We were lucky to catch up with Raja Green recently and have shared our conversation below.
Raja, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Can you talk to us about how you learned to do what you do?
I was always drawing as a young kid, which was a God given talent that he literally just gifted me with. I became self taught as a painter and photographer at the same time in 2014-15. I just dabbled in painting and learned my one style. With Street photography, I had in mind to show the world what I see on a daily basis through the lens. Studio work was learned on YouTube but I wanted crazy colors, abstract work and as creative as I can be. The skills that were essential with painting and street photography was simple, what do I want to portray when showing the world? Studio work, was fundamentals, learning shutter speed, aperture, and ISO. only obstacle that was in the way of learning more was me. It’s always me vs me. How bad do you wanna learn is always the question.
Raja, 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?
I got into my craft by just being exploratory towards creative things which led me to moving on from drawing to painting. Then watching my mom have a camera when I was a child led me to picking up a camera, unconsciously seeing her with it and it kinda was carved into my brain then years later I bought one but didn’t know why until I got older. As time goes on people see you’re a creative and would like your work in their homes, barbershops, offices etc. so I grew into a business. I provide photography prints, and photography books with my work of street photography and some creative studio work. I also sale paintings. The most thing I’m proud of when it comes to my creativity is that I use it in ways that I want it to be used. I trust my gut and I like everything I put out. I’m also proud of the opportunities that my craft has led me to. Rooms I didn’t think id be in, meeting people that I didn’t think id meet so soon. I want people to know that they can do and be anything they would like. The world is yours. That why I named my art business “The Art of Pursuit”. Its not just for artist but for anyone going after their passions rather it is becoming a doctor, painter, photographer, movie director, dentist, mechanic, etc, I believe its an artistry behind becoming who you want to be in life, and its a little play on words because im an artist.
What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?
The biggest lesson I had to learn as a creative is that everyone isn’t going to like your art. I had to come to terms that’s what’s going to happen. Having that thought can cause a creative to not put out any work because now you’re worried about the opinions of others and you’ve opened that door in becoming a perfectionist. It’s a spiral effect that no Artist wants to go through. As children we don’t ever think about that but somewhere down the timeline of life, it does happen as we get older. My first encounter was with this girl I was dating at the time and I was painting a lot and I had asked her did she like them and she kinda hesitated all the time in telling me no because she was concerned about my feelings. But she would say she didn’t like them more than she would say she does. First time this happened. In my mind I’m thinking how could she not like my art and she’s my lady? My number person. It jacked me up for a while. It wasn’t until after a year I had to realize that everyone isn’t going to like your work, mom dad, brother, wife, girl etc. But you have to stay true to your art and that’s what matters because that idea came to you in your mind and not theirs. That’s what makes art so unique. It’s specified to one person. So ever since then its been “this is my art and you’re welcome to like or dislike but I love it”.
Is there mission driving your creative journey?
The goal of my art is to inspire other creatives to trust themselves. Trust your art, your craft, trust that God has given you a gift and it’s up to you to find the best way you can to enhance it. Show people and don’t be scared. The gaol is to simply give an insight I the book of Rajas life. So every painting and every photo taken is a bookmark in the book of Raja. It’s a timeline. I wan to inspire other to pick up a paint brush or camera.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.theartofpursuit.net
- Instagram: _0raja
- Facebook: Raja Green
- Linkedin: Raja Green
- Twitter: DoU_RajaDat
