We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Curtis Griffin a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Curtis, appreciate you joining us today. Are you happier as a creative? Do you sometimes think about what it would be like to just have a regular job? Can you talk to us about how you think through these emotions?

I am extremely happy as a creative, and a bit of a unique case. I’ve always been drawn to both painting and coding since an early age — two very different forms of creativity that utilize the two hemispheres of the brain. I like to think of it as a dynamic interplay between my necessary creative and logical processes. One is endless and potentially never finished, and the other is rigid in its structure; it either works or it doesn’t. This where I am the most comfortable creatively.

While my passion has always been painting and drawing, I’ve also always honed my coding skills. After attending a prestigious Art School, studying abroad in Rome, and mentoring under several fantastic painters, I realized that artistic practice alone doesn’t pay the bills with the consistency I desired. Fortunately, my self-taught, web development skills proved financially stable, and I have been a Web Developer at UT Austin since 2011 allowing me to pursue my art freely. I officially formed my LLC for my creative practices in 2016 and have found a great balance between a “regular” job and my art practice.

The true creativity lies in leveraging your skillsets and finding that balance between passion and practicality to keep making your artwork.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

Hey yall, I’m Griffin, a Fine Art Painter and Web Developer currently based in Bastrop, Texas after living in Austin since 2007. I make contemporary figurative paintings which I regularly exhibit in Austin and Central Texas. I also enjoy larger mural projects and am a strong advocate for public artwork that enriches the community. I just finished a mural for the City of Bastrop at Minerva Delgado Park honoring the civil rights advocate Minerva Delgado Lopez that I’m particularly proud of.
I am also a seasoned web developer, and take great pleasure in empowering fellow creatives and small businesses with professional online platforms. In 2010, I founded Art of Austin, an artist collective and platform to showcase and connect the dynamic, ever-evolving artistic community in Austin. After moving out to Bastrop a couple of years ago, I started Art of Bastrop with the same mission: to foster connections, support fellow artists, and elevate the creative spirit. As they say, “A rising tide lifts all ships.”

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

I believe that a supportive society recognizes the value of art, and actively engages with their creative expressions. Artists spend many years of their life with the sole purpose of creating things that enrich life through beautification and discourse.

I would say the primary things to support artists and thusly grow an ecosystem for creatives are the following.

Go to art shows and events and talk with the artists; Putting a face to the artwork and learning more about the background or intent in the work makes a huge impact. Artists are solitary beings that spend a lot of time alone creating and its invaluable for us to get feedback and support.

Buy artwork from living artists; Purchasing artwork directly from living artists not only supports their livelihood, but also encourages their progression of creativity. Commission a painting, request a mural project to beautify your home, buy a print – these things allow the artists to keep creating and are essential to creatives.

Lastly, like and share your favorite artist content – it’s an easy one; Artists have to rely on social media and other web platforms to share and promote their work to stand out whatsoever. These platforms aren’t always the friendliest to creatives, so engaging with an artists’ work directly often means a lot!

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

The most rewarding thing for me as an artist is simple – the creative process. When I’m engaged in the act of articulating ideas and emotions visually, I feel the most balanced internally – I feel still. I create, then observe, then reflect, and repeat. It’s a very satisfying process that has always resonated with me since a child. It’s always nice when you get to show the work, celebrate it, and possibly make a profit from your endeavors – but those are just added bonuses. I’m a firm believer in put the work first and the other stuff will come.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://griffinartwork.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/griffin.artwork/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/griffin.artwork.us/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/curtisgriffin/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/griffin_artwork
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/griffininsight