We recently connected with Troy Holmes and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Troy, thanks for joining us today. Have you been able to earn a full-time living from your creative work? If so, can you walk us through your journey and how you made it happen? Was it like that from day one? If not, what were some of the major steps and milestones and do you think you could have sped up the process somehow knowing what you know now?

I’m in the process of doing so.. Not quite there yet! At first I just drew as a hobby, but then I learned there was a way to monetize your work. Over the past couple years I’ve only done commissions, which came in very scarcely. After moving to GA, I decided that I was going to be more aggressive with my work this year. Now I vend at anime conventions, pop up shops at Atlantic Station every other week, and attend various art shows. It’s going great so far, the investment is worth it in the long run. It was not easy, and it still isn’t but persevering through it goes a long way. Don’t give up. I wish that I had been doing this a couple years back when I was in my early 20s, could have made a name for myself by now. Just be sure to establish yourself as an artist, work as if it’s a job, practice and take time off to relax. Make a business name, trademark it, get a logo, etc. It’s all worth it.

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

I’ve always been a self taught artist, always loved to draw especially when I was bored or going through something. I started to monetize my work after getting into college and realizing I need money for adulting! I solve problems like, helping clients bring their ideas to life from creative logos to family portraits. I think what sets me apart from most is the fact that I’ll chop it up with my clients to make sure it’s really precise and what they’re looking for. Also my art style is pretty neat to most. I’m most proud of my improvement as an artist, just being able to get better at what I enjoy and learn new things is amazing. I love the fact that my supporters talk to me and I get to meet them at cons sometimes, I love to hear what they think and why they support me. I just want my potential clients to know… Look, I gotchu but please be serious when inquiring, most artists don’t address it but we’ve got bills too!

Alright – so here’s a fun one. What do you think about NFTs?

Cheap get rich quick schemes. To those who are successful in them, cool, get yah bag. But whoever is inspiring these old heads to hit me up in my DMs looking for NFTs or got my uncles telling me I need to do them, please stop. Also, the people who are using AI art and claiming it as your own, get a day job buddy.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

Being able to create what’s going on in your head. Speaking a different language to people through their eyes and into their minds. Getting them to see what you feel and everything just from looking. It drives me to improve, knowing I have a valuable skill that doesn’t have a ceiling.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.fmartwork.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fm_artwork/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/fm_artwork/
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@fm_artwork https://www.twitch.tv/fm_artwork https://freemindedartwork.carrd.co/ <Commission me here>