We recently connected with Donovan Scott and have shared our conversation below.
Donovan, thank you so much for taking the time to share your lessons learned with us and we’re sure your wisdom will help many. So, one question that comes up often and that we’re hoping you can shed some light on is keeping creativity alive over long stretches – how do you keep your creativity alive?
Born in San Jose, CA and growing up in Fremont, CA, I was surrounded by art within my household. My father was a painter and my grandfather was a musician; different mediums and both from Brooklyn, New York. I spent majority of my 20’s in San Francisco, CA and graduated from San Francisco Academy of Art University. The Bay Area has a significant graffiti influence as well (R.I.P. Weezy), so I believe just seeing it everywhere played a role too. Throughout grade school I took art classes as I’ve always noticed myself excelling within art projects that were presented to me. A highlight of mine was either my sophomore or junior year at Irvington High School, as we were all walked into the library for Dia De Los Muertos seeing a mural I drew and scaled of Tupac Shakur hanging above our heads. I didn’t know it had been chosen within my art class and no one knew I even did it. But that let me know I had a talent. Among film, art is a form of escapism for me. It’ll always be in me, not on me.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
At the moment I am focused on growing my brand, DIRTY DIP. Recently we went viral with 9.7million views on iG. Our engagement rate has seen much growth with 1,028,298 interactions within the past 90 days. We’re set to release our second collection of items titled “Ensemble II: Art of Expression”. We mainly do year long capsules which involves various aesthetics.
DIRTY DIP is much more than merch, it’s a movement created to empower and celebrate the unconventional, the bold, and the creative. Being a Black business owner with a deep-rooted passion for art I created DIRTY DIP as a reflection of a lifelong love for creative expression. Growing up in a household of artists, I had always been immersed in the world of drawing, music, fashion, and digital creation. This brand was born from that experience—an authentic fusion of different artistic mediums, crafted with the intent to spotlight fellow creatives who dare to be different.
I believe in embracing the messiness of creativity. It’s in the imperfections, the grit, and the raw passion that true artistry thrives. I’m working to provide a platform where being different is normal, and being normal is different. Whether it’s through the unique graphic tees or by supporting up-and-coming artists, I strive to shine a light on creatives who are shaping culture in the digital age.
I want to also mentioned I couldn’t have done any of this without the support of everyone that has been with us since the beginning, this includes friends and family. I want to thank everyone from the bottom of my heart. And a special thank you to Tyler Polani who is my dear friend and fellow artist. We have collaborated with photograph, graphic design, and much more since the beginning. Further more, I say “we” because this project is not about me, it’s about the community of artist and beyond.
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?
Three qualities aren’t enough. Let me say this: Success is somewhat luck mixed with hard work. Placing yourself in the right places at the right time, but also being ready for the moment whether you’re doing it scared or not. I personally believe being an artist is not for the lighthearted. Starting your own business or anything creative is risky and of course not the scenic route, but slow and steady wins the race. Some people take more time and learn slower and others hit the ground running, but no matter what anyone says, no one has done it over night. Everyone is on their own timeline so don’t be discouraged by your peers or what you see online. There’s many people who have became successful later in life. Don’t give up, try different things, life is about experience.
How can folks who want to work with you connect?
We are always looking for fellow artist to collaborate with who fit the aesthetic of the brand, it’s what DIRTY DIP is all about. Whether it be painting, music, sculpture, graffiti, or even landscaping we seek artist of all mediums. To contact us we can be reached at [email protected] or our iG: @drtydp.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Dirtydip.com
- Instagram: @drtydp
- Other: Threads: @drtydp
Image Credits
Luphoric Pictures: Tyler Polani
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
