We recently connected with Syd Linkletter and have shared our conversation below.
Syd, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Can you open up about a risk you’ve taken – what it was like taking that risk, why you took the risk and how it turned out?
I took a risk in September 2021 in getting a day job, and then again in November 2022 when I quit that day job. I’ve been an artist for more than 5 years, I’ve done professional work for brands and businesses, but I had a hard time making ends meet because finding the work was the hardest part. For people who work in a creative field, you know how seasonal projects can be, literally. The summertime is booming, and then once fall and winter roll around things tend to get quiet. You have to save up to make it to the next summer. I wasn’t able to move forward in life and do things like buy my first car because I could never find enough work. I worked my factory job for one and a quarter years and left because I was getting sick all the time and I was losing my connection to making art.
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 got into my art and being self employed as a freelancer because I crave freedom. Whether it’s artistic, physical, mental or spiritual. I want things on my terms if I can help it when it comes to what I spend most of my time on. I started like a lot of people do in art, I drew all the time as a kid, and when I was about 16 to 17 I started taking it seriously and getting the practice in to be actually good at it. I would study anatomy, do the Inktober challenge, and try to soak up the good advice and constructive criticism that resulted. A huge bonus is that my older brother, Vennicerunnos, is also an artist. I look up to him, and ask for his perspective on my projects and designs since I trust his judgement and value his opinion in art. He has a strong grasp on human anatomy and being able to rotate 2D objects in his mind that continues to impress me. I’m also currently a student of Adam Duff (LucidPixul) in his online mentorship, which is the first formal art education I’ve ever had.
I’m an illustrator, graphic designer, and I indulge in sculpture work more and more.
I’ve done work for brands like Rio Grande Jewelry Supply, Luna Rossa Winery, IDED (International District of Economic Development) of New Mexico, and New Game Plus/Gamers Anonymous.
I generally solve branding or design issues. A lot of people know what looks good but don’t know how to make it happen cohesively. I try to be smart about how I do business and create work for people, I’ve been doing it since I was a teenager, so I learned early how not to get taken advantage of professionally or otherwise.
I’m proud when I see my work on physical objects or in print. It really makes it feel real and I love when it looks clean.
I completed and released a self published zine in 2022 called Vamptober 2021. It’s 32 pages of full color illustrations of popular vampires. It’s my most current collection of work, and it includes writing by Wisp Of Words.
Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?
I’ve never really had an end goal in mind other than being able to support myself while being wild and creative. I’ve always wanted to keep all the doors open and let whatever artistic path enrich my life. There are so many directions you can go and I don’t want to limit myself by sticking to only one, I want to multiclass. But in a lot of ways I think that lack of direction has also had obvious downsides, particularly in not pushing my career forward as quickly. The upside is that I’ve been able to explore so many different avenues, especially ones so far outside my comfort zone that I have so much more of a knowledge library than otherwise. So much more to pull from and add to my art.
Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative?
Being an artist is such a journey. You look back 5 years ago and you see the person you were, the situation you were in, and the art you made. It reads so much like a literal chapter in your life. Keep in mind that artists are people too, and our lives are filled with ups and downs just like everyone else. What may look glamorous, tragic, romantic, or twisted on the outside came from a real human person. Someone living life and often times struggling to express the reality they feel on the inside. Be kind to us artists. I know we may seem weird and reclusive, and its because we are. But get to know us and you’ll have someone very thoughtful in your life, someone who’ll agonize over what color socks to get you for Christmas, someone who may just immortalize parts of your life you could’ve easily overlooked. And you’ll be glad you did.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://sydlinkletter.com/
- Instagram: @sydlinkletter
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sydlinkletter
Image Credits
@jesree, Alex Horton