We were lucky to catch up with Antoine Brown recently and have shared our conversation below.

Antoine, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?

The first spark of my passion for art came from trying to mimic my older brother, Jermaine. He was artistic, and I wanted nothing more than to be just like him. Over time, though, art became more than imitation — it became therapy. A way to express what words couldn’t, to explore new realms of creativity, and to lose myself in the process.

One day, I decided to take that exploration a step further. I grabbed a blank hat and painted a design on it, bringing it to life in my own way. I was so excited about how it turned out that I posted it on Instagram. The response blew me away. People didn’t just like my work — they wanted to own it. They were willing to pay for something I created. That moment right there? That’s when I knew this was the start of something special. That’s when I knew I wanted to pursue my creative path professionally.

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.

Art isn’t just something I do — it’s a calling. What started as therapy for me became a gift I could share with the world. Art gives me a way to bring people’s thoughts, ideas, and visions to life, and there’s no greater feeling than creating something that truly means something to someone else.

Building my business, Zupremaci, hasn’t been easy. It’s come with sacrifices — sleepless nights, early mornings, missed moments with family and friends. There’s a certain kind of solitude that comes with chasing your purpose. But I wouldn’t trade it, because this path chose me as much as I chose it.

I offer custom artwork across a wide range of surfaces. I’ve done pieces on clothing, shoes, bins, canvases, tables, rugs, business walls — you name it. I like to believe there’s no artistic challenge I can’t tackle, and I’m always excited to push myself further.

What sets me apart? I’m 100% self-taught. Everything I’ve learned, I’ve learned through dedication, curiosity, and passion. I’m accessible — I want people to feel like they can reach out and connect with me. And I pour everything I have into my work. When a piece leaves my hands, I want folks to know they’re holding the very best I had to give. The work matters to me because people matter to me.

When you think of my brand, I hope you see what it can look like to beat the odds. I wasn’t the smartest kid in class, and for a long time I didn’t know what I wanted to do — but art saved me. My brand is proof that we all have a purpose, a gift. Mine might not look like yours, but when you nurture it? The sky isn’t the limit — it’s just the beginning.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

One of the biggest lessons I had to unlearn as a creative was feeling like I had to say “yes” to every opportunity that came my way. When I first started out, I felt this deep obligation to take on every project, every request — especially because I wanted to help bring other people’s visions to life and explore the creative energy I had inside me.

But I learned the hard way that saying yes to everything can come at a cost. When I take on too much, the work can start to feel rushed, forced — and that’s not what art is supposed to be. It becomes something other than what I intended: less passion, more pressure. I had to unlearn the idea that I was letting people down by saying no.

Now, I’m more intentional about the projects I take on. I focus on balance, on creating space to pour my full energy into each piece. Because when I say yes now, it means I can give someone the best of what I have to offer — not just what I could squeeze in. And that, to me, is what being a true artist is all about.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can provide some insight – you never know who might benefit from the enlightenment.

I think what a lot of people don’t see — or maybe don’t fully get — is the journey behind the finished product. Folks see the art, the success, the wins, but they don’t always see what it took to get there. The late nights. The failed attempts. The moments of doubt.

As a self-taught artist, my path has been one of failing forward — over and over again. There were (and still are) so many hours spent figuring things out, learning through trial and error, pushing myself past frustration. It took years to cultivate the skills, the confidence, and the style people see today.

But that’s the part of the journey I’ve learned to embrace. The struggle is part of the process. And even when folks don’t see it, I know it’s what makes the final piece truly meaningful.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.zupremaci.com
• Instagram: @Zupremaci_
• Twitter: Zupremaci
• Other: https://Poplar.co/zupremaci