We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Christian Davis a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Christian, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Are you able to earn a full-time living from your creative work? If so, can you walk us through your journey and how you made it happen?
I’m working everyday to make a living doing what I do. There are times when everything is going great and then times when things are slow bit unfortunately that’s the way of the world. Fast food art fizzles out and to me takes time aways from the best part which is creating the best product. The Definitive Work.
Being a Full-time Artist isn’t for the weak. If you expect instant success or instant gratification being a creative isn’t for you. Greatness takes time. You have to fall, get up, go thru trials and tribulations in order to get to where you want to be.
Day to day it varies some days you won’t create anything but other days you can’t sleep because those creative juices are going crazy. When those days come capture them don’t let them get away from you because those are the days to Hold near and dear to your heart.
I feel greatness takes time everyday people are so focused on instant success and yes to the ones who have made you are definitely the truth. But, as a creative I feel.we forgot that legacy is the thing that matters more than anything. I feel yes I could’ve been further along than I am but km enjoying the process of becoming the best artist I can be and loving life. Don’t cheat yourself when it comes to the creative process.
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?
I consider myself a Visual Artist. I’m a Photographer, Painter, 4x Filmmaker, Model, and Screenplay writer. I’ve always been fascinated with storytelling from when I was a young child. I use to daydream after finishing my school work and write short stories for fun. On Friday’s my grandfather and grandmother use to take me to Blockbuster and we would rent a plethora of films from “Casablanca” to “Purple Rain”. Films like “The Godfather” to Do The Right Thing” fascinated me and spark the feeling of “Man I Want To Tell Those Kind of Stories” I told my Grandparents what I wanted to do and they fueled the passion I still have to this day for art. For High School I was accepted into the Detroit SCHOOL of Arts with a Major in Acting. In my sophomore year I was blessed with the opportunity to not only continue my studies at my High School but further continue my knowledge at Golightly Career and Technical Center where I learned Radio and Television. I owe everything I am to Dennis Moore and Dana Hughes. If it wasn’t for them my path I believe would be quite different. After High SCHOOL I went to Wayne State University for a Major in Film with a Double Minor in Art Therapy and Photography. There many of the hardships I endured was really finding my voice. In certain schools Theroy is as far as they go when it comes to The Arts but Wayne State and the Teachers I had, taught me both the Logistics and Creative side of being an artist. While in college I began to use my skills outside of the classroom for the Fraternities and Sororities on Campus. Even further I tried my ha d at Writing and Directing my own projects using friends, family and my peers on campus to tell the stories I created. Afterwards I’d submit them to different Film Festival and began winning awards for my work. Upon Completion of my Bachelors Degree I continued making short films and submitting them and kept winning awards. While being a Filmmaker I learned a new Skill that I had no interest in at the time but since have grown to love which is Modeling. I did my first show in 2015 and haven’t looked back since. In 2022 I have been blessed with the opportunity to be signed to Polished Models Co by PresTina Glover and Tiffany Greer. Though Modeling is taking up a lotttttttttttttt of time lately Film and Painting will always be my first love. Unfortunately the hardships of being a creative is not falling into the level of being stagnant. I refuse to set myself short and not tell stories I feel reach the masses. Filmmakers like Spike Lee, John Singleton and Gordon Parks are why I do what I do. As an artist and Filmmaker it is your job to tell stories that will impact the people, tell stories that are thought provoking and are relatable then and now. I am most proud that I did it my way without anyone over my shoulder dictating what I write. I owe my grandfather everything because without his guidance and motivation I have no clue where I’d be. I owe my mother Kymberly Davis and Clifton Kitt for always being a listening ear for when I doubted myself. I owe a my friends and family I’ve made over the years as well because with you all I doubt I’d be this humble.
What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?
My goal is to make the definitive work that cannot be Surpassed. Growing up we had Movies such as Boyz n Da Hood, Juice, and New Jack City. Films like these are being studied on College Campuses as we speak. That sparks me to help pave the way for new and upcoming voices such as myself so when little black boys and girls look into the mirror they are proud of the reflection that looks back at them.
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
In 2019 I was diagnosed with a Grade 3 Astrocytoma behind my left eye. The tumor was inoperable but I was given a 70%chance of surviving if i underwent other treatments. I underwent 6 months of both Chemotherapy and Radiation therapy to shrink the tumor. In 2022 I feel I have a 2nd chance at life and refuse to let it go to waste. I owe everything to Daun Green, Donna Green. Janika Green, Keisha Belcher, Rashaad Oliver, Edward Pierson, Kim Marcilene, Kymberly Davis, Derek Thornton and lastly my Grandfather. Having Cancer really made me realize life isn’t promised and you have to make the most of everyday you are on this Earth.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @Rosco_TheArtist
- Facebook: Rosco Davis
- Youtube: Sweet Obsession Films
Image Credits
Shots by Stéphane Parker INSTAGRAM IS @GETGRIS