving artists hoping to walk in his footsteps.
1) Do a body of work and share it with a variety of people – personal friends, galleries, art lovers. Get some feedback. Retire whatever pieces are not appreciated and do more of what most people like.
2) Learn as much as you can about your craft. Know your medium. Know how to take care of your work and how to instruct people on taking care of your work.
3) Be excited about your work when you talk about it. Let people see that you do have a passion for the work.
4) Take as many courses as you can to find out what medium you can master and which medium you love.
5) Once you have a body of work, try putting your work on consignment in galleries. Learn how to put a portfolio together so you can appeal to certain galleries.
6) Be able to put together an artist statement. Know what your work is about and talk about it.
7) Seek opportunities. There are a number of publishing and distribution companies that may be interested in your work.
8) Determine which direction you want to go in; fine art or commercial art. You have to define where you want to go, who you want to relate to and which market you want to be in and learn as much about that market as you can.
Unwavering in his abilities to bring life into his artwork, Campbell’s accomplishments have transcended the dusty back roads of South Carolina. Utilizing purpose, skill and a vivid imagination, he has adequately brought his humble upbringings to the world.
