We were lucky to catch up with Elijah Glasper recently and have shared our conversation below.

Elijah, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Can you take us back in time to the first dollar you earned as a creative – how did it happen? What’s the story?

It was my second year of high school and only my second year of formal art classes. As winter break approached, my teacher handed out a project: create a master copy of a travel poster of my choice. After browsing for a while, I stumbled upon a New Orleans travel poster online. The moment I saw it, I knew it was the one. The design was stunning, with a harmonious blend of orange, yellow, and purple that caught my eye. At the top, the words “New Orleans: The Big Easy” were elegantly presented in a stylish typeface. The background featured a beautifully detailed castle, and in the foreground, three jazz musicians were frozen in motion, confetti scattered across the entire composition, adding a festive energy to the piece.

At the time, my painting skills were still in their infancy, and I quickly realized that recreating this poster would be no easy feat. I had underestimated how much time it would take, especially since I spent nearly all of my class time focusing on perfecting the castle—the centerpiece of the entire composition. By the end of the semester, I was far from finished, and winter break loomed large.

Thankfully, I had a teacher who genuinely cared about my success. After seeing my progress, she said, “If you can take this home and finish it over the break, I won’t take off any points. Do you think you can do it?” There was only one answer I could give: “Yes!” I was grateful for her encouragement and dived into the work with a fierce determination, spending every free moment of winter break painting like a madman.

When school resumed, I was eager to show my finished piece. The first day back, I walked into class with a sense of pride, excited to see my teacher’s reaction. Her smile when she saw the completed painting was something I’ll never forget. She placed the work on her desk and, with an expression of admiration, asked if I could stay after class. I was confused but agreed. After the bell rang, she pulled me aside, looked at me earnestly, and asked, “Would you be willing to sell me this painting?”

I was stunned. No one had ever asked to buy my work before. After a pause, I blurted out, “Of course!” Then, almost sheepishly, I asked, “How much?” I had no idea what to charge—I didn’t even know how artists charged. We settled on $50, though, in hindsight, I realize how generous that was. The poster I had copied online was worth far less than what she paid me. She framed the painting and hung it in the classroom, where it remained for the rest of my time in school.

Looking back, that experience was a turning point for me. It wasn’t just the sale that mattered—it was the recognition of my progress. From drawing stick-figure comics to creating something that someone actually wanted to buy felt like a leap. My teacher’s belief in my potential gave me the confidence to push forward and explore what my art could become. That simple act of encouragement ignited something within me, and I became even more excited to see where my skills would take me. It showed me how far I’d come, and more importantly, it opened my eyes to the incredible journey still ahead.

Elijah, 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?

My name is Eli Glasper I am an artist and designer from St Louis, MO. I graduated with my Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville in May 2024.

I mostly specialize in graphic design, illustration, and painting, and dabble in photography as well. I am passionate about using creative talents to make an impact on the community around me. In my work, I try to send messages about my own experiences and those around me. My love for narrative building and art is now leading me down a path to write and illustrate my own graphic novels, which will hopefully be completed within the next year.

I also have a passion for elevating and supporting small local businesses. This reflects my belief in the power of design to make a meaningful impact.

In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?

Money. money. and more money.

On a serious note, I believe some key ways to support and sustain a thriving art ecosystem include investing in arts education in public schools and fostering an interest in the arts from a young age, through both classes and extracurricular activities. Creating accessible spaces for public art and providing affordable workspaces for artists is also crucial. For example, I appreciate the St. Louis Art Museum for being a free resource for those interested in the arts.

Additionally, we need to shift cultural attitudes toward artists by recognizing the economic value of the arts, not only in job creation but also in tourism. Artists should be paid fairly for their work, and protections should be in place for their intellectual property.

Finally, it’s essential to eliminate the elitism that can surround art spaces, ensuring that marginalized voices have access to more creative opportunities and a platform to be heard.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

The most rewarding part of being an artist would have to be the potential to impact someone’s day even for just a moment, through something I made, from an idea in my head brought into physical form.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://eliglasper.art/work
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eliglasper/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eli-glasper-287144207/
• Other: https://www.behance.net/elijahglasper

Image Credits

I own the rights to these images