Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Seth Smith . We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Seth, appreciate you joining us today. Learning the craft is often a unique journey from every creative – we’d love to hear about your journey and if knowing what you know now, you would have done anything differently to speed up the learning process.

After leaving the University of Kansas I had a degree in Painting. But in all honesty, I learned very little about HOW to paint. I think that is one misconception about art school, or at least my experience. The term “self taught” always makes me laugh a bit because I feel like most of the artists I know, no matter what their education, are self taught. If I could go back and tell myself one thing it would be to learn to ask myself WHY am I doing what I’m doing. Why do I like what I like. Really try to figure that out. What do I love about other art? How does that apply to mine? Why am I painting abstract art or clouds or frogs?? The way I learned how to do what I do was looking, listening, and asking. The looking was the decade of running a gallery that I did after school. Every day I was working with artists, hanging shows, talking to clients, creating marketing plans and cleaning the toilets. In the quiet moments everyday, I was LOOKING. Looking at art. Looking at professional artists. Watching them navigate their careers making mistakes and having triumphs. I was getting up close to art on the wall and studying mark making and color and movement. I was soaking in everything I could . I started Plein Air painting. Going out and painting with other artists. Watching, learning. Finally learning. I was LISTENING constantly. Trying to hear all those little tricks and smart ways to get from point A to B. Everything from how to set up studio lighting to what freight company is the best for international shipping. And PAINTING ALL THE TIME. This is the most obvious way to get good at something. Being a fly on the wall is my favorite way to learn. But then I started to find the right moments to ASK. Ask for help, ask advice, ask artists I admired for the smallest bits of knowledge. I was amazed at the time and patience and knowledge so many were willing to share. I don’t know what I would’ve changed to speed up this process because I think the slow pace I was changing was the secret to success. Young artists hate when I can’t give them a shortcut. Growing your business is one thing, but growing that internal belief and understanding of WHAT you love about your work and the work you see in the world takes time. You constantly have to put in good to then put out good work. Never stop saying yes to new experiences and travel. Go see that opening. Take the hike you’ve been putting off. Start meditating. Fly across the country to see the museum. We are choosing to live a creative life that will envelope everything we do! That’s how I believe you can be successful. I really disagree with the notion that you can become an overnight success being and artist. If you want to build a solid foundation for a successful and sustainable career you have to commit to it and give in totally to the creative life and realize that nothing will come easily but you will enjoy every minute of it. You’ll have many ups and downs and hoping the ups far outweigh all others. I realized that the skills that helped me above all else were looking, listening, and asking. I know that sounds simplistic, but if you surround yourself with good art everywhere you look, and listen to others that are forging the path you wish to walk, and ask them for their opinion, you will grow exponentially. Work hard. Paint every free second you have. Say yes to things even if they scare the hell out of you. You will meet your people. You will know yourself and your work fully.

Seth, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I graduated form the University of Kansas in 2003 and began running an art gallery in Kansas City. I helped start Plein Air painting organizations and curated many shows and artist rosters. All the while, creating and showing my own work in galleries around the country. In 2013 I began showing my work in outdoor art fairs around the country and that’s when my small business really took off. I began to build a following of clients and supporters. I was able to quit my job (which was very scary at the time) and really focus on building my “brand” and studio. I believe that if you put good into the world it comes back around to you. I’m so grateful that the work I make makes people smile. It’s an incredible feeling when when you get to do the thing you love most in the world for a living and share so many smiles with so many people. I truly wake up ever day with so much gratitude.

Alright – so here’s a fun one. What do you think about NFTs?

I absolutely love any new venue for creatives! Putting more art into the world is never a bad thing. I do dislike the monetary focus of NFTs and how, to me, the focus in not on pushing an artistic boundary but a gimmick. MOST NFTs I’ve seen rely heavily on the novelty. I know there are many artists in the digital realm creating mind blowing art and that is what I love! Also, fundamentally, I enjoy seeing an artists hand in the work. I love brush strokes. I like ” mistakes” . I love seeing an arm hair stuck in the paint. So that makes enjoying NFTs very challenging for me!

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

Being able to spend so much time with my kids and showing them that you can do something really cool with your life if you work for it. Having the freedom to be weird. Being myself, truly myself. Those are gifts!!!

Contact Info:

• Website: www.sethsmithstudio.com
• Instagram: instagram.com/sethsmithstudio