We recently connected with Jeff Wilson and have shared our conversation below.

Jeff, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today How did you learn to do what you do? Knowing what you know now, what could you have done to speed up your learning process? What skills do you think were most essential? What obstacles stood in the way of learning more?

In the early days of my career, I transitioned from analog to digital art, grappling with how to translate my sculptural training into a digital medium. This transition began several years ago when I was primarily working as a sculptor. The shift involved not only learning new tools but also rethinking my artistic approach to fit a digital context. Limited tools and technology, as well as a scarcity of digital art references, posed significant challenges. However, this period allowed me to create my unique style of digital woodcuts, which laid the foundation for my work.

In recent years, the advent of NFTs exposed me to various digital art forms like glitch art, generative art, and AI. These discoveries were incredibly inspiring, although I didn’t feel like I fit into any of these specific camps. This inspiration led to my exploration of what I call “mixed digital media art,” where, similar to traditional mixed media artists who blend physical elements, I blend various digital tools and techniques to create a cohesive and unique style. This blending process allows me to maintain the essence of my earlier work while incorporating new technologies.

The concept of printmaking, with its rich history of combining technology and artistry, continues to inspire my process. Printmaking serves as a metaphor for my work, representing a collaboration between the artist and the machine. This metaphor is central to my approach, as it highlights the harmony between traditional artistic techniques and contemporary digital tools. Throughout history, printmaking has evolved, yet it always involved this collaborative effort, which is still true today with digital tools.

Learning to use new tools, (in the AI space, various filters and automations, applications, platforms, and relearning how to write code), has been a steep learning curve. The rapid pace at which new tools are developed adds another layer of complexity. Evaluating what works well in general, what aligns with my artistic goals, and how much to rely on one tool over another amidst constant change is challenging. Navigating the ethical considerations and audience perceptions of digital tools also presented significant challenges. It’s not just about learning the tools but also grappling with public perceptions, expectations, and acceptance or rejection of these technologies. This process involves introspection about my own views on these issues, managing insecurities, and ultimately deciding how much to incorporate (or not) public opinion into my work.

Despite these obstacles, I strive to maintain a human touch in my work, ensuring that technology enhances rather than overshadows my creative voice. My process involves a complex workflow where I allow digital tools to guide my thinking and approach, yet I remain the decision-maker. This balance between human input and technological assistance is crucial in navigating ethical concerns and public perceptions. By blending these elements, I create work that is innovative and deeply personal. The integration of advanced digital tools in a way that retains the personal and artistic essence of my work is what sets me apart. My art reflects a thoughtful and deliberate use of technology, where I remain in control, allowing me to produce pieces that resonate on a human level while embracing the possibilities offered by modern digital techniques.

Jeff, 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 digital artist with a background in traditional sculpting, holding a degree in fine arts. Early in my career, I transitioned from analog to digital art, merging my passion for technology and day-job as an engineer with my artistic training and goals. This transition involved rethinking my approach to art, moving from physical work to what I referred to as “digital woodcuts”, where I created two-dimensional works reminiscent of traditional printmaking techniques.

My journey took a significant turn with the rise of NFTs, which exposed me to a broader spectrum of digital art forms such as glitch art, generative art (code that outputs images based on algorithms and defined steps), and, of course, AI. These discoveries were incredibly inspiring, though I did not feel I fit into any of these specific camps. Instead, I developed what I call “mixed digital media art.” Similar to traditional mixed media artists who blend various physical elements, I combine different digital tools and techniques to create a unique, cohesive style that maintains the essence of my earlier work while incorporating new technologies.

Most recently, I launched http://www.popartpets.shop and an Etsy storefront offering custom and pre-made pet portraits in a wide variety of styles. Unlike many other offerings that simplify and often depersonalize pet portraits, my goal is to capture the full context and personality of each pet. Providing detailed and context-rich representations, I help customers achieve a deeper personal connection with the artwork in line with their close relationship with their pet. Offering both custom and pre-made pieces allows for quicker fulfillment and a broader range of styles to choose from, helping customers find the perfect piece for their home.

In addition to my pet portraits, I also accept custom commissions on a variety of topics. This allows me to explore diverse themes and subjects, providing clients with unique, personalized art.

What sets me apart is my ability to integrate advanced digital tools while retaining a strong artistic vision. This balance allows me to produce work that is both innovative and deeply personal. I’m most proud of my adaptability and willingness to embrace new technologies, which bring fresh perspectives to my art while staying true to my roots.

For potential clients, followers, and fans, I want them to know that my work is a blend of tradition and innovation. I am dedicated to creating unique, high-quality pieces that reflect both my artistic heritage and my passion for digital media. My Etsy shop is an extension of this dedication, offering personalized and context-rich pet portraits that capture the unique essence of each pet, helping to forge a deeper personal connection between the customer and the artwork. Beyond my Etsy offerings, I am actively engaged with my audience online, primarily on Twitter and Instagram, where I share my latest works and connect with fellow art enthusiasts.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

My creative journey is driven by three main goals: creating meaningful work, exploring and innovating in my craft, and producing high-quality, unique pieces. These goals blend together to form the core of my artistic mission.

Firstly, I aim to create art that holds deep meaning for people. This is particularly evident in my pet portraits on Etsy. The bond between people and their pets is a profound source of inspiration for me. Capturing the unique personality and context of each pet allows me to create pieces that resonate emotionally with my clients.

Secondly, personal exploration and innovation are crucial to my creative process. I continually experiment with new techniques and digital tools to push the boundaries of what’s possible in my art. This commitment to innovation ensures that each piece I create is not only unique but also reflects the latest advancements in digital media.

Lastly, producing high-quality, beautiful artwork is paramount. I strive to create pieces that people are proud to display in their homes. Whether it’s a deeply personal pet portrait or a custom commission on a different topic, the quality and uniqueness of my work are always my top priorities.

In combining these elements, my ultimate objective is to connect with my audience on a meaningful level, provide them with unique and high-quality art, and continually push my creative boundaries.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

When I decided to launch my Etsy shop a few weeks ago, I knew it wouldn’t be easy. The platform is full of talented artists, and I had to find a way to stand out. Initially, I faced several challenges, from understanding the intricacies of the platform to learning how to market my unique offerings. The competition was fierce, and figuring out pricing was particularly daunting.

To overcome these challenges, I dedicated myself to extensive research. Pricing was a significant hurdle; I discovered that many final sales come from discounted products. This led me to carefully plan my pricing strategy and schedule discounts to create a sense of urgency, luxury, and value. I developed different tiers of products, ensuring that discounts were applied in a way that maintained healthy margins and influenced purchasing behavior appropriately.

Another major challenge was figuring out the print-on-demand side of the business. With so many companies to choose from, I had to thoroughly research and compare their platforms, costs, reviews, and overall processes. This was time-consuming but essential to ensure I partnered with a company that aligned with my quality standards and business needs.

On the marketing side, I found creative ways to showcase my work using AI. This allowed me to create unique and engaging product mock-ups. For example, I created scenes where pets are looking up at their portraits on the wall, adding a personal and relatable touch. I also had fun with themed mock-ups, like a burglar stealing artwork, captured on a glitchy closed-circuit TV screen. These imaginative settings helped me present my work in interesting ways, making my shop stand out.

One unique aspect of my shop is the offering of pre-made pet portraits. Unlike many other pet portrait providers who focus exclusively on custom work, I provide high-quality, ready-to-download portraits that resemble common pets. This approach offers customers a quicker, more affordable option while still delivering exceptional quality. It also inspires potential custom work for less common pets, such as birds, fish, lizards, or rare breeds of cats and dogs.

Despite the initial struggles, my persistence in overcoming these challenges illustrates my resilience. The process of launching and setting up my Etsy shop has taught me valuable lessons about perseverance and adaptability. I am confident that my dedication to quality, innovative marketing approaches, and thorough preparation will lead to future success.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.popartpets.shop
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/popartpetsdotshop
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffkwilson
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/popartpets_shop
• Other: Etsy store: https://www.etsy.com/shop/PopArtPetsDotShop General portfolio: https://www.whackwhack.art