Meet Milton Gore, Jr.

We were lucky to catch up with Milton Gore, Jr. recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, so we’re so thrilled to have Milton with us today – welcome and maybe we can jump right into it with a question about one of your qualities that we most admire. How did you develop your work ethic? Where do you think you get it from?
I credit my robust work ethic to my upbringing in the village where I learned the value of diligent and purposeful effort from an early age. My drive to continuously improve stems from a deep-rooted sense of purpose and determination to achieve my aspirations. As a father, I am committed to shaping a better future for my family and imparting valuable wisdom to benefit generations to come.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
I am the CEO of MG Visual Studios, LLC, established in 2018. In this capacity, I specialize in creating customized designs tailored to clients’ specific needs, including marketing campaigns, branding, website design, and more. I also manage branding and marketing strategies for businesses, foster business development, and continually enhance my graphic design skills. Additionally, I serve as the Assistant Director of the Upperman African American Cultural Center at the University of North Carolina Wilmington since January 2023.

My higher education career journey includes positions such as Community Coordinator at Coastal Carolina University from 2021 to 2022, Graduate Assistant at the Upperman African American Cultural Center from 2020 to 2021, SAAB Intern at the Student African American Brotherhood in 2020, and Assistant Residence Coordinator at the University of North Carolina Wilmington from 2019 to 2020. Some of my graphic design and marketing history included a Public Relations Internship at Southeastern Community Action Partnership, Inc. in 2015, Graphic Designer roles for Law to the People, LLC and Peterkin Law Firm, PLLC in Red Springs, North Carolina, in 2015, and a Graphic Designer Internship for the University of North Carolina at Pembroke Office of Student Affairs from 2014 to 2015.

My educational background has played a significant role in my success. I earned a Master’s Degree in Higher Education and Leadership from the University of North Carolina Wilmington in 2021 and a Bachelor of Fine Arts with a concentration in Digital Arts from the University of North Carolina Pembroke in 2015. I also hold an Associate of Arts in Fine Arts from Brunswick Community College, obtained in 2012, and graduated from West Brunswick High School in 2009. One of my highlighted accomplishments as an undergraduate student includes being the first president of the University of North Carolina at Pembroke chapter of the Student African American Brotherhood (SAAB). My work with Dr. Bledsoe to inaugurate three chapters of SAAB nationwide has been pivotal to my career trajectory.

An expert in graphic design, digital art, drawing, business, and organization branding design, I have achieved a high level of expertise through my dedication to exploring business and organizational culture for the development of research-driven designs. My passion for art led me to transform my hobby into a career path that culminated in establishing MG Visual Studios, LLC. The bedrock of my success lies in my deep faith and belief in God, which has guided me throughout my journey.

I have applied my expertise in graphic design and marketing to brand a variety of entities, including national conferences, start-up businesses, organizations, and city expos. My specialization lies in crafting compelling logo designs and graphic advertisements, as well as producing diverse cover designs such as book covers, UX/UI designs, website designs, social media marketing materials, mass email designs, and utilizing data analytics for client retargeting in the business realm. Beyond my proficiency in graphic design and marketing, I also excel in traditional art mediums, showcasing my talent in graphite drawing, pen/ink drawings, and digital art.

Since 2008, my artistic journey has undergone a conceptual evolution, shifting towards realism to express and depict the essence of my subjects. My interest in art dates back to early childhood, where I first explored sketching. Although there was a period when art took a backseat in my life, I rediscovered my passion during the later years of high school under the guidance of my Art Instructor, Shelia Vaught. In 2008, I commenced illustrating detailed portraits using graphite, and portraits have since become the focal point of my drawings. I continue to refine and digitize my graphite drawings.

My artistic exploration expanded to include a new category of expertise—digital art, with a specific focus on surrealism portraits. My creations consistently feature individuals and animals, skillfully blending expressions, nature, space, realism, and a myriad of colors. The amalgamation of these elements produces a dream-like surreal quality, designed to captivate the human eye with vibrant colors and offer beautiful content open to interpretation. My evolving body of work showcases my commitment to pushing artistic boundaries and exploring diverse facets of visual expression.
Among all the Digital Art I have released, I currently have a series called Golden Garden, comprising three pieces named Fittonia Albivenis, Sunflower, and Rose. Each artwork intertwines the elegance of Black women with nature, showcasing the true splendor of Mother Nature through excellence.

In my personal life, I am dedicated to spending quality time with my son and fiancée while enjoying jazz music, reading various genres of literature, and exploring different cuisines with loved ones. I visit my parents and siblings regularly and am committed to continuous improvement and expansion of my business with long-term goals. I am also enthusiastic about refining my craft further and creating a significant portfolio of digital art pieces intended for release over time while remaining open to initiating another entrepreneurial venture that aligns with my expertise in digital art and graphic design.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
Meeting my mentor, Dr. Tyrone Bledsoe, was a pivotal moment in shaping my knowledge and skills. His guidance inspired me to maximize my potential and achieve more. Furthermore, my undergraduate professors provided valuable insights on sustaining growth in my artistic journey. Lastly, expanding my network across diverse domains significantly bolstered my business by facilitating new connections and increasing its visibility.

For those who are starting their business journey; they should have individuals surrounding them who inspire them and enhance their abilities. Having mentors who help and develop your skills in different aspects is vital for progress. Step out of your comfort zone, and take intentional and strategic chances to build and grow a business. Also, always network in every space because you never know how you can relate to people who need you.

One of our goals is to help like-minded folks with similar goals connect and so before we go we want to ask if you are looking to partner or collab with others – and if so, what would make the ideal collaborator or partner?
I’m currently seeking collaborators for Graphic Design Projects, catering to various needs such as branding and advertising for businesses, organizations, and beyond. Additionally, I’m eager to team up with individuals who share an interest in the Digital Art I create, particularly seeking models from the Black community who are enthusiastic about showcasing and endorsing my artwork. These models will play a central role in an upcoming series. Moreover, I’m open to collaboration opportunities with art galleries for potential exhibits. Interested parties can contact me via social media platforms, email, or phone:

Email: mgvisualstudios@yahoo.com

Social Media:
– TikTok: @mgvisualstudios
– Instagram: @mgvisualstudios; @mgvs.digitalart
– LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/miltongore/

Website: mgvisualstudios.com

Phone: 910-200-2933

Contact Info:

Image Credits
Image credit would go to Lashaun Noel/Owner of Lil’ Box of Delights.

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