Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Bobby Delaney. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Bobby, appreciate you joining us today. Do you wish you had started sooner?

Sooner. Much much sooner! While a four year degree is nice to have. I do not feel many college programs adequately set-up emerging artists for success, especially in today’s hyper competitive and saturated landscape. I know my school did not.

Sure they did a fine job on some skills and habit training. But marketing, business, and financial skills that would be essential to working as an artist weren’t given much attention. I feel like entering the work-force through internships, apprenticeships and real-world experience during the four years i was in college would have set me up far better than my actual school did.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

My name is Bobby Delaney, I am a commercial artist creating illustrations and graphic designs for various companies and brands, soloprenuers, influencers, and other small businesses. Creating anything from stickers, to T-shirt graphics, to letterheads, car wraps, twitch stream overlays and emotes, to retail packaging or coloring books; And moonlighting in traditional art and illustration

Regardless of whom I am working with, for or who ever see’s my paintings/illustrations, my end goal is to help unlock one’s gates to the imagination. Get them thinking ‘what if’ more, either as an escape, or as an exercise into what’s possible.

To date I’m extremely proud of the body of work I’ve created, albeit small potatoes compared to what most consider ‘making it’ – but I’ve been super fortunate for it to allow me to live in my dream city/state of Phoenix Arizona, own and drive my dream car, and be doing pretty well for myself all things considered after struggling to make anything stick for nearly ten years post college. Gotten to see my work on billboards, national tv, in music videos, on tshirts, in retail stores, racecars and plenty of other outlets as well. I’ve been very fortunate!

One thing I am not good at, and working on improving is my social media game and presence. So anyone who appreciates my work, and art- who follows me, i’m happy to help aspiring artists, with tips and tricks, give feedback or critiques, or show how i may have created something… I may not see myself a teacher, but more an upper classman willing to help out, if that makes sense. I also am happy to help businesses or personal brands navigate their creative space and outlets.

What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?

Learn to appreciate art again. And the skill and craftsmanship that goes into creating the final product you see, wear or interact with. Literally everything you get to see or touch was created thanks to a single or team of creatives. Sure we might make it look easy and took no time at all, but Lebron James doesn’t get a smaller contract because he makes playing basketball look effortless. But artists do, our work is constantly under attack and scrutiny for the actual value it holds and the value we as creatives bring to the table to create those things. Especially now in the advent of AI, and services like Canva – it’s alarmingly scary how much our value has diminished.

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

For me my goal was and still is to wake up, and be excited to go to work! I know, the cliche’d saying ‘love what you do, and you’ll never work a day’ but it makes the world of difference in your journey.

Beyond that, I absolutely love seeing people’s faces light up in creative realization or pure escapism. The imagination lights up the face into this childlike excitement and smile that is unmistakable. Those moments are the fuel that make me want to keep creating.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.bd3illustrations.com
• Instagram: @bd3illustrations
• Facebook: Facebook.com/bd3illustrations
• Linkedin: Linkedin.com/in/robertdelaney3
• Other: Also: Ninthpaddockcreative.com Ninthpaddockcreativestore.com