We caught up with the brilliant and insightful PeQue Brown a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
PeQue, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. 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?
Initially, my career path was anchored in the Navy, where I served as an Illustrator. This role provided financial stability, tied to my military rank and pay. However, the shift to civilian life brought about significant challenges. Despite holding lead positions and boasting a diverse portfolio, I found it difficult to secure employment that recognized my skill level and experience.
Struggling to find opportunities within my field, I reluctantly took on a caricature drawing gig at a theme park. Despite initial skepticism about the stability and artistic merit of the job, I soon realized its potential as a means to support my family. Through dedication and hard work, I honed my skills in caricature art, eventually gaining recognition and securing gigs at events and parties.
As I navigated the ups and downs of freelancing, I also pursued further education at the Art Institute of California in San Diego, aiming to strengthen my skills in graphic design and multimedia. Concurrently, I found fulfillment in using my artistic talents to inspire young people in local churches, sharing my story and emphasizing the importance of finding purpose in life.
This passion for mentorship and artistic expression evolved into a larger endeavor, culminating in the formation of a production company. Through collaborations with artists from various disciplines, we aimed to inspire youth to discover their passions and talents. Our efforts expanded beyond local performances to include talent showcases, workshops, and community events, spreading our message of purpose and creativity.
Alongside these endeavors, I seized teaching opportunities with after-school programs, initially part-time but rapidly growing into a full-time ventures across multiple schools and community centers. This allowed me to impart my knowledge and passion for art to a wider audience, encompassing various artistic disciplines.
Today, with the support of a dedicated team, we continue to produce diverse creative events, collaborating with a network of artists and creatives to bring our visions to life.
PeQue, 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?
Although I’ve always had a passion for art, right out of high school, I gave in to my fears, took the safe route, and enlisted in the United States Navy, hoping it would guide me towards a conventional career. Yet, a few years into my service as a Navy hospital corpsman, I came to the stark realization that my heart didn’t align with the demands of the medical field. Determined to pursue my true calling, I sought out and discovered a hidden gem within the Navy, a select group of artists known as illustrator/draftsmen. It was at this point that I made the difficult and unlikely transition from medic to artist.
Simultaneously, alongside my naval duties, I dedicated a significant portion of my time to volunteering with local churches near my duty stations. There, I found a great deal of fulfillment mentoring youth, imparting valuable life skills, and inspiring them to pursue their dreams. I never expected these two seemingly unrelated passions of mine to converge into being one lifelong mission that has come to fulfill my life.
In the ensuing years, I started a company born out of my passions for art and purpose-finding. LIQUID Arts and Productions is a multifaceted collective of artists from different art disciplines in which we utilize our creative skills to produce visual and performing art that inspires and educates. Our productions range from community murals to award-winning films, engaging diverse audiences in meaningful dialogue and expression. Our target audience is youth and young adults looking for direction in life.
We often use media like drawings and paintings in concert with dance, spoken word, drama, and filmmaking. Through workshops, we teach skills, techniques, and practices, all with the ultimate goal of inspiring fulfilled lives as well as realized goals and dreams
I’m most proud of the countless testimonies from audiences and former participants who’ve expressed the impact our work has had on their lives.
The main thing to know about me is that I am committed to the lofty goal of making the world a better place, one painting, one performance and one exhibition at a time. I find joy in the creative process and derive fulfillment from starting with a blank canvas and transforming it into a masterpiece. While receiving praise for my art is gratifying, the most rewarding feeling comes from making a positive impact on ordinary people seeking answers to life’s challenges.
We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?
The lesson I had to unlearn was the belief that a job’s worth lay in its ability to provide for basic necessities as opposed to following my passion. After nearly seven years in the Navy, I realized my career choice wasn’t fulfilling. Though I excelled as a hospital corpsman, I lacked a true passion for it. Initially, helping the sick and injured gave me purpose, but over time, that joy faded, leaving me feeling out of place.
During this period, a pivotal conversation with a colleague, Jose, changed my perspective. The Navy offered various advanced medical training programs, but when Jose asked which field I was considering, I replied, “the one that pays the best,” as a family man with five young children.
“That shouldn’t be your motivation,” he retorted. “What are you passionate about?”
Passion for work was foreign to me then, shaped by my father’s belief that a good job meant meeting basic needs. Jose’s question puzzled me. He pressed further, asking what I loved enough to be happy doing even after minimal sleep. The answer came to me: art.
Jose emphasized, “then you better figure out how you’re gonna be an artist because if you don’t, you’ll be miserable. But if you do, you’ll never work another day in your life!”
He was right. Miserable was exactly how I felt in that job. So, I took a leap of faith, abandoned my medical aspirations, and dedicated myself to becoming an artist. Through hard work and perseverance, I ultimately found fulfillment in doing what I love. Since then, I haven’t had a job; I’ve been walking in my calling as an artist.
What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?
The driving force propelling my creativity is love—not just any love, but a love that’s boldly confrontational, remarkably potent, and intentionally overwhelming, yet profoundly compassionate and impactful. The mission underlying my work is to catalyze positive change. Seeing how my creations inspire people to pursue their God-given purposes and become their best selves in incredibly fulfilling to me.
Contact Info:
- Website: pequeartist.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pequebrown
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/patrick.q.brown
- Youtube: @pequebrown