We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Andrae Green a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Andrae, we’re thrilled to have you on our platform and we think there is so much folks can learn from you and your story. Something that matters deeply to us is living a life and leading a career filled with purpose and so let’s start by chatting about how you found your purpose.
As an artist who has been honing my craft for many years, the journey to find my unique artistic identity has been an evolution. In the beginning, I struggled to discover my distinct style and voice amidst the vast world of art. Though identifying my broader purpose as an artist remained elusive for some time, I pushed through creative resistance and roadblocks using the practical tools and perspective shared by more experienced creatives.
Each artwork became an opportunity to develop my skills and explore self-expression. With every mark upon the canvas, my confidence grew as did my sense of self as an artist. Immersing myself fully into the lifestyle of a working artist, I nurtured my curiosity and childlike wonder of the world around me.
This lifelong journey has been one of continuous growth and self-discovery as I have delved into my craft.
My artistic purpose revealed itself slowly over years of perseverance, experimentation, and dedication. Mentorship from fellow artists encouraged me during periods of doubt and critique pushed me to evolve. I have learned to embrace failure and challenges as part of the artistic process. My hard work and passion for creating have allowed me to hone my skills and unlock my unique artistic identity. I now feel confident in my voice and style as an experienced artist.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
I was born in Kingston, Jamaica, into a family deeply rooted in faith and community. My father, a dedicated pastor, was an extraordinary self-made man who tirelessly provided for our family. My mother was equally devoted to faith, and our family life revolved around the church. However, the area in Kingston where I grew up, and where my family still resides, was plagued by violence. I witnessed clashes between the police, “gunmen,” and rival political factions from a young age. To cope with the turmoil around me, I found solace in comic books and the church, which served as my refuge.
During my formative years, my exposure to art was limited to cartoons such as Batman, Superman, and Spiderman. It wasn’t until I attended art school that I discovered the world of painting, encountering my first painting at the National Gallery of Jamaica—a captivating piece titled The Fishing Village by Barrington Watson.
My journey as an artist has been profoundly shaped by a traumatic period during Jamaica’s economic downturn in the ’80s and ’90s. Prior to this crisis, I lived in a world brimming with possibilities. However, the abrupt shift into poverty due to the economic turmoil left an indelible mark on me. While my family and much of our social circle were considered “middle middle class,” the economic downturn pushed us down the ladder. This wasn’t unique to my family; Jamaica as a whole faced similar challenges after accepting aid from the International Monetary Fund. This shift in our status implanted a subconscious sense of limitation that influenced my approach to life and creativity.
Today, my artistic focus revolves around revisiting that tumultuous time while reimagining a different outcome—one defined by self-determination, hope, and boundless imagination. This theme feels particularly pertinent now as I navigate through challenges presented by a struggling economy, reminiscent of what my family endured in the past.
As I reflect on Jamaica’s troubled history, memories of the clash between Michael Manley’s socialist policies and the Reagan administration’s approach come to mind. The resulting instability, fueled by CIA-backed drug money, ushered in violence and political unrest that deeply affected my community and my personal journey. Many individuals, including those close to me, were compelled to leave the country due to limited opportunities. Today, I find myself facing a similar situation. With a young family and aspirations for a brighter future, I sense a weight of responsibility to break free from the cycle of limited opportunities that my father encountered.
The concept of life as a circle resonates profoundly with me, reminiscent of beliefs held by ancient tribes. It’s as if I am destined to confront the challenges my father could not overcome and elevate my family’s circumstances. Despite moments of doubt when I consider the current state of affairs in America, I firmly believe that my talents and education can guide me towards a more promising future. Although my connection to Massachusetts may be minimal, I am determined to build the life my father would have wished for me, aiming to fulfill a portion of his unrealized dreams. This sense of purpose propels me forward on my artistic journey, in the pursuit of positive impact, much like my father did in his time.
My intention is for my work to spark a challenging introspection within the viewers, inciting them to confront thought-provoking questions. Can one transcend their circumstances? How can we fully embrace the present moment? Is it possible to be one’s true self without compromise? How can I contribute to addressing the socio-economic and political issues that impact not only myself but also my community?
In addition to encouraging this self-examination, I aspire for my art to kindle a sense of hope—a vision of a promising future. This hope, nestled within my heart, drives me to create. I firmly believe that hope imbues life with purpose and significance. Through my artistic endeavors, I strive to inspire this very hope, fostering a brighter tomorrow that’s grounded in our collective efforts to better our world.
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?
Through years of honing my craft, I’ve found three vital skills for the artistic journey – cultivating endless curiosity, embracing change, and trusting the process. Visionaries like Steve Jobs exemplify this creative mindset. Though he failed plenty, Jobs always believed he was destined for greatness, as noted in Walter Isaacson’s biography. He nurtured endless curiosity and was never satisfied with the status quo, which empowered him to revolutionize entire industries.
As an established artist, I know that comfort is the enemy of progress. One must keep exploring, learning, and changing to grow, as described in Art Markman’s book ‘Bring Your Brain to Work’. Even after success, an insatiable curiosity is key. Every day presents new inspiration if you remain open. Never settling for adequate ideas or skills leads to incredible breakthroughs.
Most importantly, have faith in the artistic process. Creation is messy and nonlinear, as Embry-Riddle professor Cameron Lippard discusses. But trust that your vision will manifest through dedication. These principles propel personal and professional evolution. For any artist aiming to develop their craft, embracing curiosity, change, and the process is essential. Maintaining a beginner’s mindset allows for continuous growth, as noted in Zen philosophy. By staying flexible, focused, and having faith in the journey, artistic identity flourishes.
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?
Here is an answer using the personal statement to reflect on who has been most helpful in overcoming challenges and developing essential skills:
Looking back on my artistic journey, two figures stand out as most instrumental in helping me overcome challenges and build essential skills – my late father and my son Judah.
Though my relationship with my father was complex, one question he posed shortly before passing has lingered with me for decades: “What can you say you have achieved in your life?” At the time, this only widened the rift between us. However, in retrospect, it gave me a relentless drive to pursue my art and create meaningful achievements. My father’s high expectations, though difficult in the moment, pushed me to persevere through self-doubt and uncertainty on my path.
The impending birth of my son Judah also gave me renewed motivation and purpose. Knowing I would be responsible for another life forced me to evaluate my priorities and commit fully to developing my abilities. My child’s innocence and dependence on me reinforced that this was not just a hobby, but a calling requiring discipline, courage, and vision.
Though seemingly different, my father and son played symbiotic roles in my growth. One compelled me to search inward and asked difficult questions to realize my potential. The other’s arrival demanded I rise to the challenge, overcoming fear and insecurity to build a meaningful legacy. Together, their influence shaped me into the resilient, driven artist I am today. Even in their absence, I feel their presence guiding me to stay focused and turn struggles into opportunities for growth.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.andraegreen.com
- Instagram: @andraegreenstudios
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrae-green-50998628/
