We were lucky to catch up with Vince Fraser recently and have shared our conversation below.
Vince, thanks so much for taking the time to share your insights and lessons with us today. We’re particularly interested in hearing about how you became such a resilient person. Where do you get your resilience from?
I feel many Black visual artists draw resilience from navigating years of hardship. My journey is often marked by overcoming systemic barriers, cultural biases, and historical inequalities ingrained within the art world. These challenges, rather than diminishing their spirit, serve as catalysts for innovation and strength. The resilience stems from the perseverance through adversity, the ability to transform pain into powerful narratives, and the determination to carve out spaces for representation and recognition. It’s a resilience built on a legacy of overcoming struggles and creating art that speaks volumes about the human experience.
The hardships faced by Black artists foster a unique resilience—a resilience that celebrates individuality, confronts societal norms, and channels emotions and experiences into captivating visual expressions. Through this resilience, they forge their paths, leaving an indelible mark on the artistic landscape.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
So I’ve been in the creative industry for 25 plus years now, originally graduated in Interior Design and worked for an American company called Gensler Architects in London but didn’t particularly enjoy it, due to the mundane work. So I started freelancing as a digital illustrator doing front cover illustrations for editorial publications ranging from fashion through to Business andTechnology. Then progressing on to doing key artwork for digital campaigns for advertising agencies working for brands like Toyota, Hugo Boss and GUESS jeans USA just to name a few. Eventually moved into the entertainments industry doing Film festival branding around the world and finally into motion design which is where i’m at now. So I’ve kinda gone full circle, from being a designer to an artist, although I don’t like to be pigeon holed or labelled. My unique selling point is definitely my vision, I tend to see things very differently from most people and I think that is because of my age and experience in different fields. Now I just see myself as a creator. I’d say I’m passionate about new technology and how it interacts with art and how it can be used to better the world? The beauty of augmented reality (AR), is we can now merge digital content with the physical world to create and deliver next-generation experiences. Artists like myself can build deeper emotional connections and connect in a more meaningful way with the viewer as in my current exhibition at the Bellagio Gallery Of Fine Art in Las Vegas. My journey as an artist was never an easy one, being a black artist always comes with its obstacles but going back to what I said earlier, passion and self belief is what helped me through those challenging times and focus and determination combined with consistency have been the number one factors to my success as a creative. There is a lack of diversity and representation in the creative industry with regards to senior influential black role models, again I never had any role models growing up, so hope I can inspire younger creatives of colour. My work focuses on the black experience seen through a black lens taking references for the past and present whether that be ancient African historical traditions or current social justice topics? This year has been an interesting one as I got to work with Erykah Badu creating all her tour branding and stage graphics which was amazing. My main focus next year will be to create more immersive exhibitions / events which seems to be very popular at the moment with the general public. Having created outdoor public artworks for Outernet in London was a huge honour being the number one tourist attraction in the Uk.
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?
Three impactful qualities or skills for a visual artist’s journey often include: Technical Proficiency: Mastery of technical skills is foundational. Invest time in learning various techniques, tools, and mediums relevant to your chosen art form. Practice consistently, experiment with different styles, and push boundaries to develop a unique artistic voice. Online tutorials, workshops, and art classes can be invaluable resources.
Advice: Dedicate regular time to practice and refine your technical skills. Embrace challenges, seek constructive feedback, and never stop learning. Building a strong technical foundation sets the stage for creative exploration.
Creative Vision and Conceptualization: Cultivating a distinct creative vision is crucial. It involves developing a unique perspective, storytelling ability, and the capacity to conceptualize ideas. Explore diverse influences, experiment with different concepts, and allow yourself to take risks creatively.
Advice: Encourage curiosity and exploration. Engage with various art forms, cultures, and perspectives. Keep a sketchbook or journal to capture ideas, thoughts, and inspirations. Practice translating concepts into visual representations to hone your artistic vision.
Resilience and Perseverance: The journey of a visual artist often involves setbacks, rejection, and challenges. Resilience is key—it’s about persisting through difficulties, learning from failures, and staying committed to your artistic journey despite obstacles.
Advice: Embrace failure as a stepping stone to growth. Cultivate resilience by staying passionate about your craft. Surround yourself with a supportive community of fellow artists, seek mentorship, and stay open to constructive criticism. Remember, each obstacle is an opportunity to evolve and refine your skills.For those starting their journey as visual artists, my advice would be to focus on continuous learning, experiment boldly, and cultivate resilience. Embrace the process, stay open to critique, and keep refining your skills. Build a strong foundation while allowing your creativity to flourish, and never forget that your unique perspective is a valuable asset in your artistic journey.
Okay, so before we go, is there anyone you’d like to shoutout for the role they’ve played in helping you develop the essential skills or overcome challenges along the way?
Has to be my wife in particular for supporting and helping me overcome challenges. She always encourages me to push the boundaries as far as I can from a visual aspect and is my greatest critic, we studied together many years ago at Design College so she’s the one person that understands how my brain ticks. Behind every great man is an even greater woman as they say.
With regards to learning essential skills I have to say connecting with fellow artists within the artistic community often offer immense support and can be very beneficial in improving your skills as an artist. Collaborations, discussions, and shared experiences with other artists create an environment for learning, inspiration, and growth.
Resources such as workshops, online courses, books, and exposure to diverse art forms and cultures contribute significantly to skill development and creative growth.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://linktr.ee/vincefraser
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/vincefraser
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/vincefraserillustration
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vincefraser/
- Twitter: @vince_fraser
- Other: www.dripbook.com/vincefraser
Image Credits
Vince Fraser
