From Canvas To Market: Local Artists’ Perspective on Artwork Branding

 From Canvas To Market: Local Artists’ Perspective on Artwork Branding

 

Photo by Steve Johnson

In a world where artistic expression is both revered and commodified, local artists establish a unique identity that resonates with audiences and distinguishes their creations from the crowd. To delve deeper into this journey, we have had the privilege of interviewing talented local artists who generously shared their experiences, insights, and thoughts about the realm of artwork branding. 

These interviews provide a glimpse into the minds of artists as they have navigated between creating and publicizing their work. Through their words, we gain a deeper understanding of their struggles, breakthroughs, and valuable insight for fellow creatives and enthusiasts alike.

 

We first had the privilege to talk to Cesar Keymolen (IG: artbyenrik). A passionate local artist taking us through an interstellar experience through his artwork tells us what his branding journey has looked like and his thoughts on maneuvering that process. 

“I feel like branding has been something I’ve been figuring out since the beginning. I’ve been lucky enough to get a lot of great opportunities in a relatively short amount of time just by being at the right place at the right time even if there’s a fear of rejection sometimes. I hate to force creativity but also sometimes it’s necessary to push yourself a little. I’ve also been lucky enough to have my girlfriend Jess who works in marketing and has helped me with a large portion of my own marketing. I’ve had to learn to trust her opinion and other artists who advise me on certain things. Showing up in-person events has also been something that has helped out tremendously. Making the right connections and building a foundation for future projects is so much better in person.”

 

We also had the honor of interviewing another amazing local artist by the name of Sam Schaber (IG: samschaber). From amazing flows of colors to some of the most badass portraits you’ll ever see, Sam shares his journey with branding and what that process has looked like for him.

“A large amount of my body of work is built around high contrast, bright colored mixed media paintings. Keeping a consistent style has been key in establishing my work publicly allowing me to differentiate my pieces from other artists even when we adopt similar styles. At the end of the day, I let the paintings take the spotlight. The biggest challenge is that while I’ve built a recognizable line of work, it can be difficult to branch out or sell myself as something other than the styles I’m mainly known for. I’ve always done what interested me and if something is gaining traction it can be just as rewarding to stick to it and evolve the style as you grow with it. The most response and engagement I’ve always gotten is from doing what I love and people reciprocating that passion.” 

Lastly, we also had the wonderful opportunity to speak with Mr. John Hairston Jr. (IG: john_hairston_jr). A local artist who has been creating for over 20 years shares his experiences on what branding has looked like for him and the knowledge he’s gained over the years in the process. This is what he had to say in his own words. 

“My goal as an artist was always to create things I wanted to see that I didn’t see in real life. It was always taking something and adding my own zhoosh to whatever it was I was working on. A sticker, a piece of artwork, or a postcard is just as important as any mural. Important work is big or small. It can be both. It can be any size. It's about creating work that you believe in to put out into the world and knowing that sometimes people react to it really well and sometimes people don’t. It’s all just a part of it. It’s about being able to create work that you like, and that you believe in, and being able to take whatever your skills are and apply them to professional work. As long as you do that people come back because it's all part of branding. You get the best me whenever I’m free to roam and explore in the way that I would like. I’m at my best whenever I’m working and exploring to my own level of satisfaction and you pay me for that. Now does that happen overnight,? Absolutely not. There’s always going to be a cold season so when it’s here you use that time. Even if you're not making artwork you're using the time to live because your life makes the artwork.” 

  

 As we can see branding can take various forms, tailored to the unique identity and vision of each artist. From the big to the small, bright to the dark, and digital to paper as artists, you have the opportunity to craft your own distinct brand presence and authentically communicate your work with your audience in a meaningful way. So don't be afraid to express your creativity and let your brand shine!