We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful SEVEN. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with SEVEN below.
Hi SEVEN, we’re so appreciative of you taking the time to share your nuggets of wisdom with our community. One of the topics we think is most important for folks looking to level up their lives is building up their self-confidence and self-esteem. Can you share how you developed your confidence?
I believe my confidence and self-esteem are a product of developing my natural talents as a visual artist in unconventional ways. Primarily, for me it was the act of writing/painting graffiti. Prior to becoming a graffiti writer, in my younger years I was often depressed and had somewhat of a low self esteem. I felt unseen and virtually ignored by society at that time. I wanted to feel like I mattered, like I existed. I wanted to express myself but was unsure how to do it. Writing/painting graffiti became my vesicle for expression. It gave me a voice I never knew I had, and as a result has evolved into a profession and lifestyle that before I had only dreamed of.
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?
Currently, I am focused on my career as a professional muralist. Mural painting is one of my biggest passions and I have work featured in various cities of the eastern United States. Most of my work is located in Chattanooga, Tennessee where I currently reside. I am also a visual artist of varying disciplines such as digital illustration, design, and animation. I am also working on a body of large-scale canvas artworks that I plan to unveil at my first official solo gallery exhibit to be announced in the near future.
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?
The impactful skills or virtues that I will say helped me along my journey would be patience, practice, and persistence.
Having patience with myself that one day I would reach a point in my artistic ability and pursuit that I could consider myself successful.
Relentlessly practicing my craft and skill to a point of mastery.
Being persistent enough to make it through the slow beginnings, rejection, self-doubt and fear. Believing in myself knowing I had what it took to achieve my goals.
How can folks who want to work with you connect?
I am always open to collaborating with other artist, especially professional muralist, mural festivals and curators. I am currently interested in possible gallery representation or venue space for a gallery exhibition. My ideal clients for mural work is someone who values my work, knows what they want or are willing to allow artistic freedom to an extent and willing to invest in professional work.
My website is https://theartistseven.com/
You can also reach me on Instagram @theartistseven
Contact Info:
- Website: https://theartistseven.com/
- Instagram: @theartistseven
Image Credits
Shawne H. Bailey
