Extra Paint - The @Muralists Podcast

1. Create art that reflects/complements the place where it was created. Become an artist that changes what they create depending on where they are. 
2. Use your freedom as an artist to be inspired by the culture that surrounds you. Seek out collaborators that can give you insight into the nuances of where you are creating a new piece of art.
3. Allow the canvas to excite you. Whether it is a shutter, a small door, a floor or an installation hanging from the ceiling. Give the surface the chance to inform your design.
4. What three words sum up your work? For Sanskar they are “balance, pattern, texture”. Figure out your three words and let them guide your work so that it is consistent, no matter the setting or theme of your art.

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Your key takeaways for today

1. Every time you accept a new project, ask yourself one question - what client is this going to help me to attract next?
2. Plan your murals carefully. Some muralists can walk up to the wall and improvise from the beginning. However if you're a beginner, you don’t have to rely on your ability to improvise. There is only so far you can step back from a mural, you only have your mock up to trust.
3. Murals are transient pieces of work. Your artwork will not live on that wall forever. The nature of murals is that you have to expect it to go away. Document the process from start to finish so that you always have a record of your work, no matter what happens to the wall.
4. Don’t be afraid to explore the world of design on your own. If you feel insecure about not having studied  design or illustration you might often find yourself seeking validation from the outside world. Know your self worth. Use social media for good and seek out others who have worked to succeed without going the traditional route.

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Jennet's website

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Your key takeaways for today

1. During some projects you might feel you’re not going to make it over the line. Don’t be afraid of collaboration. What seemed impossible for one person, might be possible with a team of artists. You will learn the most from the challenging projects.
2. Remember the role of the advertising agency. They are hired to create campaigns to sell products. They don’t have an eye for art because they are not artists. You are the artist. Use your knowledge and skills to bring a campaign to life and it will be appreciated.
3. When working with an agency, the budget will almost always be negotiated. Evaluate what you want to do in the long term, does this project help you reach your goal? If you have worked with a brand through an agency and created successful campaigns with your art, it strengthens your proposal when you approach the brand directly to collaborate again.
4. You don’t need to work with big brands to be successful. You might admire an artist online who has a lot of big brand clients but everyone has their own stuff going on behind the scenes. Make projects that allow you the freedom to be creative. At the end of the day, all artists want is the freedom to make the projects that they really feel passionate about.
5. Document your work. Even if you’re doing a small mural or a piece of art, document it. Take photos, record your process, write a blogpost, make a video. Use what you create to make more people aware of your art through social media and your online presence. Ask for permission to get a wall. Even if you’re at home right now, you can still expand your portfolio. Try different mediums and experiment.
6. If you have the hiring power, use it. Watch out for bias and work towards lasting change by hiring diversely, encouraging others and promoting their work. Seek out the kind of people you admire online in your own community. Build a platform that promotes artist’s talent.

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In this episode I sit down with a good friend of mine, Jason Naylor, a prolific muralist who paints positive messages that are uplifting and eye-catching. We speak about Jason’s transition from working as a graphic designer for six years at a cosmetic company to becoming a full time artist, the importance of feeling ownership of your work and how in a full time job it can feel like you’re always on the losing end of compromise.

Your key takeaways for today

1. Indoor artwork is decor, outdoor artwork is advertising. This means outdoor walls often yield a bigger fee / budget than indoor as both come out of different parts of the budget.
2. The message is the most important piece of the mural. If you get the message and concept right, the creative decisions will fall into place. Allow the message to inspire you for the colors and overall design.
3. Any artist who tells you they don’t care if people like their art is a liar. Make something colorful and uplifting and when people see it and like it, it will fuel you as an artist even more. When your work pleases people, it becomes even more rewarding. At the same time, don’t sacrifice your work just to please people.
4. Keep refining your online presence, it will never be finished no matter how many times you revamp your website. For every three new projects you add to your site, three things should fall off the back.

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JasonNaylor.nyc

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