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

Joey, appreciate you joining us today. I’m sure there have been days where the challenges of being an artist or creative force you to think about what it would be like to just have a regular job. When’s the last time you felt that way? Did you have any insights from the experience?

When I was 23 years old and living in Philadelphia I hit a bottom and was literally homeless. I lived out of a cardboard TV box that I would fold up during the day. So the success I have now is never lost on me nor taken for granted. I honestly couldn’t be happier. And when someone supports my work whether its by sharing my social media, etc … or the highest honor of actually purchasing a piece it sends me into an overwhelming state of bliss and gratitude.

As far as wondering what it would be like to have a regular job: I can answer unequivocally that I never give it a moment’s thought. I don’t need to because back in the day I worked every odd job imaginable. House painter, mattress salesman, professional wrestling manager, art supply store manager, drug dealer, butcher’s apprentice … the list goes on! And I always knew I wasn’t on the right path for me.

I’m 53 years old now and I’m living my ultimate dream. I get to paint every single day and am totally self-supporting through my art.

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.

Joey Feldman

Only child. Problem kid. Outlier. Obsessed with monsters, Marvel comics and scribbling.

He first picked up a pen at 8 years old and has not put it down since. Completely self-taught, this passion led him first to comic book art, then illustration and interior design until he landed where he is now.

“I was a crap student in school. I’m immature and do not have the gift of words. Maybe that’s why my paintings are so chaotic and tantrum-like. There’s so much I need to say that just won’t exit my mouth properly but it’s got to come out somehow. If not for paint and canvas I’d probably be in a home for the criminally insane.”

By choice, still an outlier to this day, Joey now lives in Los Angeles where he paints every single day.

He is most proud that his art allows him to consistently donate to several charities which have personal meaning to him.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative?

I like this question. I wish that people would let go of the common notion idea of a “starving artist”. The truth is that all career paths have a learning curve. To succeed in any profession one must be fully committed and believe in themself. We are all connected and probably a lot more alike than we are different.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

The lesson I had to unlearn was to stop listening to outside voices and opinions. Everyone wants to give you advice, but especially in the “art world”, nobody actually knows what they’re talking about. I had to learn to be 100% true to myself and to keep going, no matter what. Failures will happen, but the more I keep trying the more wins I get.

I’ll never forget when I donated a painting to a charity and was so happy to be part of the fundraising. And then the charity sent it back to me after the event because no one even bid on it. At first this really made me doubt myself as an artist. And then 3 months later, I sold that same painting for 4 times more than any painting I’d previously sold.

I don’t doubt myself anymore.

Contact Info:

• Website: Joeyfeldman.com
• Instagram: @joeyfeldmanartist
• Facebook: facebook.com://joeyfeldmanartcollectors
• Twitter: @joeyfeldman
• Other: EMAIL: [email protected] DISCORD: joeyfeldmanarttalk/collecting

Image Credits
Allison cane