Meet Ken Forbes Aka Artboy

We were lucky to catch up with Ken Forbes Aka Artboy recently and have shared our conversation below.

Ken, thank you so much for joining us today. Let’s jump right into something we’re really interested in hearing about from you – being the only one in the room. So many of us find ourselves as the only woman in the room, the only immigrant or the only artist in the room, etc. Can you talk to us about how you have learned to be effective and successful in situations where you are the only one in the room like you?

Life is about curveballs and adaptation. America is a business more than it is a country, and that business often profits through systems of racial disparity.
Long before I was an artist, I worked in finance as a broker and then as a financial advisor. I had worked in that time for two different firms, and was the only person of color in either. As an advisor, I was in wealth management and often taking meetings with high net individuals like managing directors, presidents, vice presidents, partners of firms etc… Most of these appointments were made on the phone and these potential clients were happy and excited to be meeting with “Ken Forbes from Long Island from xyz Firm.” I’d confirm our hour appointment the day before, or the day of and then when my young black face showed up for the meeting, the clients’ tune would always suddenly and sharply change. They’d always seem to have a “very important meeting” that just popped up on their calendar at that very same time. Mind you, this was not the case that would happen with my white counterparts. This interaction became so routine, that I adapted my pitch. I’d respond with, “hey, I understand we’re all very busy and things come up. Since I’m already here, why don’t I just start my presentation, and then whenever you need to go, just cut me off?” They’d respond, “Well, I only probably have about five minutes, I don’t think it’s even worth your time.” To which I’d counter, “I hear you, but I’m already here. Just cut me off when you need to” and then I’d go into my pitch.
At that time, I was ranked 8th in a field of 380 agents in garnering new clients. Unlike my white peers, I had to show these high profile clientele not only did I know what I was talking about, but that I knew more about personal finance than they did – in five minutes. So I learned in my pitch, with the client on the edge of their seat, to stop at the 15 minute mark and go “oh, I’m so sorry! What about that really important meeting you had? Should I go?” “Oh no no no please keep going!” ….. right. After a time of this routine, I realized that this was not the type of room I wanted to be in; not a door I wanted to knock on.
Go in rooms where you are welcome. Once you learn to be okay with your authentic self, you will no longer accept anything else. And as refuse room that don’t align with your values, the right doors will begin to open up to you.
We only have so much time. Why waste it somewhere or with someone who isn’t willing to resonate with your value?

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?

I hate art that you look at, say “that’s cool” and move on. Art should move you, make you feel, think, understand something or someone differently than you did before, and hopefully move you to change or action. So I create artworks that are intended to spark conversations between individuals so that they can share their stories – so we can understand one another better, and remove our innate fears and stigmas.
My paintings have a base coat of coffee and cacao, and I paint in primarily shades of brown. Cacao (often used in ceremony) is used to stimulate a sense of clarity and mindfulness and community. The base coat of the painting is in coffee and cacao because these pillars are the foundation with which we need to awaken ourselves to the fact that ultimately, we are all just different shades of brown – we are all human.
The quicker we can get to that understanding, hopefully the quicker we can stop being so careless to one another.
My art and my brand, “ArtBoy/ArtGirl”, promotes the ideology of becoming the best version of yourself, so that we can all be better together. We’ll be releasing new artworks and clothing soon (available on my website, kenforbesart.com, and socials – @kenforbesart @heyArtBoy). We’ll also be opening a new studio in downtown Manhattan in January 2025.

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?

1. Hard Work…Nothing is given. The more you pour into yourself (within reason), the more you will get out.
2. Emotional Intelligence… The most skilled painter in the world won’t move mountains, won’t be shown, won’t move people if they cannot create art that CONNECTS with people. People love art because of what it does to them, not because all the brush strokes are technically perfect. At the end of the day, life, art – it’s all about people.
3. Faith… This. Shit (pardon me). Is. Not. Easy. Your faith in yourself, the universe, God, luck, destiny, manifestation – whatever – you’ve got to know you are meant to be who you’re going to be. Because this ride ain’t smooth. But this ride is beautiful.

My word of advice to young artists (of all mediums) is to try everything. Growth and learning is just as much about finding what isn’t for you as what is. And you can discover so many Bob Ross happy accidents along the way that might have a significant impact on you or someone else. And that’s wherein the unanticipated truths and beauty lie.

Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?

Absolutely!

Just like in sports, playing with someone with different views and skill sets than your own, is a fast track to learning and bettering yourselves. It’s a win/win.
I’m looking for individuals or groups or organizations who have a genuine interest in community, bettering themselves and bettering others. I like to work with open minded people who like to tell stories and fill the world with positivity, and don’t take themselves too seriously. It’s art after all.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://kenforbesart.com
• Instagram: @kenforbesart @heyartboy