We were lucky to catch up with Sergey Gordienko recently and have shared our conversation below.

Sergey , thanks for taking the time to share your stories with 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?

From Graphic Design to Full-Time Artist: One Creative’s Journey

For some, creative work is a hobby or a side hustle, but for others, it’s a full-time career. Sergey Gordienko falls into the latter category, having dedicated his entire life to creative endeavors. Gordienko, who is also known as the Do What You Love Artist, recently shared his journey from his first paycheck to becoming a full-time artist in Miami.

“I’ve been doing full-time creative work all my life,” said Gordienko. “My first check was for creating a website for my neighbor who was offering her services online. It was 1997, and I had just learned Photoshop and HTML. She paid me $80 and was so happy, and it inspired me to continue offering my creative skills and make money this way.”

From there, Gordienko hit the pavement, walking into local businesses and offering his graphic design services. He knew the importance of having a website to attract new customers and grow a business, and he worked hard to educate his clients on the value of his services. His hard work paid off, and he was soon hired as a junior graphic designer at one of the biggest creative companies in his town.

With his monthly paycheck, Gordienko was able to afford to pay for college, studying half of the day and working at the office until late at night. It was a challenging time, but he enjoyed every moment of it. “I was studying all fundamental knowledge that I needed to be the best in my profession,” Gordienko said. “Plus, I saw the results of my work everywhere on billboards, local magazines, and even TVs. It was an amazing time.”

After graduating, Gordienko opened his own design studio and slowly grew his business for almost 15 years. However, everything changed when he moved to Miami in 2015. “I came here for Art Basel and then I realized exactly what I wanted to do,” Gordienko said. “I want to do what I love and be a full-time artist.”

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

As a teenager, I used to collect inspirational quotes and phrases that would motivate me. Some of my favorites included “Never give up,” “Believe in yourself,” “Yesterday you said tomorrow,” “Time is NOW,” “Love yourself,” “Memento mori,” and many others. But one quote that always stood out to me was “Do What You Love, Love What You Do.”

When I moved to a new apartment, I decided to create a painting with this message on it. It was a super vibrant piece, full of energy and color, and when my friend saw it, he was so impressed that he commissioned me to create something similar for his own home. He paid me $800 for the piece, and I was overjoyed to see how happy he was with it. After sharing it on Instagram, I received a few more requests, and I realized that this message was so powerful and so many people needed to hear it.

I enjoyed using my artistic and creative skills to create beautiful reminders for my friends and decided to focus on this message to share love as much as I could. For the past five years, I have created hundreds of “Do What You Love” artworks on various mediums, including canvases, jackets, t-shirts, shoes, murals, digital art, and NFTs. I even documented my creative process through pictures and videos and shared them with my followers.

Now, I am working on a book that features all of my creations, along with backstage pictures, videos, and even the music that inspired me while working on each piece. People can scan a QR code and experience the entire process for themselves. I am thrilled to be able to spread this positive message and inspire others to pursue their passions and do what they love.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

My mission is to inspire people to do what they love. I am a firm believer that doing what we truly love is the most significant and fulfilling thing we can do in our lives. It brings us happiness, joy, and allows us to create and contribute to the world around us. I’m here to constantly remind people of this fundamental truth. Seeing how my art touches and positively impacts people’s lives is what brings meaning to my own existence. It is a true joy to know that I am making a difference and helping others find their own purpose in life.

What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?

I hope for a world where people support and uplift each other, especially artists who often rely on society for their livelihood. I urge you to continuously support your artist friends, as it means the world to them. However, please don’t support them just for the sake of receiving something back in return. Do it wholeheartedly, and the universe will reward you in its own way. There are many ways to show your support for your artist friends, such as liking their posts on Instagram. But to truly make a difference, consider reposting their art on your story or page, sharing it with friends who might appreciate it and even make a purchase. If buying artwork isn’t feasible for you at the moment, consider reaching out to the artist and discussing a commission piece that suits your budget. Remember, supporting each other brings joy and happiness that cannot be measured by material possessions.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.dowhatyoulove.art
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dowhatyoulove.artist/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dwyl-artist/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/dwyl_artist