We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Aaron Mickens a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Aaron thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Can you walk us through some of the key steps that allowed you move beyond an idea and actually launch?

Sometimes I can be very methodical, which is unusual for an artist from what I hear. Especially when planning a project, and especially when its one I’m passionate about. Needless to say when it came to my business I was very inspired to have a seamless and smooth progression of my brand and company. Also needless to say it is never that easy for anyone. I’ve come to know that I am an extremally idea oriented thinker. Having unique, creative, effective and impactful ideas I would easily say are my strengths and my ideas navigate so much of where my business goes. So my business that is to say, started off as an idea born in a moment of inspiration for what I love to do and how I can offer that to other people, as well as making a living from it. That was the dream and the idea was born in 2017 the year my son was born. Although I had been using my art many years prior and using it to help others, I didn’t grasp or envision what I do as a business officially until then. I imagined myself doing what I love, which is creating unique and vibrant ideas through visual art to tell a story in the most energetic way. From there all the other ideas and avenues to where I am now were born. I began to meditate on the essence of my craft and what specifics bring me the most fulfillment and satisfaction. That brought the conclusion that I really enjoy conceptualizing ideas from scratch. Developing unique stories and images from my head and building them on paper, or whatever medium would shine the idea in its best light. I honestly struggled with the business end of the business for a long time and even still have a lot to learn, but I eventually got my official documents, registrations and legalities in order around 2020. From there I began networking and learning everyday how I could be better and provide a more inspiring, professional and seamless process for my business and clients. So in 2020 my company KingdomBlue Studios was officially born, equipped with LLC and EIN. I Build my website after some deliberation in 2023. However during that time id been busy attending art showcases and events, as well as some public exhibitions to host and sell my work. Now I can officially advertise my Art&Design company as a business that develops creative and unique ideas for others. This created a wide range of possibilities in what I could service and develop, from childrens story books, mural designs for the city of Detroit, oil paintings and more. As my business began to grow I began to be able to stretch my craft more and more. Even now I continue to mold my art studio into the vision I witnessed back in 2017 and it continues to inspire me just the same to this day.

Aaron, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

My name is Aaron Mickens, I was born and raised in Detroit, Michigan, happy husband and father of a wonderful 6year old boy. Since my earliest memories I have been drawing. It has always been an outlet for me to express myself through the things that inspire me most. I have always been a visual and observant person as well. Things such as big unique ideas and stories, bold and energetic designs as well as intriguing abstract designs not only influence me but have become a small part of who I am. I believe my greatest strength is my ability to develop unique, thoughtful and inspiring ideas, I love conceptualizing and building things from scratch relying just on my own imagination. I love to inspire people emotionally through visual art and stories. I get much fulfillment from feeding peoples hunger for creativity and satisfying our natural desire to be encouraged and excited through visual things. When I started my company officially in 2020 I organized my company as an Art&Design service that builds creative ideas and projects. The problem I recognized was that artists and creatives are not the only ones with great ideas and the thing that separates people from beautiful works of art many times is simply the ability to draw and design. Using my natural gift, and passion for art I was inspired to develop a business where people who have unique ideas could hire an artist to build their dreams for them. I am passionate about connecting the people I service with the ideas they can only imagine, as well as sparking an emotional, intimate and personal experience with them and their own projects. I want people to know that KingdomBlue Studios is a one stop resource for creative development, we have access to the tools and resources to bring your ideas to life through visual design, or if you want the design conceptualized for you we bring the full service for your creative needs.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

By far the most rewarding aspect of being an artist and creative is having the ability to develop ideas that inspire and excite people on a personal, and emotional level. Creating designs and images that communicates a feeling or emotion that brings another person happiness, or excitement in my eyes is a super power, and behind every sketch or paint stroke is that motivation to trigger a deep fulfillment of emotional satisfaction. I love to inspire people and I love sharing an experience where I create something and someone truly gets it.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

The main goal behind KingdomBlue Studios as a business is to develop a talent for hire Art and Design company in the heart Detroit. It is my desire to build a one stop shop for digital and creative projects.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.kingdombluestudios.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kingdom.blue/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/feed/
• Other: kingdombluestudios@gmail.com

Image Credits
Aaron Mickens (KingdomBlue Studios LLC)