We were lucky to catch up with Steven Williams recently and have shared our conversation below.

Steven, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today We’d love to hear the backstory behind a risk you’ve taken – whether big or small, walk us through what it was like and how it ultimately turned out.

A risk I took was painting traditionally. I was never into painting, most of my work is digital. It wasn’t until mid-way through college that I started to really paint a lot of my work from 2019-2021 was painted with gouache. I used gouache because that was the medium we were assigned to use for a color theory class. I started painting studies of different celebrities I liked, and it eventually evolved into painting my own characters. I was given an opportunity to be part of the GOOD BLACK ART website launch. If it wasn’t for that I probably wouldn’t paint as often as I do now. I sat back and though on whether I wanted to pursue further, and I ended up going all the way with it.

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 Steven Williams, 24 years old, a recent college graduate from Savannah College of Art with a degree in fine arts majoring in Animated Illustration/Publication Design.

I am a visual artist who specializes in digital and traditional art and have been doing so for about 4 years. I create art the represents a black culture with a more colorful light tone even with some of the subject matter being rooted in despair and sadness, like a sad song with an upbeat happy rhythm.

My work has become highly creative and more efficient as I’ve managed a growing and diverse client base. My skills in client service and project management have also advanced to a highly professional level—and I remain committed to personal growth and professional development. Through countless client work I’ve become a very time efficient artist. I have a process that’s very involved and I’ve been able to communicate ideas and fix problems for clients very well.

Are there any books, videos, essays or other resources that have significantly impacted your management and entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy?

I like to read books about music artists. One of my favorites is “Where Did Our Love Go?” by Nelson George. It’s the story of Motown records and how Berry Gordy created his empire. What I took away Is that is why always look to someone else to do something when you can make it yourself. He spent years writing and producing songs ad leasing them out to other record companies before an idea of Motown was even thought of. After getting screwed over so many times by labels, Smokey Robinson told him he should just start his own label instead of giving away all of his work for little to nothing. What I took from that Is you can just sit and wait around for things or else you’ll be sitting and waiting around until it’s almost too late to do anything. Why not go forth with the idea and do it yourself? Find your own recourses ask questions, and utilize ideas or suggestions from those closest to you.

Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?

When I was in high school I drew celebrities a lot and I would post those picture’s on social media, I would tag those celebrities and sometimes they would repost my work. That’s the true origin of how my following grew. I cringe at the work from then but It helped me learn ways I could get people to my page. I learned that I should make the art for the fans and not for the celebrity themselves. I’ve had better financial luck directing that art to fans because they are the ones who buy the prints, the celebrity might give you a repost or a follow if your lucky but I feel like it’s the fans who give you the real attention. For example whenever I draw Tyler the Creator, I’m not drawing for him, I’m drawing for myself because I’m a fan and for the fans because I know they would like to see art of their favorite music artist. So I guess the answer would be learn what type of audience you want to cater to.     

Contact Info:

• Website: https://stevensroom.bigcartel.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stevenhendrx/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/steven-williams-09851a181/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/stevenhendrxx

Image Credits
1. “’09 What A Time” 2. “Big Boy Shoes” 3, “Lunchman” 4. “Midday Lunge” 5. “Some of My Best Jokes Are Friends” 6. “There’s No Barrel”