Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Trey (iii) Ansley III. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Alright, Trey (iii) thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Are you happy as a creative professional? Do you sometimes wonder what it would be like to work for someone else?

Let me preface this by stating that I am an artist, but also have a full-time job. …but am I happier as an artist or a creative? I mean, are they not synonymous? (I had to look it up to realize that there may be a difference.)

However, if I had to chose between the two, I am most definitely ‘happier’ as an artist. The ability and opportunity to produce something new, interesting, and yet still use creative means to problem solve is a beautiful thing.
So, finding those, sweet negative spaces sprinkled throughout the work week. Taking time to observe the linear marks ingenerate to long hours in spaces, both physical and mental, that no being should *have* to be. I mean, no one wants to *work* to live. It’s dumb. Yet for all that, be it as it may; Contingent, is an esoteric sort of looking glass.
..or whatever.

Like, in passing I’ll ask non-creative/ artistic coworkers, what they did over the weekend. Standard water cooler sh*t. …and, a lot fo the time, responses seem… a bit bleak. ‘I walked my dog!’, as one would proclaimed. I envisioned a warm moment of warm sun, green grass… perhaps a mountain trail. Nine times out of ten it was indeed warm, as any other Carolina afternoon, but not in a romantic sense. Optimistic outlooks bled, dried, and tossed into the proverbial dumpster fire of a sweltering summers saunter within the neighborhood circle. …reward be that only of an oppressive air conditioned residence, basking under the all seeing eye of an eighty-inch OLED reflection. Happiness, shallow as the screen.
smdh

Trey (iii), before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

Hello, my name is B. Ansley III better known as ‘iii’ (Trey or The Third One). I am and artist, designer, and founder of AWSIDY.Design and I have been in the creative field since I was but a knee-high.

Traditionally trained in graphic design but a virtually self-taught painter and muralist.
Throughout the years, I have had the pleasure to showcase and work with a multitude of artists, mentors, businesses and galleries.

AWSIDY (All City) started as a friendly competition between myself, and two other classmates back in high school roughly around two-thousand and six. We just wanted to see who could sell the most shirts by the end of the year.
Long story short, I lost. A few short years later, I continued the brand as a side hobby and adapted the ‘.design’ to encompass all that I do under one moniker. These days it’s primarily an online shop but you can pick up a few exclusive pieces if you happen upon Raleigh, North Carolina.
Graphic and apparel design, photography, murals, and poetry/ spoken word (just to name a few), of the services I am able to provide to prospective clients/ customers. If it has the capacity to create something, I’m interested and will explore it further.

When it comes to working with clients or fellow artists I love bouncing ideas back and forth. I find it’s easier to get to the root of what the client actually envisions. Some are the best at describing what it is they want, so having an open dialogue with visuals helps to hone in. This really isn’t anything special, just a step that I enjoy. …within reason.
Now, I feel sets me apart from others is my versatility. I work in a variety of media. Often times projects incorporate at least two forms of media. Even if it’s just a digital poster, I will pull in textures from older scans or paintings to add more depth to the work. I try not to be bound to one particular style. This can work against me portfolio-wise, but if I’m not reaching, I’m not growing.

…and growth is what I’m all about. Expanding. Networking. Incorporating.
All inclusive I think is the best way to describe my artistic styles and brand. AWSIDY began with the idea that regardless of if you’re in the streets or a suit, we have something in common. …and this should never be forgotten.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

Honestly, one of my secret goals is to stay hyper-local to the Raleigh N.C. area. I feel that this place deserves my respect. …and I wish to offer it. When I have the capacity, I wish to provide a bit of a life-line to upcoming small businesses in the visual and culinary fields.
I mean, you have to have a solid and moving mission statement, but if all the boxes are checked, why not?
This town has a strong sense of family. Like, a good family. :)

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

Always pivoting, never getting sacked.

Quite a few times in my life (even now), I’ve had to put things on the back burner. Life, just happens sometimes. And that’s okay. You have bills, unexpected emergencies, …or close friends, family, or even spouses that just don’t… get it. And that’s okay too. Just have to remember who you are, what you’re about, and how far you’ve already come. You’re always closer to your goal than you are from the start line.
There will always be external forces that make you doubt or question things.

Just a few years ago, I ended a long-term relationship that wasn’t the best mentally, spiritually, sometimes physically. …in doing so, I lost my home studio (moved out), most of my art supplies (canvases, screen prints, paints, tools), and a part of my mind. Shortly after I lost my downtown studio space.
I was working at a coffee shop and the bills were stacking faster than I could earn a decent income. I moved most of my supplies and tools to a storage unit. Next few months, lost that as well. Printer, scanner, 90% of my furniture, and a slew original paintings and prints from artists who helped me establish a name in this town. (Sorry y’all!)
Needless to say I was down bad. But these things happen. When it rains, it pours.
Left with my desktop, a few records, books, an ipad I bought off ebay, and a small apartment, I had to reimagine what it was I needed to create.
But even still, with these experiences, I’m much further than when I started. I try to keep that close to heart.

Now, I’ve got a beautiful baby girl, a solid gig that pays well, and I’ve converted a closet into a pseudo studio.
I’m steadily accepting commissions, designing new apparel, and when I can, exercising my photo journalism.

Always pivoting, never getting sacked.

…don’t really know if this helps anyone out there. ..but figured a personal story is better than a cliche, ‘never give up!’
But also, NEVER GIVE UP.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.awsidy.design
• Instagram: @iii.work, @awsidy.design

Image Credits

AWSIDY.design
iii.work