Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Aawful Aaron. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Aawful Aaron, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.
The most meaningful project up to date would have to be that of starting and building my own art business + brand. Right out of high school, I started a streetwear brand with my business partner. I decided after many years to leave that company mainly due to a difference in vision. That experience made me realize I had a solid sense of my value and trajectory. The next step was to determine what I would do with this understanding. Fast forward a few more years, I reinvented myself and introduced my brand Aawful Aaron at my first solo show at the moCa Cleveland. This period has allowed me to reflect, grow, and express myself. Self-exploration + discovery is one of the most meaningful projects one can do. The payout at the end is usually always worth it.
Aawful 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?
Right out of high school, I started to do commissions for friends and local small businesses. As my skills increased, so did my clientele and my projects. I’ve always considered myself a fine artist. However, the concept of business was still new at the time. After my experience with my first brand, I knew that it would give me a good advantage if I knew the business side as well. My art practice, I noticed, was well received, and people wanted me to do art for their ideas too. So the logical next step for me was to create a creative agency that would allow me to serve small and large clients. The leading service I offer is creative direction and consultation. Other services include brand identity kits, murals, product design, illustration for cd covers, magazines, and marketing material, to name just a few. I mentioned product design above, and with my prior experience, I can release exclusive merchandise that goes with my knowledge of the art utilizing my design skills. These items include durag wave caps, basketballs, tote bags, enamel pins, limited edition prints, and more. I also rely on selling my original artwork, which is actually the “high ticketed” item. I am very thankful to have individuals interested in collecting my original pieces. Whether it’s a mixed media drawing, painting, or some other 1/1 work I created.
We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?
People love authenticity when building an audience of any kind, especially on social media. So no matter what content you’re looking to share, always be yourself, and consistency is critical! Show people that you, too, are, in fact, a natural person, Someone they can relate to. Suppose people don’t feel like you are consistent or can’t depend on you. In that case, they will quickly withdraw their interest in you, so just be mindful and strategic about your content. Make sure it’s content you wouldn’t mind committing to, and just see it through!
In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?
We have to pay the artist, man. It’s that simple. Suppose an artist is being asked to participate in a group show. In that case, the curator or gallery must consider paying that individual for their time and intellectual property. When you are a professional artist and run your own business, this is your livelihood; everything counts. But also, as an artist, we have to have standards, and we can’t just be “Happy to be here.” Know thy worth!
Contact Info:
- Website: Www.aawfulaaron.com
- Instagram: @aawfulaaron @aawfulwarehouse
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AaronWilliamsArtist/
- Twitter: @aawfulaaron
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/channel/UCfhWD8Jncu5HcG0ndwjklkA
Image Credits
Amber F. Ford Desmond Clay