We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Atticus Adams a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Atticus, thanks for joining us today. What do you think matters most in terms of achieving success?
A teacher once told me that an important concept to being successful in the art world is to work hard and be ready for opportunity when it happens. I remember spending long hours alone creating art that made me question if I was wasting my time. But I could hear that instructor’s words in darker moments – they helped me push through my doubts and I was indeed ready for that first studio visit that started my career in earnest.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
I’m an artist that works with metal mesh/screen. The core of my practice goes back to summers with my grandmother – going in and out of her screen door. My art channels in an intuitive way things that I find beautiful and fun and that make me happy to remember. Originally, I tried not to be an artist. I’m from a family who had little money, many are self-taught creatives in folk art and art was encouraged to only be a hobby. For many years I had a “regular” job and created art quietly – well, until opportunity happened and then my art career began to grow – for around 10 years now – making art is my full time job. There’s so much serious dark stuff we have to face in life. I’m hoping that my art provides a buffer against some of that darkness and that my work helps in design projects – wether residential or public or corporate – to bring some beauty and peace and fun. I’m channelling childhood summer joy on a porch swing.
Have you ever had to pivot?
I was working in pharmacy(making art quietly at night) and I wanted to have a more creative profession. I did an evening program in graphic design and when I completed it I got a job as a graphic designer for a small company. I thought – this will be great. I can be super creative! Well, the reality was very long hours with very little creativity. I didn’t have any energy to make my own art. So, I went back to a job where I could make more money part-time allowing more personal creative projects. You have to find that time to create.
What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?
My dream goal is to create immersive environments – whole rooms. They would be places of reflection, shelter, and beauty. I suppose they would be a type of chapel or sanctuary. I’m picturing a day bed or rocking chairs to allow you to linger.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.atticusadams.com
- Instagram: atticussadams
- Linkedin: Atticus Adams
Image Credits
photos all by artist