We recently connected with Bezol One and have shared our conversation below.

Bezol, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. It’s always helpful to hear about times when someone’s had to take a risk – how did they think through the decision, why did they take the risk, and what ended up happening. We’d love to hear about a risk you’ve taken.

In 2020, I was a manager at a brewery/restaurant called Blind Owl Brewery. I had been there for five years at that point, and I was doing art on the side. I also served as their in-house chalk artist and graphic designer, and I had painted a mural on their patio. After we had to temporarily shut down the restaurant due to COVID-19, I landed my largest mural project up to that point at the IndyHumane Downtown Clinic. While I had painted walls before, the scale of that project was new territory for me. Completing that project and sharing posts about it online resulted in an influx of mural project inquiries. That really opened up my eyes to the possibility of generating a full-time income with art.

Upon reopening the restaurant, I found myself juggling my responsibilities as a manager there and keeping up with the new project inquiries I now had coming in. I had to turn down a sizable project due to my schedule at work, one that would’ve earned me about a quarter of my yearly salary. I realized that I was at a crossroads, and that continuing to juggle both sets of responsibilities wasn’t going to be sustainable. That summer I decided to take a risk and leave my full-time position at the restaurant to focus on my career in art. I established Bezol One LLC, started taking on more commission projects, and I managed to beat my salary as a manager my first year in business.

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 roots as an artist are based in graffiti. I discovered this art form in middle school, and I spent my high school years sketching and painting with other graffiti artists I’d met, many of whom are amongst my core group of friends today. I was enamored by the transformative quality of graffiti; how a stark wall in the city could be brought to life using vibrant colors and expressive characters. I took courses in photography, entrepreneurship, graphic imaging, visual design and advertising, and fine art through high school all in hopes of carving out a career in art. At the time, my focus was on having my works printed on t-shirts.

Fast forward some years, I began working at a local brewery and restaurant called Blind Owl Brewery. In addition to my general role as a bartender and manager in the restaurant, I acted as their in-house chalk artist and graphic designer. I also painted a mural on their patio for their anniversary one year, and coordinated several special events that centered around local artists and bartenders. The creative projects I took on there allowed me to build my portfolio and achieve some quality networking. I left my position there in the summer of 2020, and I started Bezol One LLC.

Today I specialize in large-scale public murals, fine art, and graphic design. I strive to help clients achieve a unique visual presence by painting works that turn a location into a landmark, and designing graphics that amplify a brand’s voice. I offer custom murals, canvases, die-cut wood panels, sneakers, packaging, apparel, logos, and much more. My graffiti-influenced style and use of vibrant colors infuses my projects with a bold, energetic vibe.

Going into 2025, you can plan to see a lot more studio work from me. I’m working on finishing my latest original series of canvases called ‘Duality’, and I’ll be releasing more t-shirts, hats, prints, stickers, and other such merchandise. In doing so, I hope to make my art more accessible to all and foster a sense of community amongst those that enjoy it.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

I love it when a project takes me somewhere I’ve never been before. Being granted an opportunity to travel to and explore a new area while making my mark always fuels my creativity. I try to check out new restaurants, activities, and sights anytime I’m out of town on a project. Beyond that, it’s all about making people feel something unexpected. I strive to create works that either uplift or invoke introspection in those that view them. Seeing someone truly connect with a piece of mine is an incredible feeling.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can provide some insight – you never know who might benefit from the enlightenment.

Artists often have to wear a LOT of hats. I personally serve as my own agent, accountant, contractor, photographer, video editor, and social media coordinator for just about every project. Each of those roles take a ton of time to learn the ins and outs of, and they each add extra hours onto any project timeline. When you decide to work with an artist for a project, bear in mind that their pricing isn’t just for the artwork itself, but also all of the technical knowledge and equipment required to create it and promote it. I’ve spent a lot more time in a Lowe’s than in a Michael’s when it comes to mural projects, so I appreciate it when a client approaches me like a contractor and not a “starving artist”.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.bezol-one.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bezol_one
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bezol1
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bezol-one/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@bezol_one
• Other: TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@bezol_one
  Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/bezol_one/
  Threads: https://www.threads.net/@bezol_one