Extra Paint: Very Gay Paint

Extra Paint: Steffi Lynn aka @HaveANiceDayy_

You have to work for your art. Odd jobs help a lot of people out along the way. If this has also been your experience of becoming an artist, that is okay. Include your followers in the products you make because they are the ones who will buy the finished product. Create the art that makes you happy and at the same time remember who will buy your art. Utilize polls to get the best information if you need input! Try not to simply follow the trends. Instead you can try to adapt or learn from a trend to your own style and audience. First impressions are important. You can control the experience your customers have, if you run your own shop. Caring about the little details shows your customers you care about them. When you send something from an independent creator, your customer should feel like they are receiving a gift. There is more than one way to stand up for what you believe in. Your skillset might lend itself well to making posters to help spread the message, while other people’s talents might be in organising or communicating. Standing up for what you believe in doesn’t just mean talking. Consider how you can use your art to show what you are passionate about and to help to make the world a better place. Get social Check out Steffi's shop [https://itshaveaniceday.com/] Follow Steffi on Instagram @haveanicedayy_ [https://www.instagram.com/haveanicedayy_/]

Extra Paint: Adam Fu on Making a Statement with your Art

1. As an artist, consider the implications of the art you create. Make your art meaningful and intentional. As designers, artists, human beings - have a point of view. Share your point of view on what is happening around you through your work. 2. Products solve problems. Adam sees murals in this way. Murals are a way to start a conversation and get closer to solving a problem. 3. A lot of things aren’t comfortable to talk about but that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t talk about them. You might not feel comfortable painting or sharing a political mural but if the work is important to you, you will find a way to do it despite your discomfort. 4. On NFT - Anything that can give artists more agency is a good thing. For years people didn’t encourage their children to become artists because artists don’t have control of their work, they are at the mercy of the market and the buyer. NFT has the potential to give artists more control over how their work is sold and the price paid by the buyer. On the flip side, the possible environmental impact cannot be ignored. Instagram: @adamfu Website: https://www.adamkfujita.com

Extra Paint: Very Gay Paint

1. Very Gay Paint began as an indoor mural project. When you put something up on a wall inside a home it is very different to a print or a piece on canvas. Consider the environment where your mural is going to live. Try to avoid a situation where your mural is fighting with the furniture in the room, or other art on the walls. Make the mural an extension of the interior design, the furniture and the architecture of the home. 2. There is a significant number of people creating murals. Reach out to the community for help and to collaborate with like minded people. 3. Unsure of how to present yourself on social media? Nick and Jenson use their comedy to stand out, but if you are shy, remember -  be yourself and follow your joy. Make content that makes you laugh and that makes you feel good. 4. Cultivate your relationships so that you have time with friends outside of your work. Value yourself as a complete person, not just as an artist. Stay Social Follow Very Gay Paint on Instagram @verygaypaint [https://www.instagram.com/verygaypaint/] Join the @muralists community on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/muralists/] Sign up for our newsletter here [https://muralists.co/]

Extra Paint: Brolga on Making and Finding Space To Create

1. Always be open to trying new things – you don’t know what new adventure might begin as a result. While living in Brooklyn after a long stint travelling, Brolga took some illustration classes and was pleasantly surprised by how much he liked it. 2. Illustrators and artists are versatile and have to have a lot of strings to their bow. Being able to work from basically anywhere is a very unique position to be in, how can you use this to your advantage? 3. Find your own path. The more people on the path you're on, the less chance you have of standing out. 4. Never forget where you started. and the journey you took to get to where you are today. Before taking commissions for murals, Brolga was out walking the streets always trying to find a wall to paint a character on. To earn a living from his artwork today is the result of passion, perseverance and determination. 5. If you don't have consistent work, you can always make your own projects. This allows you to shape your portfolio without waiting for permission, while also building demand for your skills. Stay Social Follow Brolga on Instagram @brolga [https://www.instagram.com/brolga/] Check out Brolga's latest exhibition at the Outré gallery [https://www.outregallery.com/collections/brolga-the-embrace?mc_cid=65dedddfd3&mc_eid=3602442b97] Join the @muralists community on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/muralists/] Sign up for our newsletter here [https://muralists.co/]

Extra Paint: Wyatt Hersey on Art and Nature

1. Using your unique life experience to inspire you as an artist gives you a perspective no one else will have. For instance, Wyatt’s background in field ecology with a focus on birds clearly influences his art. Through his ‘day job’ and working with children in nature, he better understands people’s connection with the world around us and how it continues to evolve. 2. Don't be afraid to reach out to people who are a little further ahead of you in their career. Most are receptive to sharing their story, which you can learn from. 3. Listen to your gut about keeping your interests separate to your work. It can be tempting to combine everything you love in your art which might also feel overwhelming when you are starting out. Remember that as the artist, you decide what to share with the world through your art. 4. Keep a sketchbook with you, always. And keep drawing, even when you don't feel like it Is leading to a particular project. Some of your best work might come from an idea that was unexpected. Stay Social Check out Wyatt's store [https://www.wyatthersey.com/] Follow Wyatt on Instagram @wyatthersey [https://www.instagram.com/wyatthersey/] Join the @muralists community on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/muralists/] Sign up for our newsletter here [https://muralists.co/]