We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Mark Rogers. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Mark below.
Mark , appreciate you joining us today. Are you happy as a creative professional? Do you sometimes wonder what it would be like to work for someone else?
Yes, I am extremely happy being a full-time artist. I feel incredibly fortunate that there are people out there who buy my work and support what I do. I love setting my own schedule and routine. Painting is my very favorite thing and my purpose on this planet; I can’t think of anything better than doing what I love for a living. There is so much left for me to learn and so many things yet to make.
The only time I think about having a “regular” job is when I am feeling bogged down with the social media aspect of marketing. (I never use the word marketing, btw. I share, not market.) I do not enjoy spending lots of time on my phone and I especially dislike how Instagram has put its emphasis on making videos. I am a traditional painter, and I prefer to be painting, but it is a small complaint considering all of the positives that being on social media can have for an artist.
I worked as a bartender for many years to support my art-making. I only ever worked a few shifts a week, but it was nice to have a little financial safety net. Yet, all throughout bartending, the goal was always to go pro and I kept my eye on the prize. Anything else was unthinkable and still is.
Now that I am a full-time artist the challenge is to stay a full-time artist. It is like being in an endless marathon with death as the finish line. Morbid to some but comforting to me. I work all the time doing what I love, I’m happy, and I’m never bored.
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
My name is Mark Rogers and I am an oil painter from Portland, Oregon and I currently live and work in Fort Wayne, Indiana. I paint fantastical, spooky, and sometimes humorous paintings set in a fantasy world called the Southwestern Bellows. It is similar to the old west, but with a lot more magic and a lot more extraterrestrials.
Can you share your view on NFTs? (Note: this is for education/entertainment purposes only, readers should not construe this as advice)
I think they are stupid.
For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?
Waking up, getting a cup of coffee, and then starting the day with painting. The greatest thing about being an artist is making the actual art and enjoying the process.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.markrogersart.com
- Instagram: @markrogersart
- Facebook: markrogersart