We recently connected with Joe Suzuki and have shared our conversation below.

Joe, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today What’s the best or worst investment you’ve made (either in terms of time or money)? (Note, these responses are only intended as entertainment and shouldn’t be construed as investment advice)

The best and perhaps, on occasion, the most challenging investment I’ve made was diving into freelance work. On one hand, it granted me the freedom to establish a flexible schedule that subsequently opened numerous doors to exciting opportunities. However, it’s important to acknowledge that during slower periods, the absence of consistent income has posed its challenges, though I wouldn’t classify it as the worst decision.

Joe, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I grew up in Orange County, where much of the surf and skate industry is located today. Surfing and skating allowed me to cross paths with the RVCA brand. I discovered that RVCA involved surfing and skating.

My favorite shirts were the RVCA, Artist Network Program shirts, which spotlight artists and print the artist’s name on the inside of the shirt, artists such as Barry McGee, Phil Frost, Ed Templeton, and more. These pieces of clothing served as a wellspring of inspiration for me, revealing the artist’s name printed on the inside neck label. After high school, I embarked on learning how to use Adobe software, applying digital design skills and blending them with my hand-drawn techniques. This unique combination set me apart from individuals who exclusively relied on computer-based methods.

My dedication and distinctive skill set eventually paved the way for an internship opportunity at RVCA. During this period, I had the privilege to conceptualize script designs, with a handful chosen to be featured as t-shirt graphics. This momentum led to a particularly proud moment when I hand-painted sign and was asked I had if it could be on an RVCA Artist Network Program shirt. Witnessing my name and artwork displayed on a shirt was a poignant realization of how far I had come, embracing the inspiration that fueled my passion and transforming it into tangible accomplishments.

Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?

The movie “Beautiful Loser,” directed by Aaron Rose, has left an impact on me due to the collective group of artists who embraced a do-it-yourself approach and translated it into successful careers. If you haven’t had the opportunity to watch it yet, I highly recommend doing so.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

The most rewarding aspect of being an artist or creative, for me, is witnessing individuals whom I admire, as well as complete strangers I’ve never met, proudly wearing the artwork I’ve brought to life

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.joesuzuki.us/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joesuzuki_art/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/joesuzukiart
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joe-suzuki-bb8a996b/

Image Credits
Painting photo by @kindalowstudio