We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Austin Weber. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Austin below.

Hi Austin, thanks for joining 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?

Earning a full time living from my artwork has been one of the most rewarding and amazing, yet challenging experiences i’ve ever had. It really pushes you to be focused every hour of the day to stay on top of juggling multiple art projects, communication, self promotion, marketing, self care, proper preparation and cleanup, engaging with clients, website building and maintenance, packaging and shipping, as well as all of the usual life responsibilities from cooking to taking care of pets. (: Usually I constantly want to put my energy and time towards creating art, however it has been proven to me that in order to keep the whole train running, it is critically important to tend to the other parts of the system as well.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

My name is Austin Weber, I am an artist as well as a skateboarder, snowboarder, and professional life enjoyer (: I’ve always doodled around in the margins of my notes throughout school, and did enjoy high school art class, however I didn’t start painting until 2017.

At that point I was in my last semester of college studying biology and other sciences, and everything was all about skateboarding. I then had an injury that left me on crutches for my final semester and decided to start painting for fun in my free time.

Over the next few years i developed my painting skills and created as much as i could while working as a chemist. I made a decision to pursue the creative path and later was able to make art full time. I want to make art to inspire others to do what they feel passionate about!

I create colorful imagery with acrylic paint on canvas usually in the large scale. I like to create unique and immersive worlds for the viewer to dive into and take their time exploring the contents and details.

When working with a client on a commission, I love to bridge the gap between the verbal descriptions of an idea to the poppin’ visual imagery of it. If a client is unable to fully describe their idea, or even if it’s simple and broad but they don’t know how to visualize it, i love to help bring the dream to reality.

It is my favorite to paint BIG! Out of all the pieces i’ve completed, the largest ones are my favorite and the ones i’m most proud of. The large canvas really provides enough space to portray ideas while utilizing body mechanics and physical movement for brushstrokes. I find that some of the patterns and brushstrokes that I enjoy the most are a result or recording of smooth movements.

I love to incorporate colors that i feel i want to be immersed in myself, i want to take the viewer to a really unique and fun place for them to explore, and color gradients and and compositions are a great way to do so!

Are there any books, videos, essays or other resources that have significantly impacted your management and entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy?

Yes absolutely, i have read a few books that have significantly increased my confidence, clarity, and momentum in this creative journey!

Firstly, The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron, is an essential and incredible book which is much like taking a class about learning to embrace the highest potential as a creative while healing through blocks.

The War of Art by Steven Pressfield is another that i highly recommend, he speaks a lot about the resistance that we all dance around with and how to follow it to our success, and then implementing these lessons through the lens of professionalism.

Lastly, It’s All In Your Head by Russ is a fantastic book about getting out of your own way, and believing in yourself through any challenges. As humans, we are often the only obstacle in the way of us achieving our greatest dreams, and it takes constant reminders and practice to step out of our own way to allow the universe to unfold our story.

Are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?

The biggest and most important resource to me that i wish i knew about long ago is the magic of collaboration with friends. Sharing ideas and working on projects with others is a powerful and quick way to learn new skills and push the boundaries of what would be possible by oneself.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.etsy.com/shop/Fourwebz?ref=shop-header-name&listing_id=1459540105&from_page=listing
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fourwebz
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fourwebz
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@fourwebz?si=XGsoIfV9adpoCYWq