We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Mike Williams. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Mike below.
Mike, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Earning a full time living from one’s creative career can be incredibly difficult. Have you been able to do so and if so, can you share some of the key parts of your journey and any important advice or lessons that might help creatives who haven’t been able to yet?
I was 23 yrs old when I realized there was a real possibility of making a full time living doing what I considered fun, not work. I set out on foot going door to door offering to create renderings of peoples homes and boats. 25 years later it still feels like fun, not work. In order to be successful you have to dedicate a lot of time and effort into what you love. Quite often I will have people approach me at shows asking for advice on how to get to where I am with their passion. One of the questions asked almost always is how much can I expect to earn starting out. It’s impossible to answer this question, it all depends on how much time and energy you are willing to put into it.
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.
I started working as a carpenter two weeks after graduating high school. I had always loved drawing, but never imagined doing it for a living. It was something I just did on the side for extra money. Once I realized the potential was there to make a real living doing something that seemed more like fun than work , I was motivated to make it a career. I have always enjoyed travel, as well as history. I combine these two passions to create my own style of artwork. I think a lot of people can relate to my work, because it reminds them of trips or memories they have had throughout their lives. In order to create a new piece of artwork, a minimum of a month is dedicated to it. Since my work is so time-consuming I am limited on how many new pieces I can come out with in a year. Normally it’s about six. From my original drawings, I then create limited edition canvas prints. The editions are small which make them desirable to my collectors. I have created, and build my own line of distressed frames that go with my artwork. I keep it simple, 3 different frame options but will also customize the frame colors if a client has a specific color they are looking for. Along with my limited edition canvas prints, I do offer custom originals for the clients who would like a piece created just for them.
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
For me, I would have to say the greatest reward of being an artist is the freedom it provides. You’re really free to create whatever you would like to create. Having said that you also have to make a living off of what you create. The public will decide whether it is a success or not. The goal for me is to always be striving to get better at what I do. This way of thinking keeps it exciting.
What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?
When I started down this path 25 years ago, it was more about the money and doing something that I enjoyed. I did not realize at the time how much joy my work could bring to people. Past and current customers will commonly stop to tell me how happy it makes them, looking at my art that hangs in their homes. Or how my work brings back, fond memories of a trip they had gone on with their family or friends.I feel that is what art is supposed to do , make you feel good when you look at it.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.blueislandgraphics.com
- Instagram: Blueislandgrahics