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

Hi DAVID, thanks for joining 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.

My path to learning the craft of becoming a public artist and overall artful citizen began as an undergraduate student at Hampton University.

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.

I’m an Independent Public Artist + Creative Consultant who received my start via Mentorship while a student at Hampton University (Hampton, VA). Having the opportunity to learn while young and impressionable from professional, living, working artists who had already made their mark and were continuing to gain large-budgeted, high-profile public commissions was invaluable! It helped me better understand what my future creative career path could be. My original vision for a practicing studio artist or educator, evolved into becoming a designer and public artful citizen…working to create grassroot murals that involved kids and teachers was more appealing to me than a body of work inside the four walls of a gallery space…designing a monumental sculpture that could metaphorically tell the greater story of a community became more desirable than seeking a Masters Degree in Museum Studies or Arts Education. After 20 years of experience in serving communities, municipalities, and non-profit organizations in the creation of public art, I’m proud to have had the chance to work with so many diverse people – from architects like the late-great Phil Freelon (RIP), to young architects who worked and learned under him…to trailblazing political leaders like Harvey Gantt, to lesser known Community Association Leaders – it has been humbling to be a part of larger conversations and initiatives that help narrate and celebrate stories and bridge cultural divides. I work to brand myself as a facilitator and collaborator, and less on my individual experience and talents because I feel you can go further in life and in your career through teamwork and sharing.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

Fortunately, I had to learn the perils of how pride can remove you from your Higher, creative source. My Dad (may he RIP) was a shining example of humility and walking in the light of truth. I didn’t really understand how his upright approach to daily life had bearing in my walk as an Artist. Now, I understand biblical precepts like: Proverbs 11:2 “When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.” Proverbs 16:5 “The LORD detests all the proud of heart. Be sure of this: They will not go unpunished.” Proverbs 16:18 “Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.” all are true pillars that we should all embrace and embed into our daily walk – not just speak as lip service. Over my career, instances where allowed pride to rise in me and direct my steps and actions, cost me not only time and money, but most importantly friendships and partnerships. Coming full circle to an understanding of pride, I feel it’s best described as having a dragon inside of a shoebox. Your pride can begin as a small, baby dragon who can be controlled and easliy let out the box to fly and breath fire. But, as your pride grows and that dragon gets larger and more menancing, it becomes harder let it loose and spread it’s wings and breath fire. Now, it’s untamed and your shoebox can no longer contain it. It doesn’t respond to coaxing or pleading and grows in its lust to seek and destroy! Wisdom would encourage one to keep the dragon (i.e. pride) to a minimum in order to keep it inside the shoebox!

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

The most rewarding aspect of being an artist or creative is the opportunity it affords me to share the talent I’ve been blessed to receive with others of all backgrounds and walks of life. Through this talent, I can work with kids, teachers, community leaders, politicians, non-profits, and everyday people to help beautify their public surroundings through authentic art that promotes ownership and inclusion.

Contact Info:

• Website: davidwilsonpublicart.com/ + https://www.davidwilsonfineart.com/
• Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/david-wilson-63280766

Image Credits
James Utley