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

Snater, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. We’d love to hear about how you got your first non-friend, non-family client. Paint the picture for us so we can feel the same excitement you felt on that day.

I would say how I began was totally God driven. I was at a crossroad where I didnt know what direction to go with my Art. I knew I had the talent, but wasn’t really sure of the direction to go with it. I was in school for graphic design, and I did enjoy doing it but, I discovered that I had more of a passion for creating with my hands.

There are just no limitations to what you can create and come up with on canvas. I had been creating work but I wasn’t showing it to anyone other than a few co-workers, some family and friends. But then, one day, I’ll really never forget this. My sister and I were at an old hangout called Davenport, it’s still around Im just not there anymore, but anyway. Here is where I met Keto Gentry, a local promoter here in the city. He promotes a number of different venues to attract the grown and sexy to a different vibe and scene in the city and it pretty known for this.

So we are all sitting at a table having drinks and conversing, and Keto states that he’s trying to introduce something different to the club scene, I wanna introduce some art to the scene. He was like we have a lot of local art here in the city but I don’t know who to reach out to. My sister and I both said at the same time ” RIGHT HERE WHATCHU MEAN.” The pretend state of shock as if he didnt know, lol, well if he didnt, he definitely knows now. So that kind of spear-headed me into a scene where I was able to show my work to the actual public. My first sale was made working with Keto painting Live at Davenport.

The piece I was painting was a tribute to the Black Woman and appreciating and valuing natural hair. I had no idea it would get the attention that it did. It was an experiment for me. I hadn’t really been painting to sale and didn’t know people were really interested in purchasing my work like that.

The purchaser was visiting from California or something if I remember correctly, a young lady with her own business. She asked me how much it was and paid me on the spot at the venue. I was like ok, this could be something. I like doing this, and I love it even more when I make money from it. I mean several years later. I’m still working with my brother Keto G., I paint murals, do commissions, paint murals, apart of a few local Art Agencies, and I now curate my own Art Gallery and have work headed to the Houston Museum of Fine Arts Houston as a part of the African American City Wide Exhibition.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

Im Snater George otherwise known as GmadixxArt. I am a native of Missouri City, Tx. I’ve always been in pursuit of the arts, however, I was never certain of the direction it might lead me. I went to school for graphic design, but discovered after doing paintings for a few clients, that I get so much more joy out of creating with my hands this way and the reactions to my art. Don’t get me wrong, I still create digitally as well, but my passion really comes out when i put the paintbrush to the canvas.

My biggest asset for gaining exposure in the industry has come mostly from being in the public. It started at the first venue where I painted live, ” The Davenport Lounge.” I know there were a lot of people who frequented that spot on Monday’s back in the day. That is how I came to make many connections, mostly sales of my original works, other times it may have turned in to future commission projects, and other times often lead to exhibit opportunities. Attending these different events opened exposure to other artist of the craft whom would tell me about events they are attending that I can be apart of. More exposure and loving every minute of it. It introduced different arenas where I was able to present and sale my work.

I already loved to talk, and am very much a people person, so I was never soft spoken, about discussing my art, my process, and most importantly my price. I have displayed work on different platforms from pop up events to Museums and Galleries. In each instance how you priced your art had to be approached differently especially when you are striving for the ability to live off what you love to do. I would also get help from the institutions where I was displaying, they would at times make suggestions as to what I should charge, so that I recieve what I would like outside of the commission percentage they will obtain. Looking at the other art, the quality of work, and what these pieces were being sold for also helped me in gaining a better understanding with what I should charge for my work.

Presently, I display and exhibit my work in Halls or Gallery’s such as; the Houston Museum of Fine Art, the University Museum at TSU, the Houston Museum of African American Culture, Duvin Pintor Studios, The Shrine of the Black Madonna, The Buffalo Soldiers Museum, Hardy and Nance Studios, and a list of others. I paint live at 2 venues presently in the Houston Area, I currently curate an Art Gallery in Katy, and am a current member of a few Art Agencies, such as Visionary Grind Arts.

I continue to pursue the arts and create new works for the public that I feel is something that will be impactful on the community, no matter the subject matter. Recently, I have been pursuing a concept that was influenced by my experiences painting live in venues here in Houston. My Cigar and Bourbon Series, which is geared towards the community of individuals who enjoy a good cigar with the drink of their choice. I never have to figure out what to paint next, just how I want to paint it, or maybe what medium to create it in. I’ve been doing that for some time now, and have created a brand for myself with the works that I have created for that audience.

This is what I attempt to share with other artist when it comes to knowing your audience to paint to. Some find it difficult figuring out what to paint next, but if you have a series in place that you are working on this is never much of a factor, simply find something different within that arena. I may paint a woman smoking a cigar and the next painting could be of a man holding a drink. You can change it up but that is the audience you are painting to. Well there’s a free gem for you.

I guess you could say that is what sets me apart from other artist, is simply, my choice in subject matter and medium, but I’m always exploring alternate horizons. There’s no limit to creative expression wouldn’t you agree.

I’m always open to sharing my experiences with other artist that are following behind me so they can make wise decisions on their next steps. It’s an ever growing process and things are always changing, but as always, I welcome the challenge and look forward to the future.

Now what I’m trying to do is get in to the Mural game. I want to make a bigger mark on my community and reach a larger audience. So far I’ve done a few but nothing along the lines of where I’m striving to go, so stay tuned.

Where do you think you get most of your clients from?

Best source of new clients has been painting live in various venues here in Houston. However, let me be clear, the places where I do this are very selective. Its normally in areas where my audience is present given the work I create. Knowing your audience makes it very easy to come up with what your next project will be once the current ones complete. I have 3 different series of works that are in constant production. As my techniques change so does what I create, but the theme of the work would still remain the same.

I would not take paintings of anime characters to one of my lounge events, because it’s not the scene for that kind of work, thus my point behind knowing your audience. The work can be awesome but if that audience is not in to it, the work may not sell as well as you would like. A lesson learned along the way.

Where do you think you get most of your clients from?

Best source of new clients thus far has been by doing the live events where I am able to network and meet new people, which opens up new opportunities. I have gained mural contracts, commission projects, and the latter from that in addition to other efforts that are put in place to bring in new clientele. Social plays a large part in that as well, but when I really sit down and think about it, it’s been the person to person contact thats been the biggest asset.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: _gmadixxart
• Facebook: _gmadixxart
• Linkedin: Snater George