Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Steven Black. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Hi Steven, thank you so much for opening up with us about some important, but sometimes personal topics. One that really matters to us is overcoming Imposter Syndrome because we’ve seen how so many people are held back in life because of this and so we’d really appreciate hearing about how you overcame Imposter Syndrome.
This one was big for me before I became a full-time artist.
I decided to call myself an artist if I drew or painted something each day.
So I’d get up at 5 am and paint. Then the rest of the day even though I had to work a day job, I painted today so I’m a painter.
And at night after my day gig, I’d draw while watching Netflix. I did this for 10 years before finally leaping two years ago to be an artist full-time. I think there is power in that.
Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
Steven Russell Black is a fine artist and illustrator living and working in the San Francisco Bay Area.
He is a painter who loves the darker side of surrealism. His work often reveals the horror under the surface of beautiful things and the beauty in the horrific.
His client list includes Wizards of the Coast: Magic the Gathering and Image Comics. Steven’s work has been in print publications, Imagine FX, and Spectrum Fantastic Art. His work has been featured online with Hi-Fructose and Juxtapoz.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Making the time and place to pursue your craft is the biggest thing you can give yourself.
Find the time anywhere you can. I used to draw on the bus on the way to work. Carry a sketch or notebook with you everywhere. Ideas come when you least expect them and you have to be ready to catch them.
Network with everyone, you never know who you meet that can help you along the way.
Thanks so much for sharing all these insights with us today. Before we go, is there a book that’s played in important role in your development?
“4-Hour Work Week” by Tim Ferris.
There are a lot of good things in here but the biggest takeaway for me was that you could take your dreams and build up to them with small steps each day. Everything takes you closer or farther away from your goals.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.stevenrussellblack.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stevenrussellblack/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stevenrussellblack
Image Credits
© Steven Russell Black
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
