We were lucky to catch up with Andy Smith recently and have shared our conversation below.
Andy, 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?
Being blessed to be raised in a nurturing family, I was brought up with a foundation of confidence. Taught to treat everyone as equal, and to give 110% to anything I did. I was far from a perfect child, I just got into trouble with confidence! I married in 1979 and we were a biracial couple at a time that was still frowned upon. But my wife also had confidence! I started my art career in 1980 by attending outdoor art shows. Most of the time I was the only artist of color, but I realized I had bigger issues than skin color… I was shocked to see my skill level was not as high as my fellow artist! I stand out, but my work fell a bit short.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I have been blessed to be a professional watercolor artist for 44 years. I am a realist; I paint what I see. I love history and travel. I see inspiration literally everywhere I look. I started a blog 18 years ago where I feature “A Painting A Day” so I start and finish a 4×6” painting daily. I thought I would be bored with it by now, but it gives me more freedom to practice and paint whatever moves me without investing time in a larger piece. I can stay in touch with clients all around the world. I share whatever is happening in my life. I had a recent bout with cancer and used my painting to help me get through. I absolutely love watercolor and will continue to paint until I cannot hold a brush!
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?
1. Practice, practice, and more practice. I learned to work at my art, to take it seriously and practice. To paint everyday all day. Put in my 10,000 hours.
To be the best watercolor artist I could be.
2. Be open to advice. My wife was my greatest champion and my hardest critic. I had to learn to listen.
You cannot do it all alone. I needed to paint, and she ran the business.
3. Your character is your brand. I try very hard to treat all people with respect. I do what I say. I meet my deadlines.
I am honest.
What would you advise – going all in on your strengths or investing on areas where you aren’t as strong to be more well-rounded?
My strength is my confidence in who I am and in my painting skill. But I feel I need to be a well-rounded man. I represent myself and meet my clients and potential clients daily. I need to be able to communicate. To be able to talk about clients’ interests means me being well read on a variety of subjects. I feel it helps to know the Old Masters and to have spent time in museums and art galleries, so I can talk art. Having travelled so I can talk about and paint places I have been. I remember when I first was selling at art shows my wife and I would practice what I would say to people. How I would react to questions. She would fire questions at me until I was comfortable. Learning how to sell without being pushy. There is strength in time management! There is strength in learning how to keep motivated and finding fresh subjects. And there is great strength in finding a supportive partner.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.andysmithartist.com
- Instagram: andysmithartist
- Facebook: andysmithartist
- Youtube: andysmithartist
- Other: Blog: andysmithartist.blogspot.com
Image Credits
All photos are my own of my work.
