We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Redris Bell. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Redris below.
Redris, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?
I moved to the bustling city of Atlanta in 1999 where I pursued my dreams as a singer. I performed at local venues, garnering a small but dedicated fan base. I earned my degree at AIU Atlanta in 2010 and also perused a career in film editing and writing. However, when the pandemic hit, my dreams took an unexpected turn.
As the world grappled with the challenges brought on by the pandemic, the entertainment industry was hit hard. Concerts were canceled, venues closed down, and artists like myself found themselves without a stage to showcase our talents. I had just dropped my Sophomore R&B album weeks before the world as I knew it ceased to exist. Tours ,filming & interviews were all canceled; and I was snubbed of the opportunity to promote my self produced project. Faced with uncertainty and the need to support myself, I made a difficult decision—to put my singing career on hold and find an alternate path.
I first decided to channel my artistic abilities into painting. I’ve always dabbled in art as a hobby, but now I saw an opportunity to explore it on a deeper level. My mother was an artist and she taught me a lot about art growing up. I remember her showing me how to draw portraits and being annoyed with proportions. I don’t know how she was able to draw what she saw perfectly in proportion. With a paintbrush in hand and inspired by my mother’s creativity, I transformed my small apartment from a music studio into a makeshift art studio. Out of boredom my mom and I spent hours engrossed in art, pouring our emotions onto the canvas, and creating vibrant abstract & portrait pieces.
As the pandemic gripped the world, I discovered a heartbreaking truth. A few weeks after it started, I received the devastating news that my mother had been diagnosed with cancer. It felt like a cruel twist of fate, robbing me of the opportunity to share music with the world while facing the impending loss of my beloved mother.
While I became my mother’s pillar of strength, dedicated to taking care of her during her battle with cancer; no one was taking care of me. This is when it became therapeutic for me. Through art, I found a way to channel my grief and navigate the turbulent emotions that consumed me. I found myself expanding to new mediums from acrylics to oils until I discovered resin.
While the pandemic had initially derailed my dreams of becoming a famous singer, it had also revealed a profound calling to carry on my mother’s artistic legacy through my own work. Through the pain and loss I discovered that my voice could still touch hearts and inspire others, albeit in a different form. This is when I knew I wanted to do this full time
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.
My main choice in mediums is resin. Anyone who has ever worked with resin knows it is messy work. It seems no matter how much i prepare i always make a big mess. I was telling one of my sisters about what a huge mess I made making a set of coasters, She indirectly named my company by replying “well you know art is mess!”. This is when the brand Artes.mess was born. I chose a Seahorse as my mascot because I can relate to the seahorses ability to adapt in it surroundings. I think the most enchanting aspect of seahorses is their ability to change colors and blend seamlessly with their surroundings. Like a versatile artist adapting to different canvases, they transform their appearance to match the vibrant corals, swaying seaweed, or the dappled sunlight filtering through the water. They become living reflections of the underwater world’s ever-changing beauty, evolving into walking masterpieces. I like to think of myself that way!
I enjoy making home decor such as Vanity trays, Textured wall art, Serving trays, Coasters and Herb grinding kits. My designs are one of a kind couture pieces that add a touch of art, glamor and style in your space while being functional. Also I enjoy making earrings with UV resin. The earrings are a nice up-sale and compare in style to my other items.
I’ve recently expanded my craft from small decor to interior flooring, table & countertop designs using epoxy resins. My first client experienced a flood in her hair salon and had to close her location. I was able to make her dreams come true by redesigning her concrete floors into a beautiful marble with matching countertops. Adding an inviting touch of luxury and elegance to her space. This project is by far my proudest moment because I never thought three years ago I could work for myself and still be artistic on such a big scale!
.
Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?
I’ve always been captivated by the world of art. From a young age, I would spend hours immersed in sketchbooks, exploring colors, writing, and music. However, whenever I expressed my desire to pursue art as a career, the response I received was often discouraging. Friends and family would caution me about the instability and lack of financial security that supposedly came with being an artist.
Art wasn’t just a hobby for me; it was an intrinsic part of my being. So, I continued to create, dedicating countless hours to perfecting my craft. I experimented with different mediums, pushed the boundaries of my creativity, and poured my heart into each piece I produced.
As I continued to make art, I began to gain recognition and opportunities. My art found its way not only into art enthusiasts homes but Celebrities as well. Through encouragement by people who saw the beauty and worth in my creations I opened an Etsy store & began vending. The more I immersed myself in this world, the more I realized that the notion of art being financially unstable was merely a myth, shattered by the reality before me.
The journey wasn’t without its challenges. Rejection, self-doubt, and financial fluctuations were all part of the path. But I persisted. I remained dedicated to my artistic vision, continuously refining my skills and exploring new avenues of expression.
Today, as I stand here, reflecting on my artistic journey, I feel liberated. I have defied the skepticism and proved that pursuing art as a career is not only a valid choice but can also be financially rewarding. My passion and dedication have opened doors to a world where creativity and stability intertwine, where art holds value beyond measure.
To anyone who has been discouraged from pursuing their artistic dreams, I urge you to believe in yourself. Art is not just a hobby; it’s a language that connects souls, transcending boundaries. Embrace your unique voice, explore the vast possibilities, and never underestimate the power of art. The road may be challenging, but the rewards are boundless.
Looking back, are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?
Resources I wish I knew about earlier in my journey would be places that sell wholesale supplies. Art can be very expensive to make and the profits made depend on how much you think your art is worth. You can maximize your earnings using your EIN number to buy from these sources. Also make sure you have your business set up legally to apply to grants you may qualify for.
Fedex has a awesome grant that includes free shipping for companies that ship a lot of products. Shipping for me was very costly. Sometimes taking half of the profit made from a sale. If you offer free shipping this is something you should look into to maximize your profit.
SIDE-NOTE: I frequently shop Goodwill’s to find cheap or used items that I can transform into my own designs. So keep an open mind & seek the potential in things some people only see as trash. Ive made 10x or more profit with with supplies Ive spent 10$ or less on. Now tell me there is no money in art? 
Contact Info:
- Website: www.etsy.com/shop/artesmess
- Instagram: @artesmess
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/artbyredris
- Twitter: @artesmess
Image Credits
All Photos and Edits by Redris