We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Slade Wilson. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Slade below.

Slade, appreciate you joining us today. Can you tell us about a time that your work has been misunderstood? Why do you think it happened and did any interesting insights emerge from the experience?

For a long time I didn’t believe in being visually seen as an Artist, it was the thing I furthest wanted to stay away from. There was no need for the audience to know who I am or even what I looked/ or sounded like. For what? My Art speaks for itself. The viewer is the integral piece to breathing life into my work. But as time has gone by, as I get older and extend further into the man I will die as, I’ve found out that I have misunderstood myself greatly as an Artist. That my words carry value. I am my father’s son and it is important my loved ones and anyone new to experiencing my work sees him in me and possibly my work. So ultimately I don’t mind if the audience does not understand me, it’s way more valuable for me not to misunderstand or mischaracterize myself. Being more visual as an Artist and or showing my face/ expressing myself through words, will accompany in making that connection not only for others, but more importantly for myself.

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.

I am a Miami based 3D digital Artist and like many others create Art without a valid explanation to ” why me? “. Why was I chosen to feel and have the urge to make things, hear things and use my hands to create scenes that have not existed in reality yet. But I am aware enough to understand that it is a blessing to be given such a dilemma. It’s not a job, or responsibility. I strip such terms from what I do. What I do is emote. What I do is extend. I hope for the viewer to see past what is displayed on a canvas or screen, for them to extend as well. I myself am a large mirror refracting the world we all experience.

My work is birthed from the beauty of music, or possibly the women I’ve fallen in love with. My father’s passing or the war I have not yet experienced. I can not pin point what it is I do. What I can say is that when I create, it will bring out a story, a feeling or a thought. And that’s all I can ask for. But more importantly, touch or inspire another to create the next great piece of Art.

Working in a 3D digital space allows me to use that abstraction, that unknowingness. It allows me to explore my endless thoughts. I am a vessel, plain and simple.

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

Well this is a tricky one. There are many tools already in place to help Artists grow and flesh out a career. I myself am looking for representation and support financially to create bigger works and explore past my creative ceiling. Grants and residencies do help in that regard, which lends to the greater Artist ecosystem. Now what holds me back from being chosen and or having a better chance at these opportunities? That I can not tell you. Sometimes it feels like a luck of the draw. Just like life. So there is no surprise there. But we definitely can as Artists actively utilize our platforms to engage and grow an audience to separate ourselves from the rest, so for that I can not complain.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

Yeah, selfishly to out do myself. I am not ashamed of self competition. Endlessly seeking the best of yourself. Finding new thoughts and connections, building my own world momentarily. That process of sitting there and making something from nothing. It’s my time to be in control of my life for that particular moment in time. Nobody can tell me anything. No rules, no up or down. It’s me in it’s entirety and that I would never trade for anything in this world.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/slade_wilson_001/

Image Credits
Slade Wilson ( Artist )