What kind of artist are you looking for? Production or Creative

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I’ve had many people ask me to paint things I don’t want to paint. Sometimes it’s a style/subject that I don’t enjoy or just would be super difficult with spray paint or it’s a sign/lettering that would look better if done by a sign maker. So I figure all artists are a 1 to 10. 1 being a production artist and 10 being a creative that only paints their own concepts. There are pros and cons to both. When I was young, I was a 10 but as soon as people started paying me, I switched to a 3! Probably out of naivety and a desire for cash. Now, I’m probably a 6 working towards the goal of an 8 or 9. That's because I now have found a direction I want to take my art. I used to think it was snobby to refuse to paint other peoples ideas or to decline a mural gig. I think it’s best explained as music analogies… Do you really like ad jingles or richly talented musicians with deep personal lyrics? You wouldn’t hire a Johny Cash to come play 90’s dance hits at birthday party. If you have a favorite band, they probably have a unique sound and that didn’t come by taking every suggestion. They picked a style they liked and took years to develop it further. That’s what I’d like to do with my murals!! So yes, I won’t take every gig. The good news is that there is almost always an artist that wants to paint a clients idea or preferred style. There is a 90’s dance band out there that would love the gig. That’s where I have enjoyed starting to refer other artists. Matching clients with the perfect mural artist for their job.

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Last October I was selected to paint at a mural festival in Sand City, CA(near Monterey). I was offered a wall where the owner wanted his race car painted on the shop exterior. I sighed, thinking “I don’t want to paint a car”. But then I realized that maybe I could give it a spin and make it look like an 80’s movie poster. The owner was not immediately stoked when I suggested I change his red/blue car to purple/pink in the mural. But after seeing some of my past work and looking at some of his memorabilia from his 80’s racing days, the concept was a go.

The festival itself was great! Again, it was a mix of old friends and new friends in the mural world. The festivals are always a chance to network and share dreams and ideas with other artists.

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A life/career lesson I’ve learned is this…. I have to get better at articulating my thoughts for people to approve my ideas and concepts. I grew up focused on visually communicating so verbal communication just doesn’t come as easy for me. In my graphic design days I’d be in meetings where logos and designs would be voted on and discussed. “That’s lame” is not often a helpful comment. But “That doesn’t visually communicate what you want or represent your product or services” helps clients understand and help steer them in the right direction. It helps them start asking the right questions.

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Last November I painted at my friends church in SF with Him and our friend from Guatemala. It was great painting the mural for a few days with few interruptions and then during the final day(a Sunday)there was a reveal party after church service with a great DJ and food vendor. I painted a tiger and split it in sections of different 80’s color pallets.

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What’s next? You tell me! HA. The last 2 years were full of travel and adventure. I’m sure I’ll do at least one long road trip in 2024. I’m looking for more gigs this year and would love to paint at more festivals in the U.S. Does your city have a mural festival?

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Did you just get here? See previous newsletters here.
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Does your business look as cool as it really is? Reach out to me at 209-502-0645 or av@fasm.net. You can also forward this email to someone who might be interested in a mural.

One of the best places to see tons of my murals is at https://www.flickr.com/photos/fasm/​