Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Casie Warnke. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Alright, Casie thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Do you have a hero? What have you learned from them?

My hero is my late grandfather, Joe Pirtle. He passed away around 4 years ago and I have been on the most epic journey of my life since then. It’s been a journey of deep healing and a spiritual awakening which he couldn’t be here on earth for. It wouldn’t have happened any other way. While he was here, he loved me with everything he had. He treated me like I was the most precious thing on earth. He treated me like I always deserved to be treated. And his love for me was the real kind. There were never any strings attached. Everything that man did came straight from his heart and soul. He was a radiant light and I made it my quiet mission at a young age to be as much like him as I possibly can. Because I’ve never met anyone like him. The energy he carried, the way he lived his life and the way he treated others was it. And by it, I mean everything. The big ‘IT’. It was like he knew the answer. He had the key to happiness and knew how to really live. If it wasn’t for him, I would’ve never seen anything like that. I would’ve never had the absolute pleasure and blessing of meeting, let alone knowing someone like that. Yet, I’m lucky enough to not only have actually known such a man, but I get to call him my grandfather. He had 6 grandkids and the adoration and reverence was mutual in all of those relationships. He was always SO proud of me and my accomplishments while no one else in my family ever seemed to really be. Especially my accomplishments concerning my artwork. He would always be the first person to choose my art for a present on Christmas. Not even knowing what it was, he would pick the gift I brought for the exchange which was always a print of one of my paintings when everyone else did the opposite. It always made my heart so happy. His light was so bright, I didn’t realize there was so much darkness surrounding me until he passed away. That’s when everything went pitch black for me. I couldn’t see my hand in front of my face. And that’s when my journey started. Like I said, it couldn’t have happened any other way. And I know he’s been right here with me ever since. He never actually left. He never would. I know he’s had his hand on my shoulder this whole time. I know he’s still so proud of me. It was a struggle for me to paint after he passed away and things just got progressively worse over time. It was especially scary losing my passion for creating artwork. I didn’t know if I’d ever get it back. But, I have. Just recently. It came back because I’m getting my spirit back. And I’m getting myself back. All the parts of myself that were lost and fragmented have been healing and returning and I can see clearly again. Matter of fact, it just gets brighter every single day because I know that I’m the light now. I always have been. I’m just like my grandfather. I always have been. He always knew. I just needed to find that out for myself and on my own. And I’ve gotten to this point in my life now by intentionally trying to be as much like him as I can. Now I know the answer. And now I have the key. I know what my purpose is. It’s to shine and share my light with others. Which is something I do through my artwork. 💙

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

Well, I’ve been creating since the day I was born, I’m sure. I’ve been drawing, writing, singing, dancing, etc since I can remember. But, how I really broke through to the level of becoming a professional artist came from another sink or swim test during a part of my life many years ago. I had tried time and time again to keep up with a ‘normal’ job, but I just couldn’t seem to do so. There was something else that I longed for. Something else that kept calling me back…….and that was my creativity. Then, it got to the point where I had only a few bucks to my name and I swore to myself that I was going to make a living doing what I love no matter what. After my last 9-5 job ended, I decided I was never going back to all of that. Never again. And I haven’t. I did it. I succeeded. I worked hard, I focused solely on my craft and honed in on my creative potential. I started selling my pieces for $30 a pop at open mic nights that my friends had in Austin, TX and things just took off from there, I guess. Now I’ve got artwork up in the Texas State Capitol as well as scattered around the entire U.S. Sometimes my friends will text me losing their minds because my work is hanging up at their Air BnB. 😂 Notoriety like that doesn’t even feel real to me. I just do what I do. I am what I am. And what I am is an artist. 🪶

What I’m most proud of is my strength, perseverance, resilience and belief in myself.

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

I think my being who I am helped build my reputation. I feel like I already had a fairly large clientele before I even began my journey as a full time artist because of the people I’ve met throughout my lifetime. And the folks who I’m still friends and acquaintances with from HS and maybe even before. I’ve just tried to be a good person and I’ve tried to treat people well. And I know that people don’t forget how you treat them. They may forget things you say. They may forget things they say. But, they never forget how they’re treated. So, when I started selling my work, I think people started purchasing it because they already knew me and were fond of me as a human being just in general. It was the connections I’d already made just by existing. I already had a reputation and I guess I’ve stayed true to that because I don’t know any other way to be, honestly. I’m really happy I made the choice early on I life to treat people as well as I can. It’s seemed to work out well for me. 🤙🏼

We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?

Social media is difficult, man. It is for me, at least. And most other artists I know have a hard time marketing themselves. Our brains are so far over on the right that the logistics and social media presence usually takes a back seat to the creating part. I think the trick is to just post as much as you can. Share as much work as you possibly can AND share your personality, as well. As in, post videos of the creative process and whatever else you see fit. Just be yourself. And be as weird as you want. People are into authenticity as they should be. I’m not only speaking to artists who are just now starting the social media gig, I’m also trying to motivate myself with my own words here. 😂 But yea, consistency is key, I think, when it comes to building up your social media following. Also, try not to get discouraged if you don’t get a bazillion followers or if people don’t click the ‘like button’ on something you post. Social media has nothing to do with your inherent talent or gifts. It’s just social media. Believe in yourself no matter what and keep on doing what you do best no matter how anyone may or may not respond to your work. Keep hustling. Keep creating. 🤙🏼

Contact Info:

• Website: Thegentsstore.com
• Instagram: Artbycasie
• Facebook: Casie Warnke