We were lucky to catch up with Jeffrey Boutin recently and have shared our conversation below.

Jeffrey, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?

If there is a backwards way of becoming a full time artist, I think i did it. I have always loved to draw and paint and like many artists , i didnt feel like i was good enough to actually show my art. Not even to a close friend! When I found out a friend was purchasing an expensive piece of art, I offered to do something similar for the cost of materials. I put no value on what I did. Well he liked it better than the original peice of art and paid me my agreed price. He told me that he didnt know i was artistic and since i was feeling good about the piece i just made, I showed him my art I hid in my garage. He said there was something really powerful about it and encouraged me to go to a gallery just to get their opinion on my art. The only gallery I knew of was in luxury mall so thats where I went to get their opinion. Its a funny story but the gallery bought them on the spot, even crazier is that they all sold by the end of the weekend and the gallery wanted more so I was off running painting and selling and establishing my name. I eventually was working with 15 galleries nationwide but now I have narrowed it down to about 6 really good galleries that keep me busy.
I came to realize i wasted over 30 years thinking I was not good enough to be an artist when really I was just doing what made sense to me and not what everyone else was doing. Truth is I didn’t know how to do what everyone was doing. I learned that being unique and recognisable is the “Real” path to success. I would never compare my art to Van Gogh but he was similar. He didnt paint like everyone else, He painted in a way that made sense to him. I wonder if he ever felt like he was not good enough compared to his contemporaries.

Jeffrey, 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?

If there is a backwards way of becoming a full time artist, I think i did it. I have always loved to draw and paint and like many artists , i didnt feel like i was good enough to actually show my art. Not even to a close friend! When I found out a friend was purchasing an expensive piece of art, I offered to do something similar for the cost of materials. I put no value on what I did. Well he liked it better than the original peice of art and paid me my agreed price. He told me that he didnt know i was artistic and since i was feeling good about the piece i just made, I showed him my art I hid in my garage. He said there was something really powerful about it and encouraged me to go to a gallery just to get their opinion on my art. The only gallery I knew of was in luxury mall so thats where I went to get their opinion. Its a funny story but the gallery bought them on the spot, even crazier is that they all sold by the end of the weekend and the gallery wanted more so I was off running painting and selling and establishing my name. I eventually was working with 15 galleries nationwide but now I have narrowed it down to about 6 really good galleries that keep me busy.
I came to realize i wasted over 30 years thinking I was not good enough to be an artist when really I was just doing what made sense to me and not what everyone else was doing. Truth is I didn’t know how to do what everyone was doing. I learned that being unique and recognisable is the “Real” path to success. I would never compare my art to Van Gogh but he was similar. He didnt paint like everyone else, He painted in a way that made sense to him. I wonder if he ever felt like he was not good enough compared to his contemporaries.

I truly feel like I don’t know what I am doing! However, I feel like this is a good thing. It keeps me learning and approaching art as if I am learning it for the first time.
I decided to start teaching classes on art. I don’t focus on technique necessarily but more on the mindset and passion needed to create unique art. Things that I use to be a full-time artist. I have had several students go on to become a full-time artists because of applying my information. I think that if I had feelings of inadequacy certainly many other artists are struggling with it also. I am very proud of the success I have seen in these students.

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

I am the master of my art universe. I get to create whatever I want. I used to own a custom carpet mill and I would manufacture what Interior designers wanted. Sometimes that turned my passion of creating carpets and rugs into an actual job with all the drudgery that can go along with it. I wasn’t the creator and wasn’t able to express my creative side very often. After selling the business and becoming an artist I finally have found that creative outlet that truly satisfies my life.

Are there any books, videos or other content that you feel have meaningfully impacted your thinking?

I am a sponge when it comes to learning art through Youtube, books, and magazines. However, I feel like the best tool is my own instincts. What do i want hanging on my walls? How does the power of color effect me? How do I relate to certain subjects? How much would I pay for a piece of art? Why do people do what they do regarding choices in their life? Can I strategically connect with and use that to my advantage? An example of this is what is trending on social media regarding design and colors?
I constantly ponder how different people think and act.

Contact Info:

• Website: jeffboutinart.com
• Instagram: @buffaloboutin
• Youtube: Buffalo Boutin

Image Credits
Jeff Boutin