We recently connected with Corey Paige and have shared our conversation below.

Corey, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today 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.

Since I graduated college, I’ve always worked for myself. It was certainly a big risk to graduate Tulane and instead of find a stable job, I decided to pursue my passion, or what I thought was my passion at the time, and became a young entrepreneur. During the early stages of Corey Paige Designs (CPD) I focused on designing clothing and accessories. I was selling to retail stores across the country and acquired several collegiate licenses to be able to sell college merchandise to campus stores and on my website. As you can imagine, with no real team or employees, this was a ton of work. Managing a website, selling product, dealing with inventory, manufacturing errors, accounting, and coming up with new design each season – it became more than what I signed up for.

I was always missing what I loved doing most – designing. I began to realize that my job that didn’t bring me much satisfaction or fulfillment it had initially. I spent long hours behind my computer knowing deep down that this was not what you wanted to do for the rest of your life. But how can I pivot and find my true passion?

At the start of the lockdown, and after realizing I was going to be stuck at home for some time, I purchased some art supplies. I drove to a local art store that was going out of business and grabbed anything I could to experiment. Next, I went to my local Blick Art Materials, a favorite of mine, and purchased some more supplies. While college students, which were my true customers, left school, and the manufacturers I was working with shut down, I knew had to try something new.

Among other things, I picked up a paint brush, experimented with glitter and resin and really got to work. I was living at my parents house at the time, and would spend all hours of the night in their basement painting. I remembered how much I used to love creating art when I was younger. Painting made me feel alive, calm, and inspired. When lockdown was coming to an end and it was time to go back to real life again, I started to consider the possibility of pursuing fine art as a full-time career. Did I have what it took to make it happen?

I vividly recall reaching out to my grandpa for guidance, as always do. His wise words struck a chord with me, as he emphasized the importance of treating my passion for art not just as a hobby, but as a viable business endeavor. This conversation served as a driving force for me, inspiring me to take my art more seriously and pursue it with greater intent. In response to his advice, I confidently promised him that within six months, I would show him just how far I could take this new venture.

Despite any doubts in my head, I decided to take the risk and make the leap into a career in art. I started by creating a portfolio with examples of my work, sharing it with friends and family. From there, I began to get customers who trusted me with commissioned work for their homes.

As I continued to hone my craft, I really put myself out there. I would share the progress videos and finished pieces on social media. My following began to grow on both Instagram and TikTok, which helped me with sales and exposure. With the help of an amazing intern, we sent out my art portfolio to interior designers in the tri-state area. As I began to gain more and more traction, I had a waitlist of people interested in commissioning me for custom pieces. My confidence grew with each sale and each new follower, and I knew that I had made the right decision in pursuing my passion.

Now, I wake up each day excited to create something new. I’ve had some amazing opportunities over the past few years and have worked with some major brands that has tremendously helped in boosting my career. I feel a new sense of passion, purpose, and joy. Ever since taking that leap, I have been grateful for the risk I took to pursue this art career and the journey that led me to where I am today. My positive, joyful art has allowed me to connect with others on a meaningful level, and I am looking forward to what the future holds.

Corey, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I am a young, New York based artist, muralist, entrepreneur, and influencer specializing in creating happy art. My expressive style blends colorful imagery, patterns, and words to create unique designs that explore themes of joy, love, passion, positivity, and happiness. My work is designed to boost moods and brighten up your day.

Over the course of my career, I have had the opportunity to collaborate with major brands such as JetBlue, The New York Islanders, Casetify, HomeGoods, and Dormify, among many others. I have been commissioned by JetBlue to create three (soon to be four!) public wall murals at JFK Airport Terminal 5. My work has been featured on a digital billboard in New York City as well as in the Wynwood Arts District of Miami. I have also painted several murals and created art pieces for clients across the country, many of which have gone viral on Instagram and TikTok, receiving millions of views. My work has been featured in 7 art shows and is on currently display in galleries in California and New York City.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

As an artist, the most rewarding aspect of my creative journey has been the ability to inspire others through my work. It brings me immense joy to know that my art has resonated with people all over the country and that it has the power to touch people’s lives in a meaningful way. Some of the most fulfilling experiences for me has been visiting classrooms, whether in person or virtually, and seeing the faces of young kids light up with excitement as they learn about my art and creativity. Knowing that I can be a positive influence in the lives of others is truly a humbling and gratifying experience. Whether it’s through my use of color, my unique style, or the messages I convey through my work, I strive to create art that can uplift and inspire others. The thought that I can make even a small difference in someone’s day through my art is what keeps me motivated and passionate about what I do.

We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?

Building my audience on social media has been an integral part of my journey as a full-time artist and entrepreneur. It started with a consistent and authentic approach to sharing my art on platforms like Instagram and TikTok. I made sure to showcase my unique style, vibrant colors, and positive messaging, which resonated with people and helped me stand out in a crowded space. Additionally, I interacted with my followers, responding to comments and messages, and listening to feedback. This helped me build a sense of community and connection with my audience.

Another key element to building my social media presence was sharing behind-the-scenes content that provided insight into my creative process. By giving my followers a glimpse into how I created my artwork, they felt more connected to me and my work, which helped to build a sense of community and loyalty.

For those just starting to build their social media presence, my advice would be to stay true to yourself and your unique style. Be consistent in your posting and interact with your followers. Experiment with different types of content and share everything you are working on. Don’t be afraid to try new things and adapt your strategy based on what works and what doesn’t. Finally, have patience and persistence, as building a social media presence takes time and effort, but the rewards can be significant for your career as an artist or creative.

Contact Info:

• Website: coreypaigedesigns.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/coreypaige_designs/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CoreyPaigeDesigns
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/corey-paige-designs-inc/
• Other: TikTok: https://vm.tiktok.com/J2Q2BQ9/ Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/coreypaigedesigns/

Image Credits
@pisarriphoto photo 2 (green/blue graffiti)