We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Arshaad Norwood a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Arshaad, thank you so much for agreeing to open up about a sensitive and personal topic like being fired or laid-off. Unfortunately, there has been a rise in layoffs recently and so your insight and experience with overcoming being let go is relevant to so many in the community.
In 2009 I got laid off from Benjamin Studios due to Housing Crisis & Recession. Earlier that same year i bought a house, 2 dogs and an engagement ring so the layoff was absolutely devastating. I tried feverishly to find more work but unemployment was at an all time high. After a few months of no results from online job search I reached out to my Fraternity brothers and Sorority sisters for assistance. With in a month of training, I landed a security gig working nighshift and substitute position at an alernative school during the day. From then I took online classes at Univ of aphoenix to get my Masters in Secondary Education
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
My conviction as a visionary artist is to design mesmerizing murals, produce captivating live paintings and host interactive art shows that emanate my insatiable plight for freedom & redemption in hopes to educate, empower & emancipate the next generation of aspiring artists from marginalized & underprivileged communities through my non profit Art Apprentice Program.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
The 3xfactors that impacted my journey the most is, persistance, patience and networking. IT takes trial and error over an extended time for artist to find their voice. Keep exploring, keep creating and stay involved even when all hope is gone.
If you knew you only had a decade of life left, how would you spend that decade?
My current challenge is finding reliable Child care with ABA therapy for my son who is on Autism Spectrum. He has already been kicked out of 4 schools already…
Contact Info:
- Instagram: Artbyarshaad
- Facebook: Art by arshaad
- Linkedin: Arshaad3
- Twitter: Arshaad3
