We were lucky to catch up with Charles Riley III recently and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Charles thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Earning a full time living from one’s creative career can be incredibly difficult. Have you been able to do so and if so, can you share some of the key parts of your journey and any important advice or lessons that might help creatives who haven’t been able to yet?
I haven’t necessarily made a full-time living off of my artwork just yet, but the return, thus far, has shown a lot of potential. In November I was selected to be a vendor at one of the most popular art shows in Dallas, TX, Art Overdose DTX. I had attended the show earlier in the year, but this was my first ever art show as a vendor so I had no clue what to expect. The turnout was amazing, with hundreds of people in attendance and they were very receptive of my work. The feedback was amazing and I made a pretty decent amount of money from selling multiple prints and a couple original pieces. If I could do 2-3 shows a month, making at least 50% of what I made at the first show plus internet sales from my website, I could definitely earn a full-time living wage.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
My name is Charles Riley III and I am a full-time artist, specializing in painting with acrylic on canvas. I was born and raised on the west side of St. Louis, MO and moved to Dallas, TX in 2019 with a promotion from my job. I first started painting 2016 while in between jobs. I’ve always been good at sketching and used to draw in my free time as a child. The last art class I ever had was during my senior year at Gateway Institute of Technology high school, where I had decided to take an entry level art course. Fast forward back to 2016, my wife had asked if I had ever tried painting and I told her not since high school. So one day she brought some canvases and painting materials home and told me to try it out. I ended up painting a faceless portrait of one of our engagement photos and posted it on Facebook. The post ended up getting about 200 likes and I started getting requests from friends and family for commission pieces.
Since then, I had been doing a little painting in between working full-time as a Warehouse Distribution Manager. March of 2022, after dealing with a great deal of stress and observing some workplace practices I didn’t agree with, I decided to leave my job and dedicate my time and energy towards art. My mentality was, if I could work hard for someone else, surely I could work twice as hard for myself doing something I’m passionate about.
I offer paintings (original, canvas and paper prints) on my website www.CRtistry.com and will be introducing merchandise such as shirts, hoodies, etc. in 2023. I also do custom artwork as well, preferably things dealing with pop culture.
What sets me apart from other artists is that although my art is centered around pop culture, every piece is unique because choose scenes and moments that other artists don’t. I enjoy painting mural style mashup pieces and focusing on realistic details while still maintaining an artistic element.
I would say I’m most proud of myself for making this leap into my craft and my wife for being my biggest supporter and partner on this journey. Also, my friends and family that have been supporting me, whether it be purchasing artwork, sharing posts on social media or sending positive vibes and encouragement throughout this entire process. I can’t thank them enough!
Any resources you can share with us that might be helpful to other creatives?
While I’m still a novice on my artistic journey, there are still plenty of resources I have yet to get familiar with. One thing I have found is that, depending on the city, the artistic environment can be very welcoming. Networking with other artists has allowed me build bonds and gain knowledge about events and different opportunities. Also, looking into other ways to reach audiences outside of social media is something I’m still learning. My hope is that once I start earning more, I can hire a team to help broaden my reach so my art can be seen globally.
What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?
One particular mission driving my journey is to show people that you can make a living outside of working a regular 9-5. I grew up thinking physical labor type jobs were the only way to make a living. I didn’t know too many people who were actually passionate about what they were doing and I found myself going down that same path. In my 34th year, I’m really realizing how short life is and I should start doing something that brings me joy. I figured if being an artist doesn’t work out, I have the knowledge and experience to get another job, but I only have one opportunity to lay the groundwork for my own foundation and I’m not getting any younger. My only regret is that I didn’t start earlier, but I know everything happens when it should.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.CRtistry.com
- Instagram: cr_tistry
- Facebook: CRtistry
Image Credits
Art Overdose DTX Patrice Gardner