Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Richie Deegan. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Hi Richie, thanks for joining us 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?
For years after college I was a freelance graphic designer specializing in logos and websites for businesses. Because I was told I could not make a living doing paintings, I believed it and decided to settle on graphic design. One day in 2013 my friend and former bandmate, Bill Brimer, who had recently started a church in the Dallas area, asked me if I could do some art for his new church. I thought that was an amazing idea and got so excited that he wanted me to do some paintings. He was one of a handful of people that knew that I had loved painting as a hobby so this made sense that he would ask me. I quickly realized he was only talking about the need for PowerPoint presentation digital backgrounds. When I told him that I initially thought he wanted some actual paintings on canvas he paused for a minute and said that he thought that was a great idea and subsequently was able to commission me for seven canvases for their new church. He basically paid me for materials and I was on my way. That sparked a creative and productive onslaught in me that had been dormant for decades. Within six months I was selling enough paintings to quit my day job. Then, I had my first solo show in 2015 and while preparing for that show, my friend and brother-in-law, Charlie Hodges, looked at my price cards I had made for each painting and laughed at the prices I had set. I told him that I realized they were too high and he stopped me and told me he thought they were way too low. I listened to him, changed the prices way higher, and ended up selling 30 of 40 pieces I had exhibited that night. Shortly after that show, a gallery in Boston contacted me through social media and sent a courier down to pick up 15 paintings for a show they wanted me to be part of. They instantly set my prices even higher and to this day that rising trend continues. Knowing what I know now I wouldn’t have changed a thing because I believe this is all on God’s timeframe and I just have to be patient and trust the process. His process.
Richie, 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?
From as early as I can remember I always loved drawing. My dad had amazing artistic talent and would show me the basics on how to draw a face. I always loved to draw faces. As I grew up I wanted to be a baseball player and then a musician so I tried my hand at both of those for years. But I always drew and then I started painting. I started selling paintings in my late 30s and the career took off from there. I am probably most proud of the fact that the van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam recognized two of my paintings and featured them as part of one of their campaigns to bring business to the museum, as Vincent is my favorite artist. Ideally as a painter, the scenario I want most to happen is that I do paintings on my own for myself to the best of my ability, and as a tribute to God, and that people would respond emotionally and respond financially. That’s not always the case so I also do commissioned work where the client will ask me to paint something of their idea and pay me to do so. I even go as far as listening to the music they like or somehow try to get in the mindframe and mood of that person or the subject or whatever it is they want me to paint. I go all-in emotionally if I can. If I am unable to connect in any way emotionally I do not take the commission. The commissions I’ve accepted I have really, really enjoyed doing.
I have to smile when I reflect on the three things I loved doing as a kid, (painting, baseball and drumming), I still do all three to this day.
Is there mission driving your creative journey?
When I’m finished with a painting, I sit back and try to understand what the painting means or is trying to say. It is the same for how I came to understand the overall mission for my art career and life. I did not set out with this as my goal but after taking some time a few years in to my art career, it dawned on me what I think it’s all about. As I previously mentioned my favorite artist is Vincent van Gogh. As it is with most people, I first became a fan of Vincent’s work just by looking at his paintings and falling in love with them. But then I began to read his something like 900 letters to his brother Theo and his other friends. Then I began to read biographies on him and learned more about the artist. It is then when I began to learn about the man’s faith journey and love for people less fortunate than him. I became so inspired by that aspect of his life and knowing his backstory made the paintings I already loved sing even louder to me. I began to learn that my calling was a little bit similar. I really believe that whether now or 100 years from now people who like my paintings will dig a little deeper into the man who created the paintings and see the faith which inspired them all and hopefully lead them to peace and joy in their own lives. But of course all of my paintings could very possibly end up in a Goodwill store somewhere, but I like the former scenario much better. Either outcome I’d be ok with.
Are there any books, videos, essays or other resources that have significantly impacted your management and entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy?
My only advice for painters is to look at as much art as possible. Look at the old masters and the new. Look at the bad art. Develop your taste and paint what fits your tastes and don’t settle. It won’t happen overnight. Do this for at least 10 years and maybe you’ll start to find your voice.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://richiedeegan.com
- Instagram: @richiedeeganart
Image Credits
Richie Deegan
Nanci Jundi