We were lucky to catch up with Max Gilbert recently and have shared our conversation below.
Max, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Are you happier as a creative? Do you sometimes think about what it would be like to just have a regular job? Can you talk to us about how you think through these emotions?
Being an artist is probably the thing that makes me the happiest in life. It’s almost like a therapy for me honestly, I’m able to kind of let go of the negativity that might be swirling around in my mind or calm myself down when I’m feeling anxious when I’m painting, it brings a certain focus and peace that I cant quite attribute to anything else I’ve done. I don’t wish for a “regular job”, I have tried time and time again to work a normal job and it just always seemed to leave me feeling miserable and wanting more out of life. Since pursuing art full time as an artist and art instructor I have gained an overall sense of happiness in my life honestly. I feel fortunate that I get to look forward to my work and that everyday is a new lesson, new challenge, new way to create. When you’re an artist you never stop learning and you never stop playing, so yes, I would say I’m incredibly happy and proud to be an artist.
Max, 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?
Hi I’m Max! I’ve been making art since I can remember and I have my grandpa to thank for a lot of that. My grandpa Walt was a well-known sign maker in Saginaw and he owned his company “Signs by Walt” where he began by hand painting the signs himself. I remember my mom driving us around town and showing us some of his hand painted signs and I would be blown away trying to figure out how someone could do that with their own two hands. From then on I was hooked and knew what I would want to be when I grew up, an artist like my grandpa. I am a full time artist, I mostly sell my art at local art shows or online and I also am an art instructor at Studio 23 in Bay City which has been one of my greatest sources of joy. My business is named “Dreary Art” which I created back in 2020, I’m a multidisciplinary artist and that means I like to do a bit of whatever I can get my hands on: painting, sculpting, drawing, murals, and digital art.
I would say my art is definitely for the people who are at least a little weird because I am definitely more than a little weird. So if you’re a misunderstood weirdo too maybe you’ll vibe with my work.
We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?
I built my supportive following from getting involved locally, I had an okay amount of supporters and followers before going out and getting myself involved in my local communities but honestly most of my support is from other artists and small businesses. You would be surprised how much other artists want to uplift, support, and be there for each other. I started out vending at some local art shows and farmers markets and that turned into me and a few friends beginning our own art show called “The Art Jamboree” and doing monthly art shows thats main goal was uplifting other local creatives while providing a safe, respectful, and welcoming space for all. While just this month in November I did step down from my hosting position so I could focus on my mental health and my job more, The Art Jamboree continues on providing a space for creatives in Saginaw. So my advice is get out there, engage with other artists, and build yourself a community of like-minded people. I think a lot of the times art can seem competitive but there is so much you can learn from your fellow artist and in my experience no one supports an artist more than another artist.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
The most rewarding aspect of being an artist for me is seeing people’s reaction to my art. Good or bad. It’s the way someone will quickly eye over most of my art but then one piece kinda makes them stop, or as simple as a kid seeing one of my scarier art pieces and going “thats… horrifying”. In my opinion if the art isn’t making you feel anything at all I’d be disappointed, so even if the feeling you get it “thats so weird” I’m happy.
Contact Info:
- Website: drearyart.wordpress.com
- Instagram: @ drearyartt
- Facebook: Dreary Art