Do you most often actively seek inspiration or does it find you? Or is there a combination of the two?
I would say there is a combination of the two but it tends to find me a lot more.
What led you to art in general and to your art form(s) in particular?
What led me to art was my constant creative thinking and outpouring of creative insight and higher intellectual thoughts on the world and I thought what other way to perfectly tackle this all than to become an artist that could embody it all and myself. And also the lack of truly influential artists in my community growing up.
Have you and your artistry ever been involved in traditional business? If so, how?
Well I am very young but for my years lived so far I have been able to partake in a few business deals but this is my first personal traditional business.
In addition to mastering their art, what other skill sets do you recommend that artists develop if they want to be successful?
Yes, mastery is key but I feel what ultimately leads to success is confidence, passion, open-mindedness, and of course have brash belief.
How do you stay at the leading edge of your craft?
By never losing sight of the generations I aspire to influence, how much morality in people’s lives I want to affect, and keeping in mind that my overall goal is to be one of the most influential artists that ever lived.
Do you think that there are any widely held misconceptions about art and/or artists? If so, what are they and how do you work to dispel them?
Yes, I think that some people misconstrue art for something you have to have good schooling to be good at, and also people get the idea that you can only become a successful artist when you’re deceased. Well, I am a self taught artist in all my crafts. So I feel as I do well at expressing my art the notion that you need good schooling to do well with art gets dispelled. And I feel if you’re giving the world no choice but to view your art and you’re doing all you can to shove it in their face and it’s good then that in return will bring you success while you’re alive.
How do you map out your goals? How do you measure your success?
I map out my goals by everyday reminding myself when I awake of why I am living and what I have to do to ensure I make the moust out of life. I measure my success by reminding myself of the bottom I come from and how far up I have climbed from it, and how much of an impact I have on the world thus far.
Who do you consider to be your peers in your field? Who do you see/use as examples for you to emulate?
Not to come off as cocky sounding but I tell myself I have no peers in my field due to the fact that few to none are the same age and come from the same environment I come from and can truly relate or equate to me in my creative field of art with the same or near same objectives in mind. Well I don’t try to imitate anyone but I do try to match and aim to surpass the knowledge and artistic influences given off by Patrick Earl Barnes, Jean Michel Basquiat, Peter Paul Reubens and Hale Woodruff.
Name two of your top role models: one in the art world and one from outside of it.
Basquiat and Pharrell Williams.
Name three books, works, performances or exhibits that changed how you view life and/or yourself.
“Catharsis” artwork by Basquiat, MBDTF the album and short film by Kanye West, Mastery by Robert Green, Malcolm X’s film by Spike Lee
Why do you consider continued learning important?
Because if don’t learn then how will you know.
What affirmations do you repeat to yourself that contribute to your success?
“Obstacles are needed to become a stronger person … Be brash.”
What role does art have in the community? What role would you like to see art play in the community?
In the community, art has the role to visually inspire in an instant and provide insightful thoughts to think better. I would like to see art inspire people to inspire in a continuous positive cycle.
What role does technology play in your day-to-day life? How do you utilize it?
Technology is key in my day to day life because I spent most of my life growing up amongst the digital generation and I utilize it to create part of my art and to gain knowledge from sources all over the world.
What software, app or other technological innovation has made the biggest difference in your life and/or career?
Google and Wikipedia because they give you easy access to a vast amount of subjects in brief if you need it.
Please define your personal brand.
My personal brand defined … promote breakthrough conceptual thinking to the world in a creative manner.
What is your favorite vacation destination and why?
Not trying to come off as a chauvinist towards myself but I haven’t been able to travel the world much yet so I will just say my head is my favorite vacation spot because my mind puts me at ease.
If you could change one thing about the world, what would it be?
The unequal distribution of knowledge based on wealth or class structure.
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
I would and wouldn’t change being a perfectionist … haha.
What does it take to be iconic? In your estimation, who has achieved that status?
In my opinion, to be iconic you have to have an eternal mass witnessed influence in the world and you must have achieved complete mastery at your craft.
