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

Alright, Cameron thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Learning the craft is often a unique journey from every creative – we’d love to hear about your journey and if knowing what you know now, you would have done anything differently to speed up the learning process.

How did you learn to do what you do? I practice. I’ve done hundreds of hours of practice. I practice drawing every day. I also switch mediums I use when I’m practicing drawing. One day I might use inks, on other days I use pastels, etc.

Knowing what you know now, what could you have done to speed up your learning process? I don’t think the process of learning can or even should be sped up. We all learn in different ways. The one thing that I’ve learned is to be patient with myself and to carry on with discipline.

What skills do you think were most essential? As an artist, I’m always looking and observing. Practicing drawing and photographing helps me to see more. It’s essential to always look at what you’re seeing instead of relying on symbols. Humans tend to see things as symbols. You have to stop assuming and instead really look at what you are seeing.

What obstacles stood in the way of learning more? The only obstacle that prevents me from learning more is me. We all have things we have to do, like taking care of pets, loved ones, housework, and paying bills, but I make sure I don’t give myself excuses for not learning and doing my work.

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

I’ve loved drawing since I can remember. I was fortunate to have parents who encouraged me to carry on. It was not a shock to them when I decided to study at art colleges. I’ve been drawing seriously for nearly fifty years, and I’m still learning. I also teach drawing, and I carry my enthusiasm for it to my students. It’s also fantastic to share my ideas with writers, gallery owners, and patrons. At present, I’m illustrating comic books and exhibiting in galleries in the U.S.A. and Europe.

I work with many different media such as pastels, inks, oils, photography, cinematography, and digital. This ensures that each client I work with has a variety of options as to how their visual piece is created.

I do quality work. I use archival materials, and I am always up to date on the latest mediums, surfaces, photographic, and digital programs.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

I had to unlearn to follow. Most of us are groomed and expected to follow. I’ve learned that if anyone or any group doesn’t like questions, growth, or tries to bully you with fear of not following, it’s a big red flag. It can be difficult, but walking away from people or groups is well worth it. Sometimes I’ve outgrown people and groups, and sometimes I finally realized what they really are. I owe it to myself continue to grow. As an artist, it’s imperative.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

I don’t think I have a particular goal or mission driving my creative journey. What I do have is an understanding that everyone needs to have something in their lives that’s theirs. Something that they can throw themselves into with all they’ve got. My work has saved me on every level. It’s the one good constant in my life. I know I will get out of it what I put in it.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://artistcameronhampton.wixsite.com/cameronhampton
• Instagram: https://Instagram.com/camlette
• Facebook: https://Facebook.com/artistcameronhampton/
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/CameronHamptonCamlette

Image Credits

N/A.